Ah:, such a timely and inspiring piece! And thx for bringing CM back to my mind….Also this inquiry is GOLD👉 “What is the critical revolution we are individually capable of that might eventually be a poetic crescendo that spills over in some way that is yet indiscernible to the casual observer behind a screen?” Thank you for sharing!
I am surprised you didn't say anything about our time in The Netherlands. Biking there is just a part of life. Nothing political, that I every felt. People of all ages biked everywhere. It helps that the country is very flat. And it really helps that biking infrastructure is so developed. Rental bikes are at all of the train stations. Bikes are simply an integrated part of how people move about.
Your description of critical mass at the top of the post reminded me of my first visit to Shanghai, probably about 2000. Bikes were everywhere. In my last visit, probably about 2015, the bikes were mostly gone, replaced by cars and a very advanced subway system. I missed the flow of the bikes when the lights changed.
Love this piece! I just read it aloud to my partner who enjoyed many CM rides back in the day.
This piece reminds me of something I heard Joe Rose, Ojibwe elder now ancestor, say about humans choosing the green lush path over the charred broken path as this is the time in their Seven Fires prophesy that we must choose one or the other- he said we don’t have to get everyone on board, only enough.
From Chris Carlsson sent via email: glad to have helped... nice piece, neither a call to arms nor a call for navel gazing... a prompt that isn't quite a provocation in the best tradition of Critical Mass...
I'm not sure about the percolating revolt in the yoga studios though... all too many yoga moms went full on into the QAnon "save the children" insanity... but for sure, I know plenty of regular yoga practitioners and they're mostly good people, albeit a bit too focused on their navels!
A reader sent this note in a private message and I think that it’s worth sharing: Thanks for writing and sending this, Jessica. Seems like there are at least a few big questions in there: 1) what counts as radical activity or radical change? 2) what to make of these activities as they age? 3) what else is like or related or heir to CM?
Love love! Bring Back CM Jessica!
Thank you! Every time I get on a bike I feel happy! Rolling rolling rolling forward!
Ah:, such a timely and inspiring piece! And thx for bringing CM back to my mind….Also this inquiry is GOLD👉 “What is the critical revolution we are individually capable of that might eventually be a poetic crescendo that spills over in some way that is yet indiscernible to the casual observer behind a screen?” Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for your comment and for pulling that line forward. So glad you enjoyed the thoughts. Thanks for being here.
I am surprised you didn't say anything about our time in The Netherlands. Biking there is just a part of life. Nothing political, that I every felt. People of all ages biked everywhere. It helps that the country is very flat. And it really helps that biking infrastructure is so developed. Rental bikes are at all of the train stations. Bikes are simply an integrated part of how people move about.
Your description of critical mass at the top of the post reminded me of my first visit to Shanghai, probably about 2000. Bikes were everywhere. In my last visit, probably about 2015, the bikes were mostly gone, replaced by cars and a very advanced subway system. I missed the flow of the bikes when the lights changed.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I appreciate your insights and the questions we can ask ourselves.
Ah yes, Critical Mass!! Remember it well.
Thanks for going there with me -- I bet you have some stories of your own!
It was always a real trip when it was Critical Mass day in the City!
Love this piece! I just read it aloud to my partner who enjoyed many CM rides back in the day.
This piece reminds me of something I heard Joe Rose, Ojibwe elder now ancestor, say about humans choosing the green lush path over the charred broken path as this is the time in their Seven Fires prophesy that we must choose one or the other- he said we don’t have to get everyone on board, only enough.
Just a critical mass.
Just enough. That is my new motto/Tshirt/waterbottle sticker! Thank you Leslie and Joe.
really lovely writing! great story as always 💜
Thank you for reading and for your compliment. I appreciate it more than you know.
As usual, a fun read !!
Thank you, from one bike lover to another!
From Chris Carlsson sent via email: glad to have helped... nice piece, neither a call to arms nor a call for navel gazing... a prompt that isn't quite a provocation in the best tradition of Critical Mass...
I'm not sure about the percolating revolt in the yoga studios though... all too many yoga moms went full on into the QAnon "save the children" insanity... but for sure, I know plenty of regular yoga practitioners and they're mostly good people, albeit a bit too focused on their navels!
A reader sent this note in a private message and I think that it’s worth sharing: Thanks for writing and sending this, Jessica. Seems like there are at least a few big questions in there: 1) what counts as radical activity or radical change? 2) what to make of these activities as they age? 3) what else is like or related or heir to CM?