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    <title>bikechicago.info user forums</title>
    <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/index.php</link>
    <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
    <language>EN</language>
    <pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:51:06 -0500</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:51:06 -0500</lastBuildDate>
    <category>bikechicago.info user forums</category>
    <generator>Phorum 5.1.12</generator>
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    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;Chicago cycling links and resources] Re: Maps</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?3,44,673#msg-673</link>
      <author>zbicyclist</author>
      <description><![CDATA[http://www.milwaukee.gov/maps4460.htm 

Free copies of Milwaukee's latest bike map are available at all area bike shops, libraries, City Hall, County Parks and can be downloaded in two large pdf files from the URL above.  If you live outside of the County and need a map mailed to you, please contact Dave Schlabowske, City of Milwaukee Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at 414-286-3144 or via email .  The map covers Milwaukee County and shows all on-street bike routes, striped bike lanes, and off-street trails.  It also lists some streets preferred by area bicyclists, but without any special acomodation for cyclists.]]></description>
      <category>Chicago cycling links and resources</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?3,44,673#msg-673</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:51:06 -0500</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Admin's test forum (invsible)] Re: Spammer</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?7,671,672#msg-672</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Oops, to clarify-- moderator approval is now required to complete registration.
I closed the CCM forum to unregistered posting a while ago.]]></description>
      <category>Admin's test forum (invsible)</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?7,671,672#msg-672</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:17:06 -0600</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Admin's test forum (invsible)] Spammer</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?7,671,671#msg-671</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Sorry 'bout that. I deleted the bad user and changed the settings so that moderator approval is required. Anyone think there's any hope of bringing this board back to life? Be aware I can also create new boards that don't show up in the forums.bikewinter.org menu as well, if you have a need.
Howard]]></description>
      <category>Admin's test forum (invsible)</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?7,671,671#msg-671</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:11:19 -0600</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Couchspace for September mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,452,665#msg-665</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[For those wondering--
&quot;thermogenic&quot; had some greyhound problems (a missed and then a broken down bus), but managed to make it to the mass on foot from the Greyhound station just in time to jump into the back of the mass and ride on John Greenfield's trailer for most of the ride. John and Josh D ended up making sure he had was reuinted with his backpack, had a good time at Quencher's Saloon, and a convenient place to crash before heading back to Detroit the next day.]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,452,665#msg-665</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:17:54 -0500</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Whose Streets</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,664,664#msg-664</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[An excellent piece from a friend of the activist community, written for Lumpen.

WHOSE STREETS?

By Just Joking Jerry

The Ever So Secret order of the Lamprey’s 6th Annual Real St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pilsen on Chicago’s South Side provided an object lesson in how to take over the streets, without a permit, and without arrests.  Too often, efforts to “take to the streets”  are sidetracked by meta-conflicts with police over the right to use the streets.  But, so long as you are willing to forego an explicit meta-conflict, you can do pretty much what you want to.  All it takes is a little disingenuity, and a passing familiarity with some simple Rules:

1. Act Like You Own The Joint, And People Will Treat You Like You Do.  

These are your streets.  You paid for them with your tax dollars.  Don’t ask for permission.  Don’t be meek.  You can do as you see fit on your streets. Remember that.  Believe that.   Swagger is crucial to your success.      

2.  Don’t Speak Truth To Power.   

Has Power done anything to deserve Truth?  Then don’t give Truth to Power (they don’t get along anyway.)  Save the lawyers for the courtroom, where they might do some good.  When Power hits the street, send in the Fluffers.  Give Power whatever story it needs to leave you alone or, better yet, to provide an escort for your parade.  For instance, a Fluffer in priestly vestments telling Power that you’re just marching to the church down the street to say a prayer can work wonders.  With stories, the possibilities are limitless – let your imagination run wild.   

3.  To Disarm Power, Demonstrate Compliance.  

Note that usage of “demonstrate.”  It doesn’t mean “obey.”  It means gestures, typically, empty gestures.  So, by all means, stop at that church, and utter some Latin over the bullhorn.  It hardly matters that the “prayer” is a beastly obscenity – Power didn’t take Latin in High School anyway, so it won’t know the difference.  Lip service is cheap, and always the most effective demonstration of compliance.            

4.  You Can Get Away With Murder In The Name Of Art.  

Even if your parade isn’t explicitly about art, you should make it artistic.  A showy, creative spectacle always makes for a better parade, and the inherently subversive nature of art has a disarming effect on Power.  Power is confused by creativity -- and when they’re confused, they’ll never see you coming.    

5.  The Band Is Always The Most Powerful Force On The Street.  

A good marching band can psychically neutralize three times as many police officers as there are musicians.  Never underestimate the power of live music – it gives you leverage, and is the ultimate mindfuck for Power.

6.  Render Yourselves Logistically Fraught.   

It’s easy to arrest a lot of people – Power already has procedures in place for mass arrests.  But it’s not so easy to arrest the Rolling Bonfire, the Chariot of the Slobs, a phalanx of Freak Bikes, or the Catholic Schoolgirl Memorial Blarney Stone Keg.  Be sure to equip your parade with plenty of large, rickety, dangerous contraptions, likely to cause injury if left unattended.  Design your logistics so that Power  concludes that leaving you alone is the path of least resistance. 

7.  Cultivate Your Crowd.  

There is strength in numbers, and the greater the number, the greater the strength.   It should go without saying that your parade should include as many people as possible.  But, aside from those who show up to march, you should recruit onlookers along the route – even if they don’t join you, they will appreciate the invitation, and cheer you from the sidelines.  With drivers grid-locked by your parade, a wave, a smile, and some friendly words can easily convert a fleet of people on the verge of road rage into a grinning audience, honking in solidarity with you.  The crowd is your witness, your audience, your shield, your distraction.   

Of course, you need not follow these rules, or any rules.  You have every right to engage in a meta-conflict with Power over your right to use the streets.  Your courage in standing on principle, and picking a fight with people who carry weapons, wear body armor, and shoot people, is indeed admirable.   But if you choose to stand on that admirable principle, do us all a favor, and let us know that is your plan, so we’ll know to look for you in the lock-up, and not on the street.      

Hail Moloch!]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,664,664#msg-664</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:13:36 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Couchspace for September mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,452,663#msg-663</link>
      <author>thermogenic</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I'm coming from Detroit, ariving by train, i see it's only 10-11 blocks / 1 mile away. if any one can set me up for the night that would be great, the morning train leaves at 8:30, unless there is a morning ride elsewhere, i'll leave later.]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,452,663#msg-663</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 22 Sep 2007 06:52:49 -0500</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;Open forum&lt;/font size&gt;] Clueless feds, as usual</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?1,545,545#msg-545</link>
      <author>madopal</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Not really a Chicago-specific thing, but it affects us.

Cribbed from Salon so you don't have to jump thru hoops to read it.

----

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/09/14/bike_paths/print.html

The bicycle thief
Bike activists face an uphill climb against Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, who claims bike paths are not transportation and are stealing tax money from bridges and roads.

By Katharine Mieszkowski

Sep. 14, 2007 | Imagine you're the federal official in the Bush administration charged with overseeing the nation's transportation infrastructure. A major bridge collapses on an interstate highway during rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring an additional 100. Whom to blame? How about the nation's bicyclists and pedestrians!

The Minneapolis bridge collapse on Aug. 1 led Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters to publicly reflect on federal transportation spending priorities and conclude that those greedy bicyclists and pedestrians, not to mention museumgoers and historic preservationists, hog too much of the billions of federal dollars raised by the gas tax, money that should go to pave highways and bridges. Better still, Peters, a 2006 Bush appointee, apparently doesn't see biking and walking paths as part of transportation infrastructure at all.

In an Aug. 15 appearance on PBS's &quot;NewsHour With Jim Lehrer,&quot; Peters spoke against a proposal to raise gas taxes to shore up the nation's aging infrastructure. The real problem, the secretary argued, is that only 60 percent of the current money raised by gas taxes goes to highways and bridges. She conveniently neglected to mention that about 30 percent of the money goes to public transit. She then went on to blast congressional earmarks, which dedicate 10 percent of the gas tax to some 6,000 other projects around the country. &quot;There are museums that are being built with that money, bike paths, trails, repairing lighthouses. Those are some of the kind of things that that money is being spent on, as opposed to our infrastructure,&quot; she said. The secretary added that projects like bike paths and trails &quot;are really not transportation.&quot;

Peters' comments set off an eruption of blogging, e-mailing and letter-writing among bike riders and activists, incensed that no matter how many times they burn calories instead of fossil fuels with the words &quot;One Less Car&quot; or &quot;We're Not Holding Up the Traffic, We Are the Traffic&quot; plastered on their helmets, their pedal pushing is not taken seriously as a form of transportation by the honchos in Washington, D.C.

Bike paths are not infrastructure? &quot;There are hundreds of thousands of people who ride to work, and millions who walk to work every day, and the idea [that] that isn't transportation is ludicrous,&quot; says Andy Clarke, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists, who has biked to work for almost 20 years on a path paid for with federal dollars. Clarke fired off an angry letter to Peters, and invited the 25,000 members of his organization around the country to do the same. &quot;The guy in his Humvee taking his videos back to the video store isn't any more legitimate a trip than the guy on the Raleigh taking his videos back,&quot; says Andy Thornley, program director for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

In fact, only about 1.5 percent of federal transportation dollars go to fund bike paths and walking trails. In the meantime, 10 percent of all U.S. trips to work, school and the store occur on bike or foot, and bicyclists and pedestrians account for about 12 percent of annual traffic fatalities, according to the Federal Highway Administration. &quot;We represent a disproportionate share of the injuries, and we get a minuscule share of the funds,&quot; says Robert Raburn, executive director of the East Bay Bike Coalition in the San Francisco Bay Area, who calls the Peters' comments &quot;outrageous.&quot; Plus, he notes, with problems like global warming, the obesity epidemic and energy independence, shouldn't the U.S. secretary of transportation be praising biking, not complaining about it?

What really drives cyclists around the bend is that while they're doing their part to burn less fossil fuel -- cue slogan: &quot;No Iraqis Died to Fuel This Bike&quot; -- they're getting grief for being expensive from a profligate administration. &quot;War spending, tax cuts for the rich, and gas taxes are all big sources of funding. Bike spending is not,&quot; fumes Michael Bluejay, an Austin, Texas, bike activist, in an e-mail. &quot;The few pennies we toss toward bike projects is not enough to fix our nation's bridges, not by a freaking long shot.&quot;

One of the many communities that benefit from federal dollars for bicyclists and pedestrians is the very one where the bridge collapsed. For the St. Paul, Minn., program Bike/Walk Twin Cities, administered by Transit for Livable Communities, $21.5 million of federal dough is being spent to create bike lanes, connect existing walking and biking trails with one another, and install signage to alert drivers of the presence of bicyclists and walkers. Despite the cold winters, Minneapolis is something of a biking Mecca, with 2.4 percent of all trips to work made by bike, significantly higher than the national average of 0.4 percent, according to Joan Pasiuk, program director of Bike/Walk Twin Cities.

It's hard to argue that walking paths and bike trails are robbing federal coffers when states can't even spend all the federal money they've received to repair bridges in the first place. In 2006, state departments of transportation sent back $1 billion in unspent bridge funds to the federal government, according to the Federal Highway Administration. &quot;The fact that there is a billion dollars of bridge repair money sloshing around in the system not being spent suggests that it's not the fault of bike trails,&quot; says Clarke.

Congressional Democrats agree. &quot;It's a red herring to point to bike paths and even imply that if we didn't build another bike path we'd have all the money we need to fix our highways and bridges,&quot; says Jim Berard, communications director for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. &quot;You can't build very many bridges with the amount of money that you would save if you didn't build any bike paths.&quot;

So why is Peters suddenly taking on bikes and pedestrians? Her comments are especially odd since she sang the praises of bikes as transportation in a speech at the National Bike Summit in Washington, in March 2002. Has she simply forgotten the glory of two wheels? One theory: Peters is on a campaign to quash the idea of raising the gas tax, as she editorialized recently in the Washington Post. A key proponent of raising the gas tax to fund bridge restorations in the wake of the Minneapolis bridge collapse is Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, who has advocated for bike and pedestrian paths in his district. By putting a culture-war spin on the bridge collapse, Peters is hoping to run his gas tax proposal off the road.

Does Peters herself buy this theory? Does she really think that bike paths do not qualify as transportation infrastructure? Why does she say that things like bike paths steal money from bridge repairs when states have more than enough money to fix bridges? The secretary would not respond, but Jennifer Hing, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation's Office of Public Affairs in the Office of the Secretary, would. She answered all the specific questions with one resoundingly uninformative e-mail: &quot;The federal government should set high standards for and invest in the ongoing safety, reliability and interconnection of the nation's transportation network. State and local communities should have the flexibility to then set local transportation priorities.&quot;

For their part, cyclists have been weaving through political land mines for decades. In the perennial struggle to gain public support for bike paths, they remain philosophical. Says Thornley of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition: &quot;Before there were automobiles, and after there will be automobiles, there will be bicycles moving people around for transportation.&quot;

-- By Katharine Mieszkowski

Copyright ©2007 Salon Media Group, Inc. Reproduction of material from any Salon pages without written permission is strictly prohibited. SALON® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark of Salon Media Group Inc.]]></description>
      <category>Open forum</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?1,545,545#msg-545</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:52:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Tickets for September Mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,534,538#msg-538</link>
      <author>humongojugomango</author>
      <description><![CDATA[OMG OMG OMG 

CASH OR KIND FOR YOUR EXTRA BRAH!]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,534,538#msg-538</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:49:51 -0500</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Adorable: Toddler at the wheel</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,537,537#msg-537</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[http://www.theindychannel.com/news/14011324/detail.html

Police: Intoxicated Woman Let 5-Year-Old Son Drive
Neighbors Say They Found Boy At Wheel, Mom In Passenger Seat

POSTED: 9:57 am EDT August 30, 2007

LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A woman was arrested on suspicion of letting her 5-year-old son drive her around while she was intoxicated, police said.

Holly Schnobrich (pictured), 24, of Lafayette, was charged with felony neglect and public intoxication after neighbors told police the boy was driving her and his 3-year-old brother in their subdivision early Sunday, authorities said.

Wendy Barrett, a resident of the Saddlebrook subdivision, said Weston Schnobrich was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Galant that stopped in front of her home.

&quot;So I approach the car, and the windows came down and there's a toddler on his knees, controlling the steering wheel,&quot; Barrett told 6News' Jennifer Carmack on Thursday.

Barrett said she saw Holly Schnobrich buckled in the front passenger seat, and the 3-year-old was crawling in the back.

&quot;I asked her, 'Ma'am, are you OK? Do you need some help? Is this your toddler?' She (said), 'Yes, but he's a good driver,'&quot; Barrett recalled.

Someone called police. Authorities said another neighbor confiscated Schnobrich's car keys so she couldn't get away before Tippecanoe County sheriff's officers arrived.

Holly Schnobrich told investigators that she let Weston drive because she was too impaired to operate the vehicle, police said.

According to a probable cause affidavit, she admitted taking the prescription painkiller Percocet and vodka.

&quot;(Schnobrich) informed the officer that she took Perocet not for pain control ... but she took it when the children acted up,&quot; Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said.

Schnobrich also had a near-empty bottle of sleeping pills that she told police she had for two days, according to the affidavit.

The boys were placed into the custody of the Department of Child Services, police said. Investigators said neither child was restrained.

On Thursday, Weston told 6News that he was having a hard time driving.

&quot;My legs were too short to reach the pedals,&quot; he said.

Holly Schnobrich was being held Thursday in the Tippecanoe County Jail on a $10,000 surety bond. Prosecutors said Schnobrich pleaded guilty last week to an unrelated charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Weston said the incident won't stop him from wanting to drive in the future.

&quot;I want to be a race car driver when I grow up,&quot; he said.]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,537,537#msg-537</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:10:18 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] June 07 mass video or pics</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,536,536#msg-536</link>
      <author>Nina</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi folks.
This month was a sad one for the messenger community as we lost a biker in a collision with a speeding truck in the South Loop. Tonight I was looking at some old mass footage on youtube posted by thestevenlane and all of a sudden Ryan and one of his best friends rode by. It made me sad but happy to see him riding. This fri myself and many more I'm sure will ride in his memory. My question to any of you is if you have any video or photos from the june 07 ride please post them or get intouch with me because I know some people that would probably like to see them as much as I do. This was my first mass and I am so happy that we (a handfull of messengers) all rode together. So much fun that night! 

Thanks for your consideration and see you on Happy Friday,
~nina]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,536,536#msg-536</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:40:47 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;Open forum&lt;/font size&gt;] Cargo adventures (from down under)</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?1,535,535#msg-535</link>
      <author>ho'ard</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Posted to the Workbike list by old friend Moz:

From: Moz 
Resent-Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:15:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [workbike] load carrying/trikes vs quads

I bought a four-wheeler for my recent tour because it was a group ride
and I wanted to avoid having to have a motor vehicle on the bike ride.
So lots of group gear in my pile. It's actually not that easy to carry
bulky stuff on tour, my existing touring bike really wouldn't cope
very well. It's optimised to carry my stuff plus the camera, and
adding a big liquid-fuel stove (300x800x150mm) just wasn't going to
work. I was budgeting for about 100kg of load plus my 85kg self.

It came down to building a clone of either a TriSled quad or
Greenspeed Ute, or just buying one of those. After a bit of faffing
with designs and trying to find time to build one, I decided to go
with the TriSled because the load space looked better - a big plastic
bin from a local hardware chain. Of course, the day I ordered it
TriSled went from busy to frantic, so I got his prototype rather than
a new one. which turned out for the best anyway, I have developed new
requirements for the quad since test riding the prototype.

I've blogged about the tour at http://www.mozbike.blogspot.com

The new requirements basically amount to rebuilding it to carry more
weight and have two wheel drive. I've also bought a Rohloff for it (my
second, I have one in my bikes too!). The quad had drivetrain issues
on tour, it all relies on an 8mm bolt through the 20mm rear axle and
cluster, and the bolt kept breaking. Well, I broke a high-tensile bolt
after about 1000km, so I tried a mild steel one and that only lasted
500km. Ben at TriSled's suggestion was that I simply carry less weight
which is what I was doing when I broke the mild steel one.

So Ben is now redesigning the drivetrain to have a Rohloff, different
axle attachment system and two wheel drive. It's going to be two
freewheels like the russian 2WD trike because differentials are hard
to find (specifically, a lightweight diff that can handle the torque).

Moz
____
[img]http://www.moz.net.nz/photo/2007/08/26-bikemove/quad-move-lounge-02-moz_.jpg[/img]]]></description>
      <category>Open forum</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?1,535,535#msg-535</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:24:16 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Tickets for September Mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,534,534#msg-534</link>
      <author>ho'ard</author>
      <description><![CDATA[[URL=http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ticketxg8.jpg][IMG]http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1562/ticketxg8.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,534,534#msg-534</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:54:41 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Spindle ride-- excellent video</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,496,496#msg-496</link>
      <author>ho'ard</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks to Christopher Wallace for this one.
I heard large groups of riders were seen heading away from Daley (towards the north  side) shortly after this ride started-- presumably folks who didn't want to go to Berwyn. Hope the last minute or two of this vid makes 'em really sorry :-)
http://atypicaltrip.com/static/chicago-critical-mass.m4v]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,496,496#msg-496</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:07:39 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;Buy, sell, trade, donate&lt;/font size&gt;] Attn Bike Mechanics</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?4,481,481#msg-481</link>
      <author>jonathanf</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Picked up a new road bike and it needs a tune-up/set-up.  I don't want to take it to a shop for repairs every time a cable gets a little loose, so I am looking to hang out while the work is done and learn how to do it myself.  I am very mechanically inclined, so I won't piss you off.  I'll pay cash.  I'm easy going.

Thanks,
Jonathan
312-848-8584]]></description>
      <category>Buy, sell, trade, donate</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?4,481,481#msg-481</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:06:26 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Sun Times Article-- CCM may end in September?</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,469,469#msg-469</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[There's been a lot of discussion about this article, but it's looking more and more like the reaction to a Michael Moore movie that hasn't yet come out, i.e. folks are on about it without seeming to have read it. So, for accuracy's sake, here it is again.

http://www.suntimes.com/classifieds/homes/homelife/466019,HOF-News-mass13c.article

Citywide bike ride may end in autumn
SUSTAINABLE CHICAGO | Ten-year Critical Mass ride sees rebirth via groups that are smaller

July 13, 2007
BY CELESTE BUSK cbusk@suntimes.com
A victim of its own success, come this autumn, Chicago Critical Mass' 10th anniversary bike ride on Sept. 28 might be the last time the cycling group officially pedals en masse, some participants say.

Longtime critical mass participant Michael Burton said that &quot;as the rides have grown [to as many as 2,000 bikers], some feel that it has strayed from its original altruistic roots and has become just another big bike-a-thon. Others have been offended by public drunkenness, nudity, noisy sound systems and ill manners that now are all too common on many mass rides.&quot; Still others have complained the large group rides create traffic jams.

Even so, Burton said that in the past decade, the rides have fostered friendships, brought communities closer together, and have spawned programs to help the city such as the Campaign for Free and Clear, which put basic bike facilities on the lakefront.

&quot;This [September] should be the last ride -- a grand finale to commemorate the original values on which the rides were based: civility, self-reliance, fresh air and fellowship,&quot; said Burton, who has been biking with Critical Mass for 10 years.

For the uninitiated, Chicago Critical Mass is not an organization, but a group ride that has been leaving at 5:30 p.m. on the last Friday of the month from the Daley Center Plaza in the Loop for the past 10 years. It has no leaders, but is autonomous. Before each ride, participants submit maps of proposed routes and the group takes a vote (via bullhorn). Most of the routes have a destination neighborhood.

Part of a national movement, Chicago Critical Mass began in 1997 with about 200 cyclists and has grown to include as many as 2,000 riders, as in June's ride. The group's Web site -- www.chicagocriticalmass.org -- says Critical Mass bike riders believe strongly that the city and country are too car-dependent, that cars devour too many resources, occupy too much space, and do too much damage to the environment.

Bikes, they say, are a partial solution to car-glut.

Although some longtime participants predict a September swan song, Burton is quick to point out that the citywide ride has spawned smaller, more manageable, group bike rides in neighborhoods throughout the city and suburbs.

&quot;There are rides now in Pilsen, Evanston and Oak Park, and I've been hearing that there is talk of having rides in Humboldt Park and Hyde Park,&quot; Burton said.

&quot;Having a bunch of rides throughout the Chicago area is easier to deal with than having one central ride,&quot; Burton said. &quot;Personally, when our huge group rides stop traffic and CTA buses, it misses the point. Public transportation is sustainable, and we shouldn't be stopping buses.&quot;]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,469,469#msg-469</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:28:33 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Bikeshare requests for September mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,451,462#msg-462</link>
      <author>Dan</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I've got a BMX bike and a woman's Kustom Kruiser (beach cruiser style) for people who enjoy a slow ride.]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,451,462#msg-462</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2007 21:51:57 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: September 2007 Lastmass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,373,457#msg-457</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks for your thoughtful comments, everyone.
I'm closing this thread due to spam (which we've deleted) -- I don't quite understand the dynamics of the bots and why this one thread keeps getting targeted, but I'm going to see if closing the thread helps, or if the bots just pick whatever thread is on top.
I thought it important leaving a CCM forum open to non-registered posters, but it's a lot of work for the admins . . .]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,373,457#msg-457</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:02:50 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Bikeshare requests for September mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,451,454#msg-454</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I can offer 4 or 5 bikes and 2 tandems for out-of-towners coming to Chicago for the September Mass. The bikes are 17-18-19&quot;-ish but the tandems have a bit more range.
Would prefer to lend to houseguests.
-Howard]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,451,454#msg-454</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:40:46 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Couchspace for September mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,452,453#msg-453</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I can offer sleeping space for 2-3 inside (couch/floor) and camping in the yard if desired. Also bikes . . . see bikeshare thread.
-Howard]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,452,453#msg-453</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:39:24 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Couchspace for September mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,452,452#msg-452</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Out-of-towners, post your request for floor/couch/yardspace here.
Chicagoans, offer up your digs!]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,452,452#msg-452</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:09:54 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Bikeshare requests for September mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,451,451#msg-451</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Out-of towners, post your bike borrowing needs here, Chicagoans, offer up a bike or three!]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,451,451#msg-451</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:08:18 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: September 2007 Lastmass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,373,441#msg-441</link>
      <author>Travis D.</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Ok, h'''''', this is Travis D. standing beside what I say.

I have a beef with this idea, It feels like the Yes Men just inflated a giant gold penis in my living room. But I waited a long time, I waited for some other people to step up and start criticizing this idea first. I am going to step forwad now. Deal with it.

I think it IS noteworthy. But not for the same reasons. I in no way see it as a success for anybody. Neither the sun times nor the organizers nor the readers. If I am correct, it was the real estate section. Also, the basic tenet and thrust was that Critical mass has failed to be a viable and respectable way to promote cycling. You kind of have a chance to say what your goals were, as you proclaim that you failed to achieve them.

The mainstream press is not full of such statements it is true. But then why is that? I think it is a separate subject to try and address why the mainstream media basically lets the public down. Its rather complex. It is not my goal to get mainstream press attention, &quot;someone&quot; already said they never quote you correctly, why play their game anyway? There are other ways to grow the mass. The problems cited in the article as failures are the kinds of things that ANY large group of people meeting at a well publicized event are going to have to deal with. Even with cops everywhere, there are still fights and theft at Taste of Chicago, OK? We didn't start the fire, and we sure as hell are not going to control the fire by talking to the Sun Times. How about admonishing a dangerous drunk sometime on the ride, OK? That is constructive criticism. How about actually FOLLOWING the listserv, reading every stupid message, before you pontificate ineptly about your opinion of the week/month/year or share some irrelevant detail about your life that nobody came to that list to hear about. OK?

I am going to disagree, this is not 1/3 of the coverage in 10 years. You would have to *define* mainstream media first, but I am going to go out on a limb here and say there was more than two pieces of media about the Isai Medina memorial ride and the arrests that took place. So sorry, incorrect facts here h'''''. If you want to survey the media of the last 10 years I think that would be alot more useful a task to help out on that this &quot;last mass.&quot;

I did not notice the call for a diverse mass on a flyer. I have some ideas about that, but I once again I think it is another subject. Does the news media above encourage a more diverse mass you think? Do you think that &quot;call&quot; is going to achieve its aims? I guess I would disagree so far, but I'm open to more info on the topic.

I noticed the call for a large turnout in September. I also noticed on the new/old ccm website that San Fran had 5000 before we had even started meeting at Daley Plaza. Also, I note that they are going for 15,000 riders for an upcoming event. Also I notice that Budapest is what inspired them to go for the big numbers. If you think this End of ccm media ploy is going to increase ridership, I guess I would disagree, but in this case time will tell I suppose. I honestly would like to know HOW you think it will increase ridership, I am not above admitting that I did not see the true benefit of such a thing to increase ridership. Of course the organizers are not trying to sell this idea, they are just running with it. There is a difference worth noting in that. We are not needed to help name and organize the idea and promote it, we are just needed to help it succeed. That is pretty insulting dude. Wake up. You idea is falling flat, I don't care if you make the front page with an article like that. Do you think people are not AWARE of the environmental anti-car culture movement? They are just HOSTILE to it, and are trapped in their own misunderstandings. One article doesn't exactly solve that little ditty. It would be better to just flyer en mass I think.

I seem to remember somebody paying out of pocket for a reader ad to try and get some thousands of riders to show up. I think I don't see that person around organizing much anymore. I think that was before there actually was more than 2000 riders during summer months. That and flyering bicycles is what I would suggest. But then that takes some resources that I can't just provide myself, see that? I can't buy a reader ad, so there is no way I can do what this person did. I can't just do it myself in the way that Michael and some few others were able to get a story in the Sun Times working behind the scenes. Its hard work, but I think if I could somehow just afford the printing costs I would be willing to spend at least a few hours every weekend ON THE SOUTH SIDE, *alone* even, inviting people, flyering and telling them about a cool thing they should attend. Nothing like this has been attempted so far as I know.

This idea, it negatively affects me to the point where I want to start talking about October. They **REALLY** seem to not care what I think! If I was to go all out and spring my best plans and ideas for September, and somebody said I was just inspired by a great and smart man who came up with the &quot;last mass&quot; idea, well, it would be really painful and lonely to be so misunderstood.

Yes, someone has shared a really cool idea with me that could be wonderful, and there is still time to do it for September. No I am not going to reveal it here. But since my statements and criticisms are basically ignored, Since the dialogue here is basically faltering, and seeing that a small group of people continue to advance their &quot;last mass&quot; idea, more and more I want to focus on any month BUT september. You are absolutely correct in the case of myself. I have a well thought out, well reasoned, and pretty damn good *excuse* to go on vacation in September and let these other folks do what they will. Where is the REAL action going on? Maybe I really should just go to San Fran, help THEM get 15,000 riders in **THIS** country, **ANYWHERE** in this country, find a couch, and hang with some activists that are not talking down to me and talking down ABOUT me, in some rag that actually put into print that critical mass is a NATIONAL movement? That complete and utter lack of accuracy is supposed to attract anything but the most vile contempt from me? DAMN THAT STUPID WRITER AND HER BADLY FACT CHECKED BULLSHIT PIECE OF CRAP JOURNALISM! A moment of unfettered emotion to better clarify my viewpoint on this.

I hope that last part was cheeky enough for you, I hope that showed a little life.  The only thing you or anyone is in a position to &quot;wrap up&quot; is your own involvement and participation. Lets get serious.

Travis D.
bikenrightnow@yahoo.com]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,373,441#msg-441</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:28:30 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: September 2007 Lastmass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,373,440#msg-440</link>
      <author>h'''''''</author>
      <description><![CDATA[So, where's the beef?
Does anyone think it's =not= noteworthy that the following text appeared on the front page of a section of the Sun Times:
[the city and country are too car-dependent, that cars devour too many resources, occupy too much space, and do too much damage to the environment]
-or is the mainstream press just full of that sort of thing these days, and I'm out of touch?
Does anyone think it's noteworthy that this article constitutes no less than 1/3 of mainstream media coverage for the ride itself in 10 years?
Did anyone notice the call for a mass that &quot;finally reflects the diversity of Chicago&quot; on the June ride flyer? No thoughts or ideas about that?
Did anyone notice the call for a large turnout in September? Does no-one have a couch to offer, or ideas on how to bring out more riders, or how to bring riders to Chicago, or what else to do to make September special?

It's like everyone's using the lastmass idea as an excuse to not put any energy or effort into a tenth anniversary celebration.

I came to the grand finale concept thinking it would be a cheeky way of calling attention to the September ride, but I'm really starting to believe there's no life left in this thing, and maybe it is time to just wrap it up. I want nothing more than to be proven wrong.]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,373,440#msg-440</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:15:55 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: September 2007 Lastmass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,373,438#msg-438</link>
      <author>madopal</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well, I don't know who's doing PR, but it's working.

http://www.suntimes.com/classifieds/homes/homelife/466019,HOF-News-mass13c.article]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,373,438#msg-438</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:47:42 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Pooling music for the mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,436#msg-436</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[A lot of my music is captures of streams that weren't expressly intended for capture-- I feel fine about sharing with a tight circle but I don't think it would be fair to &quot;release&quot; them to the internet-- that's the nature of my concern.
Thanks for the initialtive, Guisseppi!]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,436#msg-436</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jul 2007 02:53:45 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Pooling music for the mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,435#msg-435</link>
      <author>madopal</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Cool.  I'll find time this week and send out some e-mails when I get something running.  Just have to figure out the upload part so that you can contribute music if you want.]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,435#msg-435</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jul 2007 00:14:04 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Pooling music for the mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,434#msg-434</link>
      <author>humongojugomango</author>
      <description><![CDATA[im not afraid of sharing links that &quot;a friend of mine&quot; may or may not have uploaded..

but id also be interested in getting in on the server deal as well]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,434#msg-434</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:14:04 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Pooling music for the mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,433#msg-433</link>
      <author>bikechicago</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Me . . .]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,433#msg-433</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:18:45 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Pooling music for the mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,432#msg-432</link>
      <author>madopal</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I have a server.  It's not speedy...I just have higher end DSL, so my upload is only 256k.  

I run a music server that's passworded.  All of my music is up there.  I'd be happy to set up the same sort of thing.  It won't be lightning, but it'll be a passworded, secure place to share.

How can we get a list of folks together who want access?

I'll start looking into ways to allow people to upload music as well.]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,432#msg-432</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:25:31 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>[&lt;font size=+1&gt;CCM&lt;/font size&gt;] Re: Pooling music for the mass</title>
      <link>http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,431#msg-431</link>
      <author>humongojugomango</author>
      <description><![CDATA[i know ive gotten a lot of stuff via sendspace/rapidshare/mediafire etc..

sometimes BB's will make a &quot;secret forum&quot; that houses all the anonymously uploaded links to those sites - hmmm?

but yeah, its tricky if you want to keep it all legal like..

-dan]]></description>
      <category>CCM</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forums.bikechicago.info/read.php?2,424,431#msg-431</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:20:11 -0500</pubDate>
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