Fwd: [*CCM*] Comparing Toys-for-Tots to CM

Excellent post from the Chicago CM list. -Bob M.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [*CCM*] Comparing Toys-for-Tots to CM
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 2004 10:57:13 -0600
From: Mike Dvorak
Reply-To: Chicago Critical Mass
To:

It's Sunday morning, 10:20 am. My apartment is being rumbled apart from
loud, annoying motorcycles on Western Ave for the annual Toys-for-Tots
ride. It's fun to compare Critical Mass to this event:

--
Ride route:
--
T4T: All the way down Western Ave, a dangerous and boring road, lined
with car dealerships, auto repair shops, and truck yards.
CM: A new, unknown destination every month which brings safety to
bicyclists and pedestrians anywhere it goes. We often explore new
neighborhoods where many CM'ers haven't been.

--
Pollution
--
T4T: Motorcycles with super annoying loud rumbling pipes that often wake
anyone within ear shot from a dead sleep. Lack of catalytic converters
on motorcycles make them super polluting machines which contribute
significantly to smog.
CM: Bike bells, music, cheering, talking and shouting at the human
level. Zero air pollution / no fossil fuels burned.

--
Rider comfort
--
T4T: Riders wearing Carhart or leather from head to toe probably still
freezing from sitting on their ass doing nothing.
CM: We're generating our own heat from the bean burrito we had for lunch
as we pedal along.

--
Social aspects
--
T4T: Riders have to ride far apart for safety reasons prohibiting them
from talking to one another (if they could shout over their loud pipes).
The distance required between the motorcycles also makes it look like
a half-ass parade.
CM: It's a party on two wheels. The dynamic nature of the Mass allows
you to talk, party, and mingle with virtually everyone throughout the
ride. We often ride only a foot or two apart safely.

While these motorcycle folks are riding for a good cause (that being
bring *stuff* to kiddies on x-mas morning I guess), I think sanity and
clean air are just as noble of causes to bring to people.

Cheers,
-MikeD


--

{}{}{}{}{}{}
Mike Dvorak
Chicago, IL USA
{}{}{}{}{}{}

"Too many people drive their Land Rovers to the grocery
store and think that 'paper or plastic' is a meaningful
choice." -Denis Hayes

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On Sun, 05 Dec 2004 17:41:17 GMT, "Robert J. Matter"
wrote:

Excellent post from the Chicago CM list. -Bob M.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [*CCM*] Comparing Toys-for-Tots to CM
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 2004 10:57:13 -0600
From: Mike Dvorak
Reply-To: Chicago Critical Mass
To:

It's Sunday morning, 10:20 am. My apartment is being rumbled apart from
loud, annoying motorcycles on Western Ave for the annual Toys-for-Tots
ride. It's fun to compare Critical Mass to this event:

--
Ride route:
--
T4T: All the way down Western Ave, a dangerous and boring road, lined
with car dealerships, auto repair shops, and truck yards.
CM: A new, unknown destination every month which brings safety to
bicyclists and pedestrians anywhere it goes. We often explore new
neighborhoods where many CM'ers haven't been.

--
Pollution
--
T4T: Motorcycles with super annoying loud rumbling pipes that often wake
anyone within ear shot from a dead sleep. Lack of catalytic converters
on motorcycles make them super polluting machines which contribute
significantly to smog.
CM: Bike bells, music, cheering, talking and shouting at the human
level. Zero air pollution / no fossil fuels burned.

--
Rider comfort
--
T4T: Riders wearing Carhart or leather from head to toe probably still
freezing from sitting on their ass doing nothing.
CM: We're generating our own heat from the bean burrito we had for lunch
as we pedal along.

--
Social aspects
--
T4T: Riders have to ride far apart for safety reasons prohibiting them
from talking to one another (if they could shout over their loud pipes).
The distance required between the motorcycles also makes it look like
a half-ass parade.
CM: It's a party on two wheels. The dynamic nature of the Mass allows
you to talk, party, and mingle with virtually everyone throughout the
ride. We often ride only a foot or two apart safely.

While these motorcycle folks are riding for a good cause (that being
bring *stuff* to kiddies on x-mas morning I guess), I think sanity and
clean air are just as noble of causes to bring to people.

Cheers,
-MikeD

Any time you find yourself feeling the need to make lists of why "The Things *I*
Do" are better than what those other people do, your **** is weak.

Ron