an ecstatic experience

From my viewpoint, the whole ride was wonderful. Very bubbly, very sociable, very fun. Often on Critical Mass there are long stretches where I'm essentially riding alone in the middle of a crowd. Little of that this evening. Got to hang out with old friends and new.

But when we got to the spindle, the crowd went to a whole new level of enthusiasm. We passed a large building on the left, and the spindle came into sight. The crowd sped up a little, and as we approached, we could see a group of about thirty bikers riding laps around the spindle. How could I resist? I had to join them.

It was a glorious moment, something so happy and ridiculous and communal and sweet... ecstatic is the best way I have to describe it.

I left the circulation after a short while, and joined my friends in socializing and marveling at the spectacle we were making of ourselves. Of course my friend Todd Allen with the audio trailer put on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen, and the crowd all joined in to sing. Hilarious and beautiful. Such a moment: I'm getting a little verklempt typing this.

This was when I heard about the incident earlier. That really sucked--the incident more than the hearing about it. I'm glad to hear that people were ok and the person responsible was apprehended. One of those moments I'm thankful that the relations between CCM and the Chicago police are generally positive. Props to the CPD.

We left after a little while. I had a recent big birthday (40--OMFG!) and we had a planned celebration at Cocula, a great little restaurant at California and Cermak, a Mexican family place. The ride back we had a group of about 15 people. I shared Ho3ard's concern with people getting back to the city, but we managed to stay on good streets.

I arrived to a mariachi welcome, 'Feliz Cumpleanos' a mi, and we ate well, and drank margaritas, and chatted, and let the energy of the evening pass in a pleasant way. Such a sweet, beautiful evening. I hope I never forget it.