Due to heavy rains, blowing winds, and cold temperatures, Critical Mass turnout for December Critical Mass was even smaller than years of police harassment have made it. Despite only 5 riders meeting at North Park blocks, PoPo had a large presence.

At 5:55PM, there were 5 officers on bicycles; 2 officers on motorcycles; 1 cruiser with 1 officer; 2 undercover cars, one with 1 officer, one with 2. So a total of 11 officers, and 5 expensive automobiles "guarding" the public from 5 sodden but spirited cyclists preparing for "Critical" Mass. Reportedly, the police contingent showed up at 5:30PM, making for a full half hour of exorbitant waste.

Fortunately at 6:00PM, all of the police contigent decided to leave. But they were replaced by a Camaro cruiser (containing 1 officer), presumably in case the 5-cyclist Critical Mass turned into a high speed chase. The Camaro Cruiser followed the mass for two blocks and then turned off to pursue other matters (perhaps even public safety, but no prior evidence suggests this).

A few blocks later the mass informed a taxi that it was driving without lights on, then continued for a merry and unpoliced ride of downtown and then onto the eastside, with shouts of "We're not blocking traffic, We are traffic!" and "If you love you're car, Set it free!", picking up 2 more riders early on for a grand size of 7(!).

January Critical Mass is on the 28th. We hope for the prescence of newly elected city officials. See you there.