Cyclist Mob Squad?

[AquaMan]

This weekend I was driving a large bus through downtown along Boston Avenue headed north to third street. My destination was the Fairfield Inn in Brady.

As I approached 4th street and sat at the light, bicycles started arriving from the west off 4th street and positioned themselves across Boston from one side to the other, and turned to face me, thereby blocking the street. The bikes kept arriving till the crowd was quite big. They seemed to have been organized though they were not dressed the same. It reminded me of protest gatherings back in college. But what were they protesting or trying to accomplish?

Weird. I just waved and turned right on 4th to totally bypass them. Is there something I missed or was it sheep masquerading as adults on bikes?

[Ed W]

It's an illegal practice called "corking" that's used on nearly all Critical Mass rides. Fortunately, we don't have a CM ride here in Tulsa despite several attempts to start one. You may have encountered Tulsa's Bashers, an informal riding group that is much like the Hash House Harriers, carrying on hare-and-hounds events.

None of the organized clubs here cork intersections.

[AquaMan]

Its infantile. An effort to exert control over others to boost their own little egos and prove that they are powerful.

Anyway, they should beware. I know drivers who would gladly have challenged them. I just chuckled and moved on.

[Red Arrow]

Its infantile. An effort to exert control over others to boost their own little egos and prove that they are powerful.

Anyway, they should beware. I know drivers who would gladly have challenged them. I just chuckled and moved on.

4000 lb Car vs. 25 lb bicycle and rider

My bets are on the car.

[AquaMan]

4000 lb Car vs. 25 lb bicycle and rider

My bets are on the car.

The bus with 48 people on was probably 10,000 lbs with plenty of momentum.

If they want to prove their bravery, power and courage under pressure I suggest they go north west a few blocks and cork the rail crossing on Cheyenne.

[AquaMan]

BTW, thanks Ed for the explanation. You're pretty hip!

[Red Arrow]

The bus with 48 people on was probably 10,000 lbs with plenty of momentum.

Probably even more than 10,000 lb.

Some people like to try to make a point without thinking about the consequences.  Not always the intelligent thing to do.

[guido911]

It's an illegal practice called "corking" that's used on nearly all Critical Mass rides. Fortunately, we don't have a CM ride here in Tulsa despite several attempts to start one. You may have encountered Tulsa's Bashers, an informal riding group that is much like the Hash House Harriers, carrying on hare-and-hounds events.

None of the organized clubs here cork intersections.

Should be called "dorking" as they were behaving like dicks.

[Conan71]

No one I know of or at least I'd ride with would pull smile like that.  Most of the cyclists I know were either doing MS-150 down in Chandler, Red Man Triathlon in OKC, or getting ready for the state road race in Bixby or the mountain bike race at Lake Stanley Draper today.  In other words, there wouldn't have been many "team" rides in Tulsa yesterday if any.

It's unfortunate that infantile acts like that are what you will think of when you see cyclists who are obeying the law when they ride Aqua.  I try and reinforce when I see other riders making dick moves that the impression they give drivers is the impression drivers get of all of us.

As far as a power issue, no idea if that's what their "cork" was all about.  

[dbacksfan 2.0]

FWIW some interesting Wiki info:

http://criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/Corking

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass_(cycling)

Having driven in Phoenix, Tucson, San Diego, LA, San Fran, Portland, Eugene, and up and down the 101 along the coast, I have seen the best and the most militant cyclist on the west coast. Arizona, San Diego to SF, seem to be some of the best in coexistence between car and cyclist, but the further north you go the cyclist tend to get more aggressive and to a point militant. And for whatever reason in Oregon, you can ride your bike anywhere. Even on I-5 with cars and trucks running 70 mph you can ride your bike. I've lost track of the number of times I have been driving on the 101 along the coast and come around a blind corner doing sixty, and find cyclist riding side by side in the lane of traffic. Along a lot of the 101 there is no shoulder to speak of. I get the beauty of US 101, but allowing cyclist is just dangerous. As for driving in Portland and Eugene, they tend to act as if they own the road and don't practice the basic  laws and rules that they are supposed to.

I'd rather deal with cyclist in AZ or SoCal than here.

[AquaMan]

I don't judge the more serious cyclists by this street theater. It was a feeling of surprise, then a few chuckles, then move on. Most cyclists are too aware of how at risk they are to increase that risk.

However, those little motor scooters with angry operators, are a nuisance.

[Townsend]

I don't judge the more serious cyclists by this street theater. It was a feeling of surprise, then a few chuckles, then move on. Most cyclists are too aware of how at risk they are to increase that risk.

However, those little motor scooters with angry operators, are a nuisance.

Was this happening?

[AquaMan]

There was a tinkling of glass in the background and the cyclists looked a lot like that guy.

I am so clueless. What movie?

[patric]

There was a tinkling of glass in the background and the cyclists looked a lot like that guy.

I am so clueless. What movie?

Oh Warriors, come out to playyeeeeyay.

[dbacksfan 2.0]

Oh Warriors, come out to playyeeeeyay.

Good movie. Thought it was John Carpenter but it was Walter Hill.