Massa Kritikal

27 May 2010 - Massa Kritikal rides every Friday of the last week in each months. This month's ride was publicized fairly wide that two or three fliers came out to promote the event. I was informed by Arip early on the week of the ride as I did not have internet to get the latest updates. We had planned how I can get a bicycle because my bicycle is still in Hana's house in Shah Alam. Arip was too kind to help me borrow Salleh's spare bike. He even helped me fix the bike to make sure it works fine during the ride. There were some problems with the tire and brake pads. They collide with each other whenever the back tire spins.

The meeting point was at the mamak restaurant at Annexe, Central Market. Arip and I were the first few early birds after Zul, Prop and another dude. Prop was one of the documentors for the event. As cyclist came one after another, the number multiplied from 10 to 30 people, I could already feel the soon to be hypeness of the event's atmosphere. Fellow female cyclists came soon after. There were about 13-15 grrrls that stand out from the "mob". Yes we were the mob rioting out the boring streets populated by fast-moving-smoke-excreting vehicles.

I've missed out most of the previous rides but I'm really glad that I managed to came to this one because we had made herstory. There were 80 cyclists all together making this event the biggest ride ever held. We did not made headlines in the newspapers nor appeared in the 8p.m TV news because that was never the objective. We were aiming to reclaim streets and to wave and greet the people with our smiles. Making our presence known. To inspire and to spark tiny sense of awareness about how fun cycling can be as a form of transportation. Although there were no mission statements on banners that night, the number of cyclists that roamed the streets were enough to give an impactful and bold statement about our stand on fossil fuel.

That night cyclists conquered the roads. That night we blocked engine powered machines that were 4 times the size of bicycles (or more) from going faster than they normally would. We felt the city was ours the few minutes we passed by each buildings, pedestrians, cars, motorcycles, tourists, shopping malls, clubs, houses, restaurants and streetlights. Cars had to wait to get through the mob. Some of them were pissed off at us while some honked for support. Some even pulled down their windows to cheer for us. Some had taken the liberty to ask questions like where we were from and to which group we belonged to out of simple curiosity.

Actually, we had deliberately spread across the street and pedaled slowly to block cars from passing through. I think this was a good strategy as it made them slow down to our humble pace and at the same time share the huge patience we cyclist normally have when we ride our bikes on these dangerous streets. Busses were the usual road bullies. It is because they are big. It is similar to the animal kingdom where smaller creatures often goes below the chain. It was a vicious terror as these mammoth often care less about other road users. Lowered, modified cars with large and loud exhaust pollute the air with smoke and noise. A few did actually forced the cyclists to the side by tailgating them and after they had managed to pass through, they sped off leaving in dissatisfaction and anger as though their clubbing nights were ruined by these mischievous but nice and well aware cyclists.

There was one tall bike that night. It was Roby's white and green tall bike. I've heard this a dozen times... Friends had talked about building tall bikes. We've got space and tools to do this. Now we need to plan to find old or scrap bikes. Emm.. I want to join in to assemble the bikes. Nak blaja welding and make community tall bikes. Weee!

I remember how I felt that night. I was so happy and at the same time excited to be in the mass of bicycle loving people. I've never felt safer cycling on the road than when I'm riding with them. It was so relaxing that I got the chance to tilt my head up to stare at the sky and admire the trees' silhouette the foreground of lighted tall buildings. It was a rare feeling. I can see in the sparkling eyes of fellow cyclists and their glowing drops of sweat on their faces that they were really enjoying themselves. The bond of heartfelt solidarity was strong. We were street kids with a purpose to breed interest and spread our love of these revolutionary vehicle.

Cops did not hassle us that night. Maybe they did not receive complaints from any informed citizen. We were after all harmless cute bicycle kids. Hehe.. I heard someone said that if they were to stop and arrest us, they would not know under which offense to charge us with. We were helping the traffic to be less speedy and more cautious thus preventing accidents on that crazy Friday night. I remember Yuen told me and Hana on the way back from Sg. Tekala the other day that when he was in one of the Sarawak's village, the roads were generally in bad condition. In 10 years there had not been any major accidents because people drove slowly on those bumpy roads but when the government paved the road and made them flat and smooth, accidents occurred almost everyday. Speed kills!

As for the route, I was not sure whether they had pre-planned it or just following some of the usual crew. I'm not active in cyber space of late but I'm pretty sure they had discussed it online and informed people about the route. It was a discentralized event. No leaders only volunteers from the usual Massa kritikal crew who helped with security and traffic. It was necessary because we ran plenty of red lights that night. Haha.. I felt that sense of above the law the few seconds stopping cars from the other road as ours had turned red. Civil disobedience.

ERROR - Alak's chain fell off as we were about to approach Chow kit. A girlfriend cyclist, Ned had fell from her bicycle nearing Brickfields. But all in all, the ride went on without major problems.

Almost everyone had brought their gadgets to capture this herstoric event. This was the time to get every angle of everything. Phone camera works at this time of need. Ekin helped Karen to take video because Karen was sick with a fever. Onie drove Ekin. I think Karen will edit and upload in Facebook like some other people had. Thanks to all who had uploaded, tagged and shared the footage and photos of the event. You're all tots awes!

The last destination was Telawi food court where we had replenish our energy with awesome nasi lemak. We filled two long rows of tables and chairs. Macam kenduri pulak. Our bicycles were parked everywhere.. The place was not full as the usual weekend nights coz it was only Friday night kot. Memang meriah! I read on the Massa Kritikal's blog, someone suggested that the next ride it'll be cooler if we stop at some lake/garden or field and bring our own food to share together. I think that idea is awesome. It'll be interesting to share food made from each participants. I'm thinking soggy sandwiches, cold nasi goreng and dishes, cakes! and drinks. Kena ada panniers. It'll be superb to chill on grass and not have roof on our heads. Only Explosion in The Sky~ Haha. (^_-)

After, a few of us went to Karen's place for the next chillaxing and get together with close friends session. Karen's garden was perfect place to lie down because the plants provided cooling and ambiance feel of the night. It was open air. The neighborhood was quiet. The only thing that made the street visible was the dim orange street lights. It was very romantic as someone told me.... Karen's sofa mattresses from Thailand were the envy of everyone who visited her house. Memang best! It was even better when you have your friends and love ones to share that moment of comfort with you...

Thinking about the moment when we cycled to get to Karen's house, we held hands while riding our bicycles. Arip and I cycled to Shah Alam that night to Hana's house because we have a sewing circle activity together with the Coathangers Revolt geng the next day. We left at 2.30a.m. It was a very...... very........ very...... long ride.......... It was cold... I was tired and sleepy... I think we arrived at Hana's house around 6a.m because we got the chance to catch the sunrise together at the emo lake~ Everything was beautiful. Setiap hati itu dibelengu awan yang menutupi mentari. Apabila hilang awan, bersinarlah ia.