[*BCM*] Our route

[Adam Rosi-Kessel]

On Sat, Jul 30, 2005 at 12:41:11AM -0400, Lee Peters wrote:
> Leading the mass isn't that fun because one is missing the communal 
> qualities of being surrounded by bikes--riding in that safe place we 
> form.  It would be good if some folks who knew the city well could vary 
> our route through all of the interesting places of Boston and it's 
> neighborhoods.  

Some of the best rides have had ride maps. In the first couple of years
of the current incarnation (1999-2000), there were several rides with
maps. Someone around here I have the PDF for the "Irie Ride to Jamaica
Pahnd," which was a great ride. There are also three ride maps posted on
the website for 2003.

In Chicago, we pretty much always had a ride map. Sometimes multiple maps
which were voted on by acclamation at the beginning of the ride. A lot of
people put a lot of creatvie work into making the maps.

Although having a pre-designed map might dimension the spontaneity of the
event, in my experience, it allows people to focus more on socializing
and enjoying the ride. It also gives a clean, precise, end-point, which
is much better than people gradually tapering off. Finally, the ride
doesn't have to follow the map precisely--people are free to take detours
as appropriate.

I don't have time to make maps (or even ride, these days), but I thought
I'd mention this little bit of CM history.
-- 
Adam Rosi-Kessel
http://adam.rosi-kessel.org