August Critical Mass: Houston to Cleveland to Euclid
With good weather, and on the heels of broad media coverage of Cleveland's burgeoning bicycle scene, the August edition of Cleveland Critical Mass was thick with stories--not least of which was the ride of Veon McReynolds.
The Akron native, who now lives in Houston, Texas, left his adopted home town on a bicycle in mid-August on a solo bike ride back to Akron, where he would visit his 96 year-old aunt. With a bike and gear that weighed a total of 55 pounds, he made the trip in 13 days, and then continued North from Akron to Cleveland via the Towpath Trail to arrive on Public Square and join the Mass.
McReynolds' average ride for almost two weeks was a little more than 100 miles a day. He fuelled his journey with raw food. "I wanted to inspire other people to set goals and achieve them," he told Great Lakes Courier during Critical Mass. "Whether it's to ride to the store or run a marathon."
McReynolds has been a dedicated cyclist for about 25 years, and in Houston runs a non-profit whose mission is to promote healthy living through bicycles. "I don't focus on the people who already ride," he said. "I'm interested in the people who don't." Toward that end, the organization leads weekly rides for which participants need to bring nothing but themselves. Tour de Hood supplies bikes, helmets, water, and fruit. If you have your own bike, you can bring that. If it needs fixing up, they will help you do it. Tour de Hood is funded entirely by donations. You can support the organization and read about McReynolds' 1300 mile ride at tourdehood.org.
The August ride was also marked by an organized and enthusiastic reception given to Cleveland Critical Mass by the Shore Cultural Center and the City of Euclid. Sparked by the suggestion of regular Mass riderws Barb Clint and City of Euclid planner James Sonnhalter, and with support from the city's planning and police departments, the city and cultural center welcomed the group with a party on the lawn of the former high school-turned non-profit cultural center. Police support in Euclid made it easy to navigate the city streets. The welcome committee invited cyclists to park their bikes indoors at the Center. Mayor Bill Cervenik greeted the crowd, encouraging riders to return to the city, and telling them about amenities, including progress on a lakeshore fising pier and expanded public access to the shore. The party was fortified with beer and hot dogs for sale, as well as brilliantly chosen movie clips--including a classic bicycle safety film with children costumed as monkeys, and bicycle-oriented segments of the comedy series Portlandia. Most of the Mass stuck around socializing and enjoying the city's hospitality.
Riders will also remember winding through Cleveland and East Cleveland neighborhoods, being greeted by people waving and slapping high fives from sidewalks and curbs, calling happy friday, and generally making the mass feel welcome. Early reports indicated that more than 700 riders made the trip from Public Square to Euclid, which, at 17 miles, was among the longest Critical Mass rides in Cleveland.