Chicago bicyclists are preparing for a chilly ride this Friday, as they will be gathering at Daley Plaza for their monthly "Critical Mass" ride. Chicago Critical Mass bike rides start from Daley Plaza, Dearborn & Washington at 5:30pm the last Friday of each month, regardless of season or weather. They are free and fun. All you have to do is show up with your bike.

At Daley Plaza, "Massers," as they call themselves, will vote on a route for the night's ride. "Sometimes the maps have 'themes,'" their web site asserts, "such as a southside neighborhood tour; others are done to maximize exposure to traffic."

"Critical Mass is a worldwide movement to promote the use of bicycles as a viable means of transportation. It has arisen in response to what many call the 'car-culture:' an overdependence on the private automobile," the site continues.

The political intent of the riders greatly varies. While some "Massers" just go along for the fun ride, other participate for more progressive political reasons. Last moth, for instance, one cyclist pulled a wagon full of Nader LaDuke signs behind his bike.