Despite wet and windy conditions more than 100 riders started, accompanied by about 20 police cyclists and the usual police van. Police have a habit of blocking the front of the ride at some intersections and traffic lights which tends to make it slower than otherwise and holds up traffic. Under the notorious SOCPA law, which might soon be repealed, Critical Mass sound systems are not allowed to be played near Parliament.
The ride, which has no pre-planned route, just happened to pass by the Chinese Embassy where some riders expressed indignation about the treatment of Tibet.