Its just one of those things you need to go out and do. And its not for serious cyclists - at all! If anything, the crowd that assembles at the Green Point circle in Cape Town every full moon at 9pm is as far removed from lycra as the ANC Youth League is from decency - but I digress.
Be prepared to feast your eyes on the most diverse gathering of bicycles you've seen in years. Not to mention their riders. Its often been said that people resemble their pets. Taking the concept one step further, I tend to think the choice of bicycle says a lot about the personality of the owner.... test the theory sometime.
I was thrown back to 1982 when some cool cat came cruising past on his Chopper - 3 speeds and all! An abundant amount of restored fixies also cruise the 10km route; their trendy city riders sitting upright as the night air rushes through their thin beards. And don't be surprised by the ever-growing number of skateboarders who stomp the road in their rhythmic rise-and-push; rise-and-push off the road. They may even latch onto you for a bit of extra speed down Loop St. Simply laugh and pedal a bit harder....
The night time crowds in Long St gather and marvel at this motley crew of up to 1000 cyclists; offering shouts of support over the top of their cocktail and beer glasses. Traffic lights only offer principled guidance as the city motorists are divided in their solidarity with this display of cycling unity. Some stop when its green to allow for the throngs to mill through; whilst other less attached motorists turn a blind eye and continue on their merry way; seemingly unperturbed by the yells of protests as the swarm of cyclists part to let the car interrupt the steady night stream of urban cruisers. But this is fortunately a rare disturbance on a night where you can simply pedal at your own leisurely pace through the CBD in one of South Africa's most scenic cities.
And it ends on Greenmarket square. With free muffins and cooldrinks on offer in the large cathedral. As you reach for your second muffin and smile at another friendly cyclist, you realise you're in a Church and its an appropriate time to reflect on how fortunate we are to be happy and healthy and active. With fellow cyclists from all walks of life.
On the route you'll marvel at the various lights and wardrobes adorned - either decorating the bikes in bright Christmas-cheer colour lights; or bright LED torches that starkly illuminate the colourful costumes and clothing chosen by the cyclists. Bears on electric skateboards; fairies; punks; metrosexuals in checked shirts on revamped Pinarellos; and lycra-clad racers all make up the moonlight mass. Non-conformity is the unifying element.
Next time you hear about the Moonlight Mass - don't just think about going. Get the family and the bikes packed and do it. Even if its just once.
Its not Postman Pat - but it could be. Brendan on a Royal Mail Pashley.
Young and old turn up to exploit the freedom on the night city roads
A skater chick grabs a ride down Loop St
Nats looks on as the mass grows prior the 9pm start
