“Critical massholes” by Scott Rowan (a.k.a. The Urban Cyclist)

And my comment:

I’ve ridden a few times with the Chicago Critical Mass, and have to agree: there was a number of rather unattractive (drunk or stoned, or both) characters each time. I’ve seen few arguments with drivers stuck in the middle of the Mass. But I’ve also seen smiles on drivers’ faces and answering calls of “Happy Friday!” Come on, it’s just once a month. It happens all over the world (I saw an announcement about the Critical Mass few weeks ago in Nuremberg; I wish I had a chance to ride there, to compare it with CCM). For the majority of those who participate in the Mass, it’s a way to turn their city or town into an Amsterdam, if only for a few hours. (Do they have Critical Mass in Amsterdam? Probably not. What for? THEIR critical mass had been reached long time ago.)
. . . Anyway, as much as I respect the cycling achievements of the author of this article and the co-author of the “Survival Guide,” I think he might have found a better way to promote his book.
By the way, cyclists pay taxes, too.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 23, 2011 at 10:40am

4:30 pm:

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #769,953 in Books.

The book's popularity declined almost 23,000 places? In 3 hours?!

Kevin C said:

"The Urban Cyclist's Survival Guide"

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #747,190 in Books.

Published by Triumph Books in August 2011. The same Triumph Books at which Scott Rowan served as Acquisition and Product Development Manager from June 2008-August 2011.

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Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on September 24, 2011 at 12:20pm

Ok - is the route September 30th going past Scott Rowan's Lakeview condo?

Just curious.

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Permalink Reply by Billy Poore on September 24, 2011 at 12:45pm

Critical mass must really grind his gears...possibly literally.

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Permalink Reply by ilter on September 24, 2011 at 1:49pm

reminds me the environmental research institutions funded by petrol companies. as if he gets funding from car companies to appear as cycling expert & contain cyclists into paths & bike lanes. as if..

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Permalink Reply by Tiberculosis on November 1, 2011 at 6:02am

I was just thinking about Scott Rowan, where'd he go? Was this his 15 minutes? Is he satisfied with his books sales and given up on Cycling? Curious, he's not here on the chainlink. You'd think he'd chime in from time to time on issues on the largest forum we have here in Chicago.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on November 1, 2011 at 2:40pm

So, I've read and reviewed the book. I have also posted a link to it and the following on both Scott's blog and the books Facebook page:

I reviewed your book. If I hadn't bought it used I would be asking for my money back; you should be ashamed to have cheated people be claiming to be experts and bilking people with this book. I challenge you, especially Scott Rowan, to come out and answer my questions about what qualifies him as an urban cycling expert fit to publish a book. Your book and your comments in the media show that yo...u are not only not very knowledgeable about bicycles but that you are not very well informed when it comes to the workings of your own city's bike programs or advocacy groups, please come prove other wise. I would also like to publicly ask that if you are such a avid cyclist how come I never see you at social or advocacy events or even on Chicago's largest online community for cyclists?

Will you delete this, or will you answer it?

I will wait and see..

I am eagerly looking forward to seeing what his response is, if he has any. I am betting they get deleted which is fine with me but if any of you ever wanted to, you know, repost them or direct him to this thread that might be fun too...

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Permalink Reply by Tiberculosis on November 2, 2011 at 4:51am

Yeah, the guy did a great job of stirring it up and then just walking away.

notoriousDUG said:

So, I've read and reviewed the book. I have also posted a link to it and the following on both Scott's blog and the books Facebook page:

I reviewed your book. If I hadn't bought it used I would be asking for my money back; you should be ashamed to have cheated people be claiming to be experts and bilking people with this book. I challenge you, especially Scott Rowan, to come out and answer my questions about what qualifies him as an urban cycling expert fit to publish a book. Your book and your comments in the media show that yo...u are not only not very knowledgeable about bicycles but that you are not very well informed when it comes to the workings of your own city's bike programs or advocacy groups, please come prove other wise. I would also like to publicly ask that if you are such a avid cyclist how come I never see you at social or advocacy events or even on Chicago's largest online community for cyclists?

Will you delete this, or will you answer it?

I will wait and see..

I am eagerly looking forward to seeing what his response is, if he has any. I am betting they get deleted which is fine with me but if any of you ever wanted to, you know, repost them or direct him to this thread that might be fun too...

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on February 29, 2012 at 5:53am

Bike Commuters' review of The Urban Cyclist. Apparently "the market" has spoken. Amazon's Best Seller Rank has the book down from #747,190 in September to #1,423,608 today.