While many publications  give readers the skinny on what’s hip and happening on weekends so people can attend those events.

This site likes to warn drivers of events to avoid so they don’t spend extra hours of their life tied up in traffic.

CRITICAL MASS

Our first heads up is the monthly Critical Mass ride.

Always the last Friday evening of the month, no matter the weather, Critical Mass for those unaware is essentially a raucous bike parade composed of a few hundred or sometimes thousands of generally hardcore bicycle aficionados. The sheer volume of these bikers tie up motor vehicle traffic wherever their 10-15 mile course takes them.

Things kick off at 5:30 from Daley Center Plaza downtown. The route is never announced until minutes before it begins.

If you’re in a hurry to get somewhere, try to avoid the Mass as, much like a really long freight train, you could be sitting in your car at an intersection for 10-25 minutes waiting for the  long line of bikers to dissipate.

However, this particular Critical Mass might be one you may (or may not) want to experience first hand.

This month’s Mass is being billed as the “Underwear Mass,” in order to promote “positive body image and gender equality” whatever the hell that means.

From our understanding, many bike riders may be in various states of undress–a good or bad thing depending on your point of view.

Watch if you dare. Cover the eyes of your young children if they’re in the car with you.

Either way, as Critical Mass riders always say, “Happy Friday.”

WICKER PARK FEST

Another heads up is to warn people about Wicker Park Fest in, of course, the Wicker Park neighborhood.

This festival is going to close down Milwaukee Ave. from Damen & North all the way to Paulina for both Saturday and Sunday.

Because it’s a major urban thoroughfare, it’s going to make traffic difficult both days. Avoid the area if you can.

Milwaukee Ave. will be closed starting at 1 AM Friday  night/Saturday morning. If you’re hitting the  bars or restaurants in that hipster area tonight, make sure you move your  car by 1 AM or make sure you have cab fare ready  to take you to the Auto Pound as tow trucks will be out in force.