Critical mass ends quietly

It looks like one of the first street demonstrations around the Republican National Convention ended quietly a few minutes ago.

Bicyclists did their usual "critical mass" monthly ride through downtown Minneapolis this afternoon, riding in several packs around the city, nearing 200 riders at one point. They went through downtown Minneapolis, then then up through the University and over to Summit Avenue to St. Paul.

They even braved the daunting Ramsey Hill in the capitol city.

Police had worried about a possible confrontation at the Xcel Energy Center. Critical Mass rides have been the flashpoints for major demonstrations in other cities, and 19 were arrested in a melee last September. But but the riders tonight turned around and headed back to Minneapolis without any major incident.