San Francisco
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Next ride
Date: Saturday June 12, 2010
Time: 12 noon
Location: Meet near the large fountain in Justin Herman Plaza. See details below.
Ride details
Assembly Area
The assembly area has been moved again this year but only a little. A family-oriented theatre production in a large tent was recently erected adjacent to last year's ride assembly area. Therefore, the ride assembly area has been moved to another side of the same fountain where we will be less visible to families attending the show. See the map on the right.
Schedule
- 12 noon: Gather. Self safety-inspections. Group consensus on route details. Bike/body decoration (Professional body painting provided).
- 1 pm: Ride starts
- 5 pm (approx): Main ride finishes.
- After: While not part of the ride, an attempt is being made to arrange for a post-ride get together at some hospitable establishment for brief apres-cours refreshments, preferably au naturel.
Route
The yearly Route of SF_WNBR represents the consensus of our large and open Discussion Group.
We ride public streets, and can make no conditions on what you like to wear or what you ride.
We want to attract riders of modest ability to tour picturesque and populous parts of central San Francisco.
2010 Route
Here's the
2010 Route as a printable .pdf.
This year's route flows along two narrow loops- outlined in the print-out notes.
Participants are encouraged to ride with the Group to the point they prefer- to create any Ride they like.
Our full route is 23 miles, & should take us just under 6 hours to return to Embarcadero.
• the Black Leg [Outbound] is about 16 miles long, Embarcadero to the Marina to the Haight.
For a complete circuit, follow
• the Red Leg [Inbound] Returning from Haight to the Embarcadero, another 7 miles.
Route_2009
Here's the 2009 Route for comparison and discussion.
Ride Safety
Please inform yourself about safe and lawful bicycling practices
~&
Please ride a safe and legal SF_WNBR.
- SF-WNBR is a 'DIY' event. Please insure the safety of your own bicycle before participating in the Event.
- SF-WNBR is a 'DIY' event. Please insure the safety of your own bicycle before participating in the Event.
Some drivers find nudists distracting. We do not want to confuse drivers, especially regarding our movements while on the road!
So we tend to obey the traffic laws. It is possible as bicyclists to observe the law while also having fun --
if we ride with a courteous and friendly mind, aware of our surroundings.
Please refrain from lane-splitting if so directed by law-enforcement. In California, 'lane-splitting' is both the norm, and 'technically illegal' even when CHP moto-cops are doing it. Please do not occupy more than one lane if it would block other traffic.
As DIY ambassadors of WNBR, Event Participants are encouraged to "'set the example'" of
a progressive society-by projecting personally-responsible energies.
Rear Views: Having tried over a score of rear-view mirrors, from helmet-mounted designs & even handlebar-attached- The Take A Look mirror is the *only* design I've seen which both follows the eye- and doesnt swing about or vibrate infuriatingly. It's also an unusually well-built piece, made of light, modular, replaceable 'metal' parts! Made in Santa Cruz and sold at REI. under $20. User:Hilarleo
- Sensitive areas which are normally covered- particularly bums, backs-of-knees, and various crotches-
- can sunburn quite quickly in summer.
- These very special areas can also be hard to protect from chafing later on.
- Please consider a Sun-Block!
Local Nudity Laws
It is a good idea to inform yourself of the nudity laws in and around San Francisco.
File:SF WNBR.Nudity laws.pdf is a printable flyer (~1.7Mbs) containing the actual codes and regulations (with references) regarding nudity so you can judge for yourself how far you want to go. The flyer can be printed on two-sided letter paper and is designed to be 3-folded. Always treat the authorities with courtesy and respect when discussing your right to go naked. (If you need help interpreting the codes, please seek the advice of a lawyer.)
HERE is our story of the SFPD cop- Sgt. John Velasquez- who thought the law was for him to manipulate so he could control our legal personal expression. Our group hired a friendly lawyer to explain the situation to the klepto-fascist DA. There's been no further intimidation since that first WNBR. No- In fact we've actually had our own SFPD secretive-service escort lately.
Weather
The forcast for Saturday is sunny, high 70's and calm. A perfect day to go riding with little or nothing. Check the local weather at the following sites:
Getting there
If you live out of town, please try to use public transportion to get to the start of the ride. Parking in the area is limited and expensive. Both BART and CalTrain take bicycles. Check out these websites for details:
Alternative Participation
Being California, everyone does things differently. We want to offer the broadest possible welcome. First of all, obey all the Laws of Comfort! There's no requirement for visible skin. We prefer you join us. Whether you come clothed in a full-length Fun-Fur, or just a glittery g-string. Come as you are!, rather than not join us at all. Many of us will simply carry some light practical clothing for security's sake.
Skates
Secondly, a few skaters usually join us. Some skaters have joined us repeatedly! Since skaters tend to expend about 2x as much energy, and tend to roll 50% slower than bikers, SF-WNBR Skaters may wish to follow an abbreviated but comparable route by linking the level grades in the beginning and ending segments of our route. Or a talented skater may be able to fit in with the main peleton. We move at a leisurely pace.
But it may not be a good idea to try to skate down Lombard Street!!
We might stop there for pictures. We'll decide on some key break points right before we ride.
Other Questions
These are answers to some questions sent in via the main WNBR site
• I'd love to help with the SF ride. Is it happening?
A: Yes! TOTALLY -It's Happening! lolz. To get involved, to offer your help- Join our yahoogroup list-serve discussion. Then you can help publicize the Event right now, using flyers available below! Thanks so much.
• Tempting... but I feel concerned, I'm kind of shy.
A: Come as you are! Wear just as much as you care, or as little as you dare. WNBR is about having a good time, and making the world a better place.
Come show that space is. But remember it's a party.
• I'd love to do something like this- but I'm also worried! What about the law?
A: SF_WNBR has been held for 7 years without any legal incident in SF. This is b/c in SF we are able to observe the Event while complying with all the laws. Nude is not lewd in California, nor in SF. Other cities' and counties' restrictions vary. eg., Berkeley has a 15-year-old anti-nudity law that we havent seen enforced lately. San Diego is planning on enforcing their antique prudery laws.
• Will there be roller-skaters /skateboarders at this event? I'd like to join you, but I like to skate /board nude.
A: We're good if you're good- Come as you are! We ride on public right-of-way, and our route can be adapted to changing modes and energy.
You are free to leave "the group" at any point.
• Can I ride with my dog on a leash?
A: I'd first ask the dog if they're comfortable running along a bike. Then it may be prudent to ask a policeman. SF_WNBR is a DIY event, and while you're free to do as you like while on the city streets-- we do also ask everyone to co-operate with the law.
• I'd love to do something like this in LA.
A: LA has had a short WNBR ride in the past. SF's is still growing. Join our discussion as WNBR activities expand across California.
• Will WNBR happen in my city?
A: You can check the situation in the USA here:.
If you dont see your home- YOU can HELP START YOUR OWN RIDE!
• Can you rent a bike or do you have to have your own?
A: You can rent various bikes near our start point, at a stand at #5 Embarcadero Center near the cable-car turntable, at Market, California & Drumm Streets- in front of the Hyatt Regency. It's called
Bike_&_Roll; 1-866-RENT-A-BIKE.
Or- ask around our discussion group- You might uncover a Good Samaritan and make a friend.
• Where can we watch Indecent Exposure to Cars when it comes out?
A: "Indecent Exposure to Cars" is advertised on the main WNBR site (based in Vancouver Canada). Check with them for updates.
• "I saw it today...must be there for all future rides.
"I'd be willing to have The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence help promote the next ride and make it the biggest ever!!!"
A: Amen!
• When is the ride?!
A: SF_WNBR rides each summer, in the second week of June- as well as additional days thru the year, such as one to co-incide with the WNBR Southern Hemisphere Ride date. Please follow the discussion group to learn of additional rides.
Scrapbook
2004 WNBR
- SF rides the first WNBR in 2004 with about 40 mostly male riders. We gathered at noon in the Embarcadero near the North end of Justin Herman Plaza (just North of the huge fountain with all of the cubic shapes) and head out at 1 PM along Market St to the Castro district. Did we ever stop for pictures? I dont think so. Who knew we were so beautiful?
- IndyMedia/Indybay
- Basetree
2004 July
- Then right away, the next month we did it agin! But this time, in celebration of Nat'l Naked Awareness Day, we were protected by a new group of the WNBR angels.
- A few weeks later we got to teach the SF City District Attorney, and SFPD cop John Velasquez, about respect for the law when the SFPD cited 5 of the July riders group.
2005
- Area body painters ask to work on us, gratis.
2008
- 2008- SFPD begin shadowing our Ride. "In case we need it".
- San Francisco Weekly
2009
- At the 2009 event there were around 120 riders. We head out at 1 PM when the body painters have done their work.
We keep a steady pace heading almost to Golden Gate Park. We stop, rest and then turn around in SF's (Panhandle) to return to Embarcadero. We also stop and rest (and pose for photos) on the Polk St. steps of City Hall (there is usually some Saturday event going on in the Civic Center Park).
2010
- March 2010 we had our first "Winter WNBR", in solidarity with the Southern Hemisphere WNBR.
- SF Weekly, 16 Mar, 2010: "World Naked Bike Ride"
Publicity
Flyers
Flyers are available at sfbikeride.org-
or through our SF-WNBR Facebook fan page.
