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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
- 3 pm (approx): First loop finishes back where it started.
- 6 pm (approx): Full ride finishes back where it started.
- 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
HERE is the complete SF_WNBR route for 2010 printable on a single letter-sized page. Download size is ~2.7Mbs.
This 2010 Route is divided into 2 main loops:
• the first loop [black] is about 11 miles long, making a large loop. For those who wish to continue on, there is
• the second loop [red] which extends the ride another 17 miles of smaller loops- totaling 28 miles.
If you are feeling good after the first loop, please join us for more fun and have an ice cream at Ben & Jerry's along the way.
The way this latter route works, anyone could retire to the Justin Herman Plaza /Embarcadero Terminus whenever it's near.
Overlapping along Market permits later riders to leap-frog sections and join us when we ride by.
And last, HERE'S the 2009 Route map for comparison and discussion.
Ride Safety
SF-WNBR is a 'DIY' event. Please insure the safety of your own bicycle before mounting up for the Event. Please inform yourself about lawful riding practices.
Some drivers will find nudists distracting. We do not want to confuse any drivers, especially regarding our intention and movement while on the road! For this and other reasons 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 do not lane-split if asked to cease by law-enforcement. 'Lane-splitting' is both the norm, and 'technically illegal' in California even when CHP moto-cops are doing it. Please do not occupy more than one lane if doing so would block other traffic.
As DIY ambassadors of WNBR and its agenda, participants are encouraged to 'set the example' of a progressive society to project attractive and personally-responsible energies.
Local Nudity Laws
It is a good idea to inform yourself of the nudity laws in and around San Francisco. There 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.)
Weather
The forcast for Saturday is sunny, low 70's and windy. 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.
Photos
2010
- SF Weekly, 16 Mar, 2010: "World Naked Bike Ride"
2009
2008
2004
History
At the 2009 event there were around 120 riders. We gather starting at noon near the North end of Justin Herman Plaza (just North of the huge fountain with all of the cubic shapes) and head out at about 1 PM when the body painters have done their work. We keep a steady pace heading to almost the Golden Gate Park (we stop, rest and then turn around in the Panhandle) and back. We also stop and rest (and pose for photos) on the Polk St. steps of City Hall (there is usually an event going on in the Civic Center Park).
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 10 years without any legal incidents. This is b/c in SF we are able to observe the Event while complying with all the laws. Nudity is not lewdity in California, nor in SF. Other cities and counties may vary. Berkeley has a 15-year-old anti-nudity law that we havent seen enforced lately.
• 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 your dog- check they're comfortable with a harness. Then it may be prudent to ask a policeman: Does SF allow harnessed animals to pull pedestrians on it's streets? 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 ride. And SF's is still growing. Join our discussion as WNBR activities expand across the state.
• 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: An interesting question for future entrepreneurs... SF_WNBR does not yet offer bike rentals- We cant even get SF's bike valets to talk to us. But ask our discussion group- We might uncover a Good Samaritan for you, or perhaps suggest a convenient commercial vendor.
• 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.
Publicity
Flyers
Flyers are available at sfbikeride.org-
or through our SF-WNBR Facebook fan page.
