After being refreshed with ice cream and water in the shade of City Hall, the remaining
1/3 of the original group headed off to the Castro district. We were met with many
cheers of support as we chanted "More ass, less gas" and other slogans. Along the
way we passed another newly wed couple leaving a church. We all congratulated them
as we rode by and they smiled back.
At the small Castro park the ride fragmented. One group headed back to Justin Herman
Plaza. Several riders split and went their own way. Another group of 20 or so riders
continued on with the planned route. And, some of us decided to
hang around the Castro area for awhile.
I was later informed that those that continued on with the planned route were
met with more supportive cheers and smiles from bystanders along the Panhandle and
Haight Street.
JW was getting overheated and decided to skip doing the hilly Panhandle segment.
I decided to stay with him. One rather drunk women who had just left the Twin Peaks
Tavern nearby, came up to us and told us how much she loved seeing us naked guys.
After most of the riders had gone their various ways, JW and I put on our shorts
as we no longer had the safety-in-numbers factor to remain naked. Though, from what
I've been told, casual nudity is fairly common in this area. We relaxed at the park
and talked about the ride and politics for about a 1/2 hour.
We then saddled up, still wearing our shorts, and headed back to Justin Herman Plaza
along Market Street. We were only standing in the central part of Justin Herman
Plaza for about 10 minutes when the four remaining SF WNBR riders arrived. As soon
as we saw them, JW and I quickly stripped and rode naked with them back to the ride
start area. We decided to have one last group shot of the 6 remaining naked SF WNBR
riders. There were a couple of gals sitting nearby and we asked them if they would
take our picture. They happily agreed.
Courtesy of Brian S.
Another women appeared and they joined in getting their pictures taken with ours.
Courtesy of Brad S.
One of the riders jokingly
said they should get naked too, but they declined. By now it was around 7 PM and
cooling down.
Soon after, a guard appeared and told us to get dressed which we did, but not without
two of the riders arguing with the guard about their right to go naked. JW and I
thought that was poor judgment considering the ride was now over and we were about
to dress anyway. After the guard and other riders had split, JW, Daniel and I discussed
the ride for a bit and we also split.
On the way back to Baker Beach JW stripped down to his thong. I didn't have that
option so I kept my shorts on. Going past Pier 39 and the Wharf, JW got a few cheers
in his thong as I followed with the WNBR banner waving behind my bike. We climbed
Presidio hill back to the Baker Beach parking area and talked about the ride and
politics some more until after 8. I drove back to Boulder Creek stopping for a late
hamburger and fries along the way as I had not eaten any real food all day other
than a light breakfast. I usually avoid fast food but I needed the salt. I arrived
home around 11. It was a long but really fun day.
Copyright © 2010 by James A. Zaun. Some Rights Reserved
