We didn’t get an actual count, but from a quick scan of the crowd gathered inside the tarp wall at Bohemeo’s, we numbered at least 100 riders and skaters. That would make 2023’s edition the biggest WNBR Houston has seen—and, in the opinion of a few WNBR veterans, the best. You can try counting the folks who posed for the pre-ride photo below. (All photos by David Loredo.)
Big Thank-Yous
The H-Town WNBR crew would like to thank the following people, places, and groups for contributing to the awesomeness:
- Bohemeo’s (especially Nicole, who books events there)
- Super Happy Fun Land
- Lola’s Depot
- Buddy’s
- Houston Eagle
- Black’s Bodega
- Pride Ride Houston
- Space City Skaters (about a dozen of whom joined us and made us that much prettier on aggregate)
We would also like to thank Bike Houston and the City of Houston for their collaboration in planning and constructing a network of bike lanes, especially inside Loop 610. This ride highlighted bike lanes on half a dozen streets. These not only protect cyclists from automobiles, but make it easier for cyclists to get out of motorists’ way.
Recommendation: If you’re riding your bicycle, and the city has spent thousands of taxpayer dollars to put a bike lane where you’re riding, use it. The lanes are there to make the streets safer for everyone. You still need to be mindful of motorists making turns as you cross intersections, since so many drivers never learned how to interact with bicycles.
The Journey
These rides almost never go off without a few bumps along the way. There were one or two haters, an uninvited photographer trying to ride along with us, and some mechanical issues with bikes. But we didn’t lose any riders to the treacherous surfaces of Houston’s streets or overindulgence in adult beverages. Only a few participants dropped out before the end.
Bohemeo’s served as host for our paint-up and preparations. Several of the facilitators hung tarps around the covered patio there to protect us from gawkers and self-appointed cell-phone paparazzi, as well as to “protect” patrons from our naked bodies. We are happy to report that, at least it appears, Bohemeo’s is willing to welcome us for future rides. We didn’t leave to large a mess, and we complied with their request not to enter the bar itself without covering our parts.
We took off a little after 8 pm and made our usual one-mile pause at Super Happy Fun Land to check for the aforementioned mechanical issues with bicycles (or riders). The pause lasted longer than it usually does due to a poorly attached wheel on one rider’s bike.
Next came a rather lengthy leg of the route, about 4.5 miles, passing the entertainment complex in Midtown (too early for many club patrons there to see us) and ending in the Montrose Gayborhood. We distributed ourselves among three local bars within a block or two of each other, all of which had expressed support for the ride.
After reassembling, we rode up Montrose Boulevard to the site of Shane McKinney’s Ghost Bike on West Dallas Avenue for the traditional remembrance ceremony, including the pouring of a libation. Then we continued through downtown to the Warehouse District, stopping at Black’s Bodega to purchase beverages and whatever else. The Warehouse District just north of Downtown has been undergoing some dramatic changes recently, with large apartment building just completed or under construction. There wasn’t much foot traffic on Sterrett Street, so it became Temporary Autonomous Zone for us Bare As You Dare riders. We passed Last Concert Café, which had a show on the outdoor stage, and a few lucky patrons caught sight of us there. (With any luck, all that residential construction in the District will not overrun or displace Last Concert, a fixture on Nance Street for at least half a century.)
The final leg passed through East Downtown (EaDo), down St. Emanuel Street, where there were plenty of fans to cheer us on. We proceeded to SHFL to hang out there a while and eat some delicious Flaky’s pizza before returning to a closed-for-the-night Bohemeo’s. A Houston Police Department vehicle was actually parked on Polk Street near SHFL; in the absence of any complaints from the public, the officer was not there to bother anyone.
The Future—and Some Editorializing
Assuming that no major weather disasters destroy Houston over the next twelve months, the tentative date for the next big ride is 14 September 2024. There will also be another Down Underwear Solidarity Ride in March 2024, date to be determined (likely the 16th or the 30th).
Even with the miles and connectivity of protected bike lanes increasing in this city, the number of fatal auto-bike and auto-pedestrian collisions is also on the increase. This is a worrisome trend. The problems of unsafe streets, like the problems of climate disruption, will not just go away. We will continue needing something like WNBR to show the world how we feel about the destruction wrought by fossil fuels and car culture.
As happened with Shane McKinney, where there are no protected lanes, there are increases in what appear to be intentional attacks on cyclists, with the offending motorists fleeing the scene. Vehicles lacking any official license plates or legitimate dealer tags—which roam our streets and highways in absurdly high numbers—can avoid being traced after they flee. Even drivers who stay and wait for law enforcement to show up can invoke the “didn’t see ’em” defense and get away without even a traffic ticket after accidentally killing a cyclist.
But let’s be real: Cyclists bear some responsibility for their own safety as well. They need to remain observant, to make themselves visible (especially when riding at night), to steer away from possible run-ins with motor vehicles, to ride in straight lines (i.e., not weaving down the street), to occupy no more than one lane when riding in groups. They need to understand and remember that many motorists have no idea how to drive with bicycles around, get scared, and do stupid things that can get people hurt.