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THE EMPEROR'S RIDE: Sunday 1 May
Fourth Mechanics' Pavilion. Photo: Eadweard Muybridge. Source: Mechanics' Institute.
On 20 March 1869, a Grand Velocipede Tournament was held at the Pavilion of the Mechanics' Institute, which stood at the corner of Stockton and Geary Streets in San Francisco.
The tournament was the high-water mark of the velocipede "mania" that had descended on the City. Emperor Norton was there to mark the occasion. So was the photographer, Eadweard Muybridge, who took the opportunity to snap a photo of the Emperor astride one of the new contraptions.
Emperor Norton, 1869. Photo: Eadweard Muybridge. Source: Bancroft Library, University of California Berkeley.
To celebrate this fabulous photograph and the advent of the bike craze in San Francisco, The Emperor's Bridge Campaign* is delighted to be partnering with SF Tweed and San Francisco Steampunks to present a May Day bike ride ending with a picnic at Marina Green. Our friends from the Mechanics' Institute also will be in the mix!
Please join us for the Ride — or the picnic — or both!
>>>RIDE ROUTE
Map of the complete 4.6 mile route of The Emperor's Ride. The route is along mostly flat terrain.
>>>HISTORICAL MAP
Interactive map showing sites along the opening segment of the route that are associated with Emperor Norton. Find and click the big orange stars to learn more!
Tweed or Steampunk attire is strongly encouraged — but not required.
THE EMPEROR'S RIDE
A Bike Ride & Picnic
Sunday 1 May 2016
Gather at 11:00 a.m.
Montgomery & Clay Streets (northeast corner)
Plaza area at the base of the Transamerica Pyramid
San Francisco (map)
Roll at 11:30 a.m.
Picnic at 1 p.m.
Marina Green
San Francisco (map)
Maypole & Dance
(We hope!)
Croquet
Prizes
Best Bike (wheels & gear)
Best Belle (women's attire)
Best Swell (men's attire)
Best Picnic (menu & setting)
Additional prizes for eccentricity,
at the judges' discretion
Free raffle
From the Campaign:
+ Emissary of the Empire card
+ T-Shirts
From the Mechanics' Institute:
+ Tote bags
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* In December 2019, The Emperor's Bridge Campaign adopted a new name: The Emperor Norton Trust.
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