A bright teal leotard decorated with black sequins sewn at random created the perfect outfit for Jennifer Hart. Her shoulder-length, brown hair was pulled off to the side in a typical ’80s-do: the side ponytail. Classic red lipstick was smudged across her cheek and her breath clearly smelt of hard alcohol. As members of the “Bad-Ass Dazzlers,” Hart and her five other teammates made it their goal to be the most sequined competitors at the second annual Tour de Castro.

“This is probably the most enjoyable fundraiser I’ve ever participated in,” said 27-year-old Hart.

Put on by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Inc., San Francisco's favorite order of queer nuns, this “trike” race served as a fundraiser for a fundraiser. Teams of four to six hopped from bar to bar in San Francisco’s Castro district drinking at each to earn money from their sponsors, that they will then donate to AIDS Lifecycle riders who are unable to pay the $2,500 entry fee. In the seventh annual race, which takes place June 1st through 7th, riders will cycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for either the San Francisco AIDS Foundation or the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

Josh Rowland, the team captain of the Dazzlers, wore a red sequined dress, a blonde wig and shimmering gold tights. All six members spent weeks searching through costume and thrift stores in search of that perfect, excessively sequined outfit that would fit just right for today.

But the sparkling wasn’t limited to their uniforms. The “Bad-Ass Dazzlers” bejeweled their tricycle with multi-colored gems as well. They even made their faces glimmer in the same way. Hart tilted her dark tinted sunglasses to show off the glistening eye make-up she spent so much time applying earlier that morning. And just in case, the dazzlers had an extra can of Aquanet hairspray at their disposal.

Mary Juanita High of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence organized the first Tour de Castro last year after her experience as a roadie for the AIDS Lifecycle. High was so disheartened by the amount of willing competitors who were unable to ride, that she set up this event with the purpose to help them out.

Friends and family members sponsored each tricyclist by giving a nominal amount of money for each checkpoint pit-stop they made on their way to the finish line. The checkpoints consisted of seven neighborhood bars, for which riders were given free-drink tickets before the start of the race.

Cowbells clanked and tricycle bells dinged as the teams took off at noon. Onlookers seemed unsurprised to see barely dressed adults scuffle along Market Street, laughing and screaming. The participants looked like oversized children as they attempted to peddle their red mini-cycles. Team members helped by pushing the riders through the course, around pedestrians, up and over curbs, past competitors and through crosswalks where volunteer crossing guards made sure cars didn’t run them down.

On the corner of Castro and 18th Streets, Sister Jezabelle of the Enraptured Sling, a ten-year member of the sisterhood, stood waiting to guide the tricyclists and throw purple glitter on them. She rang her cowbell and spectators cheered as teams scooted and shuffled by.

Further down the course at 440 Castro, many of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence gathered while intoxicated participants took their time savoring one last drink before the next and final stop—the finish.

The finish line was set up at Café Flore. And it was those “Bad-Ass Dazzlers” who came in first. But unlike other races on wheels such as the Tour de France, this race was not all about finishing first.
Tess Jr., a member of the last team to finish raised the most money—over $400.

“It’s easy to get money from laughing souls,” said Tess. “People love to give money when they are cracking up.”

He had prepared for only one week prior to the race and his costume was significantly less elaborate than many of the others. Wearing just a T-shirt, black underwear, socks and shoes, his attire was shown up by the competition. But he vows that next year he will do much more.

“I was last, but most spirited,” said Tess. “This is a salute to [the Lifecycle riders].”

“The Golden Shower Girls” won the award for the most outrageous costumes. Dressed in floral print dresses and blonde layered wigs, a tribute to the sitcom “The Golden Girls,” they couldn’t have been more pleased as Sister Bella de Ball announced their mini-victory.

Full of spirit (and spirits), these wacky trike riders have made it clear that fundraising alone is never enough. Every once and a while you have to just get out there, get drunk and raise funds—to help others raise funds.

This year’s tricycle race collected over $1,300 to help cover entry fees at a bicycle race fundraiser. “When we work together, that’s when we can get the furthest,” said Sister Jezebelle.