WNBR London 2012

On Saturday 9th June I went to London to take part in the World Naked Bike Ride. This was my 8th WNBR in London having missed only the very first one. The weather forecasts around this weekend were not looking particularly good for events like this and I had already wimped out of the Southampton ride as it was looking blustery and cold and that would not help me to enjoy it. London, on the other hand, was a pleasant temperature at about 19C with an acceptable amount of wind.

This year we returned to our former arrangement of meeting at Wellington Arch rather than Hyde Park. I’ll admit to thinking that there wouldn’t be enough space for us all but we did fit there comfortably. I’m not going to bother writing about the route, which varied a little this year, as that would probably be a bit boring. However, I was surprised at the slowness of the ride this year. In the past we have left the start point at 3:30 and been back by 5:00 – just about an hour and a half. This year it took three and a half hours to do about the same distance and we finally finished at 7:00pm. This seemed to be due to the numerous stops along the way for little or no reason that I could see. Ordinarily there are three or four stops to allow the 1000 or so riders to close up and prevent the group becoming fragmented and that is clearly necessary. This year I lost count of the number of stops we had, many of which were for periods of around ten minutes. Sometimes we had only ridden a couple of minutes before we all halted yet again. I noticed a few people clearly ran out of time or patience and got dressed and left the ride. There seemed to be no information as to why this routine was being followed.

Let me state that I wish to make no criticism of the stewards on the day. They have a big job to do which they do voluntarily – it’s not easy. If I could do the job better I’d probably apply for it but I don’t think that I can. So, it is merely an observation that what has formerly been a fairly short and continuous ride turned into a long-winded and halting affair. I hope that next year this will have been sorted out and we get back to that nice, flowing ride that we have known until now.

I still had a good time though.

WNBR Portsmouth 2012

Photo courtesy of Ian Cheshire

Well, here we are once more for the World Naked Bike Ride in Portsmouth, England. This is the second year that WNBR has been in this city and it will be my first ride here. The protests that arose before the ride in 2011 do not appear to be repeating themselves this time. That is likely to be because the lot from the Portsmouth Family Church are the only ones to be really bothered about it. They tried hard to get enough people to sign up to the epetitions online to get “this sort of thing” banned by parliament but could only muster 200 signatures rather than the 100,000 required. The local police see no reason to stop it either.

So I’ll be leaving soon to put my bike on the train in time to enjoy a picnic lunch on the seafront before the ride sets off at 2:00pm. The sun is shining and there is not a cloud in the sky. This morning the temperature is 21C and it is expected to be about 26C this afternoon. A slight breeze is making it feel most comfortable.

A short train journey later and I find myself at Fratton station which is the nearest stop to the starting point of the ride. I am here a lot earlier than I expected and so a leisurely pedal through the streets of Portsmouth sees me arrive at the Rose Gardens on Southsea seafront with nearly two hours to spare. No matter, that will give me time to have lunch and a catch-up with old acquaintances from previous rides.

People are assembling and enjoying the sun. Some are having body painting done, others are just socialising with friends. We seem to have a lot of younger people who, perhaps, are mostly students from the university. Bicycles are also being treated to flags and bunting to help with the carnival atmosphere. There are a surprising number of unicycles here of varying sizes. One has a large wheel that must be nearly three feet in diameter and is being ridden quite expertly by a young man. There are others too but smaller and I wonder how easy it is going to be to complete the course on one of those.

There are a lot of familiar faces here with people who ride in the many WNBRs around the country being here today to lend their support. It is becoming quite a community!

And for the eagle-eyed amongst us we have now found out what naturists do with their house keys when they’ve got no clothes on. Yes, there was an enterprising chap who had a Prince Albert who found it convenient to attach his keyring to it. At first it looked as if he had a charm bracelet dangling there but no, just a couple of Yales. The crowd noticed it too and there was much laughter and pointing by the kids who saw it.

Two o’ clock has come round and Ian, the organiser, has blown his horn to signal the start of the ride whereupon we start to file out from behind the hedge and on to the esplanade. We have clearly attracted a lot of attention already as day-trippers and beach-goers are moving up from the shore to see us go by. Despite some of the negative publicity by the prudes people seem genuinely pleased and delighted with a great many cheers, laughter, and the snapping of photos.

As we approach South Parade Pier the crowds began to double. Many were congregated around a single stalwart objector. An elderly chap had prepared himself a prominent position with a banner bearing the legend “SHAME ON YOU”. The reverse side said, “NO PUBICS IN PUBLIC”. He was struggling to get his megaphone switched on so as to berate us but he was having a bit of trouble which wasn’t helped by the crowd who appeared to ridicule him. Whilst I clearly disagree with his stance as I’m a naked rider myself I concede that he has the courage of his convictions to go and protest in the face of much opposition.

On we ride westwards past the D-Day museum and the War Memorial until we reach Clarence Pier and the funfair. This has been planned as a scheduled stop to allow the riders to close up and to give us the opportunity to buy ice creams at a stall. Quite a few people queued up to be served naked. Well, business is business isn’t it. On we go down Gordon Road towards Old Portsmouth. There on the left, close to the Garrison Church, is a pub – The Pembroke. Today they seem to have a bit of a function. Is it a wedding party because everyone is dressed to the nines and have spilled out of the door to cheer us on most enthusiastically.

Into High Street now and on towards Gunwharf Quays, a regenerated area of the city’s waterfront busy with diners and shoppers, where we see our next protestor of the day. This one was not as placid as the first with him swearing loudly at us and accusing us all of being paedophiles and then throwing a drink at a cyclist and spitting at another. Fortunately, our police escort had seen the incident and moved in rapidly to deal with this idiot. I didn’t see him again and I hope that at the very least the police have warned him of his conduct.

Another scheduled stop now on The Hard just outside the gates of the Historic Dockyard. We have a backdrop of the harbour and the Victorian warship The Warrior and many people are having their pictures taken with this behind. Indeed, our mate, Ian, has settled in front of The Ship Anson pub in readiness with his camera to get us when we come round.

Up Queen Street now where it is somewhat quieter, past HMS Nelson, the Naval Barracks, and on to Edinburgh Road. Commercial Road, the main shopping thoroughfare, is its usual busy self for a Saturday afternoon and we ride through here to more cheers and merriment. This is the extent of our outward journey which now turns back to retrace our steps with just a couple of variations.

Four o’clock sees us arrive back at the starting point. I’ve had just about enough sun on my body now if I’m not going to burn and so I am quite ready to dress now with a bit of sun block on my arms for the ride home. A count of the riders had been taken throughout the ride and I hear that the final figure was 76.  Compared to last year’s 28 that is a good turnout. Mind you, the weather was much better this year and the students were still in residence.

All in all this has been a very good WNBR and that is to the credit of all those who turned out to take part but also to Ian Henden who has painstakingly organised it once more. This is an event that is firmly on my calendar for next year. Just two weeks now until the next round of rides at Southampton, London and Brighton.

WNBR Portsmouth – When all was said and done

After all the hoohah the World Naked Bike Ride in Portsmouth went ahead.

2011 was to be its inaugural year and, with great persistence, the organisers eventually managed to get all the wheels turning in the right direction. In the early days the City Council said they needed a risk assessment, public liability insurance too. Complete rubbish. This is not an event in the ordinary sense of things but a peaceful and democratic protest. You don’t need permission for these things but good cooperation and liaison with the police and council are necessary to keep everyone happy.

Of course, this is where the religious zealots stepped in and decided that it was not appropriate for a naked protest to go ahead in Portsmouth. A 1500 signature petition was drawn up and handed to the City Council whose leader declined to accept it. Another copy was handed in to the police.

The police stated that there was no precedent to stop the ride as it was entirely legal – even if someone complained. Such was the threat of angry opposition against the ride they even supplied six uniformed bobbies on bikes to escort the ride through the city streets and smooth the way.

On the day the ride went ahead in cool and cloudy conditions with just 28 riders. There were no counter-protests visible on the streets and the riders met with the usual surprise, delight and laughter from by-standers that WNBRs all over the country meet with. So, here’s to next year and, with luck, a bigger turn-out.

WNBR Portsmouth 2011

The World Naked Bike Ride is coming to Portsmouth, England on 10th June 2011. This is the first time that WNBR will have taken place in this city although there are other rides in the south of England at London, Brighton and Southampton.

WNBR Southampton also takes place on the 10th but is timed to start at 6:30 pm which means that you can easily complete the Portsmouth ride before departing for Southampton to take part in their’s. Two rides in one day can’t be bad. There may also be a few hardy riders who will cycle between the two cities. Check here for more information.

Is it legal? Hampshire Police said the event was lawful – even if someone made a complaint. They said public nudity was not an offence as long as the intention was not to cause alarm or distress.

If you wish to read what the local press have said about it look here and here.

So, why not join in the inaugural event for Portsmouth where a good turn-out would be especially good. Remember that the event is ‘as bare as you dare’ so you can still support the ride in the way that you are most comfortable. But if you do go nude all you have to lose are your inhibitions!

WNBR Brighton 2011

Well, I hope the picture above says all that needs to be said but just in case you need persuading I can say that this is probably the most fantastic event that you’ll take part in all year. If you have never gone naked in public you will find it to be most empowering and refreshing. Some people say that you must have a lot of confidence to bare all in this way but I’d say that it actually gives you confidence.

So, if you’ve got nothing on, so to speak, on 12th June come and join us at Brighton’s World Naked Bike Ride. The only thing to lose is your inhibitions!

Watching me, watching you

Saturday 12th June 2010 and it is the date of the seventh World Naked Bike Ride in London. Riders have come from far and wide, from home and abroad and are assembling in Hyde Park ready to take to the streets for the biggest event of its kind in the world. Photographers, drawn like moths to a flame, attracted by the prospect of some real nudity, the real up close, in yer face kind arrive in what seems to be even greater numbers than the nude riders. Oh, this is real nudity alright, real people just like you and me with all their human frailties. There’s none of your ersatz, airbrushed type of nudity here. Some may be brightly painted, others are in their own natural colours of white, pink, brown or black, some with body art and piercings. Whatever we are there is massive interest and cameras are clicking furiously.

All eyes and cameras are now turned to the tattooed lady with the helmet and the goggles – and very little else. I’m turning the tables and snapping the phalanx of photographers. One girl without a camera watches me, her coat drawn up to cover her lower face. Has her jaw dropped in surprise and disbelief at all the nakedness surrounding her or is she stifling a good laugh. She alone has no camera and perhaps is aware of the paradox or is her reaction because I’m nude too and taking pictures of the overdressed?

WNBR Brighton 2010

The End Of The Ride

Leaving home on Sunday morning to head down the coast to Brighton saw the promise of a dull day and perhaps a spot of light rain. This is not a good thing when going off for a naked bike ride. Fortunately, the forecast was wrong once again and the day improved as it went along. Mostly there was some warm sunshine with just a little coolness at times due to a slight breeze.

Brighton is probably one of the better WNBRs in Britain. The city has a somewhat Bohemian nature with its wide diversity which makes it far more relaxed than London. By late morning riders are already assembling at The Level, a park in the centre of the city. Whereas in London there are fairly strict orders from the police and organisers that nudity is not permitted until just before the off, in Brighton it is permitted for the entire event and that includes all the body-painting, picnics and music that goes before. It wasn’t always so as the first WNBR here could only go ahead if the riders covered their ‘naughty bits’ as the police described them! That’s all changed now that the authorities, by and large, realise that simple nudity is legal and that it is not lewd or crude.

Our procession left at half past one and proceeded to the sea front where the crowds were stood several deep at the entrance to the pier to watch us go by. The police led us along the road by the promenade accompanied by music from a large sound system cobbled together on a leading tandem. This was an eight mile ride that would take around two and a half hours to complete and so we settled down to enjoy what would be a carnival atmosphere. In Brighton the crowds seemed to be even more pleased to see us than in London. People would be hanging out of windows and waving, passengers on buses clicking their camera phones desperate not to miss the sights. Mothers by the side of the road push their kids to the front or pick them up to get a better look. We had two stops along the way – the first at Hove where a long queue of naked people snaked back from the toilets which caused a surprise and some mirth from strollers on the promenade. The second was at Old Steyne, close to The Lanes, where many naked people formed a line at the ice-cream parlour whose staff treated it all as being quite normal. Well, business is business.

We travelled north until we came to the North Laines which is much less contrived than the others and have a more free and easy air about them. There are many more hippies, individuals and free thinkers in this area which makes it quite fascinating. Definitely not to be missed – naked or not. After heading south then east we came back to the sea front by Madeira Drive and headed to Black Rock beach close to the marina. This is Brighton’s naturist beach and the few nudists having a quiet sunbathe on Sunday afternoon suddenly found themselves in the midst of over 700 mostly naked people with bikes. The beach was filling up and a few brave souls even had a swim in the chilly waters.

We took this opportunity to see people we’d missed earlier and to take our leave of others, all the time promising to be there again next year. This was now the end of three World Naked Bike Rides in three days and I’m already looking forward to next year. Hmm, perhaps I should do a different city next year – Bristol? Cardiff? I can’t miss Brighton though.

WNBR London 2010

This is the sixth time that I have ridden in the World Naked Bike Ride in London and it is still a fantastic experience. Each year I wonder if it will be the last time that I do it but it is one of those events that just cries out to be done again and again. Many of the same faces are to be seen along with new ones too and this year is no different.

We arrive in Hyde Park near to the statue of Achilles which has become the starting and assembly point since the event grew so fast and so far. At one time we would all gather at Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner but since our numbers grew, from 250 in the first year that I took part, to around 1200 in the past couple of years we have needed more room with the grounds around the arch being too small for the greater numbers.

Gradually people start to arrive. The early birds will have been here some time to have a picnic and catch up with old friends whilst many will arrive nearer to the time the ride starts. One increasingly annoying aspect of this event is the rising numbers of amateur ‘photographers’ who quite clearly have never seen a naked woman before – or so it seems from the actions of some. It would be safe to say that there is probably at least one camera clicking for every member of the ride, both men and women. Nevertheless, naked people taking pictures of other naked people seems to be much more readily accepted. Quid pro quo. That’s how I got the picture shown here. It’s fair to say though, that she posed happily for the phalanx of cameras pointed in her direction.

Missing this year are the police who would normally escort us through the city to close junctions and crossroads in advance in order to let us pass safely. On rides like this it is important to keep the traffic from infiltrating the mass of cyclists. Instead we had to rely upon the volunteer stewards to marshal the cyclists but, try as they might, they don’t have that authority that the police bring and so at times there was a bit of traffic caught up amongst the bikes.

As is normally the case, the WNBR London is well received by most of those who watch it pass. The overwhelming reaction to us is the initial surprise followed by a broad grin. Then they reach for the camera or phone. Then they ring a friend to say, “Oh my God! You’ll never guess…”

This year’s route differed slightly from the earlier ones due to construction work for the Crossrail project at Tottenham Court Road and so our usual, circular, route which would take us through Covent Garden and Oxford Street changed this year. So, our way was linear instead but still took in the sights of London with Picadilly, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Westminster, Waterloo, Fleet Street, The Royal Courts of Justice, St Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge, Tower Bridge and a finish at the Tower of London.

The end of the ride was a little disappointing. In previous years we have finished at Wellington Arch but this year’s different route forgot to end at a nice grassy park where we could unwind and mix with others. Instead we were directed down a back street which came to a dead end. No doubt it was all part of a plot to get us to dress and disperse instead of enjoying the afternoon sun as nature intended. Oh well, here’s looking forward to WNBR London 2011.

WNBR Southampton

The World Naked Bike Ride season, for me, has kicked off this year as usual with the ride at Southampton. Weather, as usual, is key to the enjoyment of these events but the forecast over the past week has not been looking good. Today has dawned damp and overcast with temperatures lower than of late. It has remained that way all day and I’m due to be picked up by a fellow naturist at half past four to travel to Southampton for the ride.

My lift is here and as we drive up the road commenting on whether the weather will improve I make the assertion that the sun always comes out at five. As we drive down the motorway the sun comes out just before five and all is well with the world. We arrive at Southampton Common and are amongst the first of the riders to be there. By now the sun is shining quite strongly and it is warm enough to strip off and get some evening warmth and enjoy a beer. We chat to fellow riders who are turning up and also to photographers from the local and national press.

At half past six with all the riders assembled we are ready for the off – and away we go. The city streets at this time are very quiet and so I wonder if the campaign’s aim of protesting is a little lost. Should the ride take place on a different or busier time of day? Our ride goes through a six mile route that takes us down many of Southampton’s main roads. Despite the quieter time of day we get a lot of people coming out of pubs and shops to watch us go by. It seems that almost everyone has a camera or phone to get pictures of us. There is sometimes talk about ethnic minorities being offended by nudity but as we passed through those parts of the city it seems that Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese etc. seem equally pleased or bemused by our passing as anyone else.

Further down into the older part of the city we come to Oxford Street where there are lots of restaurants with large numbers of al fresco diners who are generally quite amazed to find all these naked people on bikes arriving in their midst. At least they got some entertainment with their meals.

Our ride this evening went at a fair pace and we arrived back out our starting point on the common after an hour. Sometimes I just wonder if, after all the naked rides that I’ve now done, should I stop. But after every ride I know that this is still a very enjoyable thing to do. The final count for this year’s event is 128 cyclists which is a bit less than last year’s 165. But never mind, there is a lot of camaraderie among the regulars and we will all be meeting again tomorrow in London and again on Sunday in Brighton. The weather’s looking good too.

Why naked?

My fellow blogger, Blogmella, has wondered aloud at why I should want to do almost anything naked let alone ride a bike in that undraped way. Instead of a quick comment on her blog I now have the excuse to write something here.

Well, the first thing to remember is that nude is the natural human state – we were born that way – all of us. In my particular case I shall go to the grave like it too. To be naked is to be without artificial additives (clothes) and I find, in common with an estimated 1.5 million other people in this country, that it is a very comfortable way of being. Yes, I did just type 1.5 million. Apparently that is approximately equal to the number of people who attend church on Sundays regularly. That’s about 1 in 40 of the population, so if you know 40 people there’s an average chance one of them enjoys nude sunbathing, nude swimming or some form of nude recreation. If you know 80 people there’s 2 of ’em. How come you don’t know any? You quite possibly do only they’re not telling because they’re afraid of your reaction and what you’ll say.

Anyway, to get to the crux of the matter, or should that be the crutch? of Blogmella’s concerns over comfort and genital alignment I can assure you that naked cycling is extremely comfortable. Don’t think for one minute that a millimetre or two of cloth betwixt groin and saddle is going to be your saviour. Oh no, not with that ruddy great seam that runs up the middle which is surely designed to make cycling as uncomfortable as possible. And then there’s the constriction of trousers or shorts and their strangling effect which seems to be redoubled with Lycra.

For those of you who have even a fairly cursory knowledge of the male anatomy you will know that his genitals are somewhat dynamic in their size. Nature has also been thoughtful in providing a degree of retractibility in consideration of temperature and the possibility of injury or danger. It is these qualities that come to the fore when engaged in naked cycling. Simples!