www.theblisspages.com - world naked bike ride 2007
www.theblisspages.com - world naked bike ride 2007
See my poems the naked cyclist, does my bum look big on this? and awakening.
links on this page: world-wide event : please sponsor me : theblissride2007 : world naked bike ride 2006 : 2008 Brighton ride
The World Naked Bike Ride was on 09 June 2007, and there were many rides worldwide on this day.
In 2005, 250 people took part in the London World Naked Bike Ride, making it the UK's biggest naked protest, but in 2006, numbers were up to 900 - I believe this is the largest naked protest ever.
In Brighton, there were about 160 riders in 2006 (see my report on the 2006 Brighton ride) and over 200 this year.
The ride went very well, with good weather, enthusiastic riders, and overwhelmingly friendly spectators. There was a low-key police presence, and no problems.
The ride is to protest against oil dependency and car culture. It is a fun and innovative way of promoting cycling in Brighton and elsewhere. We ride naked to draw attention to the vulnerability of cyclists on busy city streets dominated by gas-guzzling cars, buses and taxis. It is time to stop indecent exposure to automobile emissions and to celebrate the power and individuality of our bodies!
I'm also trying to raise money for Diabetes UK. I am pleased that sponsors supported me for last years bike ride, and I raised over £300. This year I have raised over £245, but would still be grateful for the chance to raise more funds, so please sponsor me.
There was significant press interest, and I was interviewed on Radio 5 live before the ride at 07:15. My picture also featured on the SKY news pages, and I appeared in the 14 June issue of the Mid Sussex Times. See Former naturist tackles naked bike ride.
I arrived, uncharacteristically late, at the level, just in time to strip off before the ride. Some people were painting slogans on their bodies, whilst some of us just let it all hang out.
It felt a little strange to be standing naked in a public park, but there were a couple of hundred other naked or semi-naked people there, so it swiftly became the norm.
I was told that someone from the Argus newspaper was looking for me to interview me, but we didn't have time to meet up before the signal to move out was given.
We cycled round the Level to allow the ride to form up, and we were off.
The weather was pleasant - just warm enough.
We headed down to the front and along the esplanade to the Peace statue, where we had our first rest stop.
Here I met up with a clothed Chris and we cycled into Hove, then up to Western Road - the main shopping street in Brighton.
The public response was overwhelmingly positive.
All through the ride bells hooters and horns competed with the mobile disco playing inspiring songs.
A group of girls shouted "Get them off", to me, to which I replied, "Get what off?" All I had on were my sandals and glasses!
Chris had to peel off to do some shopping as we reached the Churchill Square mall.
We then headed down to the front again and to the fountains at the Old Steine, which were irresistible to some riders.
After another short rest stop, we continued, doing a figure of eight circuit around the busy North Laines area, before heading up St James Street.
We soon reached the run down to Madeira Drive and the surprisingly bracing sea (twelve degrees Celsius).
Everyone was very friendly and I had several conversations with interested spectators as I cycled home (wearing shorts).
I have been inspired to write some poems, the naked cyclist, does my bum look big on this? and awakening.
Recently, 27-year old artist Jill Coccaro (now known as Phoenix Feeley) from New York won 29,000 dollars after she was arrested for walking around topless. She successfully sued as women have the same rights as men to take off their tops in public. I whole-heartedly support her, and wish we all had the right to wear as much, or as little, as we like.
On Wednesday 24 May 2006, a man was arrested under the Mental Health Act after walking around Hove naked, but a woman in Wales won her right to sunbathe nude in her back garden. I am amazed that a bit of flesh still gives rise to so much controversy - after all, we're all naked under our clothes.
You can help.
To sponsor me, have a look at theblissride2007 at Just Giving.
Other naked bike ride events in 2006 took place elsewhere in the UK, including Bath, Manchester, York, and Edinburgh. Around the globe cyclists took off their clothes and hit the road in countries such as Poland, the US, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and South Africa.
In the Czech Republic, a handful of young cyclists took to the streets of central Prague for an hour, wearing paint - or less.
In Mexico, two dozen brave individuals took to the streets of Mexico City.
See my report on the world naked bike ride 2006.
updated Mon 02 Jul '07 give feedback...
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: © Mike Bliss 2009