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world naked bike ride 2008

The third World Naked Bike Ride in Brighton was on Saturday 07 June 2008, and I loved it.

I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it. I have been sleeping badly for the last couple of weeks, and this week I've only been getting three hours a night, so have been waking up with headaches. Consequently I have been off work. On Friday, I thought "Enough is enough" and went to my doctor, who prescribed 7.5mg Zimovane (sleeping tablets). On Friday night, I slept for eight hours, and woke up bursting with energy. See my poem cotton wool.

The ride was very successful, and I had a great time, but got very burnt.

I arrived at 10:30 to find a field full of faces, and more flesh than a Fellini film. Wandering around, I made the re-acquaintance of old friends, including Nick, who was rushing around creating order out of chaos, and someone who I last saw on the 'no more buts on the beach' photo shoot – in far more inclement weather.

I chatted to other cyclists, some who, like me, have been on a few of these rides, and others who were dipping their toes in for the first time.

I also put on some sun tan lotion, but unfortunately, not enough.

I chatted to one of the main organisers of the London ride, who I met at one of last year's planning meetings, and several people who appeared in the recent Great British Body series.

I also spoke to Dorothy, who had wrapped herself in 'climate crime scene' tape – I do hope it wasn't too painful to remove – and was standing nervously awaiting starting orders. We chatted for a while before the traditional circuit round the Level, then we were off.

This ride was the best-attended yet, with nearly four hundred riders, and with numbers came confidence, so there was much more flesh proudly displayed. The sun shone brightly, but no brighter than our smiles – the atmosphere was fantastic, and we had a lot of support from the spectators lining the route, some brandishing several camera-phones – presumably to catch us in stereo.

I was pleased to find a picture of me cycling along on Aspex Design along with other photos of the ride.

The route was eight miles in total, but the pace was leisurely, and we had plenty of time to chat to our companions, and to try to convince passing (clothed) cyclists to join us. We had a couple of stops to regroup, replenish ourselves with water, top up the sunscreen, and chat. I saw Dorothy again and swapped stories, before heading into Hove for the busiest part of the ride – through the main shopping street – Western Road.

It was lined with clapping and cheering crowds, but I feel we will have succeeding in one of our aims when nudity passes almost unnoticed. It felt so natural cycling along naked that I feel resentful that one can't cycle or walk naked whenever the mood strikes and weather permits – though I suppose it would cause even more comment at work than my normal summer garb of Hawaiian shirt and shorts!

We stopped again at the fountain at the Old Stein, though this year I was pleased that everybody resisted the blandishments of the fountain, tempting though it was. We cycled round the North Lanes, thronged with people, and along to the naturist beach for a well-deserved picnic. Dorothy had promised to fill my water bottle from her flat opposite the beach, but unfortunately I didn't see her at the end of the ride – though she had been engrossed in conversation for the latter part of the ride, so may have got diverted...

The sea looked very inviting when we arrived, so I parked the bike on the beach and jumped in. The sea was very cold (12°C), but after a few minutes, I didn't notice it. Perhaps I was too numb by then! After a refreshing swim I got out to try to find my sandals, but they were gone. A friend from previous rides then came to help me find them, but after a few minutes, I realised he was wearing them, having mistaking then for his – similar – pair!

We then went up the beach to the table where people were donating food for the shared lunch. I had taken some tinned mezés and breadsticks (don't worry, the tins are now in my recycling bin at home) and had a very pleasant repast.

There was a bit of a breeze, and some people covered up, but I was made of sterner stuff, unfortunately as it turned out. I left the beach at about 16:00 and on my way back, realised I had caught the sun a little. Later, I realised it was more than a little, as over the next few hours I got redder and sorer and redder still. By the evening I could not bear anything touching my skin apart from a generous slathering of after-sun, and I am still suffering as I write this.

Overall it was the best naked bike ride yet, and I can't wait for 2009. My favourite slogan? "My Energy Renude!".

Other rides around the world have also been very successful, with Mexico having 400 riders (up from two dozen in 2006) and Vancouver 300. Even Australia joined in with a chilly evening winter ride. Best of all, police across the world seem to have been extremely cooperative with the ride with no reported arrests or trouble anywhere. I wish I could attend the London Naked Bike Ride on 14 June, but am looking after my children that weekend.

See nakedwiki.org/wiki/Brighton for more details, or world naked bike ride 2007 for my report on last year's event.

updated Mon 09 Jun '08   give feedback...

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: : © Mike Bliss 2009