www.theblisspages.com - world naked bike ride 2009
www.theblisspages.com - world naked bike ride 2009
See my poems the naked cyclist, does my bum look big on this? and awakening
The London Brighton World Naked Bike Ride 2009 was on Saturday 13 June, with Brighton one day later, and I was at both. They were awesome, with the biggest attendances ever. The London Ride attracted 1,200 riders and Brighton 700.
I woke up bright and early to a warm day. After a leisurely morning, I decorated my bike with some home-made posters and ate a sustaining spiced porridge for breakfast, then cycled (wearing shorts) to the station. The train was on time and I was soon at Victoria though not before being asked some questions about the ride from fellow passengers.
I cycled to the starting point in Hyde Park, and joined the cyclists gathering for the ride.
Last year there were about 1,000 riders, but this year was even better attended with over 1,200 cyclists.
This was to be my first London World Naked Bike Ride, and I noticed that there was a higher ratio of men to women, and unfortunately many pervs with camera-phones stalking the crowd.
I know this is a public event, but some of them were so blatantly dirty old men that I was embarrassed for my sex.
Having said that, there was a great atmosphere, and when we finally set off, the enthusiastic and good-natured crowds cheered us on.
As I cycled, I recognised several riders from previous Brighton World Naked Bike Rides.
Some of the body paint was arresting and the slogans amusing, but the slogan is Bare as you Dare, and I prefer nothing on me except sunscreen.
I don't remember the exact route, but we passed Trafalgar Square, where we paid homage to Nelson's Column, cycled down Whitehall and past Downing Street where I exhorted Gordon Brown to get on his bike and over Westminster Bridge.
I also remember cycling over Waterloo Bridge, past Centre point and down Oxford Street, cycling down Park Lane and finishing at Marble Arch.
I spent some time chatting to friends old and new before setting off on the homeward leg.
It felt strange cycling back to Victoria with shorts on very unnatural. A train left within three minutes for an uneventful and stress-free journey home.
the start of this ride was the antithesis of my leisurely start on the previous day.
My bathroom clock was running fifteen minutes slow, so my laid-back start degenerated into a headlong rush, stuffing my toast into my mouth with unseemly haste, washing it down with the obligatory mug of tea.
By then, I didn't have time to cycle to my local station, so headed (uphill) at breakneck speed to the next station, where I just caught the Brighton train. Having got my breath back, I again fielded questions from interested fellow-passengers, and at Brighton, I cycled to The Level, arriving just before noon, the designated meeting time.
Once there, I found my rushing was unnecessary, as the ride didn't leave until 13:30.
This time was not wasted though, as it gave plenty of mingling opportunities, chatting to friends old and new, admiring imaginative bike and rider decorations, and buying a magnum lolly (before disrobing).
I chatted to Beth, and I know she won't forgive me if I don't mention her pub, The Jugglers on Western Road it would have been difficult to forget as she'd painted the name on her back.
She soon replaced her nipple shields with artistic and strategically-placed painted hands.
There was a much more even distribution between the sexes, and fewer men wielding camera-phones.
We soon set off at a leisurely pace.
The crowds were again good-natured and enthusiastic.
We cycled down The Stein to the seafront and along to Hove Lawns, where we regrouped.
After we (finally) moved off, we headed up to Western Road, where we generally received a good reception from onlookers.
There was particularly vociferous support from the clientθle of The Jugglers.
We stopped again at the fountain at The Old Stein, and I bought an ice-cream cone from an amused chap at the cafe there, who suggested an unlikely and unhygienic place to store my change. He seemed bemused to be serving so many naked customers.
I was going to offer Beth a cone, but unfortunately didn't see her again that afternoon in the sea of cyclists.
The ride was obviously even better attended than last year's 400, and I later learned that the final total was 700.
After our second stop, we headed round the North Laines, and amongst all the clapping and cheering, one disturbed and dissenting voice compared us all to Madeline McCan's abductors.
I am amazed how a few people are moved to apoplectic rage when confronted with the human body, but reassured that most people are admiring or at least amused by our barefaced cheek.
We headed up little Preston Street for the final leg, ending up as always at the naturist beach, with live music and other entertainments.
Many revellers ended up in the sea, but it was my sister's birthday, so I left early to visit Hassocks.
I was still full of energy, so decided to cycle there. It didn't take long, and I didn't even need my lowest gear for Clayton Hill (400 feet). After some cake and plenty of water, I headed home only another few miles.
The next day, I wasn't even stiff and only a little sunburned: just my forehead, and my arms where my application of sunscreen wasn't as even as I'd hoped.
Overall, it was a great weekend, and I hope we can always keep to a similar two-day model for future rides next year, I might attempt the Southampton ride too! I believe the 2010 London Ride is on 12 June and Brighton is 13 June 2010.
It wasn't over after the rides, as there was a clothes-optional after-ride party at the Pells Pool in Lewes on 4 July, which was well-attended and great fun. Juliet has promised to send me some photos for the website, so watch this space.
See nakedwiki.org/wiki/Brighton for more details, or
updated Mon 15 Jun '09 give feedback...
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: © Mike Bliss 2009