Seattle 2008 2009

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This page contains info for three WNBR Seattle rides from 2008 - 2009: 12 July 2008, 17 August 2008 and 6 Sep 2008 + 2009 events

See also: Archive, Seattle video and photography and Seattle coverage.

Note: This page is constantly being updated. Please check back for major updates!!!!

12 July 2008

The WNBR Seattle 2008 ride experience will be similar to the ride we did in 2006 with a few changes.

• We will be starting at Gas Works Park (4th year using this park to start)
• Ciclomundo: World Global Body Painting Village!
  • We will also have privacy screen areas at the park to initially screen the group of people who wish to get bodypainted out of the public eye before making their grand appearance. Those who want to take off more later will have an opportunity to do so at the rolling start location.

• 7 am? - setup with Info stall, setup bodypainting structure, and photo-free zone
• 10 am - Info stall active, bodypainting sessions start
• before departure - musicians perform
• 12 noon - distribute flyers to participants, and other flyers to hand out during ride
• SUNSCREEN, WATER, and MINIMUM check
• 12:30 PM - distribute noisemakers, whistles, slogans
• 12:55 - Ride assembly at Gas Works Park
• 12:55 - Skits, speeches, pre-ride announcements (if any)
• 1 PM Vamanos! Ride departs Gas Works Park.

First leg

(Leg One - for beginners) Wallingford to Fremont to Westlake to Downtown Seattle Aprox 1 - 2 hrs.

to International Fountain (Seattle Center, Downtown)

A comfortably-paced first ride for those who have a minimum of cycling experience.

• 1 pm (ish) - Ride sets off from Gas Works Park. Some may just wish to cycle from Gas Works Park to the Seattle Center (about a ?? min. fast ride/20 min slow ride)
• 1:10 pm - Breakdown crew tears down art installations/bodypainting area/tabling and moves to secure site.
• Fremont Bridge
• South on Westlake Ave
• 1:45 pm? - Rolling start location at undisclosed location downtown (participant count, people have option of disrobing away from cameras)
• followed by 30-45 min downtown ride
• Possible stops
  • Freeway Park and fountain
  • South Lake Union Pro Parks project slated for completion sometime in 2008 http://www.seattle.gov/parks/proparks/projects/LakeUnionPark.htm )
• Probable stops
  • Westlake Park
• TBD pm - Bathroom break opportunity #1
• Seattle Center International Fountain stop (4th visit for WNBR) -
  • The Seattle Center stop would be a bit later so more people perhaps could feel a sense of completion after riding for 1.5 - 2 hrs. Some have said that we go to the Fountain too early in the ride in years past.
  • We need to have better coordination for bathroom breaks here.
• 2:15 pm (ish)? - Arrive at Scheduled stop #2 - Seattle Center (note entry restrictions and special route info below).
• Arrive at International Fountain (No bike ride zone/walk your bikes only in this area. Stay no longer than 15-20 mins) IMPORTANT! Special Instructions for Seattle Center. We must be more vigilant this year in terms of safety and politeness when dealing with the general public at The Seattle Center. Please see map. (1) We must enter and exit The Seattle Center at the east entrance on Harrison Street (on the north side of The Experience Music Project). (2) After passing the EMP turnaround area on the left (be very wary of bike-unfriendly-curb) we must ride slowly and in single file, (3) When we pass the Seattle Center House (to our left) and before turning the corner to enter the large International Fountain area, we must all get off our bikes and walk with our bikes into the fountain area (new interactive map). Bicycles are not permitted down into the water area. Lock your bike, walk down the ramps. We will spend no more than 15-20 minutes in the fountain. (4) We must leave The Seattle Center the same way we came in. To orient yourself, the Space Needle is located to the southeast. Please examine our Seattle Center area map (larger 378KB, smaller 141KB) with visual indicators indicating where to do what. Please also be very polite and vocal (or ring bells) when passing around adults and children in the area. We have also been asked not to use amplified sound such as megaphones in this area. Thank you for ensuring a safe and fun Seattle Center experience for everybody!
• (Transfer point for people coming in or leaving, non-cyclists welcome at this stop)

(End Leg One, Begin Leg Two) Seattle Center to Elliott Bay to West Seattle

Second leg

Seattle Center (Downtown) to ??

• TBD pm (ish) - leave International Fountain at Seattle Center (we must leave the same way we came in)

SAM Olympic Sculpture Park, SW corner, at the Father and Son Sculpture by Louise Bourgeois [1] with a possible detour (depending on time) up north on the Bike Trail to the new sandy beach in Mytle Edwards Park (Yoga location?).

• bathroom break.
• Enjoy a small snack and drink and relax for a bit.
• Possible group parachute activity.
• (Transfer point for people coming in or leaving)

Third leg

TBD

Final leg

TBD

• TBD? - Last leg of Ride expected to return to TBD
• TBD - Check start site again for cleanliness, personal belongings
• after ride pm - After party at secret location revealed only to cyclists

17 August 2008

(starting at Denny Blaine Park)

• Ciclomundo: World Global Body Painting Village!
  • We will also have privacy screen areas at the park to initially screen the group of people who wish to get bodypainted out of the public eye before making their grand appearance. Those who want to take off more later will have an opportunity to do so at the rolling start location.

• 7 am? - setup with Info stall, setup bodypainting structure, and photo-free zone
• 10 am - Info stall active, bodypainting sessions start
• before departure - musicians perform
• 12 noon - distribute flyers to participants, and other flyers to hand out during ride
• SUNSCREEN, WATER, and MINIMUM check
• 12:30 PM - distribute noisemakers, whistles, slogans
• 12:55 - Ride assembly at Denny Blaine Park
• 12:55 - Skits, speeches, pre-ride announcements (if any)
• 1 PM Vamanos! Ride departs Denny Blaine Park.

Possible stops: Madronna Park (for Yoga, bathroom break) To Seward Park ride back north to Denny Blaine possible group goes to Magnuson Beach (via Arboretum, Montlake, Burke Gilman Trail)

6 Sep 2008

THIS IS ALL TENTATIVE and OUT OF DATE INFO mostly from 2008, it needs updating

Body painting Party

The Body painting Party will take place at Camp Long in the Lodge main room upstairs classroom, located downstairs after entering the main entrance to Camp Long. The party is tentatively scheduled to take place from 12:30 PM - 3 PM.

We will also be making "minimums" for wearing outside the Lodge classroom on Camp Long grounds before and after the body painting party. We will have jute twine, scissors, masking tape, duct tape. You bring whatever you need: cardboard, paper bags, rags, any material that can used as a DIY minimum clothes project!

Camp Long staff are letting us use the handrails outside and behind the Camp Long lodge for locking our bikes up.

Volunteers needed

We could use some volunteers for setup of classroom, which will take place for the first 10-15 minutes, everybody is invited to help set out drop clothes, paints, brushes and put up required window covering that Parks & Rec is imposing upon us for use of the classroom.

Even though our reservation time ends at 3:30 PM, we as a group will need to do our cleanup 10-15 minutes before our ride starts (at 3PM).

Nudity restricted

NOTE: During our time at Camp Long nudity is allowed by Seattle Parks & Rec in the classroom only during our reservation. They are also requiring window covering, can you believe it?. Outside of the building on Camp Long grounds, Parks & Rec is requiring us to wear a minimum amount of clothing until we leave Camp Long grounds (about 85 feet away) <sigh>.

Clothing optional dress code

The World Naked Bike Ride dress code is "Bare As You Dare"... How bare is that ? How dare is that ?...Its all up to you, you decide what you are comfortable with. NO ONE IS EXCLUDED OR DISCRIMINATED AGAINST based on levels of clothing, bodypaint, or anything else, for that matter!

PLEASE be creative and colorful! Bodypainting and bike decorating is highly encouraged! See the above section on creative expression and also visit our body art page.

If you are concerned, you probably don't need to cover up much to be "legal". With the incredible transforming powers of a little body paint, liquid latex, a strategically placed sock, or a piece of duct tape you too can transform the average city streaking naked wild cyclist into "The legal city streaking naked wild cyclist". Be creative: a little imagination can change everything.

Location

According information provided by Seattle Parks & Recreation: "Camp Long is one of Seattle's best kept secrets. Located in West Seattle, this 68 acre park offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature, hike in the forest, camp overnight in rustic cabins, rock climb, and learn about natural history." Please note Camp Long gates are closed at 10 p.m.

The Ride

Our ride will begin shortly after 3 PM, after we are done clearing our body painting materials out of the lodge.

Daniel did a pretty exhaustive route plan today in West Seattle for an upcoming WNBR Seattle ride in early September (two weeks away). Talked to the Staff at Camp Long and checked out the place. Wow! The cabins, grounds and lodge are sooo cool! This is going to be a sweet event! A great way to end the summer!

Here is the proposed route using Google maps with overlays.
The map also shows a proposed (clothed) return route to Camp Long.

What an awesome day to ride! West Seattle on a sunny day is the closest you will get to any kind of South California beach culture experience. I know that's a stretch, but no other area in Seattle comes close.

Route features

• Ride starts after leaving Camp Long grounds. Please keep minimums on while on Camp Long grounds (outside of lodge during body painting party).
• We will work our way to the funky business district known as "The Junction". We will try to enter at California Ave and SW Edmunds St.
• American Legion Artillery is seen on Alaska St.
• Yellow Brick Road Mural at US Post Office on California Ave. that is screaming to a backdrop for our group!
• Continue going down California Ave to California Way, skipping the overlook park.
• This will drop us off at Harbor Ave SW, which will feed into Alki Ave. SW as the spectacular views of the Seattle skyline reveal themselves.
• Seattle Statue of Liberty Ceremonies for the Dedication Celebration for the Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project run from 11:30 AM to 8:45.
  • According to the schedule we are likely to pass by when Mood Swings "a great swing band" will be playing.
• At the Light House, on the western tip of Alki, Alki Ave turns into Beach Dr SW
• Continue to Lincoln Park via Beach Dr. SW, where we have an optional fun run on the northern most side of the beach.

Bike Vanpool to Camp Long

We want to limit individual cars coming to Camp Long and lower our ecological footprint and help you get to Camp Long with all of your gear as easily as possible. We will be running a van to run bikes (not people) to Camp Long on a space available basis on Saturday morning (and possibly Friday night) from limited points in North/Central Seattle You will need to give us a bike lock. Van will not hold people, only bikes. You will still need to arrange carpools/bike trips/bus trips for your own transport to Camp Long.

Last pickup stop will leave to return to Camp Long no later than 10:45 - 11 AM Saturday morning! Please RSVP by calling or e-mail Daniel to arrange time. (206) 369 2661 mobile

Police communications

I spoke with Operations Lieutenant of Southwest Precinct (West Seattle) this afternoon after sending earlier phone call. I provided with all info about our Saturday ride, including going over our proposed route. He was happy to talk and wished us warm weather and a great ride on Saturday! He reminded us that we are expected to follow the rules of the road. He thought our 10.5 mile ride sounded long and I told him it is one of our shortest rides easily and will probably last less than 2 hours.

For those of you who are still concerned about police action, consider this: you don't have to be naked to enjoy this ride! There are many ways to decorate yourself up for fun on this ride! There is no one way to have a fun time! Several people go partially or fully clothed and everybody has a blast! Secondly, police have always warned us before taking mild action against cyclists. So please be reassured that this a very safe and sane ride! Remember: Nobody has ever been charged with any crime in the last 15+ years of naked cycling in Seattle! Let's keep it that way and mind ourselves as we celebrate our 5th Year of WNBR Seattle!

The Retreat (Optional)

Cabin sleep over at Camp Long will be Friday night, ?.

Reservations

Seven cabins area available. You can has a little as one person per cabin and as many as you can fit in there. Cabins have three double bunk-beds (six total beds). Each cabin has a picnic table, stone fireplace, fire circle and running water outside the cabin. Its an awesome deal and cheap at only $40 cabin/night! A $50 refundable damage deposit required at check-in time. Check in is at 2:30 pm and check out is at 12 pm.

If you are interested in the retreat portion of the Camp Long WNBR Seattle experience, please call Camp Long to reserve a cabin at (206) 684-7434. The cabins are really cool and rustic looking. So act fast to secure your spot!

The Run (Optional)

A short, non-competitive, Bare Buns Fun Run is tentatively scheduled for Lincoln Park on the northern most strip of beach following the ride, as an optional component of the event. The run will be very short, approximately 3000 feet/.57 miles/.91km one way or ~6000 feet/1.14 miles/1.83 km round trip run.

26 June 2009

On Fri, 26 June 2009 - we had our WNBR Seattle @ Seattle Critical mAss (ride #10) Critical Ass website Organized at the last minute by Todd and Emily. Five riders rode naked and helped to promote upcoming 11 July 2009 ride.

11 July 2009

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 - WNBR Seattle 2009 (ride #11) 11 am for the painting party and will start at 1 pm at Louisa ("la-WĪ-za") Boren Park (Google Map), just NE of Volunteer Park. The route (Google Map) is 6.8 miles and will cover the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill, Downtown and Belltown. This event comes at the end of National Nude Recreation Week, which is July 6-12, 2009[2].

Alternate start location: Franz will also be staging another body painting location at a private residence further South, in the Central District. Those riders will leave earlier to meet up with those leaving Louisa Boren Park. RSVP with Franz by calling (206) 523 - 8545.

Todd T

From Todd T, Date: July 12, 2009 12:24:26 PM PDT

To preface, I just want to say that as co-organizers of this event, Emily and I had only participated in the WNBR for the first time last year (although we did three rides), so we didn't have much to go on except for our passion for making sure there would be a "big" day ride in July. Those of you who have been reading this Yahoogroup know that we've been organizing the heck of out this event. Three times fliering on the Burke-Gilman trail (with the help of Eric, Kelly and Richard); 1,500 fliers handed out or left on bikes; posters and fliers left at several bike shops and cool businesses along the route, etc. We had no idea how many riders to expect yesterday - although we hoped to increase over last year. We did not - but we felt the group of folks who rode this year were just terrific and even though there were only about 50 of us we don't regret all the time and energy we put into this.

Yesterday's Highlights Emily and I bicycled up to the LB Park and coincidentally met a bicyclist along the way (from BC) who was not sure where the ride began, so we had him follow us. When we arrived Kelly was waiting for us in the park, and shortly after that Jim arrived with some small tables and supplies. Eric, Carolyn and Dave showed up with the screening material and all other stuff (paint, brushes, drop clothes) and we began to set up. It took about an hour with ~10 people to get things set up. (Biggest Problem - stabilizing the privacy screen, as the wind would knock it over rather easily. Dave suggests using tent poles and twine to tie down the tripods for added stability.)

By noon there were probably 30 people there getting painted up. About 10-15 photographers were there (only a few of whom were friends of the ride), and I cautioned a few of them to only take pictures if they got approval from the people they were shooting - reminding them that that's what the screening is up in the first place). The wind calmed down and the screening stayed in place until the end. At 12:30pm I announced that we'd be cleaning up in 15 minutes and leaving in 30 minutes - and it all went very smoothly. We counted 48 people when we took the group photos. Before we left, I went around to the photographers and said, "we paid $90 for the park permit and you're getting some great pictures, will you help chip in to cover the cost?" Most of them did. Most of the riders seemed to give a little to, so we ended up raising $115 - which more than covered the cost - yay!

J. Steve had passed through Volunteer Park on the way to LB Park to announce that we'd be coming through there shortly to use the bathrooms. He found most people didn't have a problem with it and a few were very happy to know we were on our way. So, when we biked there no one complained and several people smiled and waved at us while on our potty break. The ride continued through Volunteer Park and back over to 15th Ave East where our presence was very much appreciated by pedestrians, sidewalk cafe patrons and others.

When we went down John Street and turned at 12th Ave East, we were met up by two more painted bicyclists, bringing our total to 50. We had a very nice ride down Broadway with lots of cheering and applause from the onlookers. The group was briefly separated by a red light, but we were soon all together again by Denny Way. As we turned to go down Pine Street we needed to stop briefly to have our youngest participant's (~8 year old?) brakes adjusted, as they weren't working well at all. We were quickly back on our way after several folks at Linda's took pictures of us while we waited for the repair. Once down to Westlake Park we made small circle through the park and continued on towards 2nd Avenue. We heard someone was having a bicycle problem at the end of the group, so I left Emily in charge of the riders in the front and went back to see if the problem was going to be easily fixed. J. Steve was on the scene fixing Lucy's chain, which had come off the sprockets and jammed. He ably repaired it and we were soon on our way down down 2nd to Pioneer Square.

Along the way there was a bit of construction and at the James Street intersection there were police for the traffic. I smiled and waved and suggested the whole group should proceed through regardless of whether or not the light stayed green and they nodded in agreement. (Several times throughout the ride we passed police vehicles and were never given a warning of any kind!) We briefly stopped in Occidental Park to give a "30 minutes out" call to Carolyn and Dave who were at the Seattle Center talking to folks about our arrival. We continued back up 1st Avenue and one of our riders got a flat. He told us he'd be fine fixing it on his own and join up with us later (and he did). As we stopped to talk about his flat, a double-decker tour bus had stopped and let out several tourists who took several pictures of us. I jokingly asked them if this was the best part of the tour so far. When we arrived at Pike Place Market our reception from the crowd was terrific. It was even better than Broadway because there was less distance between us and the spectators than there, giving a more communitarian feeling to this part of the ride. That feeling was felt by me with most of the ride participants, as well throughout the ride. As I was leading I would call out "red light" or "right turn" and several behind me relayed the message to the end of the group. We felt like a tight-knit group, even though many of us had never met before that day.

Just before arriving at the Seattle Center we passed several "Ducks" tour groups, who were very excited to see us along their route. Once at the Seattle Center, we rushed over to the fountain to cool down and wash off. It was a fabulous ending to our wonderful ride. We made sure to offer all the ride's participants fliers about the 7/24 night ride as well as the 8/29 event.

The 10pm skinny-dip was attended by seven of us, and we met up with five other folks (only one skinny-dipper) whom we told about the WNBR and our upcoming events. A terrific way to conclude a marvelous day.

Thanks to all who participated, volunteered or both, .Todd.

Emily Miller

From: Emily Miller, Date: July 12, 2009 5:39:35 PM PDT

A successful ride! No major problems, and lots of fun was had! We had about 50-55 riders, including some old faces and lots of new faces. We had almost 20% female, and we even had a couple with a 7-8 year old boy who got painted up and rode just like any other participant. I was thrilled at the end of the ride when J. Steve announced he received a personal call from SPD to inform us there was only 1 complaint called in during the entire event, and that it was easily handled over the phone without having to dispatch any officers. Congratulations to all of us, past and present, for helping our ride gain acceptance!

Eric arrived with the paint and screening materials a bit after 10:00am and there were already people there to help setup. No one had experience setting up the screening, but together we made it work, and all in all I think it took about an hour to setup. The screening blew down several times, but we didn't have any problems once we had a bunch of people painting and acting as a natural wind barrier.

The view at Louisa Boren Park was fabulous and a great backdrop to the natural beauty of all the bodies getting painted. Toward the end of the painting, photographers started to swarm, but participants did a good job reminding them to ask permission and/or wait until people were fully painted and the ride had started. Todd even got several of them to give donations to our cause.

J. Steve went around Volunteer Park ahead of time to notify park patrons we would make a bathroom stop there. He also brought streamers for people to decorate their bikes with. The painting party went really fast for me, but we had plenty of paint, creativity, and goodwill to go around.

Breakdown took about 15 minutes with everyone's help. We posed for a brief group photo, and were off! Todd took a leading spot at the head of the group to keep us on track along with newcomer Rickie who helped keep the energy level high. J. Steve kept up the rear and made sure no one was left behind. We had pretty good communication, stopping several times to keep the group together and for quick bike repairs.

Reactions from the public were more on the positive side than last year. Many people cheered and laughed, and I heard very few negative comments, although still saw several parents shielding their children from the "shame". This along with our single complaint shows the progress we are making.

Two clothed volunteers went ahead with signs to the Seattle Center to announce our arrival and talk to patrons, with cooperation from the Seattle Center security personnel.

After a great ride that lasted about 1 1/2 hours, we arrived at the Seattle Center and played in the fountain. After the 20 minutes allowed by the Seattle Center were up, we got clothed and relaxed. J. Steve led a nice post-ride huddle and organized a meetup at an establishment called The Zoo.

Later around 10:00pm, several WNBRers joined by some locals, met up at Madison Park Beach and went "bare as you dare" dipping. We had the added the treat of watching some Bastille Day fireworks across the water.

I'm so happy we had so many people help out with all the various aspects of the ride! I really see this as a community-owned event. We care about it, and we make it happen. With all the donated time, supplies, and resources, our only real expense was the $90 parks use permit (to reserve the park and allow us to setup screening). This was fully covered and then some by the $115 in donations we collected from participants and photographers.

Thank you everyone! I've been on a high since the ride ended, feeling extra happy and relaxed. I love what we do and how we can all come together to make something special. I believe we're part of making the world a better place. I want to live the change I want to see in the world. Let's do it together!

"PurePrayer"

Posted at We Travel World: National Nudity, Global Unity: The World Naked Bike Ride of Seattle by pureprayer on July 24th, 2009. Filed under: United States

National Nudity, Global Unity: The World Naked Bike Ride of Seattle

Baring Awkward? Yes. Uncomfortable? In the beginning… yes. Strange and out-of-place? Very much so. Liberating to the bones? You could not even imagine!

A sunny Saturday. The summer day beautiful. A sky expanding its wings far beyond the horizons, reaching high into a blue emptiness. People were out underneath its canopy; walking, jogging, sitting, eating, playing and biking. I was performing the latter, cycling upwards, climbing the steeps from downtown Seattle to Capitol Hill. I pedaled furiously, sweat beading in all those warming places. Huff. One. Puff. Two. Muff. Three… wait! What?

My mind slipped. It ran off giggling, disappearing into deep visualizations, projecting into the future. 'Huff. Puff. Muff?' I was panting now as I reached the ridgeline and settled upon the flats. I turned left off Olive and cycled north up Broadway, winding into 10th before curving right on Prospect. At Volunteer Park, I dismounted and walked in an attempt to collect myself:

'No muffs. Just bodies. No boobs. No butts. No twigs and berries. Just flesh. I got it. You got it. No worries. I’m cool.'

As I walked through the grass, passing patterns of shadow and light beneath the park’s Masked & Disrobed

trees, I was psyching myself up. Calming my thoughts. Reassuring my position as a human being, but cracking open my head a little farther to shatter this evasive taboo. It was Saturday, a typical weekend with play, exploration and outdoor adventure. However, it felt different. I felt different; a unique feeling of standing at an edge of something humongous and just about to leap off. I call this cliff-diving: the jumping forward into freedom on a whole new level, into a whole new dimension, and surrendering to its weightlessness—the liberation of being you.

Like I said, Saturday, July 11th 2009. Through Volunteer Park visualizing, imagining, laughing, smiling; and then out toward Louisa Boren Park for the WNBR. You need me to spell it out? The World Naked Bike Ride in Seattle, WA.

Saturday: Day 1

Years ago, I had my first experience of public nudity. I was in a foreign land among a new culture, and like a chameleon I adapted to it. I do this well when traveling in life, and especially when traveling internationally. Then, I found myself on the island of Crete in the Grecian Mediterranean in a southern beachtown called Plakias. Out Body Shields of choice, out of divine guidance, out of my liberation of self and others, I found myself on sand shortly after departing the bus, literally pitching my tent on a nude beach beside a twenty-seven year old Ukrainian woman. I was twenty-one. I just found heaven.

And for ten days I camped right beside her and all the other sun-bathing European nudists, exiting my tent in the morning hours butt-naked, standing tall and stretching my arms over my head with an expansive yawn. Then I scratched, walked down to the Libyan Sea and soaked. Afterwards, I got out, threw down my towel on the beach and lounged; sleeping, reading, writing, observing… all in the beautiful nude. This was international nudity and inside it was global liberation.

Presently, I arrived at the designated meeting spot and walked into the first of my fellow compatriots. Resting my bike under a tree, I got to work helping erect screens to protect us from absolute exposure. However, it was an odd concept, for with the breeze gusting and the endeavor we were about to take part in, there seemed to be no reason for all this. But we did it Harry’s Lost anyway, maybe to pass the time, maybe as a way of meditation to prepare ourselves, to go beyond the taboo of our bodies and into our universal nakedness. But maybe we did it as procedure, as a sort of permit-rule to allow us our freedom. Then, 11am struck. Considerably more individuals arrived. There was up to 50 of us behind the makeshift screen, obsolete in its purpose, and as the hour chimed the first shorts came off.

A national celebration: July 5th—11th, 2009. It was National Nude Recreation Week. No, I’m not joking. I’m serious. It was a reality in this diversified and diversifying world, and here I was with a bundle of other nudist Seattleites. And the time was 11am. The paints came out, the body art created. We decorated ourselves. We dyed each other. Designs. Slogans. Messages to civilization: 'Pedal Your Ass, Save Gas; Burn Fat, Not Oil and How About the Right to Bare Everything'. It was colorful. It was hilarious. And as I gazed over our whimsy screens there was a gathering assembly.

People stood watching, staring…at us…all bare and beastly, skinny and scrawny. The sizes and shapes. The colors and shades. Rooftops We were lively, indubitably. Upon the hill, behind bushes and in the shades of trees at the modest little Louisa Boren Park people photographed as we performed our pre-ride ritual. A couple photographers held massive telephoto lenses as if we were spread upon a football field. But at the most we were a mere fifteen yards away and the pubic shots they must have taken would’ve been detailed to a single follicle. As I continued wrapping blue bands of paint round each leg and arm, I began to truly settle into this experience.

Each act of cliff-diving is a phase in life when you’re about to ascend to a newer dimension, a higher vibration of you and your inner expression, whether it be public nudity, job opportunities, daring risks, sexual experiences, life-altering decisions, etc. At this moment, all feeling dissipates. It’s as if you’ve literally reached a void, an emptiness that is free to BE. The doors are open. You are at your evolutionary peak. Now, time to continue evolving and choose to jump through. Each time I’ve arrived at such confluences, I’ve never looked back. You can’t. You can’t think. You can’t feel. You go for it, The Peace of Bodies believing that your whole life has guided you to this present moment. It’s empowering. It’s trusting. It’s a wild ride. I’m leaping through this portal.

So was my experience back on the nude beach of Plakias when, for the first time publicly, I stripped off all my clothes; and this was the experience at 11am on July 11th, 2009 as I revealed every ounce of me to the city of Seattle. I cliff-dove. We all did. And then we painted, created, designed and laughed. With 50 naked people moving around in a small space, there was lots of “checking out”. We looked at one another. We got close and highlighted each other’s backsides and other hard-to-reach places. Then, our conglomeration of colorful skin and vibrant flesh tore down the screens and packed up. It was time to go for a ride.

Approximately seven miles through the sunny weekend streets of Seattle, and through our path round Capitol Hill, descending into downtown and out towards Seattle Center, I have never been more aware of how many people carry digital cameras. It was shocking. Everyone whipped out their pocket size thingies and started shooting, unloading megapixels on us Some Nude Dude as if we were Jenna Jamison look-a-likes. What a revolution and what a subject to shoot: a wild pack of cyclists lazily pedaling through the city on busy summer Saturday. But best of all were the smiles.

Emerging like a shy fox, unsure of its security, doubtful about its exposure, a smile would burst into life off an otherwise reclusive face. The fox pouncing on the shrew. It was in its element, beaming and frolicking, excavating that inner cache of energy it stored due to stress, due to daily habits and customs, due to a hidden taboo of nakedness. But the World Naked Bike Ride of ’09 was there to let it out of its box, and so the smiles danced.

“World Naked Bike Ride coming through!” Todd, our organizer and leader, turned left off 1st Avenue and bounced along the cobbled street. Wow, there was some jiggling! Butt cheeks vibrating on the saddle. Boobs free and swingin’. The other parts hangin’ in there. We were turning into Pike Place Market. Our school of fish looked at one another. “Here we go!”

As we rode onward, all music stopped and all sales came to The Fountain of Youth a halt. The streets were packed. Those cameras on us like limelight. And mouths agape, smiles soaring, laughs drifting like notes.

“It’s a great day to be naked!” I shouted.

“All bodies are beautiful!” Emily cried.

“Smile, it’s time to get nude!” exclaimed Kelly.

And thus we traversed to Seattle Center.

Now, picture in the cinema of your mind, a family park on a sunny summer afternoon: There is a huge fountain in the center of the lawn, and I mean massive, and water is crazily spewing forth from its holes. Kids are running around under the water, screaming, frolicking, joyous in the cool refreshing splash contrasting the warmth of the sun. It’s their playground out in public and their parents watch and smile. 'Damn, it’s good to be a kid!'

Then, like out of a circus, a horde of painted cyclists ride up and descend upon the playground. One second they are cycling and the next they’re sprinting for the waterfalls; screaming like mental patients on the loose, frolicking like puppies, joyous as themselves and totally butt-naked. It’s a nightmare from the Steven King’s classic It with naked clowns taking over, giggling freakishly. Instantly, children scattered and flock back to the arms of their mothers.

End of the ride. We reached Seattle Center, unscathed, unscarred, without any battles between asphalt and police. And for twenty minutes we washed ourselves amidst an assembly of 400+ individuals staring, gawking, laughing, pointing and familiarizing themselves with our body parts.

I emerged from the fountain still adorning my paints. I walked up the slope of the fountains and sat on the edge. I watched. I laughed. I smiled and joined the ranks of the thousands of other persons we brought happiness to. This was our purpose. This was our freedom, a National Liberation of humanity: to laugh, smile and play as who we are, celebrating every ounce of our being.

'To be continued… '

24 July 2009

• Fri, 24 Jul 2009 - WNBR Seattle Night Ride (ride #12)
  • Meet at 9:30 PM, leave at 10 PM. Downtown Ride.
  • CONFIRMED start location is be Denny Park located at 100 Dexter Avenue N (not to be confused with Denny Blaine Park on Lake Washington BLVD).
  • MEET at the oval in the center of the park where the four paths intersect (See Google map). Updated 5:45pm on 7/24 by J.Steve.

DLJ

Brief ride report by DLJ. Great ride! Biggest clothing-optional night ride in Seattle! Started shortly after 10 PM. 22 riders counted by Jay. Many riders came with very cool blinkies for bikes and also flashing fashions. Decided on rough route before we left. Fountain was off for maintenance at SC after Bite of Seattle event, but we went there anyway and ran into lots of women leaving the Women of Faith event at Key Arena. They were our least enthusiastic audience. Did not go into fountain. Left for Belltown and downtown loops. Went up Pike, road around Capitol Hill Block Party which seemed to be mostly enclosed on closed off streets. Went by SPD East Precinct, then West side of Cal Anderson to great lots of people using sports facilities, then went to Broadway and then north and turned into Volunteer Park, Photos and discussion and usual donut hole sculpture in front of SAAM. Left and went down 15th. Some stopped at bar and for eats at ? rest of bunch kept going, stopped for piss at rider's house off 15th, went down Pine, back downtown turned on ? and went North to lower Queen Anne then South again to Belltown, back to Denny Park around 1 AM. Much longer ride than some of us thought, but some of us wanted that, the rest cut out early. Very cool! We are excited about upcoming rides including Critical mAss this coming Friday. We did not need Parks Use Permit for Denny Park, according to Parks Dept, because we did not have a setup. Initially they were concerned because we were advertising the start location.

Other local events

Just for info here are other naked cycling events that happened in 2008

• WNBR Eugene is 7 June 2008
• WNBR Vancouver, BC (1st Summer Ride) is 7 June 2008
• WNBR Victoria, BC is 7 June 2008
• WNBR Portland is 14 June 2008
• Cyclosnudistas @ Solstice Cyclists is 21 June 2008
• Body Pride Ride is end of June 2008
• WNBR Seattle 2008 (ride 7) 12 July 2008
• Seattle Critical Ass on 25 July 2008
• WNBR Seattle 2008 (ride 8) 17 Aug 2008
• WNBR Vancouver, BC (2nd Summer Ride) is 23 JAug 2008
• Seattle Critical Ass on 29 Aug 2008
• WNBR Seattle 2008 (ride 9) 6 Sept 2008