Southampton

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Southampton is playing its part once more in the World Naked Bike Ride! Following our outstanding 2008 ride (with 156 riders) our 2009 ride is scheduled for the evening of Friday 12th June. We are already looking forward to a fabulous evening of pro-bike activism and let-your-hair-down green action (in fact we can't wait)! Despite the economic chaos, our leaders show little sign of realising that bikes are better than cars, so there's no time to waste. There are less than three months to go, and the sun is shining already, so it's time to start making plans.

Next ride

Date: 12 June 2009
Time: 6pm (ride will set off around 6.30pm)
Location: East side of Southampton Common at the clearing next to Highfield Road and opposite the junction with Omdurman Road.

Ride details

Assembly point

We will meet on the eastern side of Southampton Common, in the clearing next to Highfield Road and opposite the junction with Omdurman Road. It's also close to the pedestrian underpass if you are approaching from the western side of the Common. Here's a google map showing the spot. If you are using a GPS device, the closest postcode is SO17 1BF.

At 6.30pm we'll hit the streets of Southampton on our beautiful bikes. If you have roller blades, skateboards or other (non-carbon emitting) wheels feel free to use them. The ride will take about an hour most likely.

Dress code

Come as bare as you dare. Nudity makes a great statement, and many of us will be completely naked, but if you're more comfortable in a little clothing, that's fine too. In previous years, riders have worn shorts, bras, swimwear, body paint, wigs, sunglasses etc. Most wear footwear and bring bags to carry clothes. Body painting and adornment, customised bikes and other creative expression are all strongly encouraged.

Route

A 6.3 mile route taking in Portswood, Bevois Valley, City Centre including Oxford Street, and returning via The Avenue to the start location. The 2008 route is shown here. In brief the route will be: North on Highfield Road, right into Highfield Lane, cross Portswood Road into St Denys' Road, then turn sharply back behind The Mitre pub, briefly right on Portswood Road, then left into Highfield Lane heading north-west. First left into Abbott's Way, then left again into Russell Place, left on Brookvale Road, then right onto Portswood Road (Blockbuster). Follow Portswood Road / Bevois Valley Road / Onslow Road to Dorset Street and the Charlotte Place (Jury's Inn) roundabout. Take third exit into E Park Terrace. Continue down Palmerston Road and Queensway. Turn left on Bernard Street then bear right into Oxford St. Second left into John Street and left again on Bernard Street. Continue on Bernard Street until turning right onto the High Street. Continue straight on into Above Bar (dismount in pedestrian section if appropriate). At the traffic lights at the top of Above Bar, turn left and then immediately right into Bedford Place (passing The Art House). Third right on Carlton Crescent, then left into Rockstone Place. Turn left onto The Avenue. At Cowherds, take cycle path through The Common, past the pond, then right to the underpass. Finish at the start location on the eastern part of the Common.

Legality

Simple nudity isn't illegal in the UK, but using nudity to intentionally cause harassment, alarm or distress may be illegal. Don't act offensively and you are very unlikely to be arrested.

Public transport

The start location is a 3 mile ride from Southampton Parkway railway station, which is a main stop on the London Waterloo to Bournemouth and Poole line. Local stations at Swaythling and St Denys are closer still.

Planning

There is much planning still to do and assistance would be appreciated! Please get in touch via southampton@worldnakedbikeride.org if you plan to ride or if you are able to help.

Events

The World Naked Bike Ride will once again be present at these Southampton events.

ENVIRONMENTAL ROCK
web site Sat 25 April 2009

Planning meetings

Next planning meeting to be announced shortly.

Press releases

• 14 May 2007: World Naked Bike Ride comes to Southampton
• 17 May 2007: Over 1,000 Naked Cyclists Expected in Five UK Cities for World Naked Bike Ride Weekend

Media coverage

2008

• This is Hampshire, 7 Jun 2008: "Naked cyclists take to the streets" by Corey Stephenson
• This is Hampshire, 6 Jun 2008: "Naked riders to saddle-up once again"
• Southern Daily Echo, 14 May 2008: "Who’ll dare to bare for naked bike ride?"

2007

• Southern Daily Echo, 9 Jun 2007: "May the flesh be with you!" (video) (scanned image)
• Southern Daily Echo, 7 Jun 2007: "Naked on a bike through Southampton!" (scanned image)
• BBC Radio Solent, 23 May 2008: Breakfast Show featured story (MP3, 20min, 8MB)

Photos

2008

• Alex Newstead
• Lycraboy
• Jon Forder, Sam Wise

2007

• Hembo Pagi

Videos

2008

• Bouldershorts 4 min video
• Daily Echo

2007

• Bouldershorts 8 min video
• Southamptonvids 45 sec video
• e69119 36 sec video

Links

Websites

• WNBR UK (This page has FAQ info and links to the other UK rides)

See also United Kingdom page

Discussion groups

• WNBR Southampton Yahoo! group for riders and people interested in helping to organise the ride.
• WNBR UK Yahoo! group for Announcements and discussion of all UK rides.
• Facebook event for discussing the Southampton ride