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WNBR Caerdydd! Taith Noeth Beic y Byd! (WNBR Cardiff! World Naked Bike Ride!)
The Cardiff World Naked Bike Ride highlights the urgent need to escape vehicle dependency and focus on the power and individuality of the human being.
2008 Ride Report - Cardiff's first ever WNBR was a resounding success - declared by many to have been awesome! The sun shone (despite forecasts suggesting otherwise) and at 4.00 p.m. 37 riders rode out onto the streets of a busy Cardiff which was also marking Veterans Day and preparing for a Bruce Springstein concert! A wonderful mix of people sporting a range of adornments and slogans made their way from Cathays Park to Cardiff Bay and back along the city's main highways, with an outstanding response from the public who snapped up all the on-ride leaflets in no time! Media coverage was wide and positive. The police escort were efficient and friendly. Riders came from all round Cardiff and area as well as a few from Bristol, Hereford and other places. Participants applauded loudly when we reached our destination in Sophia Gardens and pledged to come back next year for an even more positive and powerful event.
NODER: Mae gweddill y dudalen hon yn yr iaith Saesneg. Hwyrach y bydd dudalen Gymraeg maes o law.
NOTE: The rest of this page is written in English. We may put up a Welsh language page as well.
Contents
Next ride
Date: 13th June 2009
Time: Gather at 3PM to get ready, paint yourself, decorate your bike etc. Setting off at 4PM
Location: Park Place, grassed area to rear of National Museum and adjacent to Cardiff University Main Building. See below for directions.
History
2008
Wales's first ever WNBR took place in Cardiff on 14 June 2008. An enthusiastic band of riders planned the ride within a relatively short time and an atmosphere of growing enthusiasm and commitment was generated. Following this hugely positive event, interest in the 2009 ride soon began spreading far and wide.
About the ride
Assembly point
The 2008 assembly point was in a quiet, enclosed area with grass and trees, easily found to the rear of the National Museum of Wales. The Museum is located in the Civic Centre in Cathays Park, immediately next door to City Hall, with its distinctive tower. The area in question is between Park Place and Museum Avenue. Here is a map of the assembly location. This is also the intended assembly point for 2009.
Dress code
Come as bare as you dare. Nudity makes a great statement, and many of us will be completely naked again this year - but if you're more comfortable in a little clothing, that's fine too. On the 2008 ride riders wore shorts, bras, swimwear, body paint, head-dresses, wigs, sunglasses etc. Most wore footwear and brought bags to carry clothes. Body painting and adornment, customised bikes, portable seed-trays and other creative expression are all strongly encouraged.
Route
The 2009 ride route will be announced well in advance of the day. The 2008 route was broadly from the City Centre to Cardiff Bay and back, using main thoroughfares. Riders passed near City Hall, the Millennium Centre, the Senedd, Cardiff Castle, and the Millennium Stadium. The ride ended at Sophia Gardens. Riders are advised bring a bag or pannier to carry clothes and possessions.
Legality
The police facilitated the 2008 ride; riders found the officers most helpful, and they in turn fully acknowledged our right to demonstrate in our chosen manner. They have embraced the ride again this year, saying that they were impressed with the public reaction last year. One of the veterans on the Veteran Day celebrations actually told the police that he thought that it was marvelous. To put it simply, simple nudity isn't illegal in the UK, but using nudity intentionally to cause harassment, alarm or distress may be illegal. Don't act in an offensive or lewd manner and you are not going to get arrested.
Public transport
The 2009 ride will start within easy cycling distance of Cardiff Central Rail Station, served by frequent trains from various parts of Wales and England.
Signing up
It's not essential to sign up for the ride - you can just turn up on the day - but it does help to get an idea of anticipated numbers. To sign up, visit the Joining a ride page.
Events
The Johnny Zapatos film about the 2005 London ride was shown at a film night in Chapter Arts Centre in December 2007. Much positive discussion was generated. To contribute ideas on further film screenings or other activity anywhere in Wales please visit WNBR Cardiff/Caerdydd Yahoo! group.
Planning
Cardiff riders are underway with planning the 2009 WNBR! Please get in touch via WNBR Cardiff/Caerdydd or WNBR UK Yahoo! groups if you plan to ride or if you are able to help.
Planning meetings
An initial planning meeting took place on Wednesday 18th March from 7.30 p.m. at the Mochyn Du pub, Sophia Close, off Cathedral Road. The pub is a one-storey Victorian building on the approach to the Welsh Institute of Sport and Glamorgan County Cricket Ground. Cycling from Cardiff Rail Station, take the Taff Trail along the western bank of the River Taff; after the Millennium foot/cycle bridge, take the next path to the left from the Trail and the Mochyn Du will be straight in front of you! Meals may be purchased if you'd like to eat there beforehand. Green WNBR signs and other materials will identify the table where we will be meeting.
Whether involved in planning last year, a 2008 participant, or a new rider for 2009, you are very welcome to join in the preparations this year. If you would like to contribute, please come to the initial meeting, or post a message on the wnbr-cardiff/caerdydd Yahoo! group. Also join our Facebook group at (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1626316627&ref=profile) to let us know that you want to come along!
Media coverage
2008
- ITV Local YourNews, 16 Jun 2008: 'Cardiff Naked Bike ride', 'Cardiff Naked bike ride' and 'Cardiff world naked bike ride' video clips by Sarah Garvey
- BBC Radio Cymru, 14 Jun 2008: Welsh-language radio interview with a rider on the "Post Cyntaf" show
- BBC Radio Wales, 14 Jun 2008: radio interview with two riders on the "Good Morning Wales" show
- South Wales Echo, 13 Jun 2008: "Time to get on yer bike" by Katie Bodinger
- South Wales Echo, 9 Jun 2008: "Cyclists to tear a strip off polluters" by Katie Bodinger
- Copenhagen Post, 9 Jun 2008: "Bare breasts and bicycle helmets: Nearly naked cyclists created a stir..." (mainly about Copenhagen, but mentions the Cardiff ride)
- Bike For All (Cycling News), 6 Jun 2008: "English cities to see hundreds of naked cyclists" (focused on UK cities, but mentions the Cardiff ride)
Photos
- Flickr search: cardiff naked bike ride
- pilipala9 (Siriol) – one photo
Videos
Add links here
Links
Websites
- WNBR United Kingdom on the main site – FAQ, info and links to other UK rides
- United Kingdom page on this wiki
Discussion groups
- WNBR Cardiff/Caerdydd Yahoo! group – Join to give an idea of numbers and for announcements and discussion of the ride. Having joined you can access the "Files" section to print A4 size Welsh language ride cards – with WNBR slogans - to use on your bike on the ride (for English versions, see London)
- WNBR UK Yahoo! group – announcements and discussion of all UK rides
Press contact
Nick (WNBR Cardiff coordinator)
ratboygoon [AT] yahoo.co.uk
07929 212 507
To arrange interviews with riders or get a press release call the Cardiff ride Coordinator.
