naked bike ride 2009

london

Yesterday, john and I went riding in the naked bike ride in london. we rode to the start point, near the achilles statue, at hyde park corner at about 3pm. Allready there was a big crowd, but not a lot of bicycles. we found out why, because the riders were gathered a bit of a distance from the statue. A lady with a bike came shouting that it was about to start. As we went further into the trees we can see people undressing and a crowd lining the route.

We stripped off just when the ride began, and cut through the crowd to join the head of the ride. In front of me was a chinese guy, with a nice back, and he was very excited at being there. I overheard it was his first time. And whilst we were waiting, he saw his friends in the crowd, taking his photo, and he at first seemed to be embarrassed but then when his friends were amused by it, he reverted to being at ease.

The route this time was longer, going through parts of the city of london, rather than through covent garden. I noticed the crowd coming forward a lot more and encroaching onto the road, and a steward shouting at them to get off the road in vain. As there was not enough stewards to enforce it and so parts of oxford st was narrowed because of that.

I can understand why they did not take us through covent garden, as the roads are much smaller and the crowd harder to control. The spectators all want to take photos, and so keep coming out into the road to take it.

I find it lovely to be able to ride naked through all the famous london landmarks at least once in a year without being arrested.

The weather really brightened up at the end of the ride, and we were able to sit on the grass and enjoy the sun and the sights.