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NAKED PEACENIKS ON BIKES

If you live in Sydney, remain indoors:

Strip down and ride on for the environment this March.

No.

The next World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) in Australia will commence at high noon at the Archibald Fountain in Sydney’s Hyde Park on Saturday the 8th of March 2008 ...

The WNBR is an annual clothing-optional protest ride for naturism, environmentalism, peace and the rights of cyclists to use the road safely.

It’s safe to ride a bike naked? I bet none of these rebels declines to wear a helmet.

The ride is not a race and goes at an easy recreational pace. The only competition is how creatively bizarre participants can get with decorating their bodies using paint, slogans and bits of costume.

Competition is a right-wing construct. Fascists.

Though the dress code for the ride is “Go as bare as you dare!”, nudity is not compulsory. It is not a ride promoting overtly sexual behaviour in public.

The “Ride Promoting Overtly Sexual Behaviour in Public” will be held next weekend.

Violence stemming from wars fought over oil and road rage ...

Few people are aware of this, but Vietnam was fought over road rage.

“We face automobile traffic with our naked bodies as the best way of defending our dignity ... ”, reads the WNBR mission statement.

In their case, that may be true.

For more information, Website: http://australia.worldnakedbikeride.org/.

Do hit that link. It’s like The Worst Site of 1997 has risen from the dead.

(Via frollicking mole)

UPDATE. On a cyclist theme, here’s James Lileks:

Sign of the times: you hear about a bombing of a Times Square recruitment office, and you assume it’s nutjob antiwar folks, not Al Qaeda.

Posted by Tim B. on 03/07/2008 at 01:12 PM
  1. What a load of bollocks!

    Anyhow, everyone knows Vietnam was about tung and tingsten!

    Posted by murph on 2008 03 07 at 01:18 PM • permalink

  2. Actually, Vietnam was about road rage: an awful lot of people objected to taking the express lane on the road to serfdom.

    I hereby propose a counter-demonstration: the “Full Evening Dress SUV Convoy”, which will track the route and pace of the bicyclists. White tie, tails, top hats and spats for the gentlemen; high-fashion evening gowns for the ladies. Don’t forget to bring your pea shooters and sling shots!

    Posted by paco on 2008 03 07 at 01:28 PM • permalink

  3. At least if they are cyclists they should look better naked than the usual Code Pinko types.

    Posted by Room 237 on 2008 03 07 at 01:32 PM • permalink

  4. #3 Especially as they’re competing for the most bizarre appearance.

    What silly, silly people.

    That website looks like it was designed by a five-year-old. A stupid five-year-old.

    Posted by Mambo Bananapatch on 2008 03 07 at 01:52 PM • permalink

  5. I should know better than to click on those kinds of links.  I should.  But that strange compulsion to look upon sanity-cracking horror came over me. 

    For the first time, I’m grateful to the Websense-Nazis that infest the IT department here.

    Posted by Achillea on 2008 03 07 at 01:57 PM • permalink

  6. Whoever put that site together had fun. The design still sucks, but at least the designer had fun. :)

    I get the feeling the people behind this nude bike ride stuff do it because they want to twit the world, and most of the folks participating have no idea they’re being trolled.

    Posted by mythusmage on 2008 03 07 at 02:11 PM • permalink

  7. Let’s hope that it’s not rained out or that the turnout isn’t diminished by the coldest Aussie summer since 1956. Oh, and that they don’t hand out any hand mirrors.

    Posted by andycanuck on 2008 03 07 at 02:27 PM • permalink

  8. “The tits on the bike go up and down,
    up and down,
    up and down”

    “The tits on the bike go up and down,
    all through the town”

    Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2008 03 07 at 02:35 PM • permalink

  9. The “Ride Promoting Overtly Sexual Behaviour in Public”...

    It’s too late to have that ride next week…Someone else got there first.

    That ride—and walk, and strut—is held every year at the Gay Pride parade in New York City.

    Posted by miriams ideas on 2008 03 07 at 02:36 PM • permalink

  10. Further proof that lefties have no balls. I cannot IMAGINE being male and riding a bike without some kind of heavy padding between me and it.

    #2: Count me in. Don’t forget the martinis and fashionable long cigarette holders.

    Posted by Tungsten Monk on 2008 03 07 at 02:44 PM • permalink

  11. #2, Is it permissible to bring paintball guns?  I could show them a thing or two about decorating their bodies for the ride.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2008 03 07 at 03:03 PM • permalink

  12. Do hit that link. It’s like The Worst Site of 1997 has risen from the dead.

    Oh, my Lord, you’re not kidding. “Headache-inducing” is a nice way to describe it. My aunt sends me emails that look like that.

    Yes, she’s an AOL user, why do you ask?

    Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 03 07 at 03:14 PM • permalink

  13. #11: Oh, absolutely!

    Posted by paco on 2008 03 07 at 03:18 PM • permalink

  14. Zombie’s World Naked Bike Ride in SF (warning: may cause blindness).

    Posted by rightwingprof on 2008 03 07 at 03:19 PM • permalink

  15. This ride will conclude on the evening of 8 March with the traditional tofu BBQ and bike seat sniffing competition.

    Posted by Latino on 2008 03 07 at 03:25 PM • permalink

  16. Yo, Aussies!  What if Bryla decides to participate?  Are you prepared for the mass blindness that will result?

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2008 03 07 at 03:41 PM • permalink

  17. If “nudity is not compulsory” then it’s like every other bike that’s ever been rided, yeah? Clothing is always “optional”, and is in fact a particularly popular “option” because people almost always choose it. They haven’t really gone for market differentiation have they.
    Now if it was “thousands forced to ride nekkid” then that would be news.
    I don’t know, you got this, you got idiots like Martin Flanagan..except for his medical problems I think Tim’s got it too easy.

    Posted by ooh honey honey on 2008 03 07 at 03:41 PM • permalink

  18. I’m sorry, I opened the link and I just have to say, how fucking lame to go on a naked bike ride and wear something. I mean really. Is that the extent of their commitment? Naked is naked. This takes the words “loser”, “piker”, “half-arsed” to new uncharted heights.

    Posted by ooh honey honey on 2008 03 07 at 03:46 PM • permalink

  19. The next World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) in Australia will commence at high noon at the Archibald Fountain

    Hey! What about the Next World Naked Bike Ride (NWNBR)? FASCISTS!

    In the Next World, You’re On Your Own (yannow…)

    Posted by mojo on 2008 03 07 at 03:49 PM • permalink

  20. #18 Sort of like a Hollywood hunger strike, where everybody stops eating for four hours.

    Posted by Mambo Bananapatch on 2008 03 07 at 03:50 PM • permalink

  21. “nutjob antiwar”  Thanks to Blairs Law this is becoming a tautology.

    Posted by Rob Read on 2008 03 07 at 04:28 PM • permalink

  22. Sounds like a good weekend to change the oil on your car… and a small accident with the pan…

    ...in the middle of the intersection…

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2008 03 07 at 04:29 PM • permalink

  23. And what if Catherine Deveny goes along? She might have to be taken to the Emergency Room to have the bicycle extracted.

    Posted by ErnieG on 2008 03 07 at 05:08 PM • permalink

  24. VERSE 1

    (See #8)


    VERSE 2

    “The twits on the bike go up and down,
    up and down,
    up and down”

    “The twits on the bike go up and down,
    all through the town”

    VERSE 3

    “The twats on the bike go up and down,
    up and down,
    up and down”

    “The twats on the bike go up and down,
    all through the town”

    VERSE 4

    “The dorks on the bike go up and down,
    up and down,
    up and down”

    “The dorks on the bike go up and down,
    all through the town”

    Posted by ErnieG on 2008 03 07 at 05:27 PM • permalink

  25. I also wonder at the dangers of naked bike riding, particularly for men.

    Bikes have spokes. Things get caught in spokes.

    Blokes and spokes, a dangerous combination.

    #22
    You’re evil, Richard.

    I like the way you think.

    Posted by kae on 2008 03 07 at 05:31 PM • permalink

  26. Shouldn’t they be wearing their Kevlar vests in case Japanese whalers fire on them?

    Posted by monaro on 2008 03 07 at 05:33 PM • permalink

  27. By the hairy eyebrows of Zues….. if you saw me on my bike in lycra, you’d quickly determine that you would never want to see me on it naked.

    Once every few months, my commute home is enlivened by me closely trailing a very pert, extremely shapely lycra clad female bottom - which is especially wonderful when the rider stands up out of the saddle to pump up a hill.  But that happens once in a blue moon.

    The chances of seeing that at the naked bike ride are…. just impossible to calculate.  I get the feeling that the only people participating will be those that have a rusting bike with flat tyres in the back shed which gets used once or twice a year for a bike related protest, but never for day to day shopping or commuting.

    Poseurs of the worst kind.

    I do feel like attending, but my nakedness would be limited to standing on the side of the road as they go by and flashing a very hairy brown eye.

    Posted by mr creosote on 2008 03 07 at 05:46 PM • permalink

  28. I propose that we hold the First Annual Projectile-Vomitathon For War to coincide with this loathsome event.  Any takers?

    Posted by Jeffersonian on 2008 03 07 at 05:48 PM • permalink

  29. Kae, I don’t think that lot would be in any danger.

    Posted by ErnieG on 2008 03 07 at 05:52 PM • permalink

  30. My eyes!  The goggles, they do nothing!!

    Posted by bondo on 2008 03 07 at 05:55 PM • permalink

  31. It speaks volumes about the intellectual status of these people that the only argument they can give is to ride naked on a bicycle—and that they expect this “argument” to be persuasive.  That primitive body-painting is an option just adds to the low-brow nature of this particular sophistry.

    #2, Paco:  I’m with you friend Paco.  I could use a nice, dressy night out.

    Posted by saltydog on 2008 03 07 at 06:24 PM • permalink

  32. Isn’t going about naked in violation of laws against lewd behaviour?  Or is that only at the GABBA?

    Posted by Janice on 2008 03 07 at 07:01 PM • permalink

  33. #23 Ernie G. Paco is surely scribbling away madly to his designers and other ideas people.

    The nude bike ride is an enormous opportunity for Paco Enterprises and the new ‘Devenney seat’ It’s a bike seat that incorporates a one size see all mirror with a moisture proof glaze.

    His new ‘Cod Oddity’ seat for men absorbs shock, and secretes an anti inflam cream in direct proportion to the pressure of the rider’s action. All that’s required at the end of the ride is to remove the ‘Cod Oddity’ and have a light wash down.

    The new ‘Cod Oddity Wash Down Towel’ is designed to do this with a minimum of fuss.

    Endorsed by both Greenpeace and Bob Brown (I’ll ride till my arse is red raw Bob Brown), it helps reduces unwanted swelling while maintaining a mean temperature of 15 degrees celcius.

    Paco, I’m happy to fly over to discuss any of these ideas

    Posted by mehaul on 2008 03 07 at 07:02 PM • permalink

  34. #33: Mehaul, I believe we may have a senior position for you in our R&D department. Bring your white lab coat.

    Posted by paco on 2008 03 07 at 07:05 PM • permalink

  35. The Protest Themes in 4 Words:
    Naturism, Environmentalism, Pacifism and Biketivism.

    OK, I guess one of those isn’t a word, so technically they’re correct…

    Posted by anthony_r on 2008 03 07 at 07:05 PM • permalink

  36. Since that earthworm thing fell through, I’ve been looking around for other environmental consulting opportunities. For example, the migratory habits of the mosquito are not well understood. Perhaps, with the aid of a suitable grant, ten million test mosquitoes could be released for study. An excellent time and place for the release might be at high noon at the Archibald Fountain in Sydney’s Hyde Park on Saturday the 8th of March 2008.

    Posted by ErnieG on 2008 03 07 at 07:14 PM • permalink

  37. #36
    I was planning to summon a plague of wasps by reading It Takes a Village backwards.
    But if you think that might spoil a money making opportunity an environmental study, let me know.

    Posted by lotocoti on 2008 03 07 at 07:32 PM • permalink

  38. #25, kae.

    And loose seats with pointed ends.

    Posted by ann j on 2008 03 07 at 07:33 PM • permalink

  39. Lolocoti, we may be able to include both of these in the study. Now, if there were a suitable firm we could work with, enterprising, resourceful, powerful, and international in scope…

    Posted by ErnieG on 2008 03 07 at 07:37 PM • permalink

  40. Lotocoti…PIMF!

    Posted by ErnieG on 2008 03 07 at 07:39 PM • permalink

  41. I hope it snows on Saturday (in Sydney I mean). It’s snowing here of course; will do for another 24 hours.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2008 03 07 at 07:40 PM • permalink

  42. #9
    Sydney last Saturday too.
    Also musical Hair.

    Groucho Marx put the question of theatrical nudity in relaxed perspective as well as offering a succinct critique. Asked if he intended to attend Hair, he replied: “I just took off my clothes, looked at the mirror and saved $11.”

    Or use Google images to locate good looking models <insert name of man/woman> and save the trip into Sydney’s Hyde Park.

    Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 07 at 07:52 PM • permalink

  43. Why is the promotional illustration for a bike ride showing a person on a powered scooter of some sort?

    Posted by RRRyan on 2008 03 07 at 08:02 PM • permalink

  44. mehaul, I am either so appalled by your idea that I can hardly speak, or so jealous I am speechless.

    paco, I would even get the gold highheels out for your counter-demonstration.

    Posted by ushie on 2008 03 07 at 08:25 PM • permalink

  45. #39
    Ernie, I do recall reading of such a company, once.
    Unfortunately I’ve forgotten its name.
    I do however, recall the company motto:  Deprivum Clienti Equalitas.

    Posted by lotocoti on 2008 03 07 at 08:42 PM • permalink

  46. # Ushie. All ideas for modification will be considered. But be quick, we have to develop prototypes, have them researched and Paco has still to secure the funds.

    Posted by mehaul on 2008 03 07 at 08:53 PM • permalink

  47. The sport of cycling has long had to deal with accusations that it is full of hopped up loons, doped to the eyeballs. This won’t help.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2008 03 07 at 09:21 PM • permalink

  48. #31:
    It speaks volumes about the intellectual status of these people that
    Hit the nail on the head!

    Posted by koko on 2008 03 07 at 09:42 PM • permalink

  49. The 6 Participating WNBR Australian Cities:

    Adelaide

    Brisbane

    Melbourne

    Newcastle

    Sydney

    Byron Bay

    Well, naturally.

    Posted by hayesy on 2008 03 07 at 10:56 PM • permalink

  50. 49 - No WNBR here in Perth. I don’t think the weather’s an issue, so I put it down to self-preservation.
    It’s bad enough getting stuck behind the pedal-powered on the way home from work. Suffering the same on the weekend, with no clothes besides, could well push some stressed motorist over the edge…

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 03 07 at 11:16 PM • permalink

  51. #6 -

    I get the feeling the people behind this nude bike ride stuff do it because they want to twit the world

    Well, that pretty much sums up leftists’ words and actions in general, doesn’t it? They don’t have argument or persuasion, just shrieking protests and adolescent stunts.

    Posted by Dave S. on 2008 03 07 at 11:49 PM • permalink

  52. A naked left-wing bike-a-thon, eh?

    I’ll bring the broomsticks, the rest of you salt the caltrops.

    Posted by Dave S. on 2008 03 07 at 11:51 PM • permalink

  53. The site says that bikes will defend against the following “negatives”:
    oil, cars, war, consumerism and non-renewable energy
    They don’t list “air pollution,” but I guess, being an actual negative of motor transport, it would have been the odd one out.

    Posted by daddy dave on 2008 03 08 at 12:05 AM • permalink

  54. #50 They can’t be sure that they won’t be mocked more in Perth than in all other cities combined.

    I’m sure I know at least five people over there who would mock the hell out of them.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2008 03 08 at 12:28 AM • permalink

  55. Who says bikes stop wars?

    Posted by dean martin on 2008 03 08 at 12:38 AM • permalink

  56. #50 Okay, they’re skipping Perth…  that I can understand.  But I wonder what happened in Tweed Heads?

    Tweed Heads participated in the 12th of June 2004 World Naked Bike Ride.

    There are no photos and no future ride is planned for Tweed Heads.

    Mysterious.

    Posted by spot_the_dog on 2008 03 08 at 01:05 AM • permalink

  57. I wonder how they feel about scooters?

    I’ll paint myself olive drab and let ‘em wonder where I end and the scooter begins.

    Posted by Dave S. on 2008 03 08 at 01:14 AM • permalink

  58. When Catherine Deveny talked about squatting over a mirror I never imagine it was a wing mirror.

    Posted by Contrail on 2008 03 08 at 01:35 AM • permalink

  59. #2 Great idea Paco!

    Actually recently I saw a couple of ladies riding in the city of Melbourne. One was in conventional bike gear, very nice and efficient. Her pal was fully-made up, in a sophisticated summer dress and court shoes , her designer evening bag stylishly tucked into her bike rack on the back of the wheel. She looked awesome!

    The Sartorialist blogspot once featured a beautifully dressed man - suit, scarf, gloves, briefcase - wending his way through a park on his bike. He looked terrific.

    The Evening Dress Bike Parade would probably be a winner, and a terrific spectacle.

    And probably a lot safer than the Stiletto Run.

    Posted by carpefraise on 2008 03 08 at 04:08 AM • permalink

  60. #2 Paco

    Don’t forget to bring your pea shooters and sling shots!

    If Goreball Warmening continues its relentless trend I think what we are shooting at will be the size of peas.

    Posted by Toiling Mass on 2008 03 08 at 06:22 AM • permalink

  61. Late to the party again…

    A Naked Bicyclist Insists On
    His Right to Free Expression

    I like to ride buck naked
    Upon my faithful Schwinn
    I wave at passing motorists
    And flash my winning grin.

    I must admit, my neighbors
    Get prudish and uptight
    When I insist that biking
    Buck naked is my right.

    I say, just turn your eyes away
    From my buck naked skin
    When I am on my front lawn on
    My stationary Schwinn.

    Posted by lyle on 2008 03 08 at 05:02 PM • permalink

  62. #60: Expert marksmen wanted.

    #61: Good ‘un, Lyle!

    Posted by paco on 2008 03 08 at 07:38 PM • permalink

  63. Can they really claim to have been naked if they covered up with body paint?

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 03 09 at 04:46 AM • permalink

  64. These damn nutjobs—always with the bikes. 

    As a competitive cyclist (and a car nut), I can assure you that I want no part of these weirdos on my roads.  Real bikes are engineering- and tech-intensive machines of real elegance, built to kick ass with no regard for cost.  This is a mindbendingly intense sport.  I’m not out there to save the world or commune with nature or make a dumb point, so don’t assume we’re all jerks and give me a break when you see me swerving around above tree line in a semi-conscious state dragging my tongue on the ground.

    Hardcore cyclists are compulsively, relentlessly, foolishly competitive, worse than anyone I’ve seen in the business world—just ask the WADA.

    Posted by Matt in Denver on 2008 03 09 at 09:56 PM • permalink

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