Wee! I'm naked! Honk Honk!

Just past dark last night (6/12/04) upwards to 200 goosepimpled nekkid people rode their bikes through the streets of the central Eastside and downtown Portland, for the World Naked Bike Ride. I bared to my thread-bare skivvies and joined them, "USE IMAGINATION" written down my right arm and leg. About 30% of people were completely naked, and another 30% were at least topless. There were beautifully painted bodies, and unabashedly normal, hairy, chubby bodies, all perched very contentedly on their bikes (and there was one very happy skater) in sprinkly 59' weather. Together we made a lot of noise, what with horns and bells and "war" cries against auto domination and for nakedness.

I was surprised at a couple of things. One, how good it felt to be naked on my bike. The cold wind and raindrops felt swell, even as I sped up. Two, people respond very well to group nakedness, especially sailors (the fleets are in Portland right now) and frat boys. We had a police escort and not one complaint. What I sensed from the crowd as their faces lit up, as they cheered and clapped and took pictures and videos, tried to reach friends on their cell phones, waited trapped in their auto fishbowls, was that they were envious. Well, they shudda been! It was great!

NPR/OPB just reported on the Seattle and Olympia rides, which drew ~60 and a dozen riders respectively, but failed to mention Portland's ride, which probably now still holds the record for drawing the most riders. If you like bikes, come to Portland!