wnbr
drivers, can you see me now?
having fun
public audience
haymarket
whitehall cameras
whitehall flesh
on the bridge
getting a better view
sounds at wellington arch
the world naked bike ride has been taking place in London every June since 2004, when fewer than a hundred brave souls stripped off and took to the streets.
within a couple of years this number grew to nearer a thousand, and has regularly peaked higher since.
around the world there are dozens of countries hosting rides, often in multiple cities.
today in London, there were five feeder rides, starting from different points around London.
I joined the king's cross crew, where some people were getting slogans and art painted on their bodies, and most went naked, with a good range of ages, and approx 80/20 male/female ratio. setting off from there at 3pm in the sunshine, tempered by a cool breeze, i estimated around 200-250 riders in our group.
our route took us down Shaftesbury avenue, through Picadilly circus and down Haymarket, where another north London feeder ride joined us, so that by the time we made it via Trafalgar square to Whitehall, we were several hundred in numbers.
stopping on Westminster bridge (with a bit of a cold draft whipping up off the river!) we waited for the third north London group before arriving at the final meet point near London eye.
we headed off east and over Waterloo bridge where it became clear just how big this ride was. I heard an organiser claiming there were 2000, but this is unconfirmed. I’d certainly say there were well more than a thousand.
the route then took us east via fleet street, round St Paul's and then back towards the west end.
public reaction was generally positive, with everyone lining the pavements, cheering, taking pics, and engaging with riders, and asking what it was about (an eco message, freedom, bike safety, and fun).
through Covent garden, round Trafalgar square (again), and along the mall, we finished off by mooning the queen and heading up to Wellington arch, where a large phalanx of photographers and media were waiting for us.
it took more than twenty minutes for the whole procession to arrive, which gave some idea of how big this event had been.
for more info see
http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org for occasional live reporting from the streets - @indyrikki
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