Nude Biking

“I'm still thinking about that [naked bike] ride - it was awe-inspiring, transcendent!” – Brian B.

I was a kid when I last took a nude bike ride, late one night, down a well-traveled neighborhood street - crazy I know - I didn’t understand naturism then. However, for many people nude road and mountain biking is a totally acceptable activity. For example, almost every weekend during the summer people expose themselves to the elements - and onlookers - on cross-country cycling tours around Bavaria for the Nacktradler.

Another example - Nick Lowe, of Johnsonville, New Zealand, often rides his bike naked on the roads outside town. While most people have no issue with this, one person took offense, taking Lowe to court. Justice Clifford of the Wellington High Court ruled that Mr. Lowe's behavior did not meet the standard of ‘offensive’, determining that one person finding a behavior offensive is not sufficient to support a conviction for offensive behavior.

The World Naked Bike Ride happens annually in mostly large cities around the world. Here are a few thoughts from participants in the Portland ride:

“We are starting to plan for this year’s party associated with the World Naked Bike Ride in Portland. . . And it gets to be a bigger job each year . . . Last year the number is estimated to be at least 1500, maybe 3000, we don't even know. It took more than 15 minutes for the ride to pass through an intersection.” – Dan J.

[Riding in Portland’s naked bike ride] “. . . I passed an older man with a big beard standing on the sidewalk. He was gazing down Burnside in awe at the sea of happy nakedness coming his way and I heard him very calmly remarking to himself, ‘Marvelous’.” - Vanessa

“This was my second year [in Portland’s naked bike ride], and I think I'm going to do this every year for as long as I can ride a bike. And then I'll do it in a wheelchair. Very life-affirming.” – Brian M

“I totally love the Naked Ride - what a great, body-positive experience!” – Matt Picio

Here are thoughts from other nude bike riders:

“I bought a used mountain bike last year . . . You think hiking nude is exhilarating? Now imagine the rush of invigorating air spilling all over your body as you coast [on a bike] without a care in the world.” - Rick

“I camped at Canyon Creek Campground (a 2 hour drive north of Spokane) and then ventured out from there on my mountain bike. There are hundreds of logging roads off of Highway 20 from Kettle Falls to Republic. This year I was able to ride my mountain bike on several of these deserted roads nude. . . Many of the roads were pretty steep for me to ride, so I ended up freehiking up most of the hills. But the ride down was worth it.” - John

“I have a cottage in a Canadian resort area which is overflowing from May 24 until Labor Day . . . Once the tourist season ‘shuts down’, Rob, Kevin & I cycle [nude] frequently around the resort area. . . We carry shorts with us in case of encountering oncoming traffic . . . its quiet enough that one can hear a motor for miles. Last fall, we . . . didn't hear an oncoming pickup truck . . . The truck . . . turned around to follow us . . . As it turned out, he's a ‘solid acquaintance’ of mine . . . His intent in turning around? To ask if he could join us some day. He's become, since, a regular member of the cycle . . . group.” - Alic

“I have some experience naked bike riding. Lots of times I will drive my truck as far as reasonable on a 4wd drive road, then ride my bike to a wilderness trail head where I stash the bike and hike. Summer before last I rode a portion of the Continental Divide Mountain Bike Route in Wyoming and Colorado. I rode about 250 miles from South Pass Wyoming to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Of that mileage, I rode nude for about 100 miles across the Great Divide Desert of Wyoming. Interestingly, I never saw another person or a car, even though I was on dirt roads easily negotiable by ordinary vehicles.” – Michael Y.

“Well, a few weeks ago I did a 50-mile cycle ride through the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. It was a fairly warm day, and when the weather allowed I went nude. I was mostly off-road or on quiet lanes, which is what you look for when cycling, but I still passed a number of people who greeted me quite normally. When I got to Swyre Head [I met a] few people, couples and singles [who] were intrigued by my bike . . . So, remarkable weather, remarkable scenery, remarkable bike, the fact that I was bollock-naked - no remark whatsoever. . . I try to come across as polite (yeah really), friendly, non-threatening, and ‘normal’. And on that basis I've never had a problem with the Great British Public.” – Bob

“This was my first naked bike ride and I have to say it was the best most fun I have ever had in my life.” - Topher

Guido's Naked Triathlon

"I had the opportunity to get away for a nice 'Naked Triathlon' on Tueaday, the triathlon consisting of driving, hiking, and biking in the buff. . . Pulled out of the driveway and took off my pants before I got to the freeway. Drove naked all the way up to the mountain, where I had to wear pants for a few minutes . . . Then I crossed the street to start my hike, and the pants came off again soon thereafter. . . I ran into a hiking couple. We were all startled because we met at a bend in the trail where we could not see or hear each other beforehand. They didn't say anything. An hour or so later, another group of three came my way, so they also got to see some 'wildlife'. They said hi and continued, and so did I. . .

The trail then continues through the campground . . . where I had stashed my bike. I packed all my clothes into the backpack and returned biking nude, a first for me. . . When I rode along the big lake, I stopped on a high spot to take a look around and enjoy the completely deserted area. But hey, what about those three folks across the lake from me that were starting at me? Well, I guess they saw some wildlife, too. . . I finally arrived at the car, naked the whole time, even on the county road. Packed up my bike and returned driving nude all the way to my driveway.

An afterthought: Different from all previous hikes, I wore a pair of small sports shorts rather than hiking shorts (much less fabric), so I was able to tuck the shorts under the hip belt of my backpack. That way they would be available quickly if I needed them. It turned out that, instead of making me feel more comfortable, this actually made me more paranoid about human encounters – just because I had access to the pants. The shorts are usually inside my backpack and thus more difficult to get to. And because it takes longer to retrieve the shorts from the pack, I usually can't do anything anyway when meeting people, so there's less reason to worry. Strange logic, but that's the way I feel about it. Will keep the shorts in the backpack next time." - Guidoh2

Group Freehikes on Saturday and Sunday Mornings

Just thought I should add one additional freehiking event to the SoCal Freehiker's schedule. Normally every Saturday and Sunday I freehike the hills behind Olive Dell Resort for about an hour. Anyone would be welcome to join me. I can get you in for free, and any partner you bring along, even if that person doesn't hike with us, can get in for the entire day for only $10. I usually leave by 8:30 am during the summer. Just call or email in advance if you'd like to join PJ and I.

Isar River Bike Ride Video

Alex Nackt's video/slideshow of a Isar River Bike Ride in Germany: http://www.vimeo.com/10335825

It's pretty amazing how little clothed people react to those on this naked ride.

Ken

Winter Freehiking the Rocky Mountains

“Got my first freehike of the year on the last week on January. Since I live in the northern Rocky Mountains, I count this as something of an accomplishment. The valley had been suffering a temperature inversion since right after Christmas. With temperatures in the low teens (Fahrenheit) I drove out of town up toward an area of sandstone and scattered trees and shrubs-about 1500 feet higher than town. I was hoping to pass out of the cold, heavier air, and, sure enough, I watched the outdoor thermometer in my vehicle rise quickly to the upper 20's. OK, that is not exactly tropical, and I left the truck in full winter attire. Once I got passed the open area near the highway and into the slick rock, the reflected sun off the rocks immediately warmed me. Before long, I was down to boots, socks, sunglasses, and hat and I was able to comfortably climb all over the rocks for over an hour. It was pure, natural bliss, hopping from rock to rock, avoiding snow banks when possible. Next time, however, I must remember to bring gaiters because there were places where knee deep snow could not be avoided. A little protection on the lower legs would have been nice. . . I am off to a good start!” – Mike

Nude Bike Riding

Has anyone reading ever taken a naked bike ride?

I was a kid when I last took a nude bike ride, late one night, down a well-traveled neighborhood street – crazy I know - I didn’t understand naturism then. However, for many people nude road and mountain biking is a totally acceptable naturist activity, as can be seen below. In fact, the World Naked Bike ride happens annually in mostly large cities around the world. (Here are a few links to photos of this event:

2009 World Naked Bike Ride - Madrid Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Jtyr1BmFA

2009 World Naked Bike Ride - London Photos http://picasaweb.google.com/duff2253/200906NakedBikeRideLondonStop# http://picasaweb.google.com/pixis140/WorldNakedBikeRideLondon2009# http://picasaweb.google.com/tart2000/NakedBikeRide#

2008 World Naked Bike Ride - Brighton Photos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAXK_W-M5Lg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIvjROMAcGM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbSg8ZqSCGc&feature=related

2007 Vancouver WNBR photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/tijuanobamako/PRONAGEN#

Northeast Washington State

“I was able to take three camping trips in Northeast Washington State this summer. I camped at Canyon Creek Campground (a 2 hour drive north of Spokane) and then ventured out from there on my mountain bike. There are hundred of logging roads off of Highway 20 from Kettle Falls to Republic. This year I was able to ride my mountain bike on several of these deserted roads nude. I'm very cautious when it comes to wide open areas that I think I can be seen. I seldom ran into anyone because of it's remoteness (not sure that is a word). Many of the roads were pretty steep for me to ride, so I ended up freehiking up most of the hills. But the ride down was worth it. On Sherman Creek Road I saw a bear cub running across the road. I waited a few minutes to make sure the mother wasn't too far behind, but I never saw her. I was also able to go down to my favorite creek and spend a good part of the day nude. The last day there I noticed a big birch tree downed by a beaver. I realize that most of the readers here probably won't ever make it to this part of the USA, but if you do, it's worth the trip.” - John