Chicago Naked Ride

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Members: 44
Latest Activity: Feb 3

World Naked Bike Ride (and skate) Chicago

Welcome to the ChainLink group in support of Chicago's annual running of the World Naked Bike Ride: "Celebrating the end of the oil era and promoting positive body image"

The following is excerpted from (go there for much more info) http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about

Interested in the amazing World Naked Bike Ride Chicago?
JOIN the Yahoo group / mailing list right now!

World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is an international clothing-optional bike (or other person powered) event where participants ride en masse for the dual purpose of bringing attention to people powered transport and promoting positive body image. For a great overview see WikiPedia.

The event is bare-as-you-dare; anything from body paint to underwear to fanciful costumes are encouraged. Due to legal restrictions in Chicago, full frontal nudity is at your own risk, but large numbers of participants do go all out. Large-scale body painting is typically available pre-ride, and personal expression is encouraged. Cyclists familiar with Critical Mass (which is massive in Chicago) can simply see this as a special clothing optional additional June mass.

Chicago's past events included many hundreds of cyclist and numerous inline skaters, and covered over a dozen miles of high visibility city areas. In 2008 the 5th annual event drew a staggering 1700 riders! Blessed by decent summer weather in a great cycling city, the event has grown into a fantastic rolling celebration, with similarities to other major alternative parades world-wide. Participants often describe it as a transcendent group experience, personally transforming, and beyond superlative.

This CL group is intended for unmoderated chatter and thread following. For announcements make sure to also join the mailing list at http://ChicagoNakedRide.org

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Comment by Gabe on February 3, 2010 at 8:08am: http://hplusmagazine.com/articles/neuro/get-naked-it%E2%80%99s-good-your-brain

Comment by Brian Kennedy on June 22, 2009 at 6:10pm: Okay, Andrew, hopefully you see this even though it is quite late. I got an estimated count from WNBR. I arrived at approximately 1230 bikers.
*I saw three different videos on YouTube and each was about 3:30 long
*I assumed an average speed of 8 mph
*8 mph/60 min = .13 miles traveled per minute
*.13x3.5 min = total length of mass of .467 miles
*.467mi x 5280 feet in a mile = 2465.76 length of mass in feet
*2465.76/10= 246 bike lengths in mass length (I assumed each bike takes up about 10' front to back including gaps)
*246 x 5 = 1230 riders (5 represents what I thought the average width of the mass was in bikes.)

Wow, I hope that makes sense. More or less, I'm breaking it down in to rows and columns of bikers. We all know it isn't that symmetrical but that is why I use estimates. Obviously, a change in any of the variables will change the outcome. Anybody can let me know if there is a flaw in the logic. My initial guess was 1000 when I was eyeballing it. Maybe this was useful...maybe not.

Comment by Gabe on June 20, 2009 at 1:44pm: Here's the guy that was arrested during the Naked Ride. Give then possession of GHB (a date rape drug) he should probably be avoided. ;-) Just a heads up!

Comment by Andrew Bedno on June 15, 2009 at 3:07pm: As posted to mailing list:
A commemorative copy of the map (has better shading than the print version) is available for download.

* The police were perfect, calm and extremely well organized.
* The weather abruptly changed to clear and cool, perfect for working up body heat.
* All elements of event production operated well.
* Participants were extremely jubilant and joyful and positive and friendly.
* The spectators were so well behaved that it restored my faith in humanity.

The route was mostly pleasant and steady, with massive exposure. Untold thousands saw us and rejoiced! I am so very proud of our city, and of the courage and wits of its people young and old. We've really achieved something amazing here.

Among the stories I was flooded with all night, the one I heard variations of most is the the one I tell, that Chicago for cyclists and skaters, for most of the year, is practically heaven. No need for vacations, nor driving, nor big sports, when there s lakes and paths.

I've created a forum for happy stories. Be among the first to post:
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/postride

Comments, problems, suggestions should reply to me directly for our notes.

Preliminary MASS COUNT VIDEO has been posted on YouTube.
"World Naked Bike Ride Chicago #6. Very low res, for head/body/bike count use only. About 3:32, captured at about 9:30pm, fully a half-hour into the ride on the way out from downtown, westbound on Chicago near Rush or State."
I've counted three times with results hundreds apart, but was very tired.
PLEASE others try as well. Getting counts from multiple people matters. Note that it is almost a third longer duration than 2008's count video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGghdYTRQR0

Boundless sincere gratitude goes to mayor Richard M Daley and to the Chicago Police for their tolerance and tacit facilitation of this ride happening safely. This and other massive local rides tangibly show Chicago's ongoing commitment to being a notably bike-friendly U.S. city.

Comment by Gabe on June 14, 2009 at 1:39pm

The Wifey snapped these from the sidelines on Clark! ;-) I'm cheesin' from ear to ear. ;-)

Comment by Gabe on June 14, 2009 at 1:02pm: Way to go Security! Way to go Lawyers Guild! ;-) Way to go Andrew! Way to go Steven! ;-) Amazing time! ;-)

Comment by Gabe on June 13, 2009 at 2:25am: I'll grope ya iggi! ;-)

Comment by Andrew Bedno on June 12, 2009 at 12:12pm: Statement mass emailed to spectators:
STAY TO THE SIDES and KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELVES!!!!

Spectators thinking "I'll just step out slightly more than everyone else to take a flash photo in a cyclist's face with my disposable camera because I can't wait for the ride's brilliant official photo albums later / I'm drunk / whoohoo boobies" (editor shaking head sadly) YOU put your ass at GRAVE RISK! We can't pass the same gawker spot this year because you clogged the route. And every year there's multiple danger moments because you just HAD to stumble out and moon the mass. It's not funny. Bikes are big and fast and metal, and skin tears easily. And if you think you're going to get away with something stupid, hear that this ride is swarming with cameras and cops and security and lawyers. Got it?!?

So BEHAVE yourselves!!! Treat this ride as you would a CIRCUS PARADE!!! Even special kids know better than to try to touch the marching band. Make Chicago proud. For this event to happen you need to wave and cheer safely from the sides, and don't come by car.

Comment by iggi on June 12, 2009 at 12:05pm: Do be careful at the "viewing" place. I was groped by an unidentified hand last year. Exciting, but weird, and some may not like that. With a mass of people like that, it can create an unconfortable situation. Not raining on the parade (tho it might actually rain), just putting it out there.

Comment by Andrew Bedno on June 12, 2009 at 11:56am: Just announced:
PARTICIPANTS: Check-in after 6pm near the "O" sign, 1077 W Randolph (ish).
SPECTATORS: Come near Finkl, on Cortland by Kingsbury before 11pm. Wave and cheer safely from the sides, behave yourselves or else, and come without car.