Ridiculously late notice but, Chicago's monthly downtown "Critical Mass"
bike event is today leaving Daley Plaza after 6pm.
http://ChicagoCriticalMass.org
Daley Plaza is roughly 50 W Washington, bounded by Dearborn, Randolph,
Clark, at the Picasso.  Not far from some train stops but they disallow
bikes 4-6pm.

CCM has of course been happening for a dozen years so should be no surprise
to cyclists (nor drivers), but today's mass incorporates World Naked Bike
Ride elements like encouraging body painting and reduced clothes, and a BYO
afterparty with music and vids.
"Summer of VELO" is the theme.

FaceBookers can see here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104260023354

Mobile users bookmark http://massup.us

Happy Friday!!!

The mass ride from downtown Chicago previously bulletined here as "Bubble
Mass" by Andrew Bedno (of WNBR-C fame) has been postponed.
Instead Steven Lane (of WNBR-C fame) will lead a date critical "You Can't
Quiet The Riot / the spirit of '68 tour" ride.
The route is approximately 18 miles in a mostly North/West loop, and is
politically themed.

Steven's flyer is here: http://chicagocriticalmass.org/node/187459


Final map flyer for the Bubble Mass remains at
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/ccm

The postponed Bubble Mass ride may happen soon.  For bulletins on future
Critical Mass type rides please join:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ccm_mod

Local cyclists and World Naked Bike Ride Chicago fans and participants come
downtown this Friday for a special beachbound edition of Chicago Critical Mass.

This ride of thousands leaves DALEY PLAZA about 6pm Friday.  Note CTA prohibits
bikes after 4pm for rush hour.  The ride will cover a dozen gentle miles by
BUBBLE related sites to 31st street beach. Northsiders can then return by
LakeFrontPath.  Weather forecasts perfect for minimum clothes. Free, all ages,
bring water and bubble toys.

Route planning is complete enough to announce early. Map, turn-by-turn, and
flyer can be downloaded from http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/ccm
Mobile users please bookmark http://masser.me


ALSO PLEASE join the new CCM ANNOUNCEMENTS list for more Critical Mass downtown
and local rides through the summer and beyond.  The NEW LIST Critically needs
Mass.  PLEASE JOIN NOW and tell friends.  For members of this list it's one
click.  It'll be low volume and will help all have super-fun for years:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ccm_mod


Andrew ~ WNBRC

Several great photo albums and videos have already been posted from
Saturday's ride including GlitterGuts, Rich Mohr, and the Chicago Tribune.
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/photo


Help with the mass count: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGghdYTRQR0

A commemorative copy of the map (has better shading than the print version) is
attached here and downloadable from the homepage: http://ChicagoNakedRide.org

* 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.

World Naked Bike Ride Chicago #6 is Ready to Roll!

WNBR is rain or shine. This year may be on the cool side so PLAN FOR IT!
Weather during ride: http://tinyurl.com/wnbrc6weather
Bring something extra in backpack: think toga, clear poncho, nude tights, tube
tops, long socks, leg warmers, scarf/mittens, etc.

This event involves hours without rest, and over a dozen miles of biking with
few cloths. Adding cooler weather and damp roads, participants near PHYSICAL
LIMIT should come as spectators instead. Better safe than sorry.

Reiterating:
PARTICIPANTS: Check-in after 6pm near the "O" sign near 1077 W Randolph. Ride
LEAVES at 9pm.
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.
Mobile chatter: http://masser.me

READ ME! http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about

{going off-line to meditate}

World Naked Bike Ride (since 2004) is a massive bike and skate event celebrating
freedom from oil and the beauty of people. Held globally in dozens of cities
each year, Chicago's turnout is among the largest. This is a bare-as-you-dare
event with outfits ranging from body paint to fanciful costumes to beach-wear.
Chicago's past rides saw many hundreds of cyclists and skaters covering over a
dozen miles of high visibility city tourism and recreation areas. The ride's
atmosphere is extremely joyful and transcendently fun. Bikes are key to
America's future. With gas a luxury and obesity an epidemic, our message has
become certainty: the future is more bikes and less clothes.

Participants can check-in after 6pm Saturday June 13th 2009 near the "O" sign,
1077 W Randolph (ish). Person powered wheels requirement strictly enforced.
Validated participants will be directed to restricted gathering area, an easy
bike ride away.  Gathering and body painting after 6pm-sunset (PAINTING STOPS at
8:30pm).  No photos (except by authorized crew) policy strictly enforced.  Some
water/snax/gifts may be available, but expect nothing.  Rain or shine.  RIDE
LEAVES AT 9pm!
http://ChicagoFunNews.com/zmap.php?s=wnbrc6p
Bottom line: Bring great attitude and courage, your bike and a towel,
money/id/phone, and wait until AFTER the ride to drink.

Newbies MUST READ http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about
All questions see http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about

CRITICAL RIDE GUIDELINES:
* ABSOLUTELY DO NOT carry open alcohol.
* ABSOLUTELY DO NOT arrive or be anywhere near public facilities naked.
* PARTICIPANTS must show person-powered wheels; no exceptions.
* SPECTATORS go watch around 11pm near Finkl on Cortland by Kingsbury. Stay to
the sides and keep your hands to yourself or else.
* NO PHOTOS permitted before or after ride in gathering areas except by
authorized crew, others may be ejected. Photos by riders during ride is
discouraged for safety. Best to just enjoy, then see others' albums online
later. Assume however by participating that you may be photographed anywhere at
any time. Press should come to the spectator spot above.
* Exposed goodies, especially male, may target you for ticketing. Even naked
butts may be risky. Do so at your own risk or remain minimally covered or
painted.
* For maximum First Amendment protection integrate nudity with your message:
"burns fat not oil", "nude not lewd", "no concealed weapons", "naked is how
vulnerable I am sharing roads with cars"
* If confronted by police OBEY COMMANDS and comply, DO NOT ESCALATE, do not
argue. If told to put something on simply do so immediately. And thank them
en-route for their help.
* This ride is monitored by National Lawyers Guild volunteers who can serve as
witnesses in case of trouble. If arrested immediately call the NLG office at
312-913-0039
* We are "Celebrating freedom from oil and the beauty of people!" Hostile acts
are completely uncool towards anyone not directly threatening rider safety. In
case of problem cars take flash photos and comfort driver a few minutes until
the future has passed. In case of problem spectators, warn and take photos.
* NO LITTERING!
* For more information visit ChicagoNakedRide.org

Also note:
* In case of email, website, or away from computer problems, smartphone users
can monitor ride chatter on http://masser.me
* A thread exists for posting/discussing after-party options:
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/afterparties

To possibly see the World Naked Bike Ride Chicago pass by this Saturday, come
before 11pm near Finkl on Cortland by Kingsbury.  Wave and cheer safely from the
sides and your love will be multiplied!  Be responsible, HELP keep the path
clear, and come without car. Thanx!
http://ChicagoFunNews.com/zmap.php?s=wnbrc6s

Questions?
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about

Before I can tell you the recommended viewing place and time, experience
requires warning:
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.


Review the basics here: http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about

C U Saturday!

In World Naked Bike Ride (and skate) Chicago news:
Five days to go!

RENTAL BIKES AVAILABLE
Bobby's Bike Hike offers THE WNBR-C cheap rental special. Basically you must get
it before sunset and return it courteously cleaned before the next (Sunday)
afternoon. Located W of Navy Pier, River East Docks, 465 N. McClurg Court,
312-915-0995, http://bobbysbikehike.com
Suburban riders blocked by Metra blackout should do this.  If enough people
call, some benefit may evolve.

PEDICABS AVAILABLE (if you can afford it):
Chicago Rickshaw 773-494-2143 http://Chicago-Rickshaw.com
Roger Rickshaw 773-620-7921 http://RogerRickShaw.com
This is new territory so details uncertain, but I'd suggest book 8:30-11:30pm,
have them meet you at the check-in point (tba), and idle there until ride
leaves. You WILL be expected to be as minimally dressed as other participants.
Come pre-decorated, but well covered.

BODY PAINTING:
Body painting supplies and staff and time are finite. Do not assume you will be
painted, only a lucky first few hundred.  Body painting STOPS AT SUNSET (8:30pm)
fully a half hour before ride, and service may be refused to anyone for hygiene
concerns or at whim.  Extensive previously internal notes on body painting with
example photos has been posted: http://chicagonakedride.org/bodypainting
* World-class body painter Amy J is available for just a handful of major works
this year.  You will get the photo of a LIFETIME, but candidates must generously
help feed her kids.  First few to reply and pledge massively will be booked. 
Other professional body painters using their own supplies this year may solicit
tips.

SUPPLIES:
This year is more conservatively supplied, emphasizing responsibility and
reducing waste.  Some snax and water and whistles and such may be available, but
if you want glowstix bring your own and bring them unwrapped.  Thanx!

Newbies MUST review all the other basics: http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about

"The Sunday afternoon a week before WNBR-C6 pot-luck and donation drop-by
social."
Sunday June 7th 2009
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/Sunday

1-5pm:
Pot-luck, donation drop-off, music, chat, etc.
Welcoming motivated people to help make this year even more amazing.
Bring ready-to-eat fruits, veggies, nuts, breads, other delights to share if
you can.
Castle Bikenstein, 1551 W Chicago Ave, Chicago IL. Enter from alley just
south of Chicago, just east of Ashland. Find door to stairs up to deck,
bring bikes up. BYOB from Rothschild across street.

RIDE DONATIONS NEEDED:
* Cans of any bubbly beverages, dozens.
* Protein/carb bars/snax.  Waters.
* Greenbacks.  Other.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Evening recommendations:

6pm-...
Ladies Mass (fems only)
Meet at Daley Plaza, leave by 6:00pm.  Over 2 miles from social by bike.
http://TheChainLink.org/events/ladies-mass

8:30-10:15pm
Full Moon Fire Jam
4950 N Simonds Dr, betwix Foster and Lawrence in grass near lake.  Over 7
miles from plaza by bike.
http://ChicagoFunNews.com/event.php?i=sy5vyssrmai


C U June 13!
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about

Dearest naked ride enthusiasts, I'll bet you're excited!

I've gotten good feedback that the BASIC RIDE INFO is hard to discern on the
website.
NOW see the big new BASIC RIDE INFO block with specific times, vague places,
and other key info:
http://chicagonakedride.org/about


A little drop-by event is planned THIS SUNDAY near Chicago and Ashland.
Locals, set aside Sunday afternoon.  I'm thinking veggie pot-luck, beer
donation drop-off, and body painting practice.  Followed by group ride to
full moon fire jam near Foster.  Details to follow.


Andrew Bedno - World Naked Bike Ride Chicago
Celebrating the end of oil and the beauty of people.
SATURDAY June 13th 2009 / 6th annual!
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org

PLEASE READ http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/about
Important sections such as PHOTO, TRAVEL and BIKE RENTALS were recently
updated.

New donor THANX are here: http://ChicagoNakedRide.org/donors


THIS FRIDAY (5/29) is CRITICAL MASS leaving Daley Plaza around 6pm.  CCM is
the elder sib of WNBR-C, where thousands of cyclists take an urban ride the
last Friday evening monthly.  WNBR newbies unfamiliar with CCM should/must
come.  We'll be there early giving green fliers and chatting.
http://ChicagoCriticalMass.org


WNBR-C6 NEEDS:
1. Airbrush body artists with self-powered gear can come work for tips, but
contact me first.
2. Anyone with several long tables and means to carry them contact me.


C U Saturday June 13th ~ Andrew

Big news is we've gotten no donations?!?  I gave just to make sure the button
works.  C'mon, body paint isn't free!  Click the PayPal button NOW on ANY page
of http://ChicagoNakedRide.org

Be responsible and DONATE:
If you can't come with a bike (or skates etc) and participate fully with little
energy use please join us in spirit instead by DONATING online.
If you don't have a bike DONATE then come to a viewing point (TBA) and cheer!
If you are way in a burb DONATE then tell your friends what you did!
If you are more distant DONATE then get something seeded locally.
Bottom line: If you don't KNOW that you can do this ride with ease, do your part
by DONATING instead. WNBR-C costs serious cash which doesn't come from nowhere.
Cool? DONATE!

C U Saturday June 13th
Questions, updates, photos, donations, visit http://ChicagoNakedRide.org

hi, it's Steven, I help Andrew get the WNBR rolling each year with gathering
space, route, and party planning. Things look to be super special this year with
a great new venue options already lined up, but if you know of a space that can
handle 2000 naked people and their bikes, please give us a holler, we need
options!

Maybe you've been off your bike for a while
and are feeling a little rusty this spring?

Here's some reasons to get bikecited,
put your body in motion, and
feel the group ride love.

--------------------------------
Earth Mass (April Chicago Critical Mass)
Friday April 24, 5:30pm
gather by the Picasso at Delay Plaza
--------------------------------
Our fair city doesn't really offer much greenspace, so we're gonna take a nice
long tour to catch the budding beauty of Union, Garfield, Humboldt, Palmer, and
Lincoln Parks. Let's hope it rains so we can really get our Spring On ;^)

--------------------------------
May Day Mass (Wicker Park Critical Mass)
Friday May 1, 6:00pm
gather at the Polish Triangle and ride to
opening party for West Town Bikes new space
--------------------------------
or bike right to the party to catch the parade at 5pm!!!

Who: West Town Bikes & Ciclo Urbano
What: Grand Opening Celebration of New Bike Shop and Learning Center
Where: 2459 W Division St, Chicago IL 60622
When: May 1st 5-10pm
Join us for the parade led by Mucca Pazza from our North Ave location to our new
home on Paseo Boricua starting around 5pm! Dance the night away to the live
music of Afri Caribe and Nuestro Tambo! Enjoy delicious and authentic Puerto
Rican food provided by the Puerto Rican Cultural Center! Drink beer donated by
our fabulous sponsor, New Belgium Brewing! Check out the NEWEST Community Bike
Shop in Chicago! Become an official Member of West Town Bikes for the first
time! Support community cycling and education in Chicago!

--------------------------------
Ride of Silence
Wednesday May 20, 6:30pm
gather by the Eternal Flame
in Daley Plaza
--------------------------------
I remember the first World Naked Bike Ride flier I received in 2004, it
mentioned many reasons for joining the naked bike ride, but a line stating that
the naked ride was an expression of the vulnerability cyclists face on the roads
everyday really resonated with me. Very little makes you feel more naked than a
car passing murderously close while your riding, and the Ride of Silence puts us
in touch with the magnitude of our simple decision to bike in a machine age.
Help us quell the noise of industry and indifference by creating a space filled
with human powered silent reverence to honor our cycling brothers and sisters
that have paid the ultimate price on our mean streets.
http://www.rideofsilence.org/chicago


WNBR Planning Meeting coming up Sunday May 3rd
announcement from Andrew coming soon
~steven

http://chicagonakedride.org

6th World Naked Bike Ride Chicago is UNDER 80 DAYS away!
This 1st bulletin contains important items, review closely.

1. JUNE 13th - REMEMBER IT!
The 6th Annual World Naked Bike Ride Chicago is Saturday June 13th 2009.
Always the second Saturday evening in June. Location TBA, usual practices
apply: proof of bike check-in spot, participants only painting/starting
area, viewing points TBA.  Stay on this list for future details.

2. CHICAGONAKEDRIDE.org
For a number of reasons Chicago now has its own easy to remember
http://ChicagoNakedRide.org website.  Ecocyclists may find some of the new
writings there interesting. All are encouraged to JOIN the site's user
system to participate in forums and such:
http://chicagonakedride.org/user/register

3. NEXT SUNDAY April 5th is planning meeting #1
Dinner 6pm-? at Handlebar Bar&Grill, 2311 W North Ave, 773/384-9546,
http://www.handlebarchicago.com
All serious prior crew this is yer notice, come.  Serious eager sharp high
energy new volunteers also strongly encouraged; your first test, finding
people you've never met in a restaurant.  As always seeking flyerers,
painters, corkers, and map monkeys with ideas!  High priority agenda items:
route, philosophy, last year lessons, communications, action plans, beer.
2009 planned planning dates: #1 Sunday April 5th (Palm Sunday), #2 Sunday
May 3rd, and finally fundraising party Sunday May 31st, just weeks before
the ride and days after Critical Mass.
Saturday night before first meeting I'll be here:
http://TritonTroupersCircus.com

4. SUPPORT: Trailers, sound, rescue, support, pedicab, tours, rental...
A new item important to me is better bonding with the commercial and more
than two wheel participants I see as helping ride safety.  ATTENTION PEDICAB
/ TOUR / RENTAL pros and TRAILER users contact me to exchange info and/or
JOIN the new SUPPORT group:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/WNBRC_Support

5. RESPONSIBILITY
"Responsibility" is the official buzzword for WNBR Chicago 2009.
Inspirations being getting fair scoldings for our trail of waste in 2008,
and as a good one word summing up of proper grounds for energy use choices.
Reflect... best slogan wins something.



ALSOS:

CRITICAL MASS is TODAY! Chicago's Critical Mass rides have never gotten more
publicity.  The Friday March 27th one leaving Daley Plaza around 6pm
currently proposes 27 miles on a "Green" theme.  Future rides are April
24th,  May 29th...  NEW NEW NEW "get the MassUp on ur mobile" TEXT MESSAGING
group for CHICM: http://ChicagoCriticalMass.org

There's a new CHAT group for WNBR-C, small but destined to grow, serving the
need for an unmoderated channel:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/WNBRC_Chat

SKATERS join my super new site: http://ChicagoSkater.org

This message goes to multiple groups, forgive x-posts. WNBR-C6 crew out.

As the first sets of "official" World Naked Bike Ride Chicago 2008 photo
albums, I've cross-posted edited, reduced, all-ages compatible
before/during/after collections from Ronald Leon Hale IV's brilliant work,
one of the sanctioned ride photographers.  Additional sets from others will
be posted eventually, but these should hold all for a while.  They're
gorgeous shots of great moments.  I'm so proud of everyone.

Start at the base album:
http://bedno.com/album.php?c=20080614

Or see individually:
Before:  http://bedno.com/album.php?c=20080614a
During:  http://bedno.com/album.php?c=20080614b
After:   http://bedno.com/album.php?c=20080614c



Also super late notice, but me and many will be joining the Midnight
Marauders ride tonight, Saturday 10.18: Gathering before 11:30pm at
Handlebar, 2311 W North, costume required, surprises promised, dress for
40s, http://tinyurl.com/5hbbx9


Andrew Bedno - World Naked Bike Ride / Chicago coordinator
Promoting Freedom from Oil Addiction and Positive Body Image
SATURDAY June 13th 2009 / 6pm gather 9pm ride / bare-as-you-dare / 6th
annual!
http://ChicagoNakedRide.com

A new WorldNakedBikeRide Chicago CHAT/discussion Yahoo group has been
created to supplement this announcements only group.
You are strongly encouraged to join that group as well:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WNBRC_Chat

Use the new group to share opinions, announcements, questions, event
ride sharing info, etc, related to WNBR-Chicago topics.  This serves
the emerging need for an open forum for discussion and chat among
potential, current and past participants, and others. All members of
that group can freely post and all posts go to all members (with newbie
moderation).

Past riders, volunteers, supporters, leads, ... PLEASE join the new
group now to help seed that community.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WNBRC_Chat

"Gotopless Day" observance this Saturday at Noon near Buckingham Fountain.

http://ChicagoFunNews.com/event.php?i=s1avwqtc8kn

Saturday 2008.08.23:

National Gotopless day. All ages. Free. Noon.
National simultaneous protests at beaches and parks to demand equal topfree
rights for women. Includes performances asserting it as natural and legal
and honoring Women's Equality Day.
http://www.gotopless.org
Buckingham Fountain, 451 S Lake Shore Drive. E of Red Line Jackson stop.

Remember, Critical Mass is this Friday downtown after work.

From http://bedno.com/event.php?i=1su6v0a29qd3

Friday 2008.07.25
Critical Mass (since 1997). Last Fridays All ages Free 5:45p.
THE monthly gathering of bicyclists making their presence known downtown.
Unplanned route gently winds a dozen miles or more. Thousands attend in good
weather. Includes music, hipsters, athletes, show bikes, so much more.
Skaters welcome.
Daley Plaza, 773/486-4861, 50 W Washington. Under the Picasso (giant rusty
bird), at Dearborn, SW of State&Lake train stop.
http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org


To receive Critical Mass emailings or to discuss Critical Mass, join the
Critical Mass mailing list here:
http://listserv.uic.edu/archives/chi-crit-mass.html



And no, its not a nude ride, but feel free to wear as little as weather and
modesty permit.





Andrew Bedno - World Naked Bike Ride / Chicago coordinator
Promoting Freedom from Oil Addiction and Positive Body Image
SATURDAY June 13th 2009 / 6pm gather 9pm ride / bare-as-you-dare / 6th
annual!

St. Louis plans to join the pantheon of World Naked Bike Ride cities in
under a month!
I mention to this Chicago list because we get many riders from neighboring
states, and Chicago crew LOVES the movement growing.


"Date and Location Established" From http://nakedbikestl.blogspot.com/

"After much deliberation, your trusty coordinators have decided on a date
and location of the bike ride. It will take place on Saturday, August 2 at 9
pm. If you want to body paint, you can come at 7 pm. We'll be meeting in
Tower Grove Park near the Pool Pavilion. If you're not familiar with where
that is, it's located near the intersection of Magnolia and Tower Grove
Park, which is the north entrance of the park.  The route has not been
completed yet, so any suggestions are appreciated."

Reportedly "St. Louis is nowhere near bike friendly as Chicago, and it's
much more conservative when it comes to nudity. But it would be nice to get
bicycles a little face time in St. Louis."

Official home page:
http://nakedwiki.org/index.php?title=Saint_Louis


And this MAY be the Yahoo group BUT I'm not 100% sure; few members, low
activity, not linked from other pages above...  But you WNBR-StL peeps can
sort that out:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WorldNakedBikeRideStLouis

This is UMC4 Underground Music Channel 4 and we have featured
Chicago's 2008 ride in our last two weekly video blogs...and there is
more to come...go to myspace.com/umc4 to subscribe to the blog so that
you can get the weekly notification of new videos posted.  The first
two videos only cover up to midway down Dearborn so obviously we have
more content to put out there...

You can also get embed code for your myspace, etc by going to
youtube.com/umc4

Thanks to everyone who participated and was interviewed! We cover many
different events in the city so check it out.
Much respect!

Here is Part one and Part Two:

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie"
value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BcnP5kR6QBw"></param><embed
src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BcnP5kR6QBw"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425"
height="350"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie"
value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C3z8h-4esIc"></param><embed
src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C3z8h-4esIc"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425"
height="350"></embed></object>

Lots of excellent post-post-ride stuff follows below...

Tour Du Fat was excellent last Saturday.  Bikes, bands, and beer!  I left
near midnight, tanned and dusted with glitter, just as the Midnight
Marauders launched on their Solstice Ride.

After Fire Jam last Wednesday I had an impromptu slide show viewing of the
newly received raw official photos, and declared the 2008 best costume prize
winning team: Katy The Mermaid, Tricia the tree, Silvia (bike tattoo on
neck), and all three for their stellar volunteer service.  Runners up
include Melissa, the Cloud couple, and many others.  Y'all are awesome.
http://ChicagoNakedRide.com/photos

THIS FRIDAY is of course Critical Mass.  I'll be there (presumably on
skates) weather permitting.
From http://ChicagoFunNews.com
Critical Mass (since 1996). Last Fridays All ages Free 5:30p.
THE monthly gathering of bicyclists making their presence known downtown.
Unplanned route slowly winds a dozen miles or so. Thousands attend in good
weather. Includes music, hipsters, athletes, show bikes, so much more.
Skaters welcome.
Daley Plaza, 773/486-4861, 50 W Washington. Under the Picasso (giant rusty
bird), at Dearborn, SW of State&Lake train stop.
http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org


!!! LAST PLEA for PRESS CLIPPINGS and TV NEWS vids !!!  I have almost none.
Reader?  Trib?  SunTimes?  Fox?


QAPLA!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Andrew / WNBR-C on National Public Radio

Interview with Andrew recorded before ride (actually on-site early on ride
day), then played as part of a larger piece on progressive energy and
transportation subjects days later on National Public Radio!  I didn't know
that's where it'd play, and now I've been getting e-mails from people I
haven't seen in years from all over, so I've gotta guess it was heard by
large numbers!  (WBEZ locally)  Thanx Scott!
Though editing re-ordered pieces, sometimes even individual words, overall
it came across really well, and riders are quoting me from it.
The interview MP3 is linked under PRESS on our main PHOTOS page:
http://ChicagoNakedRide.com/photos
Or directly at
http://bedno.com/media/andrew/20080619-scott_iseri-smart_city_radio.mp3
Or shorter at:
http://tinyurl.com/69f9gl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WNBR-C photos on pay-per-view website.

Andrew,
Do you know who the photographer is that calls himself Tarzan?  He takes
zillions of photos at the ride and posts them on a site other than the
official one.  (Actually, very excellent quality photos)

http://www.coccozella.com then click on new galleries.  It is however a
membership thing.

>>> Andrew's notes:
Wow.  Site appears to have Chicago 2007+2008, Credit Card required.  Other
big city groups have debated this heavily in identical circumstances.  I
think there are release issues where commercialization negates public place,
but too big a topic.
This, plus London's top challenge being quantity of photographers, plus our
compression at Belmon+Halsted, all confirm for me the efficacy and utility
of our endeavors towards low camera density at start.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ASANTE / MySpace comment
wow what i ride... fun time fa sho... endorphins kicked in from the moment
we took off..can't wait til next year

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMMUNITION / MySpace comment
The pleasure is all mine. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I
am a proud bike rider and will happily burn calories instead of
oil....NAKED!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TURNTABLE / MySpace comment
wow, wow, wow, and drumming with ee..........shesh life is just amazing..!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EE (Environmental Encroachment) / MySpace comment
An Epic Ride, Life Memory! The best! Cheers ~EE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Timothy M

Congrats on putting together a great ride this year.  You are the man!
Thanks for helping us get out the word that cars suck. Be free from oil and
ride a Bike!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Chicago Journal

Hi Andrew.
I AM on the yahoo group, and you may republish this.  I was also on the ride
last Saturday (my first time) and it was totally Amazing.    I did talk with
the writer of this article, Josh, for a little bit while we were riding, but
we were only about 1 1/2 into it and I must admit I was still a little
nervous thinking about what lie ahead.
This ride surpassed any of my wildest dreams and I thank you for it.     You
and your team did a wonderful job.
See you next year.
Ed

=====================================
"Baring it all for the story"

(Andrew: See online for a couple of nice photos with the article.)
http://chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=169&articleID=51
72

Web Posted 6/18/2008 10:00:00 PM
By Josh Hawkins

It seemed like such a good idea at the time to suggest covering the World
Naked Bike Ride, an in-your-face protest of sorts held Saturday that sent
thousands of naked and half-naked riders out onto the streets in cities
across the globe to protest automobile use and oil consumption. I'd get to
bike around town and call it "work." I even got a good chuckle when one of
the event organizers emailed me with some suggestions for covering the
event, including, "wear few if any clothes (seriously)." Seriously, I'm
being asked to strip for work? Hey, why not?

These are easy commitments to make when the ride is a few days out and your
biggest concern is which pair of boxer briefs to wear. The ride is "bare as
you dare" and I always knew I could dare so far, but no further. That limit
was clear from the start, though one of my editors did enjoy mocking my
manhood for not baring it all.

It was the morning of the ride when things changed for me. I started out not
wanting to go. The phrase, "I probably wouldn't get fired for it" went
through my head a few times as I considered playing hooky. See, I think I'm
a reasonably attractive guy-enough women have told me so as to overwhelm my
defenses and disbelief-but there is a difference between thinking something
in your head and believing it in your heart. In my heart, I'm perfectly
comfortable in my underwear, while sitting around my house. Outside my house
I have a moderately respectable wardrobe to help out. I'm guessing this is
all pretty normal.

I reminded myself, repeatedly, that it's really no different than wearing a
swimsuit. It really isn't, except in my head. In my head, though, the
difference is profound and simple: If you're seeing me in my underwear, I
usually have a strong motivation to be in my underwear, and work ain't it.

Once I started my routine of getting my camera and bike equipment ready
things got easier. Get busy, stop thinking so much, I told myself. By the
time I was at the start point, I was committed. There was a mass of people
when I got there, maybe 300-plus, but that would grow to probably 1,000 by
the time the ride started.

I took my clothes off, leaving on my favorite boxer briefs, a pair of argyle
socks (when you aren't wearing much, socks are a key style statement) and my
biking shoes. It took a few minutes to get somewhat comfortable, but being
in a sea of people in their underwear or fully nude made it easier. It's
amazing how little clothes matter. No one seemed to care about the flesh on
display, and I didn't care all that much either.

It does help that when you're in a sea of naked people you discover all your
body flaws are really pretty common. And that whole idea of when everyone is
naked it's just the new normal, really does kind of happen, and pretty
quickly. Then when I got on my bike I really stopped worrying about looking
good. No one looks good in a biking position.

Neighborhood after neighborhood, street after street, whether it was
Michigan Avenue or Boystown, people cheered. All the bystanders I
interviewed (Yes, I interviewed people while in my underwear, I'm kind of
proud of that one actually) supported the ride and thought it was a great
idea. I'm not saying that this was a statistically sound sampling, just the
half-dozen or so people I talked to. It's easier to be brave when you can
wear the cloak of "professionalism." The interviews went something like
this: "Yes, I'm actually a journalist, not just a guy in his underwear
striking up a conversation with you, while you're having dinner with your
family at this lovely, and expensive, outdoor cafe just off the Mag Mile."

By the end, I'm not going to say I had some sort of epiphany and you'll see
me around town in my underwear, and I think my publisher is probably happy
to avoid those phone calls, but I think I'm going to be far more comfortable
in a swimsuit in the future.

With other cities now reported, Chicago's 5th annual participation in
the World Naked Bike Ride last Saturday has SET THE WORLD'S RECORD
with 1700 bodies!!!
Mad props to all; what a privilege it's been serving this world-class
anti-oil pro-freedom event.
Anyone with PRESS CLIPPINGS or TV NEWS vid of the event PLEASE
contact me as I have nearly NONE!

Like many of you, I'll probably be at Tour de Fat at Palmer Square
Saturday 10a-4p.
"Parade, party, and performance event promoting bicycles." C U!
http://www.tour-de-fat.com

Finally part rare cross-promotion, part full disclosure, wanted to
make sure everyone knows that in addition to WNBR-C and a few other
projects, I am publisher of ChicagoFunNews, "Chicago's oldest online
entertainment guide."
Wanna know the coolest things happening in Chicago, signup for the
email newsletter.
http://ChicagoFunNews.com

L8r! ~ Andrew ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Jesse Schust / (senior WNBR staff London&UK)

Incredible outcome Andrew!

Congratulations on a spectacular ride and becoming the World's
Largest WNBR event!

The London ride remained 1000 participants (also the weather forcast
was poor and the day was a cooler day, which naturally lowers the
numbers).  My energies were somewhat diverted this year due to some
things that came up in my personal life and also a frustrating sudden
$600 Insurance cost that we normally don't have to pay since we're
normally allowed into national "Bike Week" (which offers public
liability insurance for free to all event organisers), but this year
they changed their approach (baulking at our nudity and aquiring the
corporate sponsor "Nokia" so their name was "Bike Week guided by
Nokia" for the first time).

Honestly, I don't know how we'd manage with 1,700.  For some reason
hundreds of pervy photographers come to the ride start and behave
really disrespectfully toward riders (especially the younger female
riders).  It threatens to drive away the female ridership which is
not something we welcome.  For some reason this has always been a
problem in London even when the ride had 58 riders and was held at
8pm.

Well done Andrew!!

Cheers, Jesse, WNBR London

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: Great Lakes Area Natural Tans Society GLANTS

Thanks Andrew for this incredible update!
We, the Great Lakes Area Natural Tans Society Chicago (an AANR
charter club), are deeply greatful for your involvement in this
historical event.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Naturally Yours!
Carlos, GLANTS

From: Melissa / (painter & poster girl)

Thanks again for another great year!!!
WNBR is by far one of the best things I have ever done. I can't
believe that I almost missed it this year. Whew!
I will be around again next year for sure and will be glad to help
out with things again. Just let me know.
Much love,
Melissa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Lyon L

Hello Andrew,
1st, massive kudos to you and your crew. You brought the ride off in
great style and it was conspicuously joyous. The ride was something I
wanted to do for the fun, for the statement that drivers need to care
for people on bikes, for the international character of the activity
and for the protest against energy profligacy. Probably my politics
go farther left, seeing this profligacy as feeding a war machine we
are unwillingly made a part of. But I was totally fine with the ones
raised in your leaflet and happy to ride on that basis, as well as
getting my own self painted with "No war for oil!" I think the ride
does have a lot of impact on people and am proud to have done it.
... (Ed: lengthy good input on route and photos clipped here and
filed)
I loved the crowd at Belmont and Halstead. Clearly people had come
out to support the ride and the high fives and cheers from the crowd
were just great.
...
Thanks a million for all your hard work!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Jeanette / Subject: amazing!!

This was my first ride and I must say I cannot wait to ride again
next year!  The comraderie, the cause, the ride everything was an
amazing experience!!  Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put
such an event together!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: Brian F

Hi Andrew,
I just wanted to say thanks for such a great event this year. I rode
in the 2006 and 2008 WNBR and can't wait to do it again next year. I
come from Lafayette, IN. Chicago is such a fun city and I met a great
group of people doing the rides. Makes me wish I lived in Chicago.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: Meghen F

Hi Andrew,
Thanks for all you work! WNBR was one of the greatest experiences of
my life. My face hurt the next day from constant laughing/smiling.

=== LOST ===

DV TAPE - Labeled 'Green Ride', Steven's entire ride video, he's devastated.
Please check through your stuff.  Reward for return.

Canon battery, walkie talkie, cell phone.

2008 blue daily planner.

Wallet, small black biz card holder w/ DL etc.


=== FOUND ===

- Master Cable Lock
- House Keys with Kryptonite Barrel Lock Key
- Charteau (sp?) brand bike lock key (non-barrel type key)
- Barrel Lock Key with orange plastic grip attached to one of those big
metal clips
- Unless anyone cares we'll just stow these for next year: green wig, dark
towel, safety vest, sequined and pink fabrics, hairsprays, makeups, ribbons,
tapes...


Please reply to coordinate exchanges or report any other losts and founds.

~ Andrew ~

The fifth annual Chicago World Naked Bike Ride on Saturday June 14th
2008 was an overwhelming success, with an official participant count
of 1700.

This count was calculated using a stationary elevated video record of
the entire mass from head to toe passing a fixed point early in the
ride, counted using slow-motion, repeated four times and averaged.
The video was taken at the North East corner of Washington and Racine
as mass left a traffic signal, using a crosswalk line as count
point.  Point was about 1.5 miles into ride from gathering area,
about .5 miles from Union Park check-in point.  Mass there averaged a
dozen deep, passing about ten a second.  Margin of error could be
high, but certainly over 100 more joined the ride well after the
count (many intentionally merging at the half-way viewing point)
making 1700 a safe figure.

Others are welcome to review the count using the video available here:
   http://ChicagoNakedRide.com/photos
Several preliminary photo albums, route map, and more are also there.

Cheers to everyone for their tremendous courage!  I'd guess that over
90% were in briefs or less (and paint), and 5-10% of those were nude
or bare-breasted despite risk, with gender mix not far from even.
The mass included a marching-type band and several large music
systems, over a dozen inline skaters, several skate boarders, many
art bikes, and a rear-guard of trailers.  As usual, participants have
trouble describing the experience, with even gushing words like
magical, miraculous, incredible, unbelievable, transcendent,
and "best time of my life" barely sufficing.

Route covered about 14+ miles, and for our first time a text
messaging group was used to broadcast our progress live.  The throng
of fans at viewing point (Belmont and Halsted) was exceedingly
massive (compressing and lengthening the mass), and we arrived there
fashionably late.  Some 24,000 informational handouts were
distributed en-route.  Accidents, flats, and altercations with cars
were few.

Massive kudos to the volunteers and coordinators who gave outstanding
performance and dedication under pressure.  Body painting capacity
was more than doubled, and additional activities and more snacks and
water were added.  Also for the first time we rented porta-potties,
and had a large after-party.

1700 nearly triples Chicago's 2007 turnout, and I would presume sets
another US record.  This year we intentionally under-publicized, to
save on printing and distribution, to throttle growth and filter for
earnest and repeat participants, and to focus on safety instead of
growth.  In modesty, Chicago's WNBR benefits greatly from sheer
population, an active bike culture and clubs, 10 years of Critical
Mass, bike friendly city government, good weather on ride day, and
especially being a night ride.

*** ANYONE WITH PRESS clippings or TV NEWS captures of the Chicago
ride PLEASE retain and reply.  Don't assume we already have it.  I'm
told I was on TV again this year, but have yet to see it. ***

Finally but foremost, boundless sincere gratitude goes to mayor
Richard M Daley and to the Chicago Police for their acceptance and
facilitation of this ride.  This and other massive local rides
tangibly show Chicago's ongoing success in becoming a notably bike-
friendly U.S. city.


_______________________________________________
World Naked Bike Ride / Chicago
Promoting Freedom from Oil Addiction and Positive Body Image
Next ride, Saturday June 13th 2009.
http://ChicagoNakedRide.com

From: Susan / 2007 WNBR-C Public Relations coordinator, should've
been pre-ride message to all (my bad).

One door has closed in my life and I am on an arduous journey in
search for that next opened door. With that said, I will not be
joining in on the ride this year. Thank you all to past and present
who have participated in the ride and made it what it is. I will miss
seeing the hundreds of people gather for a common cause that they
believe in and make a stand in unity. It helps me put some faith back
into humanity again. I will miss taking over the streets of Chicago
and go where no biker has gone before. I will especially miss the
feeling of energetic spirits and positivity around me. Please
remember this ride is an exhilarating experience, but don't get
distracted from the real focus of the ride which is to promote
freedom from oil dependency. I will be with you in thought, so be
safe and smart….. and WNBR will be one of the most amazing
experiences you will ever have.

P.S. I am very proud of the more prominent focus of going green
within the group….
SPREAD THE VISION


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: *A*L*E*C*

The World Naked Bike Ride - Chicago was, sincerely, the most fun I
have had in a long, long time. Riding around the streets of Chicago
butt naked on my bicycle was the most amazing feeling ever. You truly
missed out if you didn't ride. I highly recommend anyone and everyone
to ride next year. Sure you're naked but so is 800 other people.
There's no room for discomfort nor awkwardness. Chicago is a big city
so there were of course thousands of spectators. Seeing their
reactions to hundreds of naked bicyclists, rollerbladers,
skateboarders, and one guy that jogged the entire three hours/
18miles was the best part. AND it's all for a good cause. WNBR-C is a
fun and conspicuous event celebrating the end of the oil era, and
promoting positive body image. We definitely made a scene and we
definitely made an impact on the people of Chicago. Knowing that is
truly rewarding. Again, give it a try. You won't regret it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Isaac L

Sorry I wasn't able to help. I got the message too late in the day to
act on it. You guys did a fantastic job with the ride, I would have
gladly helped with the cleanup as a show of my gratitude. This year
was my first ride. It won't be the last. Consider it a standing offer
that I'll  be available to help with the cleanup in the next ride.

Isaac

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Silvia H

Thanks for organizing this amazing ride. The world should make a
statue of you so we all can ride bikes around it!!!

Until next time!  besos y abrazos

From: John F

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: John F

Thanks to all the volunteers, making this great event another
success!  This was my third year and definitely the best.  While I
bared all for the ride, the helicopter flying over the post-party
worried me, so I cut out early.  It sounds like everything went
fine.  I think my highlight was helping two WNBRs with flats, getting
them back on the road and "back in the pack" quickly.  Being naked
with a flat could be a bummer.  Thanks again and keep me on the
grouplist.  MORE ASS, LESS GAS!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Sonja / MySpace comment

A group of us rode (motorcycles) to Chicago from Indianapolis on
Saturday. We were on our way back to a friend's place to crash, and
hit a red light right when the Naked Riders went by. We actually rode
up to block traffic the other way. Cheers to all that participated.
It was great to see a real protest in these days of apathy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So now the 2008 edition of Chicago's World Naked Bike Ride is done,
and I need to get some of my thoughts and ideas out before they dry
up and blow away.

The first thought is that people don't realize how much work went
into it.  For many of us the ride began back in April, when we began
meeting to discuss the route, the publicity, the promotional pieces,
the problems of past years and how to avoid them, etc.  Everyone who
was involved was a volunteer who did this out of the goodness in
their hearts; many spent their own cash for printing, posters, etc.
True, there were a dozen people who were heavily involved in
organizing this thing, but the task was huge, and each of us spent
many hours on it.  Andrew and Steven in particular
worked like dogs to pull everything together.   I hope everyone on
the ride got the chance to shake
Andrew's or Steven's hand; many kudos go out to them and the other
organizers for all their hard work.

Weeks before the ride I found myself wandering the neighborhoods of
Evanston, Rogers Park and Lakeview with a wad of posters and fliers
in one hand and a roll of tape in the other.  At first I hit bike
shops, then coffee shops, then eco-friendly restaurants (yes,
including the Heartland) and alternative lifestyle shops.  Finally I
got smart and began taping fliers to the handlebars of every parked
bicycle I saw (I gave up on handing out fliers to actual riders, as
that inevitably resulted in long discussions about the time, place,
method, etc.)  I'm sure a lot of retirees and prudish people got
offended by the Naked Biker drawing, but I hope a lot of riders
learned about it who otherwise might not have known (HINT: anyone who
came to the ride because you found a flier taped to your bike, please
say so, or I'll think I was wasting my time and won't bother next
year.)

My second thought is that I broke the rules by driving down to the
ride.  That felt weird; driving to a ride to protest oil dependency.
But I was one of the only ones who actually had a car (required since
I have 2 separate jobs 15 miles apart).  So I was given a long
shopping list; in addition to myself and my bike, I drove to the ride
with 4 cases of water, 4 bags of ice, 2 coolers, 2 cases of soda, 3
boxes of leaflets (which my wife and I copied and cut out ourselves),
assorted snacks (the 2 dozen bananas in particular were gone within
minutes of my arrival), some painting/costuming items and a variety
of tools (my can of WD40 was a boon for several cyclists).
I'm glad it worked out the way it did.

I was particularly pleased with the leaflets, which were my own
baby.  The first few years of the ride there wasn't much promotion or
publicity; a small circle of folks knew about it and spread the word
among friends and other riders.  Then we'd appear, get painted and
costumed, and ride around.
All the bystanders would say, "Hey, naked bikers!  What gives?" and
had no idea what we were about.
So two years ago I drafted a little leaflet entitled "Why are we
riding our bikes naked?" and began to copy them to pass out to the
crowd.  I've been a bit of a pain about it, constantly hollering to
all the riders to take a packet of leaflets, and at every stoplight I
would bellow a reminder to everyone to pass them out, to get the
message out.  But I went to the ride with 28,000 leaflets, and came
home with less than 4,000, so I hope they served their purpose.  If
we don't get a message out then the ride is really pointless (other
than being a naked party on wheels, that is) Here's the text of the
leaflets:

"WHY ARE WE RIDING OUR BIKES NAKED?
      1) To promote freedom from oil dependency
      2) To combat pollution
      3) To foster a positive body image
      4) To highlight how vulnerable bicyclists feel every day
           when they share the road with cars.
      5) TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!
Bicycles are a cheap, efficient, clean and healthy mode of
transportation. Bicycling helps fights obesity and disease. Bicycles
don't use foreign oil, don't spew pollution into the air, and don't
contribute to global warming. If more people rode bicycles we'd have
fewer problems with traffic congestion, lack of parking space, road
rage, accidents, and DUIs.  We'd like to encourage everyone to get on
their bike today…and every day!
For more info, go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Naked_Bike_Ride or
www.worldnakedbikeride.org   or   www.ChicagoNakedRide.com"
I wrote them to be as non-political as possible (something some folks
didn't seem to grasp: "Why don't they mention the oil war/Bush is a
chump/an anti-SUV message/promote organic living/etc."  I wanted them
to be as basic and all-encompassing as possible, so that EVERY rider
could agree with the thoughts they contained and would be happy to
pass them out.  Many thanks to everyone who passed the things out and
helped spread the word, and to everyone who put up with my constant
hollering about the damn leaflets.

So, I arrived at the pre-party, to find some of the pals I knew from
past rides getting set up.
Riders gradually dribbled in and began to disrobe and get painted.
Clothing was optional, of course; many chose to go naked but many
more rode in undies, shorts, swimsuits, etc.  Three professional body
painters volunteered their services and did an awesome job; many
thanks to Melissa and the other two talented ladies (whose names I
didn't get)

One of the early problems, which kept re-occurring all evening,
occupied my mind a lot; the problem of pictures.  Four of the
organizers (including me) had been designated as official
photographers; we were supposed to ask permission first, and not to
post photos on porn sites or the like. (We also divided the ride
between us, so there was an official photographer at the front, rear,
and two spread in the middle.  The idea was that if any trouble
occurred—as has sadly happened in the past—we were to get pictures or
videos right away.  That way aggressive police officers or drunken
gropers would appear on YouTube the next day; and our presence might
prevent trouble before it started.

Others weren't supposed to take photos at the pre-party.  But a bunch
of people didn't get the message.  It's fine if someone takes a
picture or two of their friends, with their permission, before the
ride starts.  But a number of folks showed up just to snap-snap-snap,
without the courtesy of asking first, and who knows where their
pictures would end up?  In particular, one young lady (and you
thought all such perverts were men, didn't you?) with a large camera
and separate flash seemed to be all over, shoving her huge lens right
up against people and snapping a half-dozen shots of any bared skin
whatsoever.  I challenged her on it, and she insisted she was asking
permission from everyone, which I hadn't noticed.  (To be fair, she
did ride with us, which wins points in my book; it's fine to take
pictures as long as you 1) get permission, and 2) get on your bike.)
Then two guys in wheelchairs appeared and began rolling around and
gawking; they weren't riding bikes, so why were they even there?
Andrew later told me they'd volunteered to help at the entrance gate,
but as soon as he'd left them there they were over by the
bodypainters, trying to take pictures.  I guess there are volunteers,
and then less enthusiastic volunteers.

So I wandered about the pre-party, saying hello to those I knew, and
taking photos of the painted designs, slogans, bikes, costumes, and
people (I'll admit it, I'm a voyeur, but I tried to capture the
festive spirit of things, rather than just roam about looking for T
&A).  I also had a stack of cards that I kept giving out; these had a
dual purpose.  One side listed my art fairs, because I'm shameless
when it comes to promoting my stuff.  The other had my email address
and website, which reassured some people.  I've already gotten 8
emails from riders; 6 wanted me to send them the photos I took of
them, and 2 wanted me to NEVER send ANYONE the photos I took of them.

The crowd grew, and grew; by the start time over 300 people had
crowded into the bodypainting area.
There was a band (the Environmental Encroachment Marching Band) and
hula-hoopers, jugglers, drummers, and all kinds of shenanigans going
on.  It was chaotic, confusing, but wonderfully fun; the presence of
so many happy riders, naked or not, just spread a joyful spirit
through the crowd.
(That joyful spirit is what distinguishes the WNBR from some of the
Critical Mass rides I've been in; sometimes they're focused on fun
and love, but too often they seem antagonistic and haughty to me.)
Eventually, we worked our way out into the street and, about 9:15
Steven led us off on the fifth edition of Chicago's World Naked Bike
Ride.

To be continued...