Flutterby™! : WNBR Seattle

As promised, pictures of World Naked Bike Ride Seattle, 2004.

I toyed briefly with trying to make the ride myself, but it didn't work out. K. had to be at work at the Seattle Center (picture of the International Fountain only works in IE ) that day, however, so I was able to be on hand when they rolled in.

All in all, it was a pleasantly surprising and impressive demonstration. I was just deciding that they hadn't made it after all when the trill of a bell drew me away from my book. The vanguard had arrived. I waited a bit, but didn't see anybody else. The three men were posing for pictures, so I wandered over to get some of my own. Not much of a turnout, I thought, but better than nobody at all. After a couple of shots one of them said, "here they come," and so I found myself almost perfectly positioned to take in the arrival of the main body.

I'm a horrible judge of numbers, but I guesstimated about 50 riders. Approximately half a dozen were women, and there was one boy who looked to be about 14. Not everyone was [completely] naked. There were boxers, briefs, bikinis and thongs - including what looked like a home-made furry number that was quite cute.

The crowd was very respectful, clapping and cheering during the arrival and at various points throughout. Two women from the crowd even stripped down and joined the bikers for a time. The leaders gave interviews to the press and addressed the crowd with a bullhorn they had brought along. (I was on the other side of the bowl at the time and couldn't hear what was said.)

After a bit of frolicking in the fountain, they collected their bikes and prepared for the next stage - whereupon the leader discovered that he had a flat tire. After the standard 15-minute wrestle with tube, tire and rim, they were once again underway - to a fresh round of cheers.