(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
The South Park Blocks, home to Portland’s grand theater venues, museums, and churches, will host the 2013 Portland World Naked Bike Ride on June 8th. Ride organizers have gained the blessing of the Portland Art Museum who will host the ride in the blocks directly in front of their building on SW Park between 9th and 10th avenues.
The Art Museum sees the Naked Bike Ride as a way to heighten awareness for their Cyclepedia: Iconic Bicycle Design exhibition that also happens open on June 8th. Here’s the official word from PAM’s Director of Public Relations Beth Heinrich:
“In celebration of Cyclepedia: Iconic Bicycle Design, the Portland Art Museum is delighted to welcome the World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) to the Park Blocks in front of the Museum campus. The Museum will open the exhibition to participants before the ride begins and after the Museum is closed to the public…
WNBR will take place the first day the exhibition is open to the public and is sure to draw attention to Portland’s bike culture and the exhibition of this world class collection of iconic bicycles.”
Yep. 4-5,000 naked people on bikes will draw attention to just about anything!
Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride draws thousands of people and this year (its tenth) organizers are hoping to break a World Record (learn more about the history of the event here). While it’s a vast undertaking, the ride is put together by an all volunteer crew (that comes mostly from non-profit bike fun group Shift) that runs completely off of donations. One of the main organizers, Meghan Sinnott, tells us they are open — and very interested in — a large sponsor to help offset costs.
Sinnott also points out that they’ve got a brand new website at PDXWNBR.org. Also, tonight at Filmed By Bike is the debut of Bare as You Dare a 17-minute film by NW Documentary that chronicles Portland’s Naked Bike Ride through the words of its organizers, spectators, and participants. Sinnott will be taking donations for the Naked Bike Ride at the screening tonight at 7:00 pm at Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton).
You can donate right now on the WNBR website.
Mark your calendars for June 8th at 10:00 pm. Whether you go fully naked or not, everyone is encouraged to participate (not just spectate!) in this amazing and enthralling Portland tradition.
Keep up to date and learn more at the PDX WNBR Facebook page.