How was the Naked Ride for you? (I’m hoping you can fill me in)

https://twitter.com/carltonreid/status/615042375304413184/photo/1
I missed the World Naked Bike Ride this year so I’m hoping you can fill me in.

There are not many things that would keep me away from this ride. It’s not only one of the most fun and inspiring nights of the year for me personally, but the recap and photos I usually post are by far the most popular of the entire year (by a mile).

(Don’t feel sorry for me not being there, I was at another event where love, celebration and optimism filled the warm night sky — the wedding of your favorite bike journalist Michael Andersen to his wonderful partner Maureen Young!)

So… How’d it go?

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I’ve heard different takes on it from various people and have read some of the coverage in the local media (who seemed to be doing blanket coverage of it this year); but I’d love to know more about how it went from you, my trusted friends and readers.

Here’s what I’ve heard so far:

  • It was huge (no official estimate yet).
  • There was a big bottleneck at the start that required quite a bit of walking.
  • There were a lot of people on the ride who didn’t seem to have ever biked before, or hadn’t biked in many years.
  • There were quite a few people who lacked respect for others. David Boerner wrote about a few of them, as did Elly Blue (FB).
  • The route was lined with enthusiastic crowds.
  • The party at the end was amazing and epic and full of the very best kind of debauchery.

OK, what else?

I’d love to keep my perfect record of World Naked Bike Ride recaps (since 2005!) alive here on the site. But this year I need your help to do it. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences and takeaways…

And if you had fun, please consider donating to the organizers for next year!

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Dan
Dan
8 years ago

“It was huge (no official estimate yet).” Hilarious.

fool
fool
8 years ago

Unofficial organizer estimate is “bigger than last year, and thus biggest ever”. We’ll let you know when we get a count. Some of the stuff you mentioned:

– many new bikers
– much walking at start

is true but normal from my PoV.

As usual, our community did a pretty good job of not pissing off the neighbors or leaving a huge mess, and we haven’t received any reports yet of sexual harassment or major injuries (please sound off here in case you have heard of that – we follow up on all reports of those problems!)

route was belmont->39th->hawthorne->50th->division->water->waterfront

John Lascurettes
8 years ago
Reply to  fool

I did overhear while the ride was well under way one pair of female riders say:

F1 “what? did you say that guy grabbed your boob?”

F2 “yeah.”

F1 “that’s hilarious [or awesome I can’t remember exact word]”

F2 “yeah!”

I don’t think I’d describe it as awesome because certainly there are other women that wouldn’t be as jovial about it. But they didn’t seem so bothered by it.

Oregon Mamacita
Oregon Mamacita
8 years ago

Hmm, interesting choice of anecdote, and the most important adjective
missing. ***A portion of this comment has been deleted because it was found insulting by more than one other commenter and I didn’t like the tone. — Jonathan***

John’s post might be something that BP cuts because the facts aren’t clear and could be hurtful to the ride. In past years there haven’t been stories of major harassment (at least I haven’t heard of any), so that is good. Since John raises the issue of boob-grabbing, it would be interesting to know if the pattern (Men keeping their hands to themselves dammit) persisted this year with the growing crowd and the out-of-towners. I have seen so many out-of-town plates in SE this week it isn’t funny. Hopefully the history of the rides being safe continues.
I am glad the bigot was taken care of- he had no right to make folks feel unsafe.

soren
8 years ago

i’ve obviously pushed your buttons in some way but that does not excuse falsely accusing me of supporting sexual violence.

Zimmerman
Zimmerman
8 years ago
Reply to  soren

There were three billy goats that needed to cross this bridge one time…

soren
8 years ago
Reply to  Zimmerman

thanks…good advice.

Oregon Mamacita
Oregon Mamacita
8 years ago
Reply to  soren

Soren, I was joking.

Oregon Mamacita
Oregon Mamacita
8 years ago

To clarify- I accused you of “mansplaining” as a joke. If I think someone is guilty of sexual violence I give no quarter- just ask Hart Noecker…

My point about the anecdote is not joking- it is a weird anecdote suggesting
that a stranger touching a woman was acceptable to a woman and I just don’t buy it. Been naked in public before and there is ettiquette- no touching, no staring.

John Lascurettes
8 years ago

I was trying to say I didn’t understand the sentiment. If it went down as described, I’m not happy about it. But because of their attitude, there may be something I’m missing (or I completely missed an ironic tone in their voices). I was only recounting it because there was another comment of “no reports of sexual harassment”.

Oregon Mamacita
Oregon Mamacita
8 years ago

I suspect that you weren’t close enough to hear everything and prob. mis-heard or mis-interpreted. Easy enough to do in a crowd, and, yes, there were visual distractions galore.

Based on my experience in clothing-optional situations there are strong unwritten rules and touching is not okay.

9watts
9watts
8 years ago

Your joke isn’t funny and like Soren I don’t see what you’re driving at.
As sensitive as you (Oregon Mamacita) have shown yourself to be here on occasion, your ‘joke’ seems like a real gaffe to me. What in your mind do we have to do with this overheard conversation?

John Lascurettes
8 years ago

To be clear, I found it disturbing. I didn’t witness the event, just heard what the two riders said. I’ve certainly witnessed unsolicited touching in rides in the past (particularly when we used to ride through club districts near last call).

Josh Chernoff
Josh Chernoff
8 years ago

My blacklight + UV body paint was a big hit this year 🙂

PatrioticMarine
PatrioticMarine
8 years ago
Reply to  Josh Chernoff

I think I saw you and commented how awesome it was! You were with a woman rider and had a question mark near your lower lumbar vertebrae right?

Fallaballa
Fallaballa
8 years ago

was incredible… i had a great time. some cars traveling east on Division were probably bummed…

carrythebanner
Josh
8 years ago
Reply to  Fallaballa

Speaking of, why were some cars being waved through by police eastbound on Division, for one block from SE 10th to 11th? It certainly seemed to surprise all of the riders near me, myself included. The traffic assistance was superb otherwise for the rest of the route, but that one block was potentially dangerous.

Fallaballa
Fallaballa
8 years ago

“There were a lot of people on the ride who didn’t seem to have ever biked before, or hadn’t biked in many years.”

that’s good, right?

Elly Blue link does not work.

Psyfalcon
Psyfalcon
8 years ago
Reply to  Fallaballa

Yes… people on bikes is always good. No… that many people in tight confines, now with even less than normal protection from the road or sharp bike parts.

was carless
was carless
8 years ago
Reply to  Psyfalcon

I didn’t ride this year, but in past years its about the same crowdidness as you would find in a place such as Amsterdam. Be glad you weren’t biking with cars and streetcars in the mix…

jeffb
jeffb
8 years ago

Awesome. Just awesome. What a way to celebrate an amazing week, proud to be human.

Me
8 years ago

This was my 7th WNBR and I thought it was the best. Like in other years, there were thousands of happy people laughing and smiling. It was light hearted, euphoric, and fun. I saw a lot of people on the sidelines cheering and clapping. I saw no sketchy element (although I know Ellie and others had different experiences.) It felt like there were lots of out of town guests.
Looking forward to next year (Although can’t we have another large sunset naked ride at the end of summer?)

Matt
Matt
8 years ago

After many years of being on the fence about this ride, I joined in. I approached the start from farther Southeast and as I crossed Powell and headed toward Clinton, I started seeing more and more cyclists on the streets (many already naked), and it just grew until I arrived at the park.

There were so many people that it took an hour for me to actually get on the bike and start riding up Belmont (10:15). The many folks in great spirits combined with the warm air passing over my skin had me feeling like I was gliding through some kind of amniotic fluid of life (and I wasn’t intoxicated or high). It was surreal.

Heading down Division I had a brief but short lived thought….. what if, just what if the ride heads over the Tilikum Crossing? That would have been amazing, but it was not to be.

There were some sizable pot holes on the route at around 3rd and Mill that at least one cyclist fell on (and was being tended to by Portland Fire).

I did not stick around for the party and quietly made my way back through SE. A great ride! Thanks to Portland Police for being out there and to the organizers pulling it together.

Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy
8 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Matt, It is called Pharemones. Super rush of sex scent.

gutterbunnybikes
gutterbunnybikes
8 years ago

The only incidents I noticed was the religious zealot on Taylor before the ride, missed the confrontation with him (but I guess he was abusing a rainbow flag and someone jumped in to stop him – cops broke it up – or at least that what I heard happened) , but I saw his sign and heard his microphone rants until the crowd out chanted him.

There was one wipe out I heard happen about 10′ feet behind me, pretty packed in at the time, felt bad I couldn’t stop to help – but many others stopped immediately to assist.

Actually it and Parkways are my favorite rides because of all the new riders. Yeah it gets kinda tough navigating the route at times because of this, but this gets more butts in seats. And the reactions, especially from the first timers is always fun to watch.

Though my favorite thing after WNBR – is go to CL and look at all the missed connection listings – love all the really vague (uhh you rode a bike and had black panties on) listings- they’re funny.

Great time all in all.

gutterbunnybikes
gutterbunnybikes
8 years ago

Knew I saw a pic of the first incident,

http://iconosquare.com/p/1017653030292465747_1594672985

Kristen
Kristen
8 years ago

One of my favorite things was a first-timer who rode beside me for a minute and said, “Man, I’ve done a lot of crazy things in my life but this one beats them all. This is awesome!”

Curt
Curt
8 years ago

I was on the fence about riding this year, after doing the last three. But I live near Belmont, so at about 9:15 I walked over to watch, steady stream of folks for probably 25 minutes. Then I decided to ride! Walked home, hopped on the bike, joined the parade. So I’d say I was nearer the end than the beginning for sure. Ride was steady, only one bottleneck at Hawthorne & 50th. Heard one spectator on Division say that riders had been going by for an hour and half (and that seems possible as it must have been getting near 10:30pm by then). Good fun down under the freeway along the waterfront afterwards.

BIKELEPTIC
8 years ago

Here’s my write-up and photos! (All mostlyish workish safe.) I mean, I wouldn’t be looking at WNBR stuff at work anyway, but I don’t make a habit of not looking at stuff that’s not work related when I’m at work, so. . .

http://bikeleptic.com/index.php/2015/06/29/2015-pdx-wnbr-brings-pedalpalooza-to-a-close/

John Lascurettes
8 years ago

I’ve done eight of these now and this was by far the warmest. After reaching the finish and dancing to the drum corps until they were done, I went and joined dozens of other riders skinny dipping in the Willamette. Absolutely 100% rewardingly refreshing! It was my first dip in the Willamette.

John Lascurettes
8 years ago

Also to note, nearly no one started whipping their clothes out of their bags and putting them on at the end. Everyone was plenty warm still. Lots of naked dancing and celebration for hours after the end! Wonderful wonderful.

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

This was my first WNBR. As I was biking to the starting location, it felt like the Portland Hajj. It was quite exciting that so many people of all different bicycling skill levels and body types were coming together to protest the automobile, and to celebrate the human body.

I had suspected it would take a while for the entire crowd to get out onto the road once the ride started. But I think on-street parking on 20th Ave was part of it. We all had to take turns to squeeze between the row of parked cars to get onto the 20th Ave. For an anti-automobile ride, shouldn’t parking directly adjacent to the starting point be closed or managed more effectively?

I had a great time. My only suggestion: More music next time!

inwe
inwe
8 years ago

as a first time for me, i have to say i was a little disappointed in the route. i was ecstatic at the thought of going over the tillikum into downtown, but alas. instead, we went through some pretty rough patches on water ave. (where i saw what looked like bad falls) and ended just across the railroad tracks. the street conditions, the rail crossing, and the passing frieght train itself, combined with the massive, quickly swelling crowds made for a poor combination there at the end.

that said, i felt it was even more disappointing for another reason entirely. it was important to me to join this year because of all the autocarnage of late. for a protest ride, this route really felt like the path of least resistance. the 2013 WNBR shut traffic in the central city down for two hours. that was incredible! this year, i kept thinking “that’s it??”

overall, i am very glad i joined, but i am not sure i would do it again. between the meaning seeming largely lost and the gross, exploitative behavior of some of the spectators, i did not have as much fun as i expected to.

but to that one guy on division saying “thank you for riding!” — thank you!!

Paul Cole
Paul Cole
8 years ago
Reply to  inwe

Just curious, was there something that made you think that the Tilikum Crossing was a possibility for the WNBR’s route?

It was my understanding that the first chance for the public to legally ride over was going to be during Bridge Pedal.

John Lascurettes
8 years ago
Reply to  Paul Cole

Same here. The first publicly available crossing of the bridge is Bridge Pedal. Then it will be closed again until the official opening (a month or two later?).
Though I do have to say, it was all lit up teasingly and if a breakaway pack had gone to ride it illegally I would have been tempted have joined them.

Carl
Carl
8 years ago

Sadly, if the WNBR remains huge, it will probably never cross the Tillikum. It’d be a chokepoint if we just used the sidewalks and the deck has tracks on it.

But you know what bridges are plenty wide and don’t have tracks on ’em? Fremont and Marquam.

inwe
inwe
8 years ago
Reply to  Paul Cole

nothing more than than the sight of the lit up bridge from division and the expectation of crossing the river somewhere.

BIKELEPTIC
8 years ago
Reply to  inwe

You will be happy to know that the organizers scour social media to get both good and negative feedback so that they can find out “what can be done better” next year.

When participation reaches 10K+ you are absolutely correct, routes are planned for “least resistance” as for instance, it took approx an hour and a half just to get the group out of the park. Last year it took us about 1hr to get the group out of Normandale, the last couple of years it’s been an hour & less.

I am thrilled that after spectating in 2013 you decided to participate this year! I also have great news for you! If you didn’t like the route this year, don’t worry! It will be different next year. That’s the great thing about this protest. It evolves, changes – is organic and is brand new every year.

I definitely encourage you to try it again next year – volunteer! It’s a great way to get the inside track. You don’t have to dedicate 8 months of your life by becoming one of the organizers (unless you really, really want to) – there’s all sorts of opportunities before, during and after the event. Sure beats standing around getting leered at.

John Lascurettes
8 years ago
Reply to  BIKELEPTIC

After two years of not doing it, it would be nice to cross a bridge again, even if it’s to cross right back over to the east side. Last year it was because of too many event conflicts from what I heard. I was hoping this year, because of the later date, that we’d cross the river again. Still love doing the ride though!

inwe
inwe
8 years ago
Reply to  BIKELEPTIC

see, i would have expected a massive protest ride to be planned for safe riding conditions, ample open space at either end, and effectiveness in getting out a message, not speed and efficiency of clearing the roads.

i have been following WNBR for ten years (and all things active transportation in portland), but i definitely do not spectate. i know about how disruptive the ride in 2013 was, not because i stood around leering at people, but because i live and work downtown. you could not walk, ride, or drive one block without feeling the impact of that ride. trains weren’t running, buses were stopped. smart drivers turned off their engines and got out of their cars laughing or cheering (while others sat red-faced and fuming in their rolling coffins, huffing on fumes and burning gas going nowhere). nearly everyone i encountered the next day at work had something to say about WNBR. when i call it “incredible,” that is why.

Carrie
Carrie
8 years ago

This was my first WNBR and it was pretty fun. The only bummer was, while we were waiting to get going on the route, there was a fully-clothed guy in the crowd wearing a go-pro on his head filming all the naked girls. Lame.

BIKELEPTIC
8 years ago
Reply to  Carrie

I’m super sorry that you experienced this – and we want you to come back and join us again next year! If you see this again next year find (or call out to) someone with a blue WNBR sash or one of our security officers and we’ll chase them off.

Scott B
Scott B
8 years ago

Overall an awesome ride, due to the heat & humidity I got to Colonel Summers as early as I could and the shirt came off IMMEDIATELY with everything else coming off about an hour later to get my Rainbow Hearts Bodypaintings done!

I definitely concur on the New/Beginners angle it was one of my favorite parts of this ride I had around 30 conversations and it seemed most were with new people.

This year I rode up near the front so the ride only took around a half hour and was 5.7 miles according to my app I use for such things.

During the ride I made the decision that this being my 5th ride I NEED to get involved with planning going forward.

As I said, an awesome ride.

FYI – I wanted to thank you for the great photo you took of me last year at the end of the ride – it’s one of my favorite photos of myself EVER!

Sam
Sam
8 years ago

I had a ton of fun once the ride got started, but there were a couple of photographers who were pretty disgusting and openly sexualizing women at the start. My friends and I told one guy who was being super creepy to please not take our photo, and his response was, “but you girls are so sexy.” Another one with THREE professional cameras was buzzing around us for a good hour. He came off less like a journalist and more like a voyeur. I get that we’re protesting and the point is to be seen, but the guys just there to oggle women are disgusting.

BIKELEPTIC
8 years ago
Reply to  Sam

I’m super sorry that you experienced this – and we want you to come back and join us again next year! If you see this again next year find (or call out to) someone with a blue WNBR sash or one of our security officers and we’ll chase them off.

Carter Kennedy
Carter Kennedy
8 years ago

Before the ride came the World Naked Bike Walk in Col. Summers Park. That took at least an hour. But I don’t know how it could be avoided. And I thought the route was a little too short. I wanted to keep riding

rachel b
rachel b
8 years ago

WNBR is not my cup of tea, but happy for you who enjoy it. I personally wear a full beekeeper suit at all times. p.s…congratulations and best wishes to Michael!

Wear No Pants
Wear No Pants
8 years ago
TonyH
TonyH
8 years ago

A lot of fun, as usual! I support the many reasons for the WNBR, and, besides, it’s simply joyous. Our only complaint was the beer cans people left on the ground at the park. Tacky, folks. Be discreet AND neat next time and take the empties out as you leave. It was funny to go right by our house and wave back at our neighbors. The phrase, “it’s good to SEE you”, suddenly took on a different meaning. My (now) oft repeated mantra for the year: the body you have on the bike you have. Celebrate this.

Wear No Pants
Wear No Pants
8 years ago

One of them was taken just about the time the fight between the Screatcher (Street Preacher) and the participant.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/132699107@N03/19301375352/in/album-72157654882420328/

John Lascurettes
8 years ago

Not saying there weren’t riders that weren’t leaving behind empties, but there were also the lookieloos and lurkers walking around and I saw them with drinks too. If you’ve got space in a bag or you see a trash nearby, just do a solid and throw it away or save it to do the same. Frankly, I just wish riders would not drink the liquid courage before they ride at all, because when we hit those bottlenecks, they get really wobbly and unpredictable.

Ramona W
Ramona W
8 years ago

I had an awesome time. I had wanted to do this ride ever since I learned it existed about four years ago. I knew I hadn’t put enough miles on a single-rider bike to be able to do it this year and, luckily, my somewhat shy boyfriend who knew both these facts, agreed to do the ride with me on our tandem. (I think I may have created a monster since, as he was putting on board shorts for the ride home, he said “I don’t think I really like wearing clothes anymore.”)
We did see several cyclists who were less adept than one might hope to encounter in such a large group ride. It was great to see them out there making an effort though and I hope they’re able to do more riding/preparing before next year’s event.
We weren’t in the park and by the time we got lined up, borrowed some glitter, and mounted the bike it was pretty dark so I didn’t witness any of the sexualizing behavior. (Also, I was with someone and I’m in good shape but definitely no longer qualify as one of the young “so sexy” women the photographers were interested in.)
I think the most surreal part of the night for me was riding along Belmont. It’s a street I’ve driven down many times and I always go slowly so I can check out all the bikes parked at the racks. On none of those occasions did I ever imagine that one day/night I would be riding on that street on my own bike, nearly naked, in the middle of the night. Pretty freaking cool.
BTW, on the shift2bikes calendar there is a Naked Ride on the second Tuesday of July and August. Has anybody here done one of them? What did you think?

peace
peace
8 years ago
Reply to  Ramona W

Hi Ramona,

I have ridden in about 7 of the daytime rides not associated with the big WNBR dates (because there are other rides that day as well; I’m not referring to those, which btw have been wonderful too!) The “Sunny Nekkid Rides” and “Full Moon Nekkid Rides” you see occasionally listed in Pedalpalooza’s Summer calendar which I’ve ridden in have featured between 10 and 25 riders, have always been enjoyable, and in my 7 rides, have not featured so much as one moment of harassment nor bother from clothed people nor any hassle whatsoever from the police who, believe me, are aware of us. I am not an ‘activist’, do not wish to be arrested nor create a scene, I don’t protest anything—in that regard I feel like an imposter—and the rides have all felt safe, and have been absolutely gleeful events where—without the huge crowds of the WNBR—the route can be more tailored by the group to what people wish to do/include/incorporate. The ride leader is knowledgeable, clearly bent of being safe and in riders complying with the law (to include legal nudity where it’s appropriate, ie, on the bikes in motion and not when stopped at a corner grocery for beverages, as an example)—that he’s demonstrated that responsible behavior put me at ease and made each of the rides fun and unique and enjoyable. Some rides had all male riders, others a mix of men and women. No two rides alike, and I-who’ve lived in Portland for 23 years, thanks to these rides, have discovered entire neighborhoods I did not know existed. In my opinion, you should check it out. Bring a friend/male/female if it makes you feel more confident, but I went as a solo and now have a few more bike friends in my book as a result! Good luck Ramona–

P

peace
peace
8 years ago

Will the rider participant numbers be posted here when they become known, or –if not–where might I find how many riders there were this year vs. the 9060 riders in last year’s Portland ride? Thank you.

Katherine
8 years ago

It was my first time riding in the WNBR and it was fabulous. I heard so much about the sheer joy of it, the positivity, camaraderie, etc. and it all came to fruition. I echo many of the comments above. My friend I went with (who also had never done it before) actually noted how competent all the cyclists were. Maybe we were just in a “fluid” group. Police were great, route was fun and safe feeling and those cheering were fabulous. Great ride and will do it again!

Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy
8 years ago

I did notice groups of young guys, fully clothed, with their camera’s going continuously in the park. About 20 GoPros and about a thousand or so Smart phones. Most of the groups numbered between 4 and 6 fully clothed (slacks). They were plainly oggling. High school or early college age. More than once I wanted to tell them to “Take a hike!” but saw no other volunteers to back me up.
Something to think about for next year. Don’t let them into the park with clothes on!!!!

Mark Friis
Mark Friis
8 years ago

Ever since I became a bike advocate and heard about this, the urge to join in has grown over the years. This year I organized a bike tour for some friends and with great, luck the WNBR was 2 days before the start. I drove up from Redlands, CA to make sure I finally did this.
I was suspect if any of the tour folks would actually join in but to my surprise 9 of them did. We all met at Velo Cult to hook up with Phil (Metrofiets) and some families. As we got closer, riders(some clothed/some not) came from every direction. When we entered the main area, my mind was blown by the shear size. It was quite overwhelming. I took some discreet pictures of the crowd and noticed that not as many people as you would think weren’t taking many. Mostly selfies. Yeah there were some knuckleheads thinking this was something similar to finding your first nudity magazine at 8 yrs old but the way I saw it, it takes all kinds and the very few that were there to exploit it were harmless for the most part. With this may people it is truly amazing there isn’t worse happening. Hats off to Portland for having this many classy folks.
It took a long time to get going but once it started I said screw it and dropped the last item of clothing to bare it all. Glad I did. I saw no incident of people groping or such. People were overly happy and taking it in. Yeah there were a few riders lacking some skill but the speed was so slow that it hardly mattered.
Highlights:
-A long line in the 7-11 of half naked people looking for some cool refreshments.
-Impromptu dance party at halfway point to “You Don’t Have to Take Your Clothes Of to Have a Good Time”, Absolutely FUNKY, BAD ASS.
-The drum party at finish. It was so primal!!!
-The ride back to hotel as at 1 am we could still run into naked riders.

It took me a few hours laying awake in bed to finally come down from the high.
THANK YOU PORTLAND. I will be back!comment image?oh=7d882cfdebb25766721a036e797273e8&oe=5622E10B

patrick
patrick
8 years ago

This year was my first ride. I decided to go at about 7pm that night! What a warm , liberating blast of humanity!! Except for the fully clothed couple who hired a pedicab 🙁

Jim & Becky
Jim & Becky
8 years ago

An absolute joyous blast. So positive and alive.

This was our first PDX WNBR. We did SF last year, and if ever there was a worst ride ever, it’s SF. My wife rode that one fully clothed because of the very high perv content. The PDX vibe was so good she stripped off completely as soon as we got in the park. We were there with Audrey (AUDREALITY on YouTube) and our friend from Clackamas.

We drove up from CA. Yes I know, drove. We made it part of our vacation, visiting friends in Clackamas, hitting Collins Beach, and some other activities. Taking the train was a non-starter for a few reasons.

Compared to SF, this was a very well organized and planned ride. I only heard about the anti-gay zealots the next day. I do agree that more trash cans need to be available, and easier to find. I had to search awhile to dispose of the drink cans we had. There was a group of riders next to us in the park that just left all their trash where they dropped it. Perhaps some cheap wooden dowels and a red or orange plastic flag attached to the trash cans that can be seen over the heads of everyone? And please, no more potholed, unlit streets! Both of us were almost injured on that last street.

We didn’t have long to wait once the ride started, guess we were in the right place. Has PDX considered doing what London does? London starts from multiple parks, eventually funneling into the main ride. And I agree, it was too short.

We loved the crowd support and enthusiasm, I was giving high fives along the way, and my bike bell got a lot of use. Those complaining about noobs are either bike snobs or hypocrites. All of us were noobs once, and the whole idea is to get people on their bikes. Careful what you wish for.

As to photographers, it was expected. It’s a public place, and legally people are free to snap all the pics they want of anyone who’s there. PDX being a night ride does reduce it some. Multiple starting points might have an affect of that as well.

See you next year!