The flash of naked riders
is an annual sight in Portland
(Photo © J. Maus)

The World Naked Bike Ride doesn't roll around again til June, but Portlanders will have a chance next week to ride naked around Mt Tabor as part of an upcoming Flaming Lips music video.

I spoke about the shoot, set for Wednesday, with Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne during a break in preparing for the band's appearance tonight on the Colbert Report.

Coyne was enthused about his plan. He said he got the idea from the scene at the end of the musical Hair: "You know how it's a bunch of freaked out naked people climbing some mountain with blood and fire and finding some new civilization there -- so I thought of Portland, right?" (more...)

As a follow-up to our story yesterday, about volunteer organizers of the epic Pedalpalooza Kickoff Naked Bike Ride and Party not making enough from the event to cover the bills, comes this update (emphasis mine):

From the entire Pedalpalooza Kickoff Party organizing team, thank you for the monumental response in the way of thanks, offers to volunteer in future, and donations.

We are good financially, so save your donations for the frothy or caffeinating beverage of choice to help you glide through the rest of this delightful festival of bike fun.

(more...)

Imagine if each one of them donated $5.
- Click here to donate -
(Photo © J. Maus)

Last Saturday night, 1% of Portland's population reveled in the World Naked Bike Ride. 5,000 people enjoyed it by bike (or on roller skates, skateboards, etc...), and thousands of others did so either by seeing it live and/or by enjoying the reports and photos online.

By all measures, the event's success was an exciting watershed moment in Portland's cultural history.

But behind the scenes, the celebration has been muted. As a very small core of volunteers recover from the intense amount of work it took to plan and pull off the party and the ride, they also face debt from costly permits, licenses, porta-potties, bike racks, decorations, and so on. (more...)

The masses assemble in Northwest Portland prior to the World Naked Bike Ride. There were bikes and flesh as far as the eye could see in every direction when I took this photo (from the roof of a school bus).
- View slideshow below -
- More images -
(Photo © J. Maus)

(more...)

What more wholesome, charming sight to greet you bombing down Glisan on a warm, overcast day than 50 or so ebullient naked people on bikes?

That's what happened to me and a friend today. I threw my bike on the grass and pulled out my camera as people rode by cheering and urging us to take off our clothes and join them. Their glee was infectious -- we nearly did. But they were moving fast, and the lure of coffee was strong.

Below are a few of the photos. See you all at the main event tonight! (more...)

Riding naked. Oh what a feeling.
(Photo © J. Maus)

It's less than one week from one of the most epic rides on Portland's bike calendar (and with all the amazing rides we have, that's really saying something).

Yes, the annual World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) commences this Saturday night. In 2007 we had about 800 people on the ride. Last year, the crowd was so large I don't think anyone was even able to count it. My estimate put the number of riders at 2,000 or so.

This year, organizers estimate about 3,000 people will join the fun. (more...)

From volunteer coordinator Lily Karabaic:

This year the Pedalpalooza Kickoff Party/World Naked Bike Ride is predicted to be bigger than ever, and I need nearly 100 volunteers to make this event successful.

I'm still short about 20 positions, and the volunteer labor is vital to making the party run smoothly, safely, and allowing us to keep doing this crazy thing next year.

Friday, May 29th: TODAY IS CONSTRUCTION DAY!

The Pedalpalooza Kickoff Dance Party and Portland's World Naked Bike Ride are happening on June 13- The dance party will be at the old coffee warehouse, at 2181 NW Nicolai. This year's theme is "Where the Wild Things Are"!

All positions include fame, glory, and free beer. Check out the full details on how to volunteer.

May 29th, 2009
Construction and Clean up Day: Make the space magical! Ability to hold a hammer or broom the only requirement. RSVP required to anomalily at gmail dot com
12PM to 5PM (negotiable)

June 13th, 2009
Set-up Decorators: Help make things pretty and get done early! 4-9PM (2 spots open)

Night shifts are roughly 2 hours, between 8:30PM to 4AM.
Beer Servers: Keep us all in beer, wear a sash, stay sober. (6 spots open)
Clothes & Bag Check: Take people's bags and store them safely. (3 spots open)
Crowd Control: Keep everyone safe & not crazy (5 spots open)
Stair Cheerleaders: Keep people inspired & safe on the stair landing. Great job for hams (9 spots open)
21+ Checkers: Look at people's awful license pictures. Stay sober. (8 spots open)
Freight Elevator Operator: Wear a fun hat, operate the gigantic elevators. Stay sober. Pre-training required. (10 spots open)

After Party Clean-up, June 14th from 1PM to 4PM! (6 spots open)

Please email desired shift & position to anomalily at gmail dot com to volunteer! This cannot happen without your help.

Let me know if you can help out and/or if you need more information.

Contact: anomalily at gmail dot com

Please forward widely and often.

Riding naked is a "well-established
tradition".
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Oregonian reports that a Multnomah County Judge has thrown out indecent exposure charges in a naked biking case because he feels that it's a, "'well-established tradition' in Portland and understood as a form of 'symbolic protest.'"

Here's a snip from the Oregonian's story:

Judge Jerome LaBarre said the city's annual World Naked Bike Ride -- in which as many as 1,200 people cycled through Northwest and downtown Portland this past June -- has helped cement riding in the buff as a form of protest against cars and possibly even the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.

(more...)

Just a small part of the massive crowd.
More photos
Watch video below
(Photos © J. Maus)

A massive crowd -- which some estimate at well over 2,000 riders -- took part in the Naked Ride through downtown Portland on Saturday night (technically Sunday morning).

As we made our way from the Northwest Industrial Area to downtown (via Burnside), the immensity of the crowd became evident. (more...)

Riding naked -- what's not to love?
(Photos © J. Maus)

Last year, around 800 Portlanders mounted up for the annual World Naked Bike Ride.

That number tied with London for the largest crowd in the world, and this year, organizers expect the crowd to swell to 1200-1500 people.

If you've never done the ride, you should really consider it. This year will be my fourth time and it's always an absolutely unforgettable experience. There's just something about being naked on a bike, whizzing through the heart of downtown Portland -- while crowds of club-goers spill onto the streets to give you high-fives and incredulous looks -- that defies description. (more...)