It’s looking like a dry, warm evening for Saturday’s World Naked Bike Ride

2014 World Naked Bike Ride -30

Celebrations before the 2014 ride. It usually rolls around sundown.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

Oregon’s biggest pay-what-you-will group ride of the year is three days away. Maybe you’ve heard of it.

Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride will start rolling at 9 p.m. Saturday from Mt. Scott City Park, SE 74th Ave and Knight St., in what’s currently forecast to be a rain-free night after a warm day, with late-evening temperatures in the high 60s and a low of 54 degrees by early morning.

As always since its local origin in 2002, the ride is being organized by volunteers, and the $5,000 to $7,000 cost of the permits, port-a-potties and liability insurance is covered by donations and merchandise sales.

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This year’s project manager, Bill Chin, said in an interview last week that the ride’s cash reserves have been exhausted as of this month, so next year’s ride will be funded largely by voluntary donations and sales this weekend.

If you’d like to help keep the tradition rolling, you can chip in online, bring some cash to Saturday’s event (volunteers in shoulder sashes are collecting donations and are typically easy to find) or buy some WNBR bags, fanny packs, stickers or posters.

As usual, expect a one-way ride of about six miles. To minimize disruptions from spectators, the route is always secret, closely guarded by organizers and the police support donated by the city.

The naked ride gets a lot of national notoriety, maybe too much. But it only became notorious because it’s so big — expect a few thousand riders at the least — and it only became big because at its best, it’s truly a wonderful time. WNBR lovers all have their own reasons for loving it. For me, it’s the complete acceptance of the infinite number of ways to have a body.

We’ll be covering, of course — though from a slightly different angle than we usually have. See you there.

— Michael Andersen, (503) 333-7824 – michael@bikeportland.org

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Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen was news editor of BikePortland.org from 2013 to 2016 and still pops up occasionally.

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ethan
ethan
7 years ago

This will be my 4th Naked Bike Ride! (Well, I’ve actually done one or two smaller naked bike rides, but this is my 4th official WNBR).

In my opinion, the WNBR is one of the best events ever. I love riding my bike. I love being naked. I love that feeling when there are so many people having fun in one place that you can’t help but smile.

I’m encouraging a lot of people to go this year, and I’m hoping that the ride will make an appearance in downtown again.

I can’t wait!

John
John
7 years ago

I’m looking for thoughts on bringing a kid (7 yo)… ok idea or bad idea?

Spiffy
7 years ago
Reply to  John

I’ve seen reports from parents that have brought their kids and they had a great time… although I’d likely keep mine in underwear just in case…

Hopeful
7 years ago
Reply to  John

My kids can’t stay up that late, but as soon as they can, I’ll be looking to bring them on the WNBR. I advise to stay towards the front of the ride (You’ll end earlier, you will mostly avoid any bottlenecks, etc.) Watch when the ride starts to leave and follow (Even if you have to ride a block out of the way to get “To the ride” from the giant mass of dancing, laughing, people in the park all waiting to get their turn to join the riders.) If you get a bottleneck (With kids in tow) I’d consider leaving the route for a block and catch up in front of the bottleneck. This is an amazing event and most kids would love it.

sally allgood
sally allgood
7 years ago
Reply to  John

I would recommend against it…a bit frightful for young children. They are not old enough for you to make the decision to expose them to that.

9watts
9watts
7 years ago
Reply to  sally allgood

You mean like putting them in a car?

reader
reader
7 years ago

Shrinkage should not be a factor.

9watts
9watts
7 years ago

friends visiting from Germany mentioned that Portland WNBR was profiled on German TV recently. Who knew?

Kids, yeah. Start ’em early. We took our daughter when she was six and she still talks about it, five years later.

Doug
Doug
7 years ago

My cat is naked right now. But he sheds.

Ted Buehler
7 years ago

Thanks to Bill and all the other volunteers that are making this ride happen.

If you want to support the ride, here’s a couple ideas:

* come to the ride, and invite your friends.

* bring some cash for the donation buckets at the beginning of the ride.

* make a protest sign for your bike, or paint your cause on your body (Fred Meyer sells face paint which is good for this purpose). To keep the ride legitimate and free it needs to be a protest ride.

* send a nice note to City Council telling them you think it’s pretty badass of Portland to support the protest ride with closed streets and police control.

Ted Buehler

Ted Buehler
7 years ago

There’s also four daytime naked rides tomorrow. The daytime rides have been around for at least 10 years, with about 100 participants in the “Sunny Ride”, somewhat less in the other rides.

Morning ride, 9:30, Irving Park

Sunny ride, 12:30, Coe Circle

Fig Leif Ride, 4:00, Thurmon Trailhead

St Johns Ride, 6:00, Block Bikes.

FYI,
Ted Buehler

Ted Buehler
7 years ago
Reply to  Ted Buehler
John A Davis
7 years ago

I need some flourescent lights for my bike. Where can I get those at the last minute?

RH
RH
7 years ago

The ride has changed a bit since the smartphone took off and now spectators simply film it/snap photos/upload to social media.

Mossby Pomegranate
Mossby Pomegranate
7 years ago
Reply to  RH

Yeah but let’s face it this ride is more about the thrill of being an exhibitionist than making a political statement.

Bill Chin
Bill Chin
7 years ago

I’m this year’s Project Manager, not the Lead Organizer. It takes a team of volunteers to plan this event every year.

Ted Timmons (Contributor)

I was dragged out of town for a wedding, I am missing WNBR, the one event where I can mostly handle a huge crowd. Glad the weather cooperated.