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Brighton revellers bare all for bike ride

4:30pm Sunday 14th June 2009


The sun may well have been shining but there was plenty of mooning at the fourth naked bike ride.

Cyclists of all ages took to the streets of Brighton to protest against oil dependency and to show the vulnerability of cyclists on the road.

Hundreds of people gathered at The Level from midday today, some covered their bits with body paint while others were more than happy to bare all.

James Watts, 23, from Brighton, said: “I wanted to get naked in public.

“I had no idea I was going to do this an hour ago but we saw it was on and thought let's come down here and get naked. Who knows, I might become a regular.

“It's quite liberating but I am a bit disappointed at the level of nakedness, I thought there was going to be a lot more.

“It's going to be good but I'm not looking forward to the chafing.”

The cyclists left The Level at about 1.45pm, led by a tandem and Penny Farthing, to make their way past landmarks including the Pavilion and the Palace Pier. They also cycled to Hove and back to Kemp Town, finishing on the naturist beach where they could go for a dip if they wished.

Co-ordinator Nick Sayers said the event was also helping to highlight the Government's response to the recession which had been to bail out the motor industry and encourage cheap credit to fuel consumerism.

He said money should instead have been used to improve the infrastructure needed for sustainable transport.

He said: “It's a real party carnival atmosphere. There is flag making and people can sit down and have a picnic on the level.

“It's the most liberating feeling. It's amazing. The real symbol of the road is how freeing being on a bike is. You are not constrained to petrol stations.”

Another cycling spectacular which took place today was the bicycle ballet in Jubilee Square, Brighton.

Bicycles danced to the pulse of the city, fusing dance forms with imagery and a soundtrack.


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Your Say YourArgus

Teresa Green, Sussex says...
4:37pm Sun 14 Jun 09

Really glad there wasn't any photos accompanying this article.

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jonathon, Brighton says...
4:40pm Sun 14 Jun 09

I watch them cycle along Hove seafront. Not a pleasant, sight I'm afraid. The young naked fit one looked good but the old folks, well everything seemed to have dropped. There was one old lady with her breast lower than her handlebars. What I could not understand was, if it is a naked cycle ride, why were half of them wearing trunks or their knickers.Good Luck to them, half of them were very brave.

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mark 62, brighton says...
5:06pm Sun 14 Jun 09

i thought riding bikes made you fit? obviously most of these dont ride!

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Lawson-land, East Brighton says...
5:17pm Sun 14 Jun 09

What a bunch of nobs...

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Bennn, Brighton / Dieppe (FR) says...
5:54pm Sun 14 Jun 09

HOW IS IT YOU OLD MISERABLE PEOPLE MOAN AND GROAN ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE ON THIS WEBSITE????????
Please get a life and let Brighton be Brighton: a cool, funky, bohemian, alternative city where people have fun and yeah, ONCE a year, ride naked on bikes! I was down there today and it was lovely: people of all ages, flags, colors, smiles, sun... The only nobs here are the grumpy people sitting in front of their computer and criticizing the people and the things that make Brighton a special place. If you don't like the city for what it is move to Hastings! Long live the spirit of Brighton and Hove!

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yorkie44, Woodingdean says...
6:01pm Sun 14 Jun 09

I still don't understand why they have to be naked. It just turns the issue into a farce.

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holly83, Brighton says...
6:03pm Sun 14 Jun 09

As a young women with body dismorphia I think this is a fantastic, reasuring and heart warming. We live in an age where young women are exposed to images of skeletal air brushed women with unachievable fake bodies. In a society where eating disorders are becoming more and more prevalent it's about time somebody took a stand and acted as a role model to young people. As a cyclist myself i am often aware of the vunerability of road users. Cycling poses little threat to the enviroment and helps reduce car culture. I only hope i have half the courage if these people next year! I think it's very sad that some people can't see the value of this fantastic demonstration.

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Jim BB, Brighton says...
6:09pm Sun 14 Jun 09

Ooh, the saddle sores! This sounded like a great event. Can we have advance publicity next time, please, so we can go and lend our support - or even join in!

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owler, Brighton says...
6:35pm Sun 14 Jun 09

I happened upon this event this afternoon quite by surprise as they were on Hove Lawns.. have to say - it cheered me up no end and a couple of the riders came over for a chat - didn't know where to look!!! ;) it was good fun.

Well done to the riders - hope you had as much fun as we did..!

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Dave At Home, Brighton says...
6:55pm Sun 14 Jun 09

Bennn wrote:
HOW IS IT YOU OLD MISERABLE PEOPLE MOAN AND GROAN ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE ON THIS WEBSITE????????
Please get a life and let Brighton be Brighton: a cool, funky, bohemian, alternative city where people have fun and yeah, ONCE a year, ride naked on bikes! I was down there today and it was lovely: people of all ages, flags, colors, smiles, sun... The only nobs here are the grumpy people sitting in front of their computer and criticizing the people and the things that make Brighton a special place. If you don't like the city for what it is move to Hastings! Long live the spirit of Brighton and Hove!
didn't see you mention that you were naked thou, bet you will say you were and who can argue with you. Just another saddo who thinks they have the right to thrust their naked bodies onto visitors of B&H.

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caeos, sussex says...
7:11pm Sun 14 Jun 09

the amount of phone calls to the police complaining about the forced hold up of traffic by non-police officers, and the number of people who got off their bike to walk naked was amazing. despite telling the police that these solo naked people were committing an offence did nothing.. and NO they werent on their bikes. some on the bus were complaining, the other 90% were laughing at the people involved

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freddo, Brighton says...
7:29pm Sun 14 Jun 09

'saddo' seems to describe well the moaning minnies who seem to spend their lives being grumpy in the Argus comments section! this was a great fun event - yes i was there, and no I wasn't naked - despite it's name, the motto is 'bare as you dare'... the only downer was an incident outside Jubilee Library where I saw a youth in a football shirt spitting at one of the riders... the procession, tho long, moved at quite a pace this year so the miserable lardy people in their hot smokey 4x4s were inconvenienced only minimally.

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blockhead, brighton says...
7:37pm Sun 14 Jun 09

perhaps they should have ridden up to Devils Dyke, the 82 bike route around Hangleton is completely overgrown, riding through nettles and brambles would have been interesting,


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Osama bin there, Brighton says...
7:53pm Sun 14 Jun 09

For goodness sake, it could hardly be called a disruption. The Smash Edo thing was a disruption.
I don't have any problem with people getting naked.
You all need to lighten up a bit. You sound like Victorians. it was just a bit of fun with a serious message. And it seems that hardly anyone was fully naked anyway.
Isn't that what Brighton is all about?

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Bennn, Brighton / Dieppe (FR) says...
8:22pm Sun 14 Jun 09

Well said Osama! Yes this is what Brighton is all about and yes some people here really need to lighten up and stop complaining about every single story on this website.

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BN1, Brighton says...
8:32pm Sun 14 Jun 09

Bet there's a few smelly saddles now... lol!

Good luck to 'em, looked like a good turn out with everyone havng a good time when we drove past the Level.

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ptolemye, brighton says...
8:50pm Sun 14 Jun 09

(dalek voice) "you must put your clothes on or you will be exterminated. it is disgusting. it is unnatural. i am disgusted." lighten up people...there's a lot of stuff out there that's much more serious. get a grip.

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stickman, Portslade says...
9:51pm Sun 14 Jun 09

Jim BB wrote:
Ooh, the saddle sores! This sounded like a great event. Can we have advance publicity next time, please, so we can go and lend our support - or even join in!
Agreed - Argus, next time give some advance notice please.

Keep up the weird stuff Brightonians or we will sink to becoming yet another dull, characterless chav town.

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Bennn, Brighton / Dieppe (FR) says...
10:01pm Sun 14 Jun 09

stickman wrote:
Jim BB wrote:
Ooh, the saddle sores! This sounded like a great event. Can we have advance publicity next time, please, so we can go and lend our support - or even join in!
Agreed - Argus, next time give some advance notice please.

Keep up the weird stuff Brightonians or we will sink to becoming yet another dull, characterless chav town.
I could not agree with you more Stickman! It's important to keep the spirit of Brighton and Hove alive. Brighton is a special place and must stay that way.

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minamay, Brighton says...
1:38am Mon 15 Jun 09

I think for all of those complaining about old people with their bits out, you really have missed the point! Being a young woman suffering from social anxiety and body issues, this was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. In fact anyone who says negative things about it just doesn't get it.

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sparklebn7, lewes says...
8:02am Mon 15 Jun 09

It was a great atmosphere, typical Brighton summer vibe. My three year old thought it was great fun and never once commented on the mens bits, just the pink wigs, ballons and flowers etc. Bless her.

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the rudeestmaninhove, Hove well Brighton actually says...
9:42am Mon 15 Jun 09

Bennn wrote:
HOW IS IT YOU OLD MISERABLE PEOPLE MOAN AND GROAN ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE ON THIS WEBSITE???????? Please get a life and let Brighton be Brighton: a cool, funky, bohemian, alternative city where people have fun and yeah, ONCE a year, ride naked on bikes! I was down there today and it was lovely: people of all ages, flags, colors, smiles, sun... The only nobs here are the grumpy people sitting in front of their computer and criticizing the people and the things that make Brighton a special place. If you don't like the city for what it is move to Hastings! Long live the spirit of Brighton and Hove!
You are obviously not a born and bred Brightonian,those who are find this sort of crap and Pride absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary. BRIGHTON IS A PLACE TO LIVE IN NOT TO BE SEEN IN!! For some of us!!

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Hawker101, The Hawk says...
9:48am Mon 15 Jun 09

Ha ha quite a funny event, saw the loons ride past, shame no fit nudes though, most were old or rank.

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Andre Spooner, Brighton says...
10:29am Mon 15 Jun 09

Wow. These complainers are awesome. "I hate naked bike rides and pride and anything fun. Why can't we just live in a city where nothing happens. Some of us LIVE HERE rather than HAVE FUN. I hate you all!!1"

I was there! Wearing nothing but my mighty horse! I, Andre Spooner, shall ride down the online moaners and doubters! They shall be crushed beneath my mighty hooves! Huzzah for the naked bike ride! Joy to horses and riders of horses! Spooner rides again!

Wow my security word was "The-Joy-Of-Complain
t."

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Simonofthepiemans, Brighton says...
10:44am Mon 15 Jun 09

What has having some fun while making a serious point got anything to do with where you live? I would be glad of anything fun or different where ever I resided. It's what makes life that little bit more interested. Hats off to all those who enjoy a little diversity and Sweaty bottoms on saddles to those that don't.
:)

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Ian (the train) H, Cheltenham says...
10:55am Mon 15 Jun 09

I have a folding bike and travelled down from Cheltenham specifically to take part. I also went on the London ride the day before, the first time I had cycled around London, seeing the sights, without the close proximity of cars, being totally naked. I have cycled around Brighton a few times and it is great that you have so many cycle routes. The sheer thrill of cycling naked along with a lot of others around your city really made a carnival atmosphere. It was also great that so many lardys in their 4x4 were halted with our non-polluting wheels. Also it was warming to receive applause along the route. The party atmosphere made the day. Descending Dukes Mound, full of naked cyclists was the highlight of the day. To all who have made negative comments on this website, get on your bike now, practice riding around your city then next year, get your kit off and enjoy yourself. See you next year.

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Beethoven, Leicestershire says...
11:31am Mon 15 Jun 09

" In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is an offence for someone, male or female, to expose their genitals if they intended another person to see them and to be caused alarm or distress. There is also the common law offence of outraging public decency."

That is the law - so why were they not stopped and arrested??

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pinkflipflop32, UK says...
11:39am Mon 15 Jun 09

Me and my partner travelled a long way to take part in this bike ride. It was a fantastic experience and the carnival atmosphere and superb weather just added so much. Of course there will be some who find nudity offensive, but overall the impression we had in this liberal yet lawful city, was that the vast majority of spectators also found the event fun, exciting and no doubt thought provoking!! I would also like to say a big thank you to Sussex Police for providing their support ensuring the safety of riders, spectators and people caught up in traffic jams. They did a wonderful job and are a credit to their Constabulary.

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feathersohollow, Brighton says...
12:05pm Mon 15 Jun 09

I took part in the bike ride, and even bared all on the second leg. It was a great day and I personally felt a great sense of liberation, acheivement and confidence. Me and a few others with various self-image issues took part and really enjoyed ourselves. Nudity is a fantastic leveller, everyone has a body, what was wonderful was the variety of ages, shapes and sizes that did take part.

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jonathon, Brighton says...
2:29pm Mon 15 Jun 09

What I could not understand is, why if it is a naked bike ride do the majority of them have some clothes on? It just defetes the object of the exercise. If it is going to be an annual event could it be advertised more. As for the old woman with her tits down to her knees, give up dear before you have a nasty accident.

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wardth, Preston Park says...
5:04pm Mon 15 Jun 09

Thats right you freaks, sod all the parents with children that witnessed this. I'm sorry but I take offence to having young children subjected to enforced nudity such as this. I have no problem with it happening in a controlled environment but this was anything but controlled and certainly not expected by the vast majority of people who were down for the day.

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wardth, Preston Park says...
5:07pm Mon 15 Jun 09

minamay wrote:
I think for all of those complaining about old people with their bits out, you really have missed the point! Being a young woman suffering from social anxiety and body issues, this was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. In fact anyone who says negative things about it just doesn't get it.
Well thats all good but did you have to subject the wider public to your "Social anxiety and body issues"? What happended yesterday was actually against the law as it caused offence to some people, enough I would imagine to get the event stopped next year.........

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Txa, B&H says...
6:02pm Mon 15 Jun 09

wardth wrote:
minamay wrote: I think for all of those complaining about old people with their bits out, you really have missed the point! Being a young woman suffering from social anxiety and body issues, this was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. In fact anyone who says negative things about it just doesn't get it.
Well thats all good but did you have to subject the wider public to your "Social anxiety and body issues"? What happended yesterday was actually against the law as it caused offence to some people, enough I would imagine to get the event stopped next year.........
Perhaps wearing a costume will be good enough, I think most of the comments have been missing the point, which is to show the vulnerability of the cyclists, or is it only about nakedness??

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DougM, Brighton says...
6:17pm Mon 15 Jun 09

If you were offended by this ride, or you think that children are somehow at risk from seeing someone in the nude, you really need to grow up and get out from under your rock. One of the fundamentals of life is the fact that we were born naked, and that under our clothes we generally have similar attributes. I bet you're the same sort of weirdos that think public breastfeeding should be a crime. God help any offspring of yours, brought up blinkered, in the dark.

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Skippah, Brighton says...
6:35pm Mon 15 Jun 09

To all you lot questioning why it had to be naked, do you think it, and the issues it was trying to raise, would have been noticed above all the rest of the pointless, small scale, run of the mill protests that happen every day in this city? The fact it was a naked bike ride was the fact they got their message out. Good on 'em. and on the subject of it being 'dis-tasteful' and 'offensive'...the fact things like this happen in this city is one of the things that make it a great, relaxed, excepting and diverse city to live in. I love this city.

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sussex2, shoreham says...
7:01pm Mon 15 Jun 09

Bennn, Brighton / Dieppe (FR) says...
5:54pm Sun 14 Jun 09
HOW IS IT YOU OLD MISERABLE PEOPLE MOAN AND GROAN ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE ON THIS WEBSITE????????
Please get a life and let Brighton be Brighton: a cool, funky, bohemian, alternative city where people have fun and yeah, ONCE a year, ride naked on bikes! I was down there today and it was lovely: people of all ages, flags, colors, smiles, sun... The only nobs here are the grumpy people sitting in front of their computer and criticizing the people and the things that make Brighton a special place. If you don't like the city for what it is move to Hastings! Long live the spirit of Brighton and Hove!
Unquote;


Yes, yes couldn't agree more, and the place isn't as half as bohemian as it used to be. But, these people were half arsed, excuse the expression, 'cause they weren't riding naked.
If the place was the bohemian town some of us would like, they would have cycled properly naked, not withstanding the sore cojones and other bits.
Here were I am sat stood in Barcelona it is perfectly legal to go about naked, and you can do what you like on your own property. If anyone sees then that is there problem.

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sussex2, shoreham says...
7:02pm Mon 15 Jun 09

Or even their problem..

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sussex2, shoreham says...
7:34pm Mon 15 Jun 09

I've just tried riding around the garden totally naked. I am male and the saddle on my bike is a proper mans saddle. The bike has suspension and a shock absorber in the saddle stock.
I can tell you folks that I wouldn't want to go far and am now bowing to the god of Germoline and a large whiskey.
If these people could do it for longer then good luck to them. I had to try it just to see, and as an excuse for the whiskey of course.
Amazingly my voice hasn't risen at all!

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mockduck, Brighton says...
7:59pm Mon 15 Jun 09

Hmm, yes, I can see how it might worry some parents that if their kids see so many cyclists having fun, they could grow up thinking we don't need cars. And we couldn't have that, could we?

As for all the narky comments, I have it on good authority that there are a number of regulars who regard it as a hobby to wind up Argus readers. Each to his or her own, I guess.

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rosieishere, Brighton says...
10:27pm Mon 15 Jun 09

And here is a bit of a video of it - http://vimeo.com/515
5141

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greeg, glasgow says...
11:20pm Mon 15 Jun 09

"Protesting against oil dependency "?.If they didn't drive there with their bikes on roof racks,they were naturists.I don't have a problem with what they did though.

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quiet cynic, says...
6:40am Tue 16 Jun 09

Beethoven wrote:
" In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is an offence for someone, male or female, to expose their genitals if they intended another person to see them and to be caused alarm or distress. There is also the common law offence of outraging public decency."

That is the law - so why were they not stopped and arrested??
Because there was no intention to cause alarm or distress... If people were offended then that's their problem, no-one was purposefully trying meant to offend anyone, are you stupid? The law is quite clear there as you quoted.

I did it fully naked and had a right laugh... Will be back next year for sure...

And to the rudeestmaninhove, I'm born and bred Brightonian and things like the naked bike ride and pride are the reason that I'm still in this town, though I'm not a nudist or gay.. Imagine what a sh*thole it'd be without such things... Just another Eastbourne or Hastings...

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Andre Spooner, Brighton says...
12:29pm Tue 16 Jun 09

Wow, the prudes and the haters should team up and have a fully clothed "think of the children"-off. With a regulated 5 foot distance between them in case they accidentally brush against each other and cause shock and arousal!

IT'S AGAINST THE LAW!!1 LOCK UP THE NAKED CYCLISTS!!1

I bet if they did lock them up, you'd start complaining that it's a waste of police time and they ought to catch some REAL CRIMINALS NOT JUST SIT THERE MANNING SPEED CAMERAS!!1

I do have so much respect for the man who managed to be sitting and standing at the same time in Barcelona. Power.

Back on the Mighty Horse! Spooner rides again!

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BigJohnPeacehaven, Hove says...
4:31pm Wed 17 Jun 09

Tits 'n' Bikes video at:

http://www.youtube.c
om/user/theyreallout
there

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stickman, Portslade says...
11:54pm Wed 17 Jun 09

BigJohnPeacehaven wrote:
Tits 'n' Bikes video at:

http://www.youtube.c

om/user/theyreallout

there
Well done Big John - so they're not all saggy then...

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