Hundreds of naked cyclists brave gloomy Brighton weather

1:10pm Monday 11th June 2012 in News By Peter Truman

PAINTED LADY: A patriotic woman cyclist PAINTED LADY: A patriotic woman cyclist

Hundreds of people braved the rain to take part in a special naked version of the Olympics yesterday.

Marking London 2012 and inspired by the naked ancient Greek tournaments, organisers of the Naked Bike Ride held a special triathlon with a fun run around Preston Park before the bike ride, ending with a dip at Brighton nudist beach.

The poor weather did not dissuade swathes of people from abandoning their clothes as a protest against oil dependency and promoting cycle safety.

A large crowd gathered as the naked participants met in Preston Park around lunchtime, using body paint to write protest slogans on their skin.

Among them was Tom Jasyton, who had adorned his body with “Caroline Lucas loves me”.

The 40-year-old from Brighton, who was attending his third Naked Bike Ride, explained: “I came here today to protest against car culture and oil culture.

“I have this slogan on my chest because what Caroline Lucas from the Green Party believes in is very much in tune with what I believe in.”

Another participant, Emma Sandham-King from Brighton, was happy to shed the clothes and show some skin for the cause.

The 30-year-old said: “I’m here to demonstrate the vulnerability of bikers.

“We are just bodies on bikes, we don’t have metal about us.

“And today is also about having fun.”

Sunday shoppers were left puzzled and titillated at the sight of the horde of nude bikers cycling thought the city centre streets before making their way to the coast.

But Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett was not impressed with the display.

She said: “I’m glad it rained.

“I don’t think they should be doing it along the seafront as there are kids that are down there.

“It’s not right. If they want to be exhibitionists they should go over the South Downs.”

Comments(51)

alicat1969 says...
1:19pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Ooo I can't wait for all the "how shameful, children could see them" comments that come out every year. Naked people, decorated in silly things, riding bikes (and in the rain!), is funny, ridiculous, and I would think, slightly uncomfortable! If children are taught that this sort of thing is in any way anything other than that, then they are being taught the wrong things.

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deanaprior says...
1:29pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Dawn Barnett seems to be miserable and a bit thick if she thinks its about exhibitionism. Well done to all those who took part a peaceful protest that gets noticed.

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thewhitehawker says...
1:29pm Mon 11 Jun 12

being naked doesnt mean perversion . it is statement of freedom and liberallity. lets face it the majority of humans cover up and we are very grateful they do . but some of us have fantastic stunning bodies and the rest are very jealous !

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whereisthe...? says...
1:35pm Mon 11 Jun 12

A parade of the very unwell.

How very Brighton.

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toldsloth says...
1:54pm Mon 11 Jun 12

I agree - naked isn't perversion however there is a time and place and that is NOT riding through the middle of a city on a Sunday. How would you like your 10 year old daughter exposed to several sets of mens and womans genitailia when you are walking around town. I'm not even close to being a prude but I think this is simply not on. It is unfair to lots of people who find it offensive and short of closing your eyes or turning around, there is no way you can escape. Peoples views should not be forced upon others as it goes directly against free speech and choice.

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Busterblister says...
2:10pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Does anyone know why they were doing it?

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papa_melons says...
2:27pm Mon 11 Jun 12

toldsloth wrote:
I agree - naked isn't perversion however there is a time and place and that is NOT riding through the middle of a city on a Sunday. How would you like your 10 year old daughter exposed to several sets of mens and womans genitailia when you are walking around town. I'm not even close to being a prude but I think this is simply not on. It is unfair to lots of people who find it offensive and short of closing your eyes or turning around, there is no way you can escape. Peoples views should not be forced upon others as it goes directly against free speech and choice.
We are born naked, hungry, and wet.
Then it gets a whole lot worse ......

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paladin27 says...
2:45pm Mon 11 Jun 12

I'm a Conservative and strongly support the Ride. I feel let down by Councillor Barnett. Children should not be brought up to think that there is anything wrong with the naked human body. There is no sexuality or perversion in this event.

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Retired Loon in Brighton says...
2:46pm Mon 11 Jun 12

"oil dependency and promoting cycle safety"

How can waggling their old battle sausages in the street promote cycle safety?

However, this form of protest should be promoted in Brighton and Hove. The EDL, UAF, SmashEDO, Morris Dancers against Oppression fighters etc can take a (fig) leaf out of their book.

I hope none of these nuddies tried breast-feeding whilst out and about. It's not on...breast-feeding should be reserved for babies.

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Fercri Sakes says...
2:54pm Mon 11 Jun 12

This happens on Sunday morning when all the puritans should be at church. It's perfect timing.

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Retired Loon in Brighton says...
3:06pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Fercri Sakes wrote:
This happens on Sunday morning when all the puritans should be at church. It's perfect timing.
Quite right.
Actually, we thought we had a streaker in church last Sunday morning but it just turned out that one of the choirboys had escaped from the vestry (F. Boyle, BBC 1)

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Crystal Ball says...
3:31pm Mon 11 Jun 12

If the grumpy Dawn Barnett has a problem with children seeing nude adults then perhaps she should attempt to stop the publication and broadcast of myriad magazines, websites and television programmes that children have daily and easy acces to?

Best of luck with that one.

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Flippin Burghers says...
3:39pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Councillor Barnett won't be getting my vote. "I'm glad it rained", what madness. Does she think it only rained on butt-naked cyclists? Wakey wakey, take your medicine. Half the county is on flood alert!

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Maxwell's Ghost says...
3:40pm Mon 11 Jun 12

But they aren't naked.
I feel cheated. It should be the underwear ride.

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paladin27 says...
4:06pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Actually, a lot of riders were brave enough to go naked. That is braving both the very poor weather and the taboos regarding the naked human form, both of which are "sad".
The cause is a good one. I am not anti-cars, but I am pro cycling, which around our city is dangerous, even where there are cycle lanes.
The point of cycling naked is that everybody sees you; pity that they don't seem to when you're clothed!

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nudestef says...
4:18pm Mon 11 Jun 12

I too was there riding my green bike in the nude..
It was a bit cold and wet but a lot of fun

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bustard says...
4:34pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Quite apart from the aims of the Naked Bike Ride: it brought a fair bit of trade to the town - a number stayed in hotels, B&B etc because they came from afar; others hired cycles from local firms; and yes, a good number WERE almost naked (most wore trainers - ever tried pedalling in bare feet?) - this annual event livens up a typical deluvian British summer day in Brighton. They did try a fully clothed bike ride a few years ago, but nobody noticed. I shall certainly be at the next (fairly) local Naked Bike Ride, at Portsmouth, on May 25th 2013!

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Sussex jim says...
5:31pm Mon 11 Jun 12

This is a free country. It's nice to know that no one will be prosecuted for riding naked. If any parents are concerned that their children will see naked grown-ups they should use the opportuity to explain things like pubic hair and nipples.
I am more concerned about the attitude that cycling should take over from private motorised transport. After more than 100 years the car is no longer a luxury for the rich; but another domestic appliance that even the unemployed need to use.

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Morpheus says...
6:53pm Mon 11 Jun 12

They are certainly "bodies on bikes", but they seem to have left their brains somewhere else. It is a naked bike ride and nothing else. All the statements they make to justify it are utter drivel.

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roughsea says...
8:38pm Mon 11 Jun 12

What a brave lot of fun people enjoying being human, so unlike the miserable tossers moaning and groaning. Why don't they take a break in Saudi.

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Idontbelieveit1948 says...
8:55pm Mon 11 Jun 12

The 30-year-old said: “I’m here to demonstrate the vulnerability of bikers.

Yeah right tell that to the 80 year old cyclist hit and run victim in Chichester.

Just another bunch of show offs

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photoman585 says...
11:50pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Its heart breaking to see that people like Dawn Barnett get voted on to a local body as important an organization as a local council, minimum levels on education and common sense should be mandatory to be eligible to hold such a post. If She truly believes that the human body, revealed and powering a bike is in any way offensive or corrupting to children, then she is lacking in both and it’s in part the people who voted her in or more likely the people who did not vote at all who now can see the kind of fool they have as a councillor. She needs to look at what the event is about, the many points that were being made by a large and fun loving group of people from all walks of society. For me, the slogan’s ‘Burn fat not fuel’ and ‘ Now, See me when I am clothed’ show the understanding of some of the riders as to the need to use bikes and to bring to the attention of others the need to save fuel and to be aware of and give more space to people on bikes. There may have been exhibitionists on the ride but so what Dawn Barnett, Try to understand the point Lady and work to make the roads safer and cleaner. As for your small minded outlook, ‘I am glad it rained’ I believe this is not what the tourists and traders wanted or needed over a weekend in June, not good for the economy love.

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photoman585 says...
12:14am Tue 12 Jun 12

I think Morpheus may have voted for you Dawn, seems like the dim and ignorant kind of idiot to dismiss the efforts of hundreds of people as ' utter drivel; You should know buddy you speck it.

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Brighton Visitor says...
2:10am Tue 12 Jun 12

Maybe Councillor Barnett should be forced to spend a day on the nudist beach.

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Rabid says...
4:59am Tue 12 Jun 12

Councillor Barnett should get her own house in order, drug addict violent son, before she spouts about other people.

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photoman585 says...
8:51am Tue 12 Jun 12

Councillor Barnett's family eg her son is not the kind of thing we need to bring up in this blog, she cannot be held responsible for her family members choices, we might if we are lucky be able to help family members to do the right things in life but at the end of the day each person makes their own path in life and if this young man has the problems suggested it’s his life, its his life. We can only offer support for such people if they want to change.

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Maxwell's Ghost says...
10:24am Tue 12 Jun 12

photo man. Prior to the last election I advised people to do some research into their candidates before voting for them.
That includes candidates from all parties.
All of the parties have some elected members that many if us would not leave the care of a hamster to.

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bustard says...
10:41am Tue 12 Jun 12

Sussex jim wrote:
This is a free country. It's nice to know that no one will be prosecuted for riding naked. If any parents are concerned that their children will see naked grown-ups they should use the opportuity to explain things like pubic hair and nipples.
I am more concerned about the attitude that cycling should take over from private motorised transport. After more than 100 years the car is no longer a luxury for the rich; but another domestic appliance that even the unemployed need to use.
Unfortunately, we ARE using oil etc at a far greater rate than ever before in the history of man on this planet. It will not last for ever: and one of the aims of the WNBR is to promote more thoughtful (=less!) use of our dwindling and finite resources. Many of the WNBR riders do indeed possess cars: but think before they open the door "Is Your Journey Really Necessary?" ... so they use the car less. This is not the same as "they don't use a car at all". So it's horses for courses - well, bikes for courses! There are, of course, several other threads to the WNBR - drawing attention to dismal cycling provision; the risks cyclists have to take on the roads. And I DO know that, on ocassion, the cyclist is sometimes his own worst enemy - but isn't that true of all drivers, whether they are in control of a car, a bus, a lorry, or a pushbike? It does not matter a fishes t*t who is to blame in an accident involving a cyclist and a car - the cyclist usually comes off worst.

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Maxwell's Ghost says...
11:12am Tue 12 Jun 12

The answer is simple. Stop reproducing and start adopting. There are plenty of children in the world needing homes.
Creating another human is the biggest impact on the environment you will have yet we have humans ready for recycling.
Just call your local children's services department.

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Old Ladys Gin says...
11:56am Tue 12 Jun 12

I wish to register a complaint:
This was supposed to be a naked bike ride but some of those young men in your photo are wearing underpants.
I understand that certain wobbly bits can take a battering when bike riding and may need support, but, doesn't this contravene the sale of goods act or some such.
Yours
Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells

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tooned_in says...
12:06pm Tue 12 Jun 12

Im actually going to go against the grain here and agree that I dont think it is appropriate, the cause is just but the method is too extreme. I was shopping last year when they all came flying down churchill square way kids everywhere and alot of middle aged men with their tackle out didnt seem to fit the time of day. climate change affects us all, I support it but does that mean im allowed to ride a unicycle through the shopping centre naked on a saturday lunchtime blowing a vuvuzella?

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paladin27 says...
12:19pm Tue 12 Jun 12

Actually, they do look rather wussy, but may have "manned up" for the ride, itself.
In any case, it's bare as you dare and all participants in support of the cause and event are welcome.
What is the cause of your your disgust, "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells"? Seeing too much or feeling short-changed in seeing too little?

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sussexguy says...
2:35pm Tue 12 Jun 12

Do a load of silly exhibitionists really believe they are going to make a difference and change attitudes to the oil problem? They must think the public are as naive as they themselves are. If ever there was a case of The Emperor's New Clothes, this is it. As for the situation with cycling itself, the council has bent over backwards to encourage them into the town (it is not a city, in my opinion), getting ratepayers to pay a fortune for the creation of cycling lanes, which many ignore. And they still ride dangerously on pavements. If we are into the world of protests, how about one for the pedestrians, who are so often harassed by selfish cyclists, with or without clothes on?

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Billyboyarnold says...
6:26pm Tue 12 Jun 12

Retired Loon in Brighton wrote:
Fercri Sakes wrote:
This happens on Sunday morning when all the puritans should be at church. It's perfect timing.
Quite right.
Actually, we thought we had a streaker in church last Sunday morning but it just turned out that one of the choirboys had escaped from the vestry (F. Boyle, BBC 1)
Just brilliant lol

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Idontbelieveit1948 says...
7:42pm Tue 12 Jun 12

I'm always happy when it rains on this particular parade.

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disgruntledHove says...
12:19am Wed 13 Jun 12

Just sad l missed it...l needed a laugh. Lighten up everyone..it is not a daily occurence that will taint lives or sour the milk or frighten the horses.

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photoman585 says...
12:31am Wed 13 Jun 12

That says so much more about you than it does about the 100’s of people on the ride, We know how to make the best of it and it was great fun, unlike your mean, selfish, ignorant, self-righteous out dated outlook on life, may you one day understand how good it is that you live in a country which allows people to put their point of view across in this way, many country’s do not allow any form of opinion other that the its dictatorship’s point of view. Learn how to embrace the diversity of life you are so lucky to be exposed to and if you cannot find the good in the things people do, may be you can keep your poisoned thoughts to yourself you horrible, small minded little person.

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Old Ladys Gin says...
11:31am Wed 13 Jun 12

photoman585 wrote:
That says so much more about you than it does about the 100’s of people on the ride, We know how to make the best of it and it was great fun, unlike your mean, selfish, ignorant, self-righteous out dated outlook on life, may you one day understand how good it is that you live in a country which allows people to put their point of view across in this way, many country’s do not allow any form of opinion other that the its dictatorship’s point of view. Learn how to embrace the diversity of life you are so lucky to be exposed to and if you cannot find the good in the things people do, may be you can keep your poisoned thoughts to yourself you horrible, small minded little person.
Isn't your view or at least your expression of it somewhat fascist?

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Flippin Burghers says...
12:29pm Wed 13 Jun 12

An important thing about these events is not turning up late. So they do some good by teaching people to be punctual.

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bustard says...
1:21pm Wed 13 Jun 12

sussexguy wrote:
Do a load of silly exhibitionists really believe they are going to make a difference and change attitudes to the oil problem? They must think the public are as naive as they themselves are. If ever there was a case of The Emperor's New Clothes, this is it. As for the situation with cycling itself, the council has bent over backwards to encourage them into the town (it is not a city, in my opinion), getting ratepayers to pay a fortune for the creation of cycling lanes, which many ignore. And they still ride dangerously on pavements. If we are into the world of protests, how about one for the pedestrians, who are so often harassed by selfish cyclists, with or without clothes on?
Good idea. Organise a "Brighton Naked Pedestrians Day". Quite a lot of people will attend, so long as it is sunny!!

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photoman585 says...
1:28pm Wed 13 Jun 12

Isn't your view or at least your expression of it somewhat fascist?

No

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photoman585 says...
1:53pm Wed 13 Jun 12

Idontbelieveit1948 says...
7:42pm Tue 12 Jun 12
I'm always happy when it rains on this particular parade.
So No, I feel what I said is not fascist, its jus how I see it, why do people have to say things like this, life is to short.

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Idontbelieveit1948 says...
7:38pm Wed 13 Jun 12

photoman585 wrote:
That says so much more about you than it does about the 100’s of people on the ride, We know how to make the best of it and it was great fun, unlike your mean, selfish, ignorant, self-righteous out dated outlook on life, may you one day understand how good it is that you live in a country which allows people to put their point of view across in this way, many country’s do not allow any form of opinion other that the its dictatorship’s point of view. Learn how to embrace the diversity of life you are so lucky to be exposed to and if you cannot find the good in the things people do, may be you can keep your poisoned thoughts to yourself you horrible, small minded little person.
Tut tut don't get your knickers in a twist, assuming you've got them back on.

Just because I don't agree with a load of exhibitionists prancing around doesn't make me any of the things you accuse me of.

Indeed your post says much about you and none of it is flattering.

If all you can do is insult people who aren't of the same mind as you I'll begin to think you are really Gordon Brown

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Old Ladys Gin says...
8:24pm Wed 13 Jun 12

photoman585 wrote:
Isn't your view or at least your expression of it somewhat fascist? No
Point proven, many thanks.

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Old Ladys Gin says...
8:30pm Wed 13 Jun 12

Old Ladys Gin wrote:
photoman585 wrote: Isn't your view or at least your expression of it somewhat fascist? No
Point proven, many thanks.
This definition may amuse you:

Extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice.

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hubby says...
10:44pm Thu 14 Jun 12

Pathetic exhibitionists.
No better than flashers worrying young women/girls from behind bushes in parks.
They should all be arrested.

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D360 says...
7:08pm Fri 15 Jun 12

hubby wrote:
Pathetic exhibitionists.
No better than flashers worrying young women/girls from behind bushes in parks.
They should all be arrested.
You Sir, are either a troll or an idiot.

I saw the naked bike ride and for the most part it was not a pretty sight. I would recommend that many of the participants spend a little more time on their bikes and a little less time in the fridge, however I salute you none the less.

Getting naked to demonstrate vulnerability is in my view a freshingly creative form of protest. I found the whole thing far less offensive than the way the anti fascists, EDL and SmashEDO regularly conduct themselves.

Bravo

I would also like to thank "Retired loon" for the brilliant Frankie Boyle quote

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myselfishgenes says...
6:09pm Sat 16 Jun 12

When I changed jobs and moved south to Brighton a few years ago, I was pleasantly suprised by the laissez faire attitude here. Imagine my disappointment to learn through the pages of the Argus website that no, intolerance was alive and well here after all!
To those who find this particular event upsetting, it was fairly well publicized and takes negligible effort to avoid it and let other people get on with what they want to do for a few hours once a year.
May I recommend to them the Midlands town I came from if they want to live somewhere where nothing happens.

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photoman585 says...
11:08am Sun 17 Jun 12

hubby says...
10:44pm Thu 14 Jun 12
Pathetic exhibitionists.
No better than flashers worrying young women/girls from behind bushes in parks.
They should all be arrested.

I am trying to understand this man’s mind set, but it’s so twisted and out the ball park that all I can say is ‘YOU NEED HELP’, visit your GP he/she will be able to get you the help you need, if you have done this kind of thing behind buses in parks yourself, the police will also be able to find you the help you clearly need, I say this because I just cannot work out how you came up with this analogy, the bike ride is done in public as a group, is political motivated and is a mix of male and female, straight and gay etc, not in any way a perverted or sexual thing, so I can only think you have fantasies or have partaken it the very thing you have brought up on this blog because it is such a bazaar thing to associate with the bike ride. Please get the help you so clearly need and as soon as possible.

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Barquentine says...
1:47pm Sun 17 Jun 12

I'm going into work naked tomorrow. I expect a full police escort to ensure that my employer does not infringe my human rights by sending me home.

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Idontbelieveit1948 says...
9:12pm Mon 18 Jun 12

photoman585 wrote:
hubby says...
10:44pm Thu 14 Jun 12
Pathetic exhibitionists.
No better than flashers worrying young women/girls from behind bushes in parks.
They should all be arrested.

I am trying to understand this man’s mind set, but it’s so twisted and out the ball park that all I can say is ‘YOU NEED HELP’, visit your GP he/she will be able to get you the help you need, if you have done this kind of thing behind buses in parks yourself, the police will also be able to find you the help you clearly need, I say this because I just cannot work out how you came up with this analogy, the bike ride is done in public as a group, is political motivated and is a mix of male and female, straight and gay etc, not in any way a perverted or sexual thing, so I can only think you have fantasies or have partaken it the very thing you have brought up on this blog because it is such a bazaar thing to associate with the bike ride. Please get the help you so clearly need and as soon as possible.
You don't learn do you. Here you go again fantasising on other peoples perceived problems just because they don't hold your point of view.

There is every likelihood that those taking part in this exercise contravened public decency laws and could have been arrested. That they weren't goes to show how broad minded the majority can be in stark contrast to your bizarre accusations against people you don't know and have no reason to insult.

Get a life and accept not everyone thinks this event is as wonderful as you do.

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