World Naked Bike Ride 2008

Yes, it's that time of year again!

Manchester's Naked Ride will take place on Friday 13th June at around 6pm, setting off from the Basement Cafe on Lever Street. Anyone who wishes to join in or to show support will be more than welcome - particularly if you can do bodypainting! My beloved will be there, taking part again.

I don't take part myself yet, as I'm not that confident a cyclist - it's been years since I rode a bike and I haven't had much time to practice since I bought a cheap second hand one earlier this year - more on that later. Besides, someone has to mind the kids.

I'm all for it, though, for the same reasons as my beloved - his blog on the subject is here.
Firstly, it's a protest against the dominance of the car and the destruction by oil pollution of our planet's fragile ecosystems. It also highlights in a very clear way just how vulnerable cyclists are on our roads. One guy last year had "Not Invisible Now!" painted on his back. That's not to say all cyclists are sensible folks who abide by the Highway Code - we know that's not true because they are human beings and therefore just as flawed as anyone else, including car drivers.

Secondly, it's about body-positivity, celebrating the incredible diversity in shapes sizes and colours that we human beings come in. The perfect body is a myth promoted by advertisers to sell us stuff. They have to keep us insecure about our bodies (along with everything else) in order to keep us buying stuff. And they keep on finding new things to make us insecure about, as if that weren't bad enough.

Body-positivity is about acceptance of yourself and others just as they are. It's about silencing the inner critic. Of course, some people have louder and bitchier inner critics than others. That's why WNBR is Bare as You Dare - nudity is NOT compulsory, it's all down to your own comfort level. Have fun, get painted, decorate yourself and your bike in colourful ribbons and stuff. There are few things that shut up the inner critic more quickly than laughter and having fun.

So, to my friend who's reluctant to do it because she's put on a stone - I won't embarrass you by naming you - what the hell! Do it anyway! It's not a beauty contest and you look gorgeous anyway. You don't have be completely bare, but go. Have fun, and when you see the size and shape of other participants, maybe you'll feel encouraged enough to go for it anyway.