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THE UK RIDE REPORTS 2006

Rides took place in four locations this year. The photos for the rides will be available at the photos page (though it may take a while before they get put up there). A lot of photos are already up at flickr.com under the World Naked Bike Ride photo pool. Next year rides are predicted in Cardiff and/or Swansea, Edinburgh, Bristol, Oxford, Nottingham, Manchester, York, London and Brighton. The ride numbers in London are predicted to be approximately 1,500-2,000 based on current trends in ride growth. If you have time to spare, please consider getting involved with the ride planning collective local to you (or starting one if you live in a location where a ride hasn't yet been organised).

YORK (6pm on 9 June 2006)

Good news! The 2006 ride went ahead, and it was a tremendous success!
Ride report is here - in the form of a photo and written reports (350kb).
Here's an article from The Press (and the earlier article, and an earlier article in the Yorkshire Post)
There is already a picture of the ride on Wikipedia (thanks Matt).

 

MANCHESTER (6pm on 9 June 2006)

Manchester's story

We had a line of press including BBC and manchester evening news waiting for us as we climbed the steps of The Basement into lovely hot manchester.

After an hilarious Vogue-style photo opportunity where none of us where sure which would be our best side to show, we set off ringing our bells and honking our bike horns, very excited to face manchester naked.

With our friendly policemen behind us checking out the best view?! We had nothing to worry about. We passed a VERY large 4 wheel drive who's driver was overcome that 'this was legal?' The policeman just nodded that it was as he repeatedly asked in total amazement!

A woman who'd obviously just arrived, stood on the steps of the Midland hotel suitcase in hand, had turned to see us, mouth open as if she'd landed on mars, one rider shouted 'welcome to Manchester!' as we cycled passed!

The air was warm and the breeze refreshing, we had support wherever we turned, with cameras flashing, lots of cheers and even a few cyclists who joined us spontaniously along the way.

One extra special moment happened about half way through the ride, as we passed Strangeways prison. As we looked up we could see men squeezing their heads up to the tiny windows, most shouted and cheered, then at one window a lone man stretched out his arm through the bars, as if he could reach us, then holding the peace sign he shouted at the top of his voice 'FREEEEEDOOOOOOOM'. It sounds like something direct from 'Braveheart', but it really happened. And freedom we definately felt as we cycled the streets of manchester naked.

There has been lots of interest since the ride, we attracted alot of attention, by both the local news and what seemed like half of Manchester.

We laughed, we cheered, we chanted. Thank-you to all those who braved it, I know we all loved every minute, a truly amazing, bonding and freeing experience. Like nothing else we could have done on a friday night in Manchester!

Join us next year
I'll be there for sure
meg
x

(plus here's an article that appeared in the Manchester press)

BRIGHTON (10am on 10 June 2006)

Click here for the Brighton wiki which should have ride reports soon.

LONDON (3pm on 10 June 2006)

Click here for the London reports page.

NOTE FOR ALL RIDES. All four UK based World Naked Bike Ride events of 2006 were part of Bike Week. The London ride was also a part of London Sustainability Weeks and Green Transport Week. Local police forces for York, Manchester, London and Brighton each assisted rides to go ahead. It is hoped that the Brighton police force will agree to nudity in future years. There were absolutely no arrests at any ride, and there never have been any arrests at a UK based WNBR.