one of the many positive aspects of the event was the focus on a green environment and the cycling community was there to raise awareness about our cars' carbon footprint. lots of riders also commented on the bp debacle including the guy shown here.
the pre-event, like the entire day, was photo-friendly.
at the pre-party (and it was a party with free flowing booze and some, uh... smoking) riders relaxed and prepared. most applied sunscreen and many took part in the body painting including this guy here.
while there was plenty of naked-ness it was actually more of a world clothing-optional bike ride. and there were lots of creative costumes.
if you've ever been to a nude beach then you know that public nudity is surprisingly non-sexual. that said, there was plenty of eye candy
love the lucha libre mask on the guy on the left.
it was a very nice, mixed crowd. a few more guys than girls and mostly in their 20's. it's difficult to show pix from a naked event on this pg blog which is why there are more pix of the topless guys than the topless girls. yeah, that's the reason.
a blessing before the riders headed out from a private residence on alvarado.
these guys had great outfits.
the planned route highlighted some great spots in the city including city hall, chinatown, skid row and olvera street. here the crowd passes under a bridge after riding along echo park lake.
i had to crop this photo to show just a little bit less of the girl on the left.
going into the 2nd street tunnel.
in the historic core one block from our loft. the crowds here, as in most places cheered and honked wildly. there were lots of incredulous stares and smiles. surprisingly the only negative reactions i heard were along skid row where some people were downright hostile.
riding past city hall and olvera street.
heading along sunset towards chinatown.
over the 101 freeway.
along the l.a. river.
watch for bicyclists indeed!
as the ride progressed more bikers joined in the nudity.
there was a rest stop in the deserted produce manufacturing area.
the ride was mostly problem free. the lapd followed along just to keep the crowd safe. it all changed though on riverside drive when several glendale police cars ordered the riders to cover up which they quickly did.
after re-grouping the gang took to the bike path along the l.a. river where several rode clothes-free again. i had to say good-bye here but i was happy to have seen so many alternative groups like the naturists, nudists and bikers coming together and do something fun and completely different.
