Category: Free-range nudity

Running of the Nudes

Here’s a great excuse to visit Spain and get out of your clothes for a good cause. PETA is sponsoring its annual protest of “bullfighting” at Pamplona’s “running of the bulls”. Participants are encouraged to be naked or lightly clad, so the protest is called the Running of the Nudes.

The protest will be on July 5 in Pamplona, which is two days before the actual bull runs begin. Spain has liberal attitudes towards nudity, and a number of fine naturist beaches and resort areas on the coast, so you could make this part of a memorable naturist vacation.

Originally published June 19, 2005

New Zealand National Nude Day

This may be a bit out of the way for most readers, but it’s a neat idea. New Zealand will be having a National Nude Day on October 8 this year. That’s spring down there, remember. At least you have plenty of time to plan.

Can’t vouch for this personally, but it is claimed that on this day people can and will enjoy public nudity in many locations — in addition to places where it is already accepted and common, such as many New Zealand beaches.

If nothing else, you might want to consider buying their Nude Day T-shirt. Its connection with New Zealand is subtle and not obvious, so it should make a good conversation starter…

Originally published June 19, 2005

Naked Rambler

Steve Gough isn’t going to be walking the 874 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats alone. One companion for sure is going to be… his girlfriend, Melanie Roberts. He seems to have been saving this for a surprise. Another friend previously reported (”the librarian”) will also be along. Anyone else who’d like to join the walk is welcome.

Walk without strides
Naked Rambler’s Girlfriend to Join Second Nude Walk
“Naked rambler” takes girlfriend on nude UK walk

It appears this event will be rather well covered by the media, at least in the UK. Steve has been giving a number of interviews to reporters, and many gathered at Land’s End to see him off. Some reporters and camera crews may even tag along.

Originally published June 17, 2005

The hills are alive with the sound of … nudists!

Yes, it’s really summer. Besides naked biking and rollerblading, there’s also just plain old naked hiking. Steve Gough is perhaps an extreme example. But if you’re going to be anywhere near southern Germany or Austria at the beginning of July, the highlight of your summer could be a 5-day naked trek across the Alps from Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany to the South Tyrol in Italy.

It’s being planned now in some detail by a small group, but everyone who wants to join in is welcome. The plan is to cover about 20 km per day, so it’s not for total wusses. However, provided you can find the group en route, you can connect up for any part of the trip you want. Clothing is optional, which means you can even wear something (besides boots) if you absolutely insist.

If you start right now, you have two whole weeks to plan…

For more information, visit the organizer’s Yahoo discussion group, Naked Europe.

Originally published June 15, 2005

Naked Rambler to do it again – with a librarian

Groan. Some headline writers think they’re so clever…

No. Not us here. This was from a June 12 news article from the UK.

The “naked rambler” in question here is Steve Gough, who two years ago walked the length of the UK from Land’s End to John O’Groats wearing only a hat and boots.

It was hardly a hassle-free trip, as Steve was imprisoned several times, particularly in Scotland, which seems to be the UK equivalent of the US bible belt. Steve couldn’t finish the walk until January 2004 — but he made it.

And now he’s going to do it again, starting this Thursday, June 16.

For more information and (hopefiully) to keep up with Steve’s progress, you can refer to his web site, nakedwalk.org.

Originally published June 15, 2005

BeyondBushWhacked

One of the participants in the San Fransicso WNBR was a young lady named Shaye, who was on rollerblades rather than a bike. She describes herself, at her website BeyondBushwhacked.com as “a performing artist, videographer, and future presidential candidate in the year 2016 when she will be 36 years of age and constitutionally eligible to run. She resides in Arcata, Ca where she is a community activist and self-proclaimed rabble-rouser.”

The U. S. could sure use a lot more rabble-rousers, and presidential candidates, like Shaye.

Originally published June 15, 2005

More about WNBR

The AP news story on WNBR pretty much mentioned only London and Madrid. Here are some alternate references:

Naked cyclists protest car use
Cyclists Ride Naked In London
Cyclists Ride Naked in London Protest
Naked European cyclists protest car use

Unfortunately, it’s typical sloppy MSM journalism. For one thing, the story can’t make up its mind about how many riders there were in London. It leads off mentioning “hundreds”, but then says “about 100”. In fact, the ride organizers have an accurate count. Since the ride started and ended at the Wellington Arch, it was easy to count participants both at the beginning and end. 210 were counted at the start — and 250 at the finish. Meaning that at least 40 joined en route.

But there’s no clear mention at all of WNBR rides in the U. S. It appears that Seattle and San Francisco both had reasonable turn-outs. Report from Seattle says 62-63 riders, despite an early finish due to inclement weather. About 60 riders were also reported in San Francisco.

And if this report from Portland, OR can be believed, there were 200 riders there.

Originally published June 14, 2005

WNBR Reports – London

News stories on the WNBR now coming in. The ride in London seems to have been especially successful, with at least 100 participants.

World Naked Bike Ride 2005 – London

Cyclists bare all in oil protest

Naked cyclists in oil protest ride

Cyclists Ride Naked in London Protest

Mike Grenville of Bare Witness has posted 125 photos of the London ride. (Location may be temporary.)

Originally published June 12, 2005