PNBR

Yesterday was the Philly Naked Bike Ride!  I had read about it on a building, across from my apartment, which scrolls advertisements across its windows at night.  The night before last, I went to the website and found out, 9/4/11 was PNBR day.  Evidently people from all over the city meet up and then ride naked (or whatever makes you comfortable, says the website) in order to promote cycling advocacy, raise awareness about fuel consumption, promote positive body image, and to promote economic sustainability as a way of life (I copied all of that from their website). To me, that sounds like…. for whatever reason, get naked and ride bike! Haha.  They did not list where they would be riding, or honestly, I would have skipped orientation today, packed a picnic, and waiting along the street to see some naked folks. 

So, I had honestly forgotten about it, and was all comfy on a Rittenhouse Square bench (reading my last non-nursing book for the next two years) when I noticed a commotion on the street. I walked over, (yes I am curious little southerner) and saw….. nothing. Since it was getting late, I turned my back to the crowd and starting walking home, when….. a naked biker passed me by! I turned around and there they were…. hundreds of naked, half naked, and somewhere in between people on bikes! This parade of naked riders lasted around 7 minutes. I stood there in awe! I will not go into details, let me just say, there was a lot of nakedness. Immediately my mind went to this blog and what I would say about all of this naked bike riding (after all, this would not happen in Morganton, NC…. maybe Asheville).

Anyway, after watching hundreds of naked people ride by (big, little, white, black, yellow, red, young {mostly young college age guys…shocker}, and old) I was left with one thought, “WAY TO GO NAKED BIKE RIDERS!”  It is not for everyone, myself included, but if you have the self confidence (or stupidity) to strut your stuff…. all squished on a bike seat, by all means, work it. Maybe one day when I am all saggy, wrinkled, and don’t give a crap (I’m not picking on anyone I saw today in particular) I will ride through the streets of Philadelphia with all of my naughty bits on display. Who knows?  I mean, who would have thought I would be living in Philadelphia in the first place? Don’t worry mom and dad, I type this fully clothed!  

Two side notes: a) Moments before the nakedness ensued, there was a wedding party walking out the church on the corner! The big wedding processional was almost broken up by some naked bikers (it was so close, the church bells were actually still ringing when the bikers went by). Can you imagine?  That is just not something you plan on your wedding day. b) Did I mention I was watched this whole spectacle (I used that word in honor of my grandmother) standing beside to police men, who just shook their heads laughed?  Good times 

~Courtney