At 3pm, as a community of nudies banding together in the name of body-positivity, cycling, bike safety, freedom, equality, liberation, awareness and whatever personal messages and significance that this event held for each and every one of us, we took ride. With a police escort, we made our way onto the main street of Byron Bay, Jonson Street. Heading down toward main beach and along some of the Esplanade, proudly ringing our bells, tooting horns and cheering…we let them know that we were coming! The streets came alive on a spectacular level! Blooming with colour, diversity, unity and intention.
WOW…WHAT A LIBERATING AND AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
I’m used to doing all sorts of things and activities naked..but riding a bike naked through the main streets of Byron Bay with around 200 other people, spectators, sharing the road with cars and other cyclitsts…and all without the fear of being arrested or fined for public indecency…now that’s a liberating experience!
I suppose there’s also that feeling of being given the rare opportunity to do something that you would otherwise love to experience as acceptable and normal, but would realistically be fined or arrested for. With it being such a public event that is so bold in its message, another highlight was witnessing the reactions of the spectators and some of the unsuspecting general public.
From what I gaged, spectators were super supportive of the event, cheering and clapping as hoards of naked cyclists passed them by. People taking their phones out to record and take photos. People yelling out messages of encouragement and admiration, delighted at the bravery and commitment of the courageous participants. The feeling of comradery was ever-present; banding together for a cause that’s greater than just the delight one feels when riding in the buff.
If you are considering doing the event, of course there must be the understanding that it is a public event with spectators, so be prepared to have people recording and taking photos on their phones. If that is a concern for you, I know some people strategically applied body paint, wore hats etc to remain a little more incognito. So there are ways around that aspect…and it is SO damn worth it.
With the sun beaming down, the warmth of its rays prompting beads of sweat to tickle my skin, I would stand upright as I peddled my bike, feeling the breeze caress every nook and cranny…Ahhhh… what a feeling!
The only downside for my personal experience…I got sunburnt! I forgot to apply sunscreen! So keep that in mind if you do decide to do a ride in a city that has some SUN!
After two laps of the designated course, we all made our way back to Butler’s Reserve to celebrate our efforts and share in one another’s experiences and elation. Taking photos and having a laugh…all in the nude. It was such a pleasure meeting some of my tribe who follow my blog on social media too…what a blessing! After the event wrapped up, sure enough, everybody begun to put their clothing back on to make their way back to ‘normalcy’…Not me though!
BEING THE BORN REBEL I AM AND IN GOOD, OLD JESSA-FASHION, I DECIDED NOT TO PUT MY CLOTHING BACK ON TO MAKE MY WAY THROUGH TOWN TO RETURN MY BIKE…JUST HOPING THAT THE FAÇADE OF MY GLITTER G-STRING MIGHT ACTUALLY FOOL PEOPLE.
