I'm a huge fan of naked. Naked News, Naked Lunch, Bif Naked (Hi, baby), the Naked Chef, the Naked Cowboy, Barenaked Ladies, naked naked ... You get my point.

So picture my reaction the other day when I was walking by a city-side assignment editor's desk and spotted the word in big bold print atop a press release.

I stopped immediately, did a quick room-check to see no one was scoping me out, and, without reading another word, grabbed the blue piece of paper it was written on and stuffed it under my tank top before high-tailing it back to the safety of the sports department.

View Larger Image

Organizers hope to see 800 bare bums on seats at this weekend's World Naked Bike Ride.

Stuart Davis, Vancouver Sun files

Email to a friendPrinter friendly

Font:

• *
• *
• *
• *

Only upon further examination did I learn the release was gearing up -- or down -- for a nude bike ride this weekend.

Talk about your biking buffs. Or getting your butt in gear, for that matter.

It should come as no surprise that naked bike rides are nothing new in our city. The first organized one was held in 1994 to oppose the war in Iraq, and Vancouver has participated in the World Naked Bike Ride each June since local cyclist Conrad Schmidt founded the annual event in 2004. What makes Sunday's nude cruise through downtown noteworthy is the fact that organizers are hoping to have more than 800 bare bums on bikes -- and set an unofficial world record in the process. (Guinness was contacted, but chafed at the idea for some reason.)

Organizers of the record, however, stress that it's much more than an occasion to get naked in the city. It's also a way to promote awareness of non-fossil-fuel transportation. You know, in a less-gas-more-ass kind of way. And it's also a revolt against consumerist-clothing oppression. I only wish I'd known that early. I wouldn't have worn my Versace T-shirt and designer jeans to the interview.

"You can be as bare as you dare, the important thing is promoting bike culture," says Ren Levy, a recent political science grad from UBC. "It's an opportunity to say down with cars, up with pedal power and save the environment. And people take notice because we're naked."

All excellent causes. But again, let's not forget that it's a lot of fun to let it all hang out, too. Seriously, when else will you get the opportunity to bike naked around one of the world's most beautiful cities?

Well, except for next year.

Sunday's bike ride starts at Sunset Beach at 2 p.m. and will be preceded by pole dancing and body painting. Roller bladers, unicyclists and skateboarders are all invited to participate in the ride through the downtown core.

For all you newbies out there, riding a bike buck-naked involves unique considerations. You really have to make a commitment to being one with your bicycle. There's a lot of meshing of certain parts, if you get what I mean. As much as I'd like to try to explain further, it can't be done in a family newspaper.

"But the more padded the seat the better," says Levy.

With that in mind, here's some other helpful tips.

- Wear sunscreen. Duh.

- Don't bring any valuables. Where would you put them anyway?

- Same goes for identification. Having it will only complicate things should you get arrested.

- Finish where you started. That's where your clothes will be after all.

- Oh yeah, and be careful. The possibilities for road rash are frightening.

iwalker@png.canwest.com

adrenalincult@gmail.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: Adrenalin will return Aug. 10. Ian Walker is taking next week off to plan his wedding to recording artist Bif Naked. We told you he liked naked.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007