World Naked Bike Ride Toronto 2016

Friday, June 10, 2016

World Naked Bike Ride Toronto 2016

Saturday, June 11 will see the two-wheeled protest against gas dependency take to the streets of Toronto in the annual 'bare as you dare' event organized by Gene Dare, photo above.

Starting in Coronation Park at the memorial near the lake's edge, the cyclists will head north taking in some prime real estate including the University of Toronto, Kensington Market, Queen's Park, Ryerson University, the Eaton Centre, Nathan Phillips Square and down the city's financial centre on Bay Street. Plans to head to Allen Gardens once again to support another protest group and a new loop around Yonge-Dundas Square, which will be hosting the Sessions Craft Beer Festival, will be part of this year's route. Short stops for photo opportunities usually happen at Queen's Park, Nathan Phillips Square and at the finish near the Toronto Ferries.

"Time: Gather between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for elaborate body painting (professional body paint artist- reasonable fee), or bring your own paint, socializing, bike decorating etc. Bring food to share if you wish. Ride starts at 1 pm, following a route along several major streets in the downtown core."

Getting some body paint applied

Usually Trinity Bellwoods Park is too busy and is skipped for safety reasons. Riders that take part in the entire ride can disband at the park beside the ferry terminal, return to the starting point of Coronation Park or continue the ride onto the Toronto Islands and Hanlans Point clothing optional beach.

People loved to pose with the naked cyclists

The weather is supposed to be partly cloudy, warm and humid with rain in the early morning and later in the day so luck is on the side of the riders. Regulars like Naked News and Oasis Aqualounge plan to participate in 2016, although I did not see the Naked News this year.