Flags and posters are up around the city
Stops along the way will include Queen's Park, Allan Gardens, Toronto City Hall and the Toronto Island's ferry terminal. The route also passes through the University of Toronto and Ryerson University while also traveling by some of the city's tourist hotspots like Trinity-Bellwoods Park, the Toronto Eaton Centre, Old City Hall and the Financial district.
Cheers and photos as the WNBR goes by
Public reaction is positive and everyone scrambles to get there cameras out as the bikes go by. Cries of "World Naked Bike Ride" alert people that the ride is coming.
Co-organizer by Gene Dare, photo at top, who spends a considerable amount of time to organize and spread word about the event, including putting up flags and posters throughout the city. Gene is always the first on site with his oversized glasses and Canadian hat and with the flag already mounted on his bicycle. Gene is always here hours before the first riders arrive and says that Bare Oaks nudist resort and the ladies from Oasis Aqualounge should be joining this year's outing once again.
Participants do not have to be nude, you can ride as bare as you dare and some people wear masks to protect their identities. This is a famous event that also takes part around the world so there will be news coverage and plenty of photographers snapping photos. Visitors also like to get photos taken with the naked riders, which most are happy to do.
The police have been providing an escort again over the last year or two and Gene has asked the mounted police to also lend a hand this year, which would be cool. The police drove up to check out the ride in Coronation Park and left after a quick scan. No mounted police or bicycle escort provided in 2019.
The purpose of the ride is to raise environmental awareness and to protest our dependence on oil in a manner that will draw maximum exposure to the cause, plus nudists. So join in, grab a camera or cheer the group as they pass by. The majority of the riders get to the ferry terminal where some end the ride, others go to the Islands (Hanlon Point clothing optional beach) and some return to Coronation Park.
The ride goes again next year on Saturday, June 13, 2020.
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