The route for this Saturday’s Philly Naked Bike Ride (PNBR) is out, and it will take the city’s boldest cyclists 12 miles through the city, starting at Lemon Hill and finishing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Based on the map sent out on social media, the 16th edition of the race starts at 5 p.m. and will pass by the Divine Lorraine, City Hall, the Liberty Bell, South Street and Rittenhouse Square.
The annual event, part of the World Naked Bike Ride movement and organized by members of the social cycling volunteer group CycleScenePHL.
The message and goals of the World Naked Bike Ride are promoting “fuel-conscious consumption, positive body image and cycling advocacy.”
Obviously, it’s a clothing-optional “bare what you dare” bike ride through the streets of the city. Other forms of human-powered transportation are welcome to join the ride. If you go with a rented bike, the organisers do strongly recommend wrapping or covering your seat.
The course changes slightly every year and is revealed around 24 hours before the ride out of tradition, to help reduce the number of onlookers and for the safety of the riders. Lemon Hill was the starting point of 2023’s ride.
The pre-ride festivities at Lemon Hill start at 2 p.m. Professional body painters will be on hand to decorate folks with messages. Riders can strip down as much as they’re comfortable with and get creative with it, though the group also recommends carrying your clothes with you in case you need to stop somewhere.
The Philadelphia Police Department is told about the route before the event, but has had no involvement. Lewd, obscene behavior or sexual activity is against the group’s code of conduct — and most local laws — as well as “unwelcome verbal remarks or physical behavior of a sexual nature, especially when concerning a person’s body or sexuality.”
Last year’s ride was 12 miles long, starting at East Fairmount Park’s Glendinning Rock Garden and ending at Drexel Park in Powelton. The organizers have been planning and testing out the route and signing up volunteers for months.
The ride is free — beware of online scams asking you to register or buy tickets — and you are welcome to join at any point along the route.
The weather tomorrow is set to be hot and sunny, so those planning to join the ride should bring plenty of sun screen and water along.