It is back again and happening on the 8th of March in Melbourne. Clothing is optional, participants may ride ‘as bare as they dare’, whatever their comfort zone. Some people will be stark naked and some will bare only a little and then there will be those who’ll use body paint to their advantage to tease all the onlookers. Naked or not, helmets are a must.

This year, in honour of Alberto Paulon, a bicycle rider who lost his life after an alleged car ‘dooring’, the nude bike ride will make a detour past Sydney Road in Brunswick where the incident happened last week. A moment’s silence will be observed and the ride will continue on. This is why the World Naked Bike Ride happens across the world to remind people the roads are for everyone to share.

Cyclists in Melbourne are to meet at, the Fox Hotel Collingwood at 12noon to move off at around 1pm and finish at Royal Park in Parkville. An hour before the ride cyclists shed their clothes according to the ride theme “as bare as you dare.

This is a party but also a protest, but since we have a love for anything that is wild, fun and nude we thought we show our support in acknowledging this event. You should too.

In case you want to go next year and you are a nude-biking virgin, here’s a list of things to make your ride as comfortable as possible while you let it all hang out.

1. Wear SPF 50. Make sure to pay special attention to those places where the sun (very often) doesn’t shine.

2. Bring a bag. You’re not going to have pockets, but you’ll need somewhere to put your phone, keys, money and your clothes.

3. Double-check your bike seat. You’re going to be up close and personal with your bike seat. Make sure the shape itself is comfortable and maybe get a new seat cover if you notice fraying, tears or other stuff that could make you even more uncomfortable than showing off your goods to strangers.

4.Wear a disguise. So you are brave enough to go full frontal, but you still don’t want just anyone taking pics of you and putting them on the internet consider some sort of disguise, like a mask, a bandanna and big sunglasses paired with a hat or wig, or use body paint all over your body and face. It might also be a good idea to keep toward the centre of the pack, too.

If you’re a naked bike-riding vet, give us your best tips in the comments.

This past weekend, Western Australian took to Swanbourne Beach in an attempt to beat the World Record of skinny-dipping and it got very close with the bid falling only 73 people short of the Guinness Book of World Records mark of 744. Awesome turn out!

Sydney siders and Melbournians equally had a chance these past two weekends to participate on the World Naked Bike Ride, “As Bare As You Dare”, which raises awareness for a perplexing array of issues, one being positive body issues. Hundreds of naked or semi-naked participants took to the roads and bike rode through the streets to show their support.

Without going in too much depth on the consequences of negative body images have in our daily lives. It suffices to say that these negative attitudes have detrimental effects on how we see ourselves, how it affects our enjoyment of life, our relationships and our sex lives.

Nothing should rob us of the pleasure to use our bodies regardless of shape and size to do things we love and enjoy. All bodies have good and bad. Once you feel comfortable in your own skin, you become more appealing to others. You radiate confidence, happiness and demonstrate self-respect, qualities that are great aphrodisiacs. Let’s forget our hang-ups and be free, be happy and be who you are.

Leave you with a quirky and simplistic tale of ‘Sam who struggles with how his body looks’ and finds out that he can do so many things with his body that bring him joy once he lets go of the constant worry of how his body is supposed to look. Worthwhile viewing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn02tMxj4Ss

Have body issues in the past stopped you from enjoying yourself? Or have you come across someone too worried about their looks to enjoy themselves?