The matting of rainclouds was a blessing to the hundreds lining up with bicycles, roller skates, skateboards and other contraptions across warehouses and cable towers skirting Chinatown. Beginning at 10 a.m., hoisting a registration tent beside a roundabout of colorfully graffitied warehouses, the American Naturist Family Association (ANFA) began strapping wristbands to participants and surveying bicycles locked to barbed private property fences. Across the street, a KTLA reporter and cameraman briefly interviewed riders and organizers outside a KGB Studios lot. 

Wearing a long-sleeve t-shirt and shorts, I nervously listened to ANFA President Michael Beal list polices for photographing nudity in private spaces. A reporter, who bared all except his press pass, conversed with body painters and dispersed groups inside the lot, while a few clothed photographers casually snapped images. Entering the lot with voice memos and a notepad in hand, I initially struggled to approach riders as they shed clothes, painted themselves and others, and exchanged life histories with smiles. Would they be offended if I asked them why they were here? Was I violating their privacy by observing them? Would they agree to take a photo?

Much to my surprise, riders welcomed my presence. I met a sexologist, nudist comedy show producers and actors, owners of nudist spas, naturist clubs members, therapists and college students. A few approached me to share their stories, handing me contact information and free passes to a nudist resort. I found myself on camera alongside nudist comedians as they filmed a show for FreeClothes.com.This diverse mix collected in the warehouse lot, sharing paint, taking selfies, and memories of previous rides. 

Jim, who has been riding in WBNR DTLA since 2010: 

MV: Why are you here today?

Several things! One, I definitely believe in rights for bikes. There’s been too many accidents. People need to be more aware of bicyclists. Secondly, we need to get off oil. Third, I do believe in body freedom. There’s nothing wrong in simple nudity.

MV: Has the ride changed since you started?

This year, the ride is much better organized. The first year they organized it, there was only a month’s notice and we had about a hundred riders. Every year the ride gets bigger.

MV: What has been the community’s response?

Absolutely incredible! The cheering, the honking from the motorists…There have been a couple of incidents over the past couple of years. Two years ago, somebody from a car jumped out and attacked one of the cyclists. But that is so rare compared the hundred of thousands of people who have seen us in the past years.

Tim Chismarz, is a nudist activist, who is currently producing and acting in naked comedy shows. Chismarz drove the lead car and has been a participant of WBNR LA for the past six years.

MV: What motivated you to become a nudist?

I used to model for art classes in college. I started to realize that it breaks down social barriers and class systems. We are all just people. I go to resorts, beaches and other events. I came out as a participant.

MV: What has been your experience?

I got very involved as a very pro-nudist activist. By doing naked comedy shows and putting on my own events, I got involved and helped put [WNBR L.A.] together. We just did interviews with KFI, KCAL, and some other outlets.

MV: Has the ride changed?

It’s getting bigger. Earlier on, in 2005, we interviewed a cop who attended. He was very open to the nudity. As long as you are not masturbating or having sex, it’s totally fine. The cops will stay with us make sure we aren’t doing anything too crazy and the audience doesn’t attack us. 

MV: What has been the community response?

Well, some of them have their eyes opened to realize there are events that they can enjoy that are social nudity friendly. Some people are upset. Look how long it took to legalize gay marriage! There is a conservative element for sure. That’s part of the fun for me. A couple years back, there was an old lady who was very upset that we were riding naked through the city. She started yelling and screaming, “I’m going to call the cops!” The cops were with us in the parade. She didn’t know what to do!

In America, they think you get naked to shower or to have sex. Since we aren’t showering they think it’s a pervert thing.   A couple of years ago, people were yelling gay slurs and thought it was a gay pride thing. People got arrested. You are pushing the element with these events.

MV: Do you see nudity is a form of activism?

I don’t think so. A lot of the naked activism people are looked at as weirdos and they don’t really do much to break those stereotype. As much as I love nudity, I don’t feel like if went to City Hall, people would listen to me.  I like nudity for fun, for generations of raising families. I think it needs to be controlled like how [this event] is. It would be different having 10 random naked people versus hundreds of normal educated citizens getting naked.

MV: What do you believe people are here for today?

There are some people who are very pro-nudist. There are the non-nudists who are promoting riding bikes versus oil-chugging cars. There are people who are here on a whim -- they want to get body painted and mark it off their list.

Jerry Nihiser

MV: What drew you to the ride this year?

This is the third year for me. I’m member of NITOC (Naturist in the OC). They encouraged me to participate.

MV: What’s your experience been like?

It’s been a great experience! This year they have made significant changes. [Breaking the ride into two parts will] allow those who can’t do the whole ride to participate, and those that come late can participate in the second half. Hopefully it’ll eliminate past problems.

MV: What’s the community response been?

Overwhelmingly positive! People stand on the side of the street cheer, clap and the cameras come out.

MV: What types of body art have you seen?

I supplied the paint this year. You’ve got the energy theme, which is the basis of our message of people power. Everyone’s got a different message. Some of them are little quotes.

On a rental purple Gary Fisher children’s mountain bike, I joined the ride, remaining fully clothed. Headed by a black SUV hoisting an American flag, at 12:30 p.m., riders embarked towards the overcast L.A. skyline, greeted by oncoming drivers honking and videoing our colorful procession.

Space was an immediate and recurring concern as we approached city traffic spanning narrow lanes along Alameda St. to Hope St. Two “lead” bicyclists, with sirens and megaphones, cautioned riders to stay “to the right,” especially as we entered various construction zones with potholes and closed lanes. An LAPD officer on a motorcycle trailed us, stopping between intersections to warn oncoming motorists and ensure that we remained united. 

Downtown pedestrians were as surprised to see us as we were to feel raindrops in the summer heat. Shopkeepers, pedestrians and commuters exiting buses came onto sidewalks; Some applauded, while others hooted and whistled in laughter. Trails of arms extended from car windows with camera phones. The cooperation of riders and cars in the dim expanse of Third Street Tunnel was extraordinary. 

Difficulties manifested themselves despite the overwhelming support received in DTLA. Near the Los Angeles Globe Theater, a few teenagers yelled “whore” and other obscenities. I was stunned to see a passenger slap the butt of a woman pedaling in front of me. While I remained frozen, infuriated riders sought help from the trailing LAPD cop, who attempted to follow the offender.

WNBR L.A.’s passage through City Hall was relatively silent. Few people exited from glass-encased offices to view riders and their multicolored messages and apparel promoting female, LBGT, and public safety rights. A day after the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic legalization of gay marriages, WBNR LA carried symbolism of the gay rights cause in rainbow colored paint and socks. Body acceptance, bike safety, environmentalism, gay rights and free speech were among the many causes the ride grew to embrace. 

Fueled by the cooperation between police, motorists and bicyclists, the ride itself grew in spontaneity. A few women and a man watching from Chinatown sidewalks stripped in solidarity and joined on bicycles. 

I stripped down to a bra and shorts upon return to Chinatown. I have never been comfortable baring my body in public or in privacy, bound to one-piece swimsuits and knee-length shorts throughout my adolescence. I irrationally desired to be rail thin and have a woman’s body worthy of attraction; Five years of a ravaging eating disorder taught me that I could not have both. I healed by suppressing the image I had projected of myself. Today, I faced that image in my underwear. I took a big step in accepting my body by learning that vulnerability is the stronger position if one believes the cause is worth fighting for. My cause on Saturday was self-acceptance.

Although I had fulfilled my reporting responsibilities, I continued on for another fourteen miles through Echo Park and the L.A. River. From the gushing fountains of Silverado to the dessicated trail of the L.A. River, we rode along buffered bike paths and highway lanes, resting at stops hosted by Friends of the Los Angeles River and other environmentalist groups. This path was strenuous in the growing humidity, especially for riders with diabetes, knee problems, and other health issues challenging their stamina. 

I am lucky to speak for a community who finds self-acceptance and strength in vulnerability.

 

Contact Staff Reporter Mahima Verma here.