Here are some friends of mine as we headed out last year...
In just over twenty-four hours dozens of UVM students will take to the streets wearing nothing but their birthday suites. I plan on being one of them, and you should too.
Unfortunately, it seems that over the past few years the Naked Bike Ride has become more of a spectator sport. No doubt, the tradition is a spectacle — I would bet that on the night of the Naked Bike Ride the UVM has more nude flopping per capita than any community on the East coast, but that’s not what the naked bike ride is all about.
It’s a celebration. Everyone should be involved!
Its all about doing something crazy together — and together is the operative word here. As we run screaming and laughing, slipping and sliding, we become more of a family — a unique UVM family.
We all worked hard; did our work; got through our classes. Now its time to let loose, and simply not care what anyone might think.
People are so worried about being judged.
Take it from me, as a guy, there is probably nothing less flattering than being naked in 20 degree weather, but its funny cause its happening to all of us, and its real — that is reality. You can stand on the sideline and pretend like you’ve got a ripped body and a big— well you see where I was going — under all those clothes, but everyone knows the truth.
We need to move away from pretending like everyone needs to have a “perfect” body. That’s not what the naked bike ride is about. Its about being human — whatever shape or size — and celebrating life and the work we’ve done this semester.
I think a lot of people are deterred from doing it just because so many people are watching. If everyone ran, no one would worry about people judging his/her body — it’s to damn cold to judge when your running around naked!
So this year don’t let this great tradition become a lame spectator sport. Be part of the festivities. Get naked. Have fun.
See you there…
