Although it was her first year co-ordinating the World Naked Bike, Debra Conomy was ‘pretty sure’ this year’s head count of 165 was the biggest ever contingent in the history of the event in Byron Bay.
And the group would have been bigger had the ride not kicked off early.
While Nimbin’s ride on Saturday (March 12) went ahead in ‘perfect weather’, according to its organiser Mijimberri, nature didn’t smile so sweetly on Byron.
After a solid day of rain, one of the group’s self-appointed chiefs decided to make a break for it – and the rest followed.
‘We were supposed to start at 3pm but someone decided they were going to ride early because of a break in the rain. We still got rained on,’ Debra said.
‘We had people coming down from Queensland who missed out because of it and the time difference,’ lamented Debra, who only put her hand up ‘because they couldn’t find a co-ordinator and then the Byron Bike Ride would’ve been cancelled.’
She admits that it was not only her first year as co-ordinator but also her first ride.
‘I felt it was really good,’ she told Echonetdaily.
‘Everyone had such a fantastic day – I think it’s becoming a tourist attraction in Byron Bay.
I’ve never seen crowds like it: there was traffic banked up on the highway coming in to see the ride.
‘Some people referred to us as a bunch of ageing hippies but there were a huge amount of young people and there were three girls totally dressed up with the body paint –they looked absolutely fantastic.’
Not a word on the point of the ride – which is to promote cyclist safety. Its a shame that all sorts of other messages overrode this.
Can i ask what is the point of this nude bike day ..is there a message behind it …
Sorry I missed it. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to participate next year.
Great job