[Gen34]

Originally Posted by simonlintworm

reaction to misss Gen34:

I am normally not one to partake in philosophical debate, but in this case I feel a strong desire to give my opinion. ( as Gen34 has done and since she doesn't have a monopoly on 'the truth', everyone is entitled to give his/her opinion)

What I strongly reject is the assuptions and gross generalisations Gen34 makes.

I for one have never/ nor do I intend to participate in a WNBR ride. However I applaud everyone who does and feel admiration for them. Most of the riders seem to enjoy the experience and seem to be shame-free. From looking at the pictures I gather it is a liberating experience for most riders. However, if one decides to participate one must realise that pictures/videos will be taken. If one is not aware of this, then I would indeed consider this to be naive.

But is that neccesarily a bad thing? I don't feel it is a crime to document this. The main purpose of the WNBR is to generate public interest in safety for cyclists in traffic and for the environment. So, being documented and generating exposure for these causes should be applauded as well. A WNBR with everyone looking the other way would be missing the point completely in my opinion. Yes, it might still be a liberating experience for the cyclists participating, but it would go by completely unnoticed with no interest for the issues. ( If a tree falls in a forrest with no-one around, does it make a sound?)

Miss Gen34 also seems to relate nudism to the ride, which is missing the point completely again. Nudism doesn't enter into it, because nudism doesn't take place in the public spectrum. Miss Gen34 is free to be a nudist and demand her privacy and not have her pictures taken. And if that were the case, I would be a strong advocate for that as well. Since the WNBR (though people taking part are naked) doesn't classify as nudity, but as an event to generate public awareness on the above mentioned issues, one cannot demand this same privacy or blame others afterwards for not respecting this mistakenly claimed privacy.

I do not feel bad about myself for looking at these pictures. After all, Is it really fair to blame Peeping Tom for looking at Lady Godiva?

I gather Gen34 will probably not read this, but people being linked to this site from her blog might, and I hope this puts matters in some perspective.

There is nothing wrong with participating in a naked bike ride and most members here have nothing but admiration for those who choose to do so. Gen34's assuptions say more about her anxiaties than of most members here.

In the same way I have responded to 27cows on my blog page, I will comment again here. I have no issue with 'photographers' persae. Yes the rides need to be documented and I do of course realise that this is NOT a naturist event. I object to the pushy leering photographers looking for photos PURELY to get crotch and tit images for websites like this. Yes some of them are on here. And some of them will be elsewhere and some of them will no doubt be kept for private use. I have seen lots of really good WNBR images both here and elsewhere that are a good overall view of the ride. I object to the obvious up close and personal harrassment of (obviously) young, slim, female participants who's images have clearly been taken for personal gratification. Some of that harrassment has been documented in other photographs. I posted an image with permission on my blog which included the red head on the London ride who literally had a guy kneeing at her feet with a camera pointed directly upwards up the length of her body as she pushed her way from the start line to set off. Is this acceptable???? Is this documenting the ride?