Some good news and bad news on the U.S. side of the pond. Chicago looks like it will have good weather for the first time in a couple years. If your recall, they set the record in 2008 for the largest ride up to that point (though that record has since been blown away many times over), but thunderstorms and sweater-weather have held in check the last two years. They're forecasting clear skies and at least moderate temps for Saturday night (70's). While not hot enough to encourage the 50/50 crowd to take it off, it at least won't scare anyone away. Interesting to see if they rebound.
On a sad note, it looks like the Burlington ride is dead. While never huge, the 2009 ride was probably single my favorite of all time. Broad daylight, everyone fully nude, a few cute college-age girls (presumably from UVM)--this ride had it all (if you don't know what I'm talking about, make sure to look up the 2009 thread and search "burlington"). Unfortunately, it looks like organizational problems did it in. Basically, some of the original organizers washed their hands of it after a culture clash with a "nudist" crowd. Here, I interpret "nudist" as "creepy old dudes." Read the following posted on one of their message boards:
"
I - and my buddy Adrian and his wife Lina - organized the ride for all the years
it was successful, but I have issues with John - the owner of this group, which
is my I was not a part of it last year. I asked to be made an admin, but he
refused. Simple as that, so I said "No more for me".
I am not really into organizing in Burlington. The nudists that showed up to the
ride hours early, got naked immediately, and hung around naked afterward is the
main reason my awesome starting place decided to not let me start the ride there
any more. So I think the welcome is a bit worn in this town.
I went out west last year and helped my buddy organize it ride - it was crazy -
tons of people - lots of fun.
The main emphasis was bikers though, not nudity. This group, while many see the
importance of the cause, are nudists first. I personally think you should
respect the ride and try be biking/non-oil first for a day. Keep your pants on
until the ride is ready unless you are getting painted.
I appreciate the efforts John has made with the group, but I think he is a bit
off target. I also think he took some of the credit for the real world
organizing I did for a bunch of years - and as much as wasn't in it for the
acknowledgment, it left a bad taste in my mouth when it was misappropriated.
Have fun - hope you can figure a ride out and a way to come together - but I now
vacation during this period every year/"
The only silver lining is that they seem to be sending anyone interested in the direction of the Montepelier Ride. So maybe by combining forces that ride will continue to grow...
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