Biking au naturel: Why Philly cyclists are taking it all off

Tube socks, thongs and goofy, barely-there costumes have become the uniform – if you can call it that – for Philly's Naked Bike Ride (PNBR). As cyclists get ready to let it all hang out – some quite literally on Sunday – for this, the fifth consecutive year, the big question is why so many bikers are willing to bear all to make social statements about everything from the eco-friendly impact of human-powered vehicles to challenging notions about body image.

William McCormick, 27, helped organize the first three Naked Rides in Philly, which have been growing in popularity, thanks in part, to avid cyclists signing onto the event, and the admittedly gawk-worthy social media frenzy that has accompanied it. And while McCormick is no longer an organizer, the South Philly resident says he will once again be riding along with predictably dozens of scantily clad cyclists whose photos and videos will be appearing all over social media sites.

The event gets started at 2pm with festivities (with body painting, vendors and bike checks) before the ride kicks off at 4 p.m. While the organizers have not returned calls or emails – and have been hush-hush about the details (the route is only sent to riders 24 hours before the event), they have teased a few local landmarks that will be included along the route, like Rittenhouse Square, City Hall, Logan Circle, Love Park, Independence Mall and Liberty Lands Park. They've also revealed in an email to riders that the end point will be the dirt lot near the Piazza at Schmidt's because, "The Piazza does not want any naked people on their premises." PYT, however, is hosting an after party – but only for the clothed.

The NBR actually began as an international event in Spain in 2004 with the dress code motto: "bear as you dare." Rides happening globally in London, Germany, Canada (and even Wisconsin) have been attached to political messages about cycling, arts and politics, but not everyone is thrilled with it. Some local cyclists argue that supporting the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia's considerably tamer city-wide rides, ones that tend to benefit local initiatives like the Schuylkill River Trail network a few years ago, is a better way to promote the advantages of biking.

Still, for other free-wheelers like Marcello Brening Berrera, 34, it's an exciting excuse to ride in the buff. "Since the first official PNBR, I have been wanting to do it," says the Society Hill resident who's secretive about his own planned fashions (or lack thereof) in anticipation of the event. "I am definitely a very prudish person who is very critical of my own body, so my own public nudity is something that makes me very nervous to display, but this is all about breaking with regular social standards. I want to challenge myself."

Berrera, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, who's been living in Philly for the past 11 years, admits he was drawn to the event's shock value. "I also like the idea of saying, 'You know what? When I was younger, I did this crazy thing, got on my bike with a bunch of other bikers and rode through the streets of Philadelphia naked, just for fun," he says.

Issues surrounding fuel consumption has inspired Jamie Clark, a 22-year-old from East Oak Lane, to make her first ride this weekend. "I intend to wear as little as I can without being completely naked," she says. The social work major is also interested in promoting positive body image and making people more aware of how less cars and more bikes could impact the local environment.

Brian Zulberti, a Villanova grad who's recently enjoyed 15 minutes of fame after emailing a hunky "selfie" along with his resume to law firms in the Wilmington area, is stripping down yet again. He says the criticism he received for the controversial photos inspired him to join with this cause, mostly to address body image.

"When pictures of myself in my underwear were broadcast… I sat back and read thousands of nasty comments," he says. "Every inch of my body was attacked. My favorite was when I was called (on television) 'skinny-fat.'"

After the 30-year-old faced a public outcry over his unusual job-hunting tactics, he says he'll be sending a message during the ride to critics who have denounced him. "This is a great opportunity for me, and for everyone else I ride with," says Zulberti, "to stand up, look at our detractors in the eye and establish that no matter what they say about our bodies, we are damn proud of who we are."

This isn't to say that everyone who participates in the PNBR will do so in the nude, at least not starting out. But by the finish line, all bets are off.

"Those who are not comfortable [riding naked] are always welcome, and you can always strip down along the ride," says McCormick. "You'd be surprised how comfortable nudity can be when you're surrounded by other naked people.

There's no apprehension whatsoever."

The only mandatory item of clothing the PNBR organizers advocate? Shoes.