ODDLY ENOUGH

ODDLY ENOUGH

Naked, body-painted bicyclists ride through Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA

Thousands of bicyclists in various stages of undress have pedaled their way around the city to promote fuel conservation and positive body image.

The Philly Naked Bike Ride on Saturday featured people sporting masks, underwear, body paint, glitter or nothing at all. A lot of riders wore just their shoes.

Debbie Kaighn, who was riding in the popular annual event for the third time, wore shoes, socks and body paint. On her front were streaks and splashes of yellow and green paint, and on her back was the message “Live free, ride nude.”

“I’m a naturist, and I believe in body freedom,” she said. “And I’m also a cyclist.”

The 12-mile ride through the City of Brotherly Love is among many related to the World Naked Bike Ride movement. Riders on the twisting course wheeled through University City, around the Rittenhouse Square park, down to City Hall and through Chinatown. Giddy crowds cheered them on while shooting photos and videos on their cellphones.

Ed Blanton traveled from Arlington, Va., to ride nude in the Philly event for the fourth time “because I’m a bicyclist and it’s fun.”

He wore just a sign on his back: “The earth is the Lord’s.”

“I like to get this message out,” he said before hopping gingerly onto his bike and riding off.

Other riders supported assorted causes, including breast-cancer research. One had painted on his back, “Burn fat, not oil.”

This is the seventh year of the Philly Naked Bike Ride, which draws about 3,000 participants. Organizers say they hope the event encourages people to bike more and to embrace nudity as a normal and enjoyable part of life.

Rising costs kill zombie walk

ASBURY PARK, N.J.

It seems money is the best medicine to put the undead to rest: The annual New Jersey Zombie Walk has fallen victim to rising costs and growing popularity.

The free event began with a group of friends shuffling and groaning their way through Asbury Park seven years ago. It grew in size over the years and raised money for charities.

In 2013, Guinness World Records certified nearly 10,000 zombies were the world’s largest gathering of the undead.

Organizer Jason Meehan broke the news on Facebook recently. He wrote that costs have risen and the decayed buildings that once served as the event’s backdrop in the city have been replaced by new condos and restaurants.

Meehan is tentatively planning an Oct. 3 “funeral” on the Asbury boardwalk.

Associated Press