In 2024 WNBR London has 7 starts plus an accessible option.
There will be no Hyde Park start for WNBR London in 2024 as the areas we are able to use will be closed to the public and used to park vehicles – for the third time in a row! Instead, we will again use an alternative start near Hyde Park Corner, in the area surrounding Wellington Arch.
We have also lost the Deptford start as the wonderful theatre and pie shop we used to use had to close. They were unable to recover from pandemic closure losses and could not pay the rent arrears.
Last year we made a last-minute decision to cancel the Victoria Park start based on information from Tower Hamlets Council that suggested there was a possibility of violence in the park. Instead of using the park, we have relocated to Hackney Wick, which is just to the North-East of the park in the neighbouring borough of Hackney.
So, what considerations might you have?
- Convenient location
- Transport links (train/tube/bus)
- Bike hire locations
- Length of ride
- Scenic / sightseeing opportunities
- Where your friends are starting from
- Opportunity for social time before ride
- Bodypainting
- Crowds vs Small Group
- Public vs Private
- Minimising spectators and photographers
Riders can choose from short leisurely rides or longer, harder routes into the centre before merging together into the spectacular 1,000+ rider peloton of the WNBR. Here are some comments to help you choose your start. You can find details about the starts from the Activities page.
Croydon is the longest of the routes at 20⅓ miles (32½ Km). It has a gentle pace of about 9mph (when moving, overall average will be closer to 6mph). Following a tour of a few town centres it will be joining the other groups in Central London. The venue is in a gated, private property with no onlookers. You are welcome to arrive early, relax, eat your sandwiches, socialise and get painted.
Kew Bridge is second longest at 17¾ miles (28½ Km). The ride crosses the meandering Thames several times before joining in with the Clapham Junction start. The ride starts from the southbound roadside at the north end of the bridge. As it is a roadside start, you should not arrive early.
Clapham Junction is very convenient for the train connections, after all, it is the biggest junction and has the most trains passing through – over 2,000 on weekdays. It is optionally a circular route, with riders returning to the start point after completing the ride. Our start point is alongside the station (Platform 1 side) in a fairly small public square, so you should not arrive early. The route is 9 miles (14½ Km) without the optional return leg.
Hackney Wick is a new start location for 2024. It’s at the Thingy Cafe, 1 Trowbridge Rd, London E9 5LD and is close to Hackney Wick Overground Station. The start is hosted at a café so riders can arrive early, buy food, buy drinks, use the toilet and socialise. It should also be a good place for body painting.
The other rides are relatively easy rides into the centre.
Tower Hill is arguably the most scenic ride, starting alongside the Tower of London, crossing four bridges, riding alongside the river, passing by Big Ben. It’s handy for London Bridge, Waterloo, Charing Cross, Fenchurch St and Liverpool St stations. We use a public park, so there will be onlookers and photographers. The ride from here is about 7¾ miles (12½ Km).
Regents Park is an easy ride down through the centre of town, and particularly good if you are bringing your bike in via Euston or Kings Cross stations. The Royal Parks do not give us permission to start from the Park, so we start outside on the roadside. There has not been a problem with people visiting the park before the start, but they should not get naked, do bodypainting or look like they are lining up for the start! This is the shortest route at just under 7½ miles (12 Km).
Wellington Arch is a replacement for our usual popular starting point in Hyde Park. Expect large numbers of riders here. It is a short, easy route – except for the challenge of exiting towards Piccadilly as the location is in the middle of the large Hyde Park Corner roundabout!
All the routes merge for the core part of the route, from Westminster Bridge onwards, to form the 1,000+ rider peloton (which always moves at a safe, comfortable pace and gets stuck a bit).
Accessible Option
There are usually several participants with restricted ability to ride a bike. WNBR London has included an accessible option. It is a relatively short and easy route, running between two rest points.
WNBR London takes place on the public streets of London. Nobody can control the actions or behaviours of the public. Participants should endeavour to avoid crowds and interactions with strangers. Remember – we are well behaved!
The World Naked Bike Ride is a peaceful protest that intends to get its messages across by generating public interest. We want other road users and spectators to be pleasantly surprised and take notice. We do not behave badly!
The ride aims to attract attention to its themes by being a fun spectacle. Riders do not block roads, or move slowly, or ride dangerously, or cause damage, or lock on to things, or climb up buildings, or leave mess behind, or confront other people. It is a non-aggressive, lawful, campaign. Extensive route and organisational details are shared with the Police, who advise on potential conflicting activities.
We also employ professional security personnel to help keep participants and spectators safe and legal.