And this is why Portland is better than Minneapolis

 It was a typical early summer evening in Portland: cloudy skies threatening rain, temperatures in the mid-60s, and thousands of naked bicyclists gathered near the city’s waterfront for a clothing-free night ride.

The Portland version of the World Naked Bike Ride was about to begin.

“It is the most liberating, natural feeling possible,” said Brooklyn Jay, who came all the way from Phoenix for the ride.

World Naked Bike Ride is a globally observed event among hard-core bikers designed, at least ostensibly, to promote the use of the bicycle for transportation. But Portland cyclists have been especially adamant about making it another of the Pacific Northwest city’s quirky traditions.

“This is just a way of drawing attention to the need to be more green and replace fossil fuels with natural power,” said Ken Johnson, who was completely nude and body-painted grey.

“I am going all the way” nude, said Xandi Silvaggi, adding, “it is all about saving the environment.”