The Solstice Cyclists (also known as The Painted [Naked] Cyclists of the Solstice Parade, or The Painted Cyclists) is an artistic, non-political, clothing-optional bike ride celebrating the spirit of the Summer Solstice, and which constitutes an unofficial start for the Summer Solstice Parade & Pageant, an event produced by the Fremont Arts Council in the Fremont district of Seattle.
The loosely organized event was originally started by streakers who crashed the parade, but has changed over the years, as participants decided to emphasize bodypainting and other forms of creative artistry done in the spirit of the host event. The group is now the largest and fastest growing ensemble associated with the parade. The parade, which is put on by the Fremont Arts Council, starts at noon on the third Saturday in June (which is the Saturday before or on the actual Solstice); the painted cyclists typically arrive at around 11:45 a.m. and ride for a little over an hour.
Art bikes are also common during the event, and many different types of human-powered cycles have also been used including BMX bikes, cycle rickshaws, unicycles, clown bicycles, tall bikes, lowrider bicycles, tandem bicycles and tricycles. People have come from all over the country to ride, and all over the world to see the ensemble. Full and partial (especially topfree) nudity is popular, but not mandatory, on all rides.
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While the cyclists open the parade by tradition, they are not officially in the parade line-up (with the exception of 2003 when they had a float). Despite this apparent disconnect, there is a considerable amount of collaboration between many local arts groups. Parade participants who want to be bodypainted are often referred to pre-ride bodypainting parties, and some of the cyclists also work in the FAC's Solstice Parade Workshop on their art bikes or on other parade entries.
Participants are expected to abide by the FAC's Parade rules that state "any printed communications, written words, recognizable logos, signage, leaf-letting, or advertising in any form are prohibited on the parade route."
In recent years the event includes three major components: a pre-ride bodypainting party (disclosed only to participants and potential riders), an extended party ride (often indirect) through the city, and then the parade itself starting at noon. Cyclists wishing to get involved in the group who haven't heard about the bodypainting party often meet up at the beginning of the parade route.
The loosely organized event was originally started by streakers who crashed the parade, but has changed over the years, as participants decided to emphasize bodypainting and other forms of creative artistry done in the spirit of the host event. The group is now the largest and fastest growing ensemble associated with the parade. The parade, which is put on by the Fremont Arts Council, starts at noon on the third Saturday in June (which is the Saturday before or on the actual Solstice); the painted cyclists typically arrive at around 11:45 a.m. and ride for a little over an hour.
Art bikes are also common during the event, and many different types of human-powered cycles have also been used including BMX bikes, cycle rickshaws, unicycles, clown bicycles, tall bikes, lowrider bicycles, tandem bicycles and tricycles. People have come from all over the country to ride, and all over the world to see the ensemble. Full and partial (especially topfree) nudity is popular, but not mandatory, on all rides.
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While the cyclists open the parade by tradition, they are not officially in the parade line-up (with the exception of 2003 when they had a float). Despite this apparent disconnect, there is a considerable amount of collaboration between many local arts groups. Parade participants who want to be bodypainted are often referred to pre-ride bodypainting parties, and some of the cyclists also work in the FAC's Solstice Parade Workshop on their art bikes or on other parade entries.
Participants are expected to abide by the FAC's Parade rules that state "any printed communications, written words, recognizable logos, signage, leaf-letting, or advertising in any form are prohibited on the parade route."
In recent years the event includes three major components: a pre-ride bodypainting party (disclosed only to participants and potential riders), an extended party ride (often indirect) through the city, and then the parade itself starting at noon. Cyclists wishing to get involved in the group who haven't heard about the bodypainting party often meet up at the beginning of the parade route.
