Another Successful Ride
Montpelier WNBR Sets New Record Despite Confusion
With 55 riders and 17 walkers, the 2026 World Naked Bike Ride in Montpelier VT set a new attendance record, with an added a stop at Dairy Creme establishing a new tradition. Last year, there were between 55 and 60 participants.
It is likely that even more would have attended if the word had gotten out in time. The official World Naked Bike Ride wiki site did not not confirm Montpelier’s event until the night before. Up to that point, although the Saturday, June 13, date was listed on the site, it included the note, “I have set up an email address, wnbrmontpelier@gmail.com for anyone who wants to help me organize this years ride. I am not from the area, so I need local volunteers to help plan the route and make any other local arrangements! Not a requirement, but if you are planning on riding, please email me so that I will know that I’m not alone! Keep up to date either here or on our Twitter page. If anyone wants to help plot a different route let me know!”
There was no update to indicate that it actually would take place until June 12, when the site announced, “The ride is on, rain or shine! Looks like it will rain early in the day then will be cloudy for the meet up, and possibly the clouds will clear for the ride. Fingers crossed & see you tomorrow!”
Likewise, Montpelier Area Events did not list the World Naked Bike Ride this year, although it had posted the notice for the past three years.
Only members of a private Facebook page were able to get accurate information about the 2026 ride, and Facebook glitches had prevented several interested people from joining that page. Group leader Joe Gratton-Pinsonneault had posted on February 15 that he had sent out an email reminder to the Montpelier chief of police that the annual event would take place, as usual, on the second Saturday of June, but those unable to see that announcement were understandably worried that problems might arise if authorities were unaware of this year’s ride.