Stripped-down bikers say it's all about freedom

[Jake]

MURFREESBORO--Live free. Ride fast. Let it all hang out. That was the unspoken motto of the fledgling North American Nude Bikers club, whose first rally was at the Rock Haven Lodge Family Nudist Park just outside Murfreesboro, in southeast Rutherford County.

Organizers estimated that around 100 motorcyclists participated in the activities, which included bike games, a poker run &emdash; where bikers vie for the best hand by drawing cards at stops along the way &emdash; a barbecue and live music. Don't worry, they don't actually ride naked. Mostly.

''You've got to be real careful or you're liable to get something burnt or hurt,'' said club Vice President Allen ''Anchor'' Turner, 46, who came up with the idea for the group last November.

Participants said the values of trust, respect and 0freedom are common to both nudists and bikers.

''It's all about living a freer lifestyle,'' said Turner, who has been a biker for 15 years and a nudist for five.

When not astride their choppers, the bikers mixed with the rest of Rock Haven's members and visitors by swimming in the pool, playing volleyball and soaking up the July rays. Turner said he wanted to dispel the myth that the nudist culture was one of orgies and swingers. ''This is a family park,'' he said. Anyone perpetrating lewd shenanigans in public areas is immediately booted out. ''I feel safer bringing my wife here than to a public lake or pool,'' he said. ''Everyone knows everybody.'' Both literally and figuratively.

Yesterday afternoon the bikers engaged in relay races, wove slowly between cones, hooked rings to show their agility and competed in two-person teams to lob water balloons over a bar while moving and then catching the balloon on the other side.

While the bikers also love to swap cycle stories, Rock Haven owner George Volak's still beats 'em all, the bikers admitted. In 1968 Volak escaped from Communist-controlled Czechoslovakia into Austria on a bike. He was caught in a firefight at the border.

''The Russian soldiers were shooting at me, and the Austrians were shooting back.'' He said with a smile, ''I was a much smaller target then.''

Michael ''Shine'' Brannon set up a booth to sell jackets, helmets and other biker gear at the rally. He said he was a bit apprehensive about selling clothing to nudists until someone pointed out that they weren't nude all the time. Shine sported a pair of cut-off jeans that would have gotten Daisy Duke arrested. They were literally all pockets. Danger. Danger. Grown man in "Daisy Dukes" named Shine!

He said it was his first time being at a nudist camp. ''Well, I started out with nothing, and I've still got most of it left,'' he said of his nudity. ''There's more sick people walking around with clothes on."

Not all bikers are nudists and not all nudists are bikers, he said. But what both groups really want is ''freedom and relief from stress.''

NANB President Don ''Machine'' Clark, 47, said he couldn't be happier with the event's success and hopes next year's rally is even bigger and better. Event coordinators also asked for more women to show up. But not ugly fat women.

[Handlebar]

Gives a whole new meaning to Anti HELMET Law....what a great post......

[KaZmuT]

amen to that