Annie Mole's, webmaster of Going Underground, daily web log (blog).
If you like this you'll LURVE One Stop Short of Barking, THE fun and informative BOOK about travelling on the London Underground.
Early January. It's cold but make a date for the third, annual No Trousers on the Tube Ride which will take place on Sunday 8th January 2012. As part of the Global No Pants Subway Ride, last year over 100 brave travellers made their way around the London Underground sans trousers (three times the amount that took part in 2010). This year over 350 people are already signed up to take part.
1) Willingness to take trousers off on the Tube
2) Ablility to keep a straight face about it
Full details are on the Facebook page but in a nutshell the plan is to turn up at Trafalgar Square at 3pm where you will be divided into groups. The aim is to then travel from Charing Cross Tube and go around another seven zone one stops as nonchalantly & casually as possible with no trousers on.
As Rammi one of the organisers says "You can wear fun underwear if you like, but nothing that screams out, “I wore this because I’m doing a silly stunt.” Wear two pairs of underwear if it makes you feel more comfortable. Don’t wear a thong or anything else that might offend people. Our aim is to make people laugh, not piss them off
We want this event to be fun and safe for everyone, so anybody found to be removing more than their trousers will be kicked off the train and reported to the British Transport Police and station authorities. ."
The video of last year's event by you and i films shows commuters' reactions. Londoners as usual have stock reactions to unusual Tube encounters - either complete indifference, rolled eyes, sly looks or laughter.
Here's another video of 2011's event with an interview from Rammi, one of the organisers & other participants
Even if you're not brave (or stupid) enough to take part, the organisers are welcoming people who want to take pictures or blog about the event. If that's you, contact Rammi or any of the organisers listed at TheStiffUpperLipSociety
"The magic, mystery & sometimes maddening shortcomings of London's Tube are documented with love, enthusiasm & sometimes despair by its unofficial social historian." The Guardian
