I stood in the lobby of Cambridge’s Brattle Theater not knowing what to expect. It was 11:40 PM and Truth Serum Productions was preparing to open the doors of the movie house. They began their 4th annual Bike Porn film festival around 12:15 AM after two of the festival’s producers gave brief monologues.

“Hello porn lovers” shrieked Liza Shapiro, director of Truth Serum productions. The wave of shame I had anticipated finally washed over. I had never watched porn with a group of people. I was overwhelmed because before the advent of the Internet, watching smut in a palladium theater was the norm. Now, people’s primal lusts are satisfied with a quick goggle search. My embarrassment quickly turned to nostalgia. Phillip, a Boston College graduate shared my initial apprehension in an interview in the lobby, “I don’t know what to expect, but the addition of bikes makes the concept of group porn viewing more accessible.”

That was still to be determined. Shapiro continued her speech, “Sex and bikes are the peanut butter and chocolate of our generation.” A loaded claim, but Shapiro could have a point. Truth Serum’s event drew in a diverse crowed. One patron Dan, from Somerville, had an opinion on the types of people who would spend $10 on a night of two-wheeled erotica. He chuckled “open minded, lovers of the obscure.”

One of the criteria of obscurity is distain or disinterest from the general public, bicycle porn is no exception. Before the April 1st and 2nd Brattle event Bike Porn 4’s national producer, CineMental, ran into some trouble. Bike Porn 4 is an international operation with tour stops in the US and Canada. While crossing the border from Vancouver, British Colombia to Portland, Oregon some DIY pins made by fans were confiscated. CineMental’s website BikePornTour.Blogspot.com reported that border authorities considered the accessories “obscene material.”

While Bike Porn’s national tour had some rough moments, their time in Boston was smooth sailing. By the time the films began the audience was rabid with anticipation. Midnight movies are always a raucous experience. Add in the Brattle Theater’s selection of beer and wine at their concession stand and the night can get rather wild.

The evening was comprised of several short films. Many of them were amateur and made by small film companies. Nothing screened that night had the tacky sheen of airbrushed bodies or hot, unforgiving stage lights. The films were out of a love for bikes and the subculture that it has engendered, not a need to pedal adult material across the country or make a huge profit. Phillip made a point to explain that this was his first time at the event; he is young, in his mid- twenties. He had an earnest look on his face that suggested answering my questions would solve a few of his own. I was happy to chat with him, there were more than a few creeps trying to snuggle up with the press, if you know what I mean.

Phillip had read about Bike Porn the previous year on BostonFixed.com, a bicycle inspired blog for cyclist around town. “I read the posts. There were so many ‘oh my gosh, I don’t believe it’ moments that I had to check it out for myself.” I asked him the question that had been on my mind all night, what might be on your mind as you read this article, “Why are you here?” Phillip smiled weakly, “Upstanding citizens can enjoy porn too.”