Nude cycling
Bernard Boase
Richard C. lives near Cambridge and I live in London, but last Saturday
was an excellent day on which to get together and cycle nude in and
around Cambridge.
We were cycling nude continuously for nearly five hours. The route
was from the Fort St George pub near Jesus Lock, along riverside paths
and roads to the start of the tow path of the River Cam. From this
point, the path was extremely busy for a couple of miles, because
College Eights were out in force for the Bumps races. Cycling through
these crowds was at times a little hazardous as other cyclists were
principally those training and supporting the individual Eights as they
passed on the river, and there were throngs of spectators standing
around as well.
As luck had it, we found ourselves going downstream just when some of
the races were happening (i.e. coming upstream), and much later on, we
were returning while crews were coasting downstream to the Start. A big
crowd on the far bank were very vocal in support of racing boats and, when
none was passing, of these two nude cyclists. We did see a couple of video
cameras set up to record the racing, so we're probably on someone's cutting
room floor.
Further downstream, the atmosphere was entirely that of quiet
countryside, enlivened by a couple of swims in the river by me, and by a
passing barge, the Ali, whose owners offered us beer and conversation at
the next lock.
The flood banks of that part of the Cam provide a rough, grassy
equivalent of a tow path, and we continued for a bit until 4:00 under wide
open sky before starting back.
Having reached the pub from which we started (revisiting all the very
populated paths on the way of course), we just continued along the
riverside into the town centre, eliciting a noisy welcome from the large
crowd of (no doubt) football celebrants outside the pubs at Magdalene
Bridge. [We have to admit that nude cycling comes before watching England
in the World Cup, though we can't be completely indifferent to that 3-0
win, especially as Richard's daughter is such a soccer adept].
It's only a short distance from there, through busy, narrow streets,
between colleges, to get to the route to his home by paths and fields that
we used three weeks ago. The village of Coton has a nice pub (The
Plough) for which we dressed (coat on, geddit?) and had a pint around
6:00.
During the whole adventure, we heard only one seriously negative
comment, and that from an older, lone man who might have been drunk or
otherwise in less than complete balance. Everyone else produced the usual
range of reactions: from avoidance, through extreme surprise to amusement
and of course explicit support. No one intervened or tried to stop us or do
anything untoward, and we thoroughly enjoyed the excursion and the chance to
demonstrate something liberating to so many people.
I have to say that being on bikes provides a kind of safety of its own in
that you move on quickly between encounters with the public (less quickly
on crowded bridges!). You might think it then becomes just streaking, but
(1) it was in public as opposed to the usual captive audience, (2) we were
very close to many people as we passed, (3) there were two of us, (4) we're
talking hours not seconds or even minutes, (5) no one tried to stop us.
So all in all I think it combines personal enjoyment of liberty with some public
recognition which, though transient, may leave a trace in the minds of
others who would like to do such a thing but are as yet too timid (let's
hope).
Having said which, I am aware that truly public nudity is still very
uncomforable to most naturists and to many who post here. Nevertheless
there may be those reading this who are inspired to do likewise and to
chip away at the barriers which tend to segregate folk who want to dress
or undress differently.
Bernard.
AndyC
"Bernard Boase" <b.b...@bcs.org.uk> wrote in message
news:ant22013...@boase.demon.co.uk...
>
> Richard C. lives near Cambridge and I live in London, but last
Thanks for a great trip report Bernard. Count me in too next time!
--
Andy
http://www.skyworld.freeserve.co.uk/
Note spamblock in header
Zardoz
> Having said which, I am aware that truly public nudity is still very
> uncomforable to most naturists and to many who post here. Nevertheless
> there may be those reading this who are inspired to do likewise and to
> chip away at the barriers which tend to segregate folk who want to dress
> or undress differently.
but the public you encountered had no choice whether or not they wanted to
see you naked on your bike. You basically forced it on them. This does not
`chip away at the barriers` it makes them even more anti. The way to bring
about change is slowly...not here it is in your face like it or not. I do
not agree with this approach at all.
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Cheef
@paris.btinternet.com>:
>The way to bring
>about change is slowly...not here it is in your face like it or not. I do
>not agree with this approach at all.
I believe a study of history will show that change does indeed happen slowly
(over a period of time) but change does not occur continuously -- rather it
happens in fits and spurts and bursts.
It can be debated whether or not the time is appropriate for such acts as
this nude bicycle ride, but I don't think it can be debated that such acts
must occur for wider acceptance of nudity to occur.
For instance, if nudists here in the U.S. had waited until they were sure
having their own meetings and campgrounds would be accepted, they would
probably still be waiting. Change didn't come until after they acted, were
persecuted, and then were legally vindicated.
--
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David Looser
"Zardoz" <zard...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:af1qfg$om2$1...@paris.btinternet.com...
>
> Bernard Boase <b.b...@bcs.org.uk> wrote in message
> news:ant22013...@boase.demon.co.uk...
>
> > Having said which, I am aware that truly public nudity is still very
> > uncomforable to most naturists and to many who post here. Nevertheless
> > there may be those reading this who are inspired to do likewise and to
> > chip away at the barriers which tend to segregate folk who want to dress
> > or undress differently.
>
> but the public you encountered had no choice whether or not they wanted to
> see you naked on your bike. You basically forced it on them. This does not
> `chip away at the barriers` it makes them even more anti. The way to bring
> about change is slowly...not here it is in your face like it or not. I do
> not agree with this approach at all.
>
>
approach, as I see it, is not one of making change slowly, but rather one of
not making change at all.
David.
James
met, no choice as to whether they encountered nudity, make your act illegal?
James
Zardoz
David Looser <david....@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:af2sd4$lho$1...@paris.btinternet.com...
> But how is any change going to occur unless somebody does something?.
>Your approach, as I see it, is not one of making change slowly, but rather
one >of not making change at all.
I cannot see how you can read that in my message. I said quite clearly that
change comes about slowly. How do you eat an elephant? answer is a little at
a time.
Change comes about because of lots of things which bring about changes in
the views of society as a whole. Going out nude cycling in full view of the
public and their families is going to bring about calls for toughening up of
the laws, not the reverse and then you see an end to what we have at the
moment; some of the beaches and swims etc.
I favour the approach of persuading more local authorities to have naturist
sections of beaches or allowing clubs to use L.A swimming pools and so on.
The media does in many respects appear to be sympathetic to this life style.
Nudity is less frowned upon than it was ten years ago. Much of this has come
about because more folk go abroad for holidays and think nothing of the
nudity or part nudity they see. Seeing topless women on beaches was a real
surprise ten years or more ago but these days who cares?
What naturism does not need are folk being hauled up into court on a regular
basis as the resulting press will bring about changes in the law.
We all tread a fine line here.
Zardoz
David C
<zard...@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
>David Looser <david....@btinternet.com> wrote in message
>news:af2sd4$lho$1...@paris.btinternet.com...
>>But how is any change going to occur unless somebody does
>>something?. Your approach, as I see it, is not one of making
>>change slowly, but rather one of not making change at all.
>
>I cannot see how you can read that in my message. I said quite
>clearly that change comes about slowly. How do you eat an
>elephant? answer is a little at a time.
>
>Change comes about because of lots of things which bring about
>changes in the views of society as a whole. Going out nude
>cycling in full view of the public and their families is going
>to bring about calls for toughening up of the laws, not the
>reverse...
<snip>
>What naturism does not need are folk being hauled up into court
>on a regular basis as the resulting press will bring about
>changes in the law. We all tread a fine line here.
>
I don't like doing one liners, but Zardoz has put it so well I can only
add "Absolutely".
--
+-----------------------------+
| David C, |
| Central Somerset, UK. |
| |
| <da...@dapc.freeuk.com> |
+-----------------------------+
David Looser
I was questioning the idea that we are, in fact making slow progress. Are
there more clubs, swims etc than there were say 10 years ago?. I'm not sure
that there are, swims seem to be closing faster than new ones are being
started. You speak about topless women on beaches, 20 years ago they were
shown regularly on the 7.00 pm Holiday programme without comment as though
that was the accepted norm. You don't see them anymore, nowadays beach
toplessness on TV seems to be relagated to the likes of "Ibiza Uncovered"
where it's presented as part of the "sexy" Club 18-30 scene.
The idea that "folk being hauled up into court on a regular basis" will lead
to pressure for a change in the law which will make our position worse is
far from certain, it could equally well go the other way. Whatever else you
might say about VB, he does seem to have demonstrated that being hauled into
court for simple nakedness is not something that the authorities have any
enthusiasm for.
I'm not saying that I approve of cycling nude through populated areas, it's
not something that I'd do myself, but I do sometimes think that it's our
own timidity that's holding us back, rather than opposition from others.
David.
Tim Forcer
Under what law(s)? Rec54 is not law, it's not even (yet) part
of a Bill.
There's also the question of whether a penis is actually
"exposed" when cycling (unless one stands up on the pedals). I
can see lawyers having a wonderfully bizarre argument over that
one!
--
Tim Forcer t...@ecs.soton.ac.uk
The University of Southampton, UK
The University is not responsible for my opinions
Paul Lautman
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress
depends on the unreasonable man."
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
Luis Cortes
<david....@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
>I'm not saying that I approve of cycling nude through populated areas, it's
>not something that I'd do myself, but I do sometimes think that it's our
>own timidity that's holding us back, rather than opposition from others.
!00% agree with that statement.
here, here.
Luis
>
>David.
>
>
>
>
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"Free" British Citizen
It's about time the British people and our stupid government were made to
accept that nudity in the warm summer months is becoming more and more
common.
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Prof Rollerball
didn't see a soul. Satisfied my curiosity, and it feels great. Only
problem - broke a figernail (very painful) putting my shorts back on. I'm a
bit too old and fat for nude cycling now, but I can recommend it - best go
in a small group at a time and place that you're least likely to see anyone!
Cheers, Prof Rollerball
""Free" British Citizen" <no-...@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:af84fl$3qe$1...@venus.btinternet.com...
Zardoz
Tim Forcer <t...@ecs.soton.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:3D16CFE6...@ecs.soton.ac.uk...
> James wrote:
> >
> > Forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't the fact that you
> > gave the folk that you met, no choice as to whether
> > they encountered nudity, make your act illegal?
>
> Under what law(s)? Rec54 is not law, it's not even (yet) part
> of a Bill.
Oh here we go again... Either under the Vagarancy Act or The Police Town
Clauses Act or at a push a breach of the peace. Bugger Rec54. Will people
stop saying that public nudity is not illegal because it damn well is. Its
how the law is applied and when which is important. Please please read up on
the above three laws. Vagrancy Act covers males exposing penis with intent
to insult a female and Police Town Clauses Act covers female or males nude
in public places. They have not been repealed and are still used. First
offence iscan be done in public or private and the second is in a public
place ( which has a wide definition of what is public)
> There's also the question of whether a penis is actually
> "exposed" when cycling (unless one stands up on the pedals). I
> can see lawyers having a wonderfully bizarre argument over that
> one!
I think there is a danger of splitting hairs on this one ;-)))
Zardoz
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Zardoz
"Free" British Citizen <no-...@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:af84fl$3qe$1...@venus.btinternet.com...
> It's about time the British people and our stupid government were made to
> accept that nudity in the warm summer months is becoming more and more
> common.
"were made to accept"..strong words methinks. Living in a democratic society
as we do, even though we have a stupid Government, it is the views of the
majority that count and not the minority. WE sadly are all in a minority and
like it or not there is a hell of a majority out there in Joe public who do
not want to encounter nude cyclists or any other nude folk for that matter.
These people do not want to "be made to accept" anything. The way to change
their views is gradually, with education etc. I do support some
advertisement campaign in the press etc which helps the cause, but I do not
agree with the "here it is in your face. Like it or not cause I`m going to
do it" stance.
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Malcolm Boura
"David Looser" <david....@btinternet.com> wrote:
[snip]
> I was questioning the idea that we are, in fact making slow progress. Are
> there more clubs, swims etc than there were say 10 years ago?. I'm not sure
> that there are, swims seem to be closing faster than new ones are being
> started.
Since NUFF started, 4 or 5 years ago now I think, the number of clubs
has changed very little. One has opened down in Cornwall but I don't
recall any closing.
Likewise the number of swims has changed very little. Sudbury tried and
stopped. Bramcote, Mildenhall, Far West Wales, Edinburgh,
March, Letchworth and Milton Keynes have started. A couple of
Devon/Somerset swims organised by Larches stopped and likewise one
organised by Morecambe Bay. Mancunians have reduced the number of
venues. A swim in Kent closed. That's what I can remember but it should
be reasonably complete. Overall then, the number of swims has changed
very little.
> You speak about topless women on beaches, 20 years ago they were
> shown regularly on the 7.00 pm Holiday programme without comment as though
> that was the accepted norm. You don't see them anymore, nowadays beach
> toplessness on TV seems to be relagated to the likes of "Ibiza Uncovered"
> where it's presented as part of the "sexy" Club 18-30 scene.
Agreed.
[snip]
--
Malcolm Boura, NUFF coordinator.
NUFF http://www.nuff.org.uk/ is the FAQ for the uk.rec.naturist newsgroup.
Please read before posting to the group.
It is the comprehensive www source of UK naturist information.
Andrew McGee
But of course when a certain VB was hauled up into court, the CPS and the
system as a whole got a very bloody nose. Only by firmly challengin
Andy_R
> >
> Sounds great.
> It's about time the British people and our stupid government were made to
> accept that nudity in the warm summer months is becoming more and more
> common.
>
I'll bet that everyone who saw these nutcases either laughed, booed,
cheered, felt threatened or were offended by them. Further, I'll bet
nobody, absolutely nobody "accepted" it as normal behaviour.
Rgds
Andy R
Bernard Boase
<URL:mailto:an...@spambin.skyworld.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Thanks for a great trip report Bernard. Count me in too next time!
Thanks Andy. Anyone else wanting to join in please email me.
Of the urn postings so far, I make it 3 For, 4 Against and 8 posters who
are one of Unclear/Conditional/Legalistic/Cryptic/Non-committal. Not a
bad catch, but representative I think; thank you gentlemen (were there
no ladies commenting?).
My chief other experience of nude cycling/walking was two full days with
a small group in brilliant summer weather last August in the Emmental
countryside in Switzerland. I can recommend that very highly, and it
would more likely satisfy those supporters who still prefer to remain
largely unseen.
--
Bernard
AndyC
"Andy_R" <an...@ukhome.net> wrote in message
news:afai9t$cn48b$1...@ID-121899.news.dfncis.de...
>
> I'll bet that everyone who saw these nutcases either laughed, booed,
> cheered, felt threatened or were offended by them. Further, I'll bet
> nobody, absolutely nobody "accepted" it as normal behaviour.
Undoubtedly some of the people that encountered them would have smiled -
perhaps even laughed. Threatened or offended though? By what? a man on a
bike? - unlikely! I cannot think of anyone that would be threatened or
offended by a man on a bike.
It's not normal behaviour, it's unusual! However behaviour *becomes* normal
the more people practice it. Sometimes it means doing the things that others
haven't got the guts to do themselves.
Well done Richard
Well done Bernard
Andy R
I would imagine you also need to be considerably fitter what with there
being rather more mountains in Switzerland than around the Cambridgeshire
fens. Much more scenic though.
Rgds
Andy R
Tim Forcer
>
> ... I cannot think of anyone that would be threatened or
> offended by a man on a bike.
Try saying that in uk.rec.cycling!
Cyclists can be VERY threatening and/or offensive. Sometimes
it's the only way to survive (I swear I made a bus jump sideways
once).
Zardoz
I have not ridden a bike for years but even as a youngster I seem to
recollect not only falling off occasionally but feeling some discomfort in
the nether regions. I mean the male human form was not designed to ride a
bike unless well supported and protected. Looking at some cycle saddles they
seem designed to perform an anal dilation better than any surgeon.
I really think some caution should be exercised here with this past time.
Its one area that clothing and good protective safety equipment are a must.
And I really think that some younger men should be pretty careful with the
knocks that their testicles may take. Repeated trauma in this area is a fast
route to cancer.
But the sight of a a nude man wearing a cycling helmet and hopefully some
elbow and knee protection and maybe gloves bearing down on you at a rate of
knots on the local cycle path is enough to strike fear into the heart of
anyone.
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Kev
> I really think some caution should be exercised here with this past time.
> Its one area that clothing and good protective safety equipment are a
must.
> And I really think that some younger men should be pretty careful with the
> knocks that their testicles may take. Repeated trauma in this area is a
fast
> route to cancer.
Dont I remember that bike riding a lot can play hell with guys sex lives in
some cases - the problem being that it puts pressure on the blood vessels of
that part of the penis which is internal to the body. (I vaguely remember
this from a BBC2 or similar program)
Kev - going decidedly off topic... sorry folks !
Original Guy
"Kev" reminisced:
> Dont I remember that bike riding a lot can play hell with guys
> sex lives in some cases - the problem being that it puts pressure
> on the blood vessels of that part of the penis which is internal to
> the body.
Could that part be the.... uh, prostate? I wonder if bike racers
get inflamed prostates. Has anybody done a survey?
~Reggie~
Tim Forcer
A quick search of uk.rec.cycling using Google indicates several
areas of concern.
Pressure (it seems most undesirable when applied to the
perineum) can induce "numb knob" syndrome.
Numb knob may or may not be associated with temporary impotence
which is also related to pressure on the pudental artery (see
<http://www.citybikes.com/cycling_and_impotence.htm> and
<http://www.wallbike.com/content/impotence.html>).
There are suggestions that prostate problems may be exacerbated
by poor saddle design and/or poor saddle adjustment.
See also <http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic12.htm>. I
strongly recommend Sheldon Brown's Webpages on many aspects of
bikes. See <http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html> for his
wisdom relating to saddles.
I'm not at all sure how cycling nude would affect any of the
problems noted. Pressure would be almost identical, but
rubbing/friction would be different depending on what clothing
the rider would otherwise be wearing for comparison purposes.
Having done some nude cycling (at La Jenny in France), I still
have no idea of the answers, other than to say I think that
saddle material is more significant when it's in direct contact
with skin! One of those suede finishes might be most
comfortable?
marc
> > ... I cannot think of anyone that would be threatened or
> > offended by a man on a bike.
>
> Try saying that in uk.rec.cycling!
Wafflycat would be offended by a man on a bike wearing bibshorts
--
Marc
T Shirts, Sweatshirts, polo shirts, banners,
signs,decals, stickers etc for one make car clubs and sports clubs
http://www.jaceeprint.demon.co.uk/
John Gwalter
Paul Lautman <paul.l...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:af6pqc$5rq$1...@paris.btinternet.com...
Damn, I was going to quote that!
--
JOhn
David C
>Hmmmm I'm always too knackered after a decent bike ride to even
>notice impotence!
That's off topic. The subject of this thread is (arguably) indecent bike
rides :-)
With apologies to the pun police.