I’ve had a wonderful experience this summer cycling naked around the lanes of West Kent, sometimes alone but often with friends.  I always have a sense of freedom when I get on a bike and when naked, I feel fully liberated and joyful.  It is exhilarating to feel the sun on bare skin, a gentle breeze or the summer rain.  During my ride to Paris and back in July, the French seemed to take kindly to my chosen 'tenue à peau' (lit. skinsuit).

It is exhilarating to feel the sun on bare skin, a gentle breeze or the summer rain."

Everyone has been very enthusiastic, with smiles, cheery waves, thumbs-up and toots on car horns, people have taken photos and stopped to talk to me.  Once a cyclist caught me up and asked if I was OK.  I thanked him for his concern and explained that I was just trying out my technical waterproof and breathable layer: not fluorescent but I seem to get noticed.  I am certain that motorists have driven very courteously around me, so maybe I’ve done my bit for road peace and harmony.

I am certain that motorists have driven very courteously around me, so maybe I’ve done my bit for road peace and harmony."

My cycling generated a lot of interest culminating in a letter to the local paper from a reader who doubted his own sanity after having seen me on a main road in not very warm weather.  I contacted the paper, photos were taken and the story was covered very positively.  I’ve had a very supportive response from everyone, with cyclists getting in touch, wanting to find out more and to ride with me.

Being naked in public is perfectly legal in the United Kingdom provided it is ‘simple nudity’ i.e. non-aggressive and non-sexual.  This is a precious freedom we have, one I try to use wisely and courteously.

Roger Coupe

Follow Roger on Twitter @RogerNaked