A naked cyclist, spotted by multiple people cycling around the streets in the nude, has defended his lifestyle after videos of him were shared online.
The naked cyclist had been spotted riding along the roads of Derbyshire, UK, with several sightings and a handful of witnesses talking of their shock when seeing the man ride through the area.
One witness, Jade Meadows, 20, described what she saw as a “pale, naked man on a bike,” and the identity had remained a mystery until the man came forward and identified himself.
Stuart Gilmour, a naturalist from the village of Fenny Bentley near Ashbourne, claimed to be the nude cyclist and was bemused by the speculation around why he was cycling in the nude.
Gilmour said: “I’m a naturist who just loves to be able to experience everyday life without the restrictions of clothing, promoting body positivity, embracing the individuality that is our bodies, showing people it’s ok to be different whether that be size, shape or colour and the general wellbeing it can give you.
“But most of all it’s meeting so many new people and making new friends while cycling. If I was clothed no one bothers you, you just ride past, but when in the buff people are just genuinely intrigued and want to know more.”
Gilmour said the attention he received from the nude cycling has prompted him to plan a naked bike ride, DerbyshireLive reports.
He said: “I had no idea this would get so much attention – I’m genuinely shocked. I’m always cycling on Rochdale Canal or around Manchester and never had this kind of interest before.
“This wasn’t for charity this time but I am planning a naked bike ride from Manchester to Chester possibly on to North Wales in the summer to raise money for a cancer charity my wife Karen Gilmour works for.”