Nude cyclists bear up despite cold weather

BY JOHN EDENS

Last updated 05:00 14/01/2010

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Birthday-suited naturists raised a few eyebrows as they jiggled along the Otago Central Rail Trail at the weekend.

About 30 New Zealand Naturist Federation members wearing nothing but helmets cycled sections of the route.

Federation spokeswoman Glenne Findon, of Napier, a naturist since the 1970s, said about half the group, aged from 12 to 80, managed to complete the 150km trail.

The cold, showery weather was against the cyclists so members periodically donned clothes before stripping off when the sun shone, she said.

There were few complaints but the naturists who cycled the entire route were "a bedraggled bunch" by the time they reached Middlemarch, she said.

She said shedding clothes was a great way of boosting self-esteem and naturist clubs were like any other society.

To cycle in the nude a comfort saddle was essential, she said.

"We get all shapes and sizes.

"We accept people for who they are and body shape is not an issue."

Alpine Lakes Naturist Club, at Lowburn near Cromwell, has about 30 members, most of them from Dunedin and Invercargill.

A club spokesman said members arranged a monthly activity, including a nude trip to a restaurant, a nude golf outing to Naseby and a car rally.

The New Zealand Naturist Federation has about 1300 members.

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- © Fairfax NZ News

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