Peckham woman cycles naked for 6 days with naturist pal as heads turn from Gloucester to Cornwall

Neil and J as they pass through Minions, Cornwall on their bike ride
-Credit: (Image: SWNS)


A woman from South London has turned heads with her naturist friend as the pair cycled across England over 6 days in the nude. J Antic, 25, from Peckham, hopped onto a tandem bike with pal Neil Cox, 36, as they set off on a 26-mile ride from Gloucester to Land's End in Cornwall.

Both naturists, J and Neil took to two wheels to see more of the country - and the country certainly saw more of them as they did the whole thing naked and even stopped off along the route for nude shopping trips and days out. Starting with a cycle from Gloucester to Bristol, they paid a visit to the Mendips and stopped off in Glastonbury town - arguably the place they were least likely to cause a stir.

They camped with friends and stayed in slightly warmed accommodation in the form of hotels and B&Bs on other nights after setting off on Saturday, September 7. Now in Cornwall, on the final part leg of their ride, the pair said people's response has been "overwhelmingly positive".

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J said: "It's been a good turning point for me in terms of my own body image and confidence. I heard somewhere that supposedly having more exposure to non-sexual nudity can have a good impact on others' self-image. I think that's always a good thing in this day and age."

Neil, a finance worker, from Stoke, added: "We did a bike ride down to Land's End in 2022, and raised about £5k. This time it's been more for enjoyment. We're not far from the end now and we've had varied responses.

"People on social media always have opinions - but we haven't had many negative reactions. People in Glastonbury were overwhelmingly positive, it was a bit overwhelming. In Bristol people had a casual indifference, but that's what we want to be the case really.

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Neil Cox and J Antic pass a car during their naked bike ride from Gloucester to Land's End

"There were times I was worried about a negative reaction, but it was all in my head. After we went through Glastonbury we did get dressed - but only because it was windy and chucking it down with rain!"

After reaching Bristol on the first leg of the ride, the pair went for drinks and visited a few bars without any clothes on, and say people's reaction was mostly "indifferent".

Neil said people on social media had a much different reaction than those they have met in person. One person wrote in a local Facebook group: "You may love seeing each other naked, doesn't mean we want to. Have more respect for other people!"

Another person posted: "I have never understood the need of people to draw attention to themselves, without offering anything to the rest of society."

However many people stepped in to defend them, with one saying it was "good to counteract the media portrayal of bodies these days".

Neil explained: "I don't think naked bodies are bad or dangerous. It's not a sexual thing - I have a girlfriend of 10 years and she's comfortable with me going on trips with other women because she knows it's a wholesome thing and there's nothing going on.

"There are lots of issues around body image in the world, and if we can do something to make people think all bodies are OK, then that's a good thing."

Neil added: "I feel happier and less stressed when I'm naked. And most people seem supportive of that."

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