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Footpaths and Bridleways

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gildo
(@dgildoo)
Posts: 833
Prominent Member
 

Regarding the placing of signs -  To be naked in appropriate public places is perfectly legal and providing your activity is as legal as it would be if you were clothed, then there should be no problem.  The public are just going to have to get used to it.
We don't see signs which say:
WARNING-  'Dog walkers may be encountered in this area. - Walking a dog is not an offence... etc. '
Whatever anyone does these days, somebody somewhere will be offended. So, should everyone stop doing something which is perfectly lawful, which they enjoy just in case someone may be offended?
It is up to the police to explain to any caller that providing there is no unlawful activity, it is not a police matter. If it means more in the way of police training, then so be it.
On the other side of the coin though, we as naturists still need to be sensible and respectful.

I agree that we need to be sensible but I struggle with this concept of respectful. Let me explain, when people see us naked most of them in my considerable experience are friendly and are not concerned about nudity. There is already mutual respect with these people it is the way it should be not something we need to be concerned with. The minority of people who are not happy about us being naked are often very rude to us and they want to stop us from doing what we want to do, they want to interfere in our lives when they could just look the other way. They have no respect for us and I cant see why we should have any for them but I still think that regardless of how they behave we still need to be sensible and remain calm and try to be friendly.

 
Posted : October 17, 2018 6:07 pm
rainman
(@rainman)
Posts: 341
Reputable Member
Topic starter
 

Well, I find mountain bikes to be annoying on footpaths and bridleways, but what can you do?

 
Posted : October 17, 2018 6:30 pm
Davie
(@nakeddavie)
Posts: 1398
Noble Member
 

One lady I know stood her ground on a footpath and the cyclist fell off! A risky strategy through.

Davie  8)

 
Posted : October 17, 2018 6:33 pm
pjcomp
(@pjelec)
Posts: 945
Member
 

A couple of years ago when we were walking the Liverpool-Leeds Canal, the towpath had plenty of (official!) signs about various users being considerate to each other, and that cyclists should give way to walkers. Did they heck! If we were lucky they rang their bells (those that had them) to let us know they were coming up behind, but mostly we needed eyes in the back of our heads.

Noli illegitimi te carborundum

 
Posted : October 17, 2018 6:43 pm
FlipG59
(@flipg59)
Posts: 430
Reputable Member
 

Regarding the placing of signs -  To be naked in appropriate public places is perfectly legal and providing your activity is as legal as it would be if you were clothed, then there should be no problem.  The public are just going to have to get used to it.
We don't see signs which say:
WARNING-  'Dog walkers may be encountered in this area. - Walking a dog is not an offence... etc. '
Whatever anyone does these days, somebody somewhere will be offended. So, should everyone stop doing something which is perfectly lawful, which they enjoy just in case someone may be offended?
It is up to the police to explain to any caller that providing there is no unlawful activity, it is not a police matter. If it means more in the way of police training, then so be it.
On the other side of the coin though, we as naturists still need to be sensible and respectful.

I agree that we need to be sensible but I struggle with this concept of respectful. Let me explain, when people see us naked most of them in my considerable experience are friendly and are not concerned about nudity. There is already mutual respect with these people it is the way it should be not something we need to be concerned with. The minority of people who are not happy about us being naked are often very rude to us and they want to stop us from doing what we want to do, they want to interfere in our lives when they could just look the other way. They have no respect for us and I cant see why we should have any for them but I still think that regardless of how they behave we still need to be sensible and remain calm and try to be friendly.

I very much agree Dave.  When I say about respect, what I'm meaning is, and I've said this many times before, just as a respecting smoker will not blow smoke into the face of a non smoker, close proximity nudity should, in my opinion, be an option, in that the person, if able, can choose to look away or alter their course to avoid if they wish, or if a close encounter is unavoidable, a strategically placed hat or bag is a simple option, as opposed to stopping to put shorts on etc. It is only for a moment or two, while they pass.  By doing this, you have shown respect towards them and they should then respect you for doing so. We have to remember that we are naked solely for 'our' benefit and not for anyone else's.
If we show respect, I'm sure more people will be more accepting.

'A nudist resort is simply a place where men and women meet and air their differences'."

 
Posted : October 17, 2018 7:49 pm
Davey B
(@banditman)
Posts: 325
Reputable Member
 

Regarding the placing of signs -  To be naked in appropriate public places is perfectly legal and providing your activity is as legal as it would be if you were clothed, then there should be no problem.  The public are just going to have to get used to it.
We don't see signs which say:
WARNING-  'Dog walkers may be encountered in this area. - Walking a dog is not an offence... etc. '
Whatever anyone does these days, somebody somewhere will be offended. So, should everyone stop doing something which is perfectly lawful, which they enjoy just in case someone may be offended?
It is up to the police to explain to any caller that providing there is no unlawful activity, it is not a police matter. If it means more in the way of police training, then so be it.
On the other side of the coin though, we as naturists still need to be sensible and respectful.

The only reason I put the signs up was out of courtesy and respect for others though I have yet to come across any more walkers. My thought process was you may see me naked please don't be offended maybe I should take them down now as I am no longer alone on my walks, I don't know what to do now. Also how does everyone deal with cyclists who come up behind them as unless they alert you to them being there you will have no time to cover up or is bums ok.
Davey

 
Posted : October 18, 2018 11:07 am
gildo
(@dgildoo)
Posts: 833
Prominent Member
 

I don't usually cover up for cyclists or anyone else unless they are looking uneasy or the have children with them. Most adults are not phased by nudity. We all have a naked body and women are more used to seeing naked men than men are. women are not bothered unless they feel threatened. Some men aren't sure what to do or where to look but usually manage to say hello back to me when I say it to them.

 
Posted : October 18, 2018 12:38 pm
FlipG59
(@flipg59)
Posts: 430
Reputable Member
 

Also how does everyone deal with cyclists who come up behind them as unless they alert you to them being there you will have no time to cover up or is bums ok.
Davey

If a cyclist, or anyone for that matter, is approaching you from behind, they are making that choice. They are in control of the situation. They are in a position to proceed or to alter course or hang back, in exactly the same way as if you were following and catching up to a dog walker and didn't like the look of the dog. You would choose whether to proceed and pass, or take a different path if possible, or hang back. In this case, the dog walker would hopefully show respect if you choose to pass, by keeping the dog fully under control while you pass.
I'm trying to draw parallel situations by comparing activities like 'dog walking' to 'naturist walking'.  Both have an element of discomfort to some members of the public. What I am trying to say, is that you have as much right to use the path naked, as anyone walking a dog or cycling along it.
Mutual respect can be given, by the dog walker ensuring the dog is under control and the cyclist taking extra care as he passes.

'A nudist resort is simply a place where men and women meet and air their differences'."

 
Posted : October 18, 2018 6:04 pm
(@sunlover69)
Posts: 52
Trusted Member
 

Hi Davey B,
As you seem to know the area, happy to follow your suggestions and enjoy the walk.

Went on the route this morning took an hour to derwent inn from hamsterley mill and slightly less on way back, 2 roads to cross but weren't busy and easy to cross over. Pretty quiet met a couple of dog walkers and some cyclists oh and 2 squirrels if you fancy doing this John on Friday about 10.30 to start.
Davey

Hi, w
Where would you want to meet up,or we could meet near yours and travel together.

 
Posted : October 18, 2018 8:24 pm
Davey B
(@banditman)
Posts: 325
Reputable Member
 

Sent a PM John

Davey

 
Posted : October 18, 2018 9:52 pm
Davey B
(@banditman)
Posts: 325
Reputable Member
 

Well what can I say, John (sunlover69) and I ventured out this morning (Friday) at around 10.30 on a 2 hour walk and overall we had a good time. Initially it was a bit fresh but soon warmed up as the walk progressed.

We thought as it being a week day there would be less people around whether cycling or walking as we were a little away from the houses. What we didn't allow for was the organised walk that the retired do every third friday of the month so encountered around 20 or so unsuspecting retirees mainly females.
Previously, 2 cyclists (Males) and one older guy walking his dog had voiced their opinions about what we were doing was wrong and against the law and what about the children (none present) with one saying that a lady who was approaching would feel threatened. But on asking her what she thought she said she didn't feel threatened or unsafe and each to their own and more happens out at sea...
Furthermore we spoke at length to a couple possibly husband and wife who were all for what we were doing and even showed interest in the yearly NESD at Druridge Bay they too didn't feel uneasy at all with our nakedness. The lady commenting if her children were with them they would just think it was a laugh seeing bums she would not be offended at all them seeing us.

On coming across the group they couldn't wait to chat with us and we could hear the anticipation in their voices, the whispering as well as the giggles and to see what it was all about, and guess what not one of them felt anything negative from us or towards them and it was more a pat on the back and a 'good for us' and society needs to change their views on seeing the naked body.

So on this occasion it was the males who thought quite wrongly that women would feel threatened, uneasy or uncomfortable with seeing a naked man or men it might go someway to explaining how Naturists/Naturism are viewed.

Davey

 
Posted : October 20, 2018 1:57 am
FlipG59
(@flipg59)
Posts: 430
Reputable Member
 

Well what can I say, John (sunlover69) and I ventured out this morning (Friday) at around 10.30 on a 2 hour walk and overall we had a good time. Initially it was a bit fresh but soon warmed up as the walk progressed.

We thought as it being a week day there would be less people around whether cycling or walking as we were a little away from the houses. What we didn't allow for was the organised walk that the retired do every third friday of the month so encountered around 20 or so unsuspecting retirees mainly females.
Previously, 2 cyclists (Males) and one older guy walking his dog had voiced their opinions about what we were doing was wrong and against the law and what about the children (none present) with one saying that a lady who was approaching would feel threatened. But on asking her what she thought she said she didn't feel threatened or unsafe and each to their own and more happens out at sea...
Furthermore we spoke at length to a couple possibly husband and wife who were all for what we were doing and even showed interest in the yearly NESD at Druridge Bay they too didn't feel uneasy at all with our nakedness. The lady commenting if her children were with them they would just think it was a laugh seeing bums she would not be offended at all them seeing us.

On coming across the group they couldn't wait to chat with us and we could hear the anticipation in their voices, the whispering as well as the giggles and to see what it was all about, and guess what not one of them felt anything negative from us or towards them and it was more a pat on the back and a 'good for us' and society needs to change their views on seeing the naked body.

So on this occasion it was the males who thought quite wrongly that women would feel threatened, uneasy or uncomfortable with seeing a naked man or men it might go someway to explaining how Naturists/Naturism are viewed.

Davey

Well done! and what a positive outcome.

The Naturist Action Group have been and are still collecting feedback on people's experiences of public encounter whilst enjoying naturist activities in public places.

A feedback form, which gives full explanation etc. can be downloaded at:

http://naturistactiongroup.org/wp-content/uploads/Casual-Naturism-Report-FINAL_SC.doc

If anyone who encounters the public during naturist walks etc. , could spend a few minutes to give this valuable information, it would greatly appreciated. Thankyou.

'A nudist resort is simply a place where men and women meet and air their differences'."

 
Posted : October 20, 2018 8:48 am
(@sunlover69)
Posts: 52
Trusted Member
 

Just to endorse what Davey B has posted.
We had a very enjoyed couple of hours and unexpectedly met more people than we thought, and apart from a couple of guy's making negative comments the feedback and chats we had we're fairly positive, many asking about whether we were cold, which we weren't although others were wrapped in several layers of clothing.
A great and liberating experience for both of us, as this seems to be rare in this area of the UK.

 
Posted : October 20, 2018 8:10 pm
Davey B
(@banditman)
Posts: 325
Reputable Member
 

Maybe next time we are out John we should get some photo's done didn't think of that till I was driving home...

 
Posted : November 7, 2018 10:11 pm
(@sunlover69)
Posts: 52
Trusted Member
 

Hi Davey B,
Yes at least it would be a bit more than just a memory of a good day out.
A bit like you, I thought of it later after doing the one in June, as a reminder but didn't ask someone to take a picture- not that I am photogenic- but just wish I had a snapshot to look back on.
Maybe next time.

 
Posted : November 9, 2018 5:28 pm
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