I've been a keen cyclist for years but only recently started cycling in the nude. Nude cycling is something which has to be planned and often I've planned to go naked and then decided not to at the last minute when there have been too many people about. As usual I set off wearing only the absolute minimum. A T-shirt and a pair of shorts that can easily be pulled over my shoes looks respectable when cycling through town and yet can be slipped off when cycling through quieter locations.

Among the more remote parts of Scotland, I've discovered many quiet, single track roads with spectacular views. The lack of traffic makes them ideal for nude cycling and the fact that you can see for miles means that you have plenty of warning if a car does come along. A ten mile cycle ride suddenly becomes worthwhile when you reach a place where you can enjoy two or three miles of uninterrupted nudity.

There are also a number of forestry tracks where cycling is permitted although I am wary of these since visibility is impaired by the trees. Unlike hiking, you cannot just hide behind a tree if you have to stop and dismount before you can retreat. And then where do you hide your bike? This hasn't stopped me from trying but I've never been able to venture very far.

The open road is by far the safest, and a hard tarmac road surface is much more comfortable. One such place involves a hard climb to the top of a steep hill. From there the road makes its way gently down hill for a distance of about six miles across open moorland. From the top of the hill it is possible to see almost the entire route. I always stop at the top of the hill for a rest. I strip off only when I am sure it is safe and tuck my clothes into my saddle bag. Standing naked at the road side with my clothes packed away is an experience in itself and mounting the bike and setting off feels extremely liberating.

Going bare foot too adds to the feeling that I am completely unencumbered. Just me and my bicycle. As the cycle picks up momentum the breeze against my naked skin has an amazing effect. It feels like I'm completely free, yet also quite vulnerable. After a few minutes of plain sailing comes a short climb where I have to pedal quite hard to maintain my speed. The effort is exhilarating. My body is free to move without hindrance from clothing. The bike slows as I reach the top of this short climb. I can't see beyond the brow of the hill and for a moment I wonder if I might have been mistaken when I looked for cars earlier. Although I know there is nothing beyond this hill other than more deserted moorland, it feels like anything could pop over the hill at any moment.

As I ride over the crest I'm hardly moving and have had to drop down a couple of gears. Then the momentum begins to build and before long I'm coasting along at 20 mph again, my pubic hair blowing in the wind. I continue this way for mile after mile, occasionally pedalling to maintain my speed but nothing too strenuous.

As I reach the end of my decent the road turns through a series of sharp corners as it negotiates a small stream. A small bridge takes the road over the water and then on through a series of twists and turns that are blind before coming to a junction. I always stop at the bridge and dismount. If the weather is hot I can splash some water over myself to cool off before unpacking my saddle bag and putting on my shorts.