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Expat life in Germany: Caution, naked cyclists crossing ahead

With its tranquil forests, picturesque lakes and Alpine views, it's hardly surprising that Bavaria is Germany's number one tourist destination. Last year the "Free State" attracted a record 26 million tourists - a growing number of them sports enthusiasts.

But for many, it's sport with a difference. Some don't just choose to travel light - they wear no clothing at all. It's what the Germans call being "naktiv" or naked and active. Naktivism, as it's also known, dates back to the early 1900s, when the German youth group, the Wandervögel, hiked around the countryside skinny-dipping wherever they found water.

A feeling of freedom: the emphasis on being active sets 'Naktivists' in Germany apart from traditional nudists This prompted the idea of Freie Körper Kultur, or free body culture, and the creation of nudist beaches along the Baltic coast.

Nude sunbathing soon spread to some public parks, too. One of the largest and most popular, Munich's Englischer Garten (the name refers to the style of gardening), has bylaws to protect naked sun lovers. And for those who yearn to disrobe at the earliest possible opportunity, a company called OssiUrlaub recently started taking bookings on nude-only flights between Leipzig and the Baltic Sea island of Usedom.

According to Munich-based expat nudist Richard Foley, it's the emphasis on being active that sets Naktivists apart from traditional nudists. Foley's organisation, Naked Europe, has been leading nude hiking trips in the Alps for almost 10 years.

"We're not afraid to challenge commonly accepted social norms," he says. The same goes for naked rock climbing, naked bowling and, here's the latest craze, "Nacktradler". Almost every weekend during the summer some 20 men and women, aged up to 70, expose themselves to the elements - and onlookers - on cross-country cycling tours around Bavaria.

Founded three years ago in the wake of World Naked Bike Ride Day, the Nacktradler simply enjoy being at one with nature. It's something local organiser, Alex von der Tour, is eager to point out, when asked about the point of the whole exercise.

"It gives you the feeling of freedom," he says. Yet is cycling nude in public not illegal? The German authorities, von der Tour tells me, prosecute only if members of the public complain. "Some of our group have been fined," he admits, "but only when out alone."

He describes how one member, jogging nude in the woods, was reported by a woman who suffered shock after the surprise encounter. Such incidents, however, are few and far between. Bavarian state television recently broadcast scenes of the Nacktradler being applauded, as they boldly biked along the promenade of one of Bavaria's swishiest spa towns.

"Most people we meet are either encouraging or curious," says von der Tour. He recalls an elderly lady who once stopped to quiz them. Not about their nakedness, but because they were navigating a hazardously narrow forest path and she was concerned they might not get through.

Von der Tour's favourite anecdote, however, is the one about the oncoming cyclist, who was so distracted that he ran into a signpost. To date the only expat reported to have taken part in the nude biking experience is a US exchange student, who heard of the club on the internet.

"You can't do this in America!" said Rebecca from Missouri. Browsing the Nacktradler website, I came across a picture of the brunette rubbing sun cream onto a fellow cyclist's back.

Might this encourage expats to swell the nude cyclist ranks? I post a photo from the Nacktradler website and float the idea on Toytown, Germany's online expat network. Printable comments range from "Gross, unhygienic" and "How uncomfortable" to "Can we make this into a caption competition?" I put some of these reactions to von der Tour.

It's more hygienic not to wear textiles, he contends, since clothes tend to rub against the saddle, causing sores. But what if a cyclist falls - is it not dangerous without protection? Von der Tour says the risk is low, since the group doesn't go in for extreme heights and distances. But, they might consider donning knee and elbow pads. And if it rains?

"That's very pleasant," he says. "You dry out more quickly". When he's not leading naked cycling trips around Bavaria, von der Tour is spearheading "Nackttourismus" trips around Europe.

His rafting excursions, documented by scores of photos on the Nacktradler website, attract nudists from all over Germany. Keen to make the tours more international, von der Tour encourages expats to join in.

"They needn't be worried about catching cold," he assures. "We only go out when it's over 18 degrees." But what about when winter approaches, do Naktivists not get a bit restless, confined indoors, fully clothed?

"Oh no," he says. "We are too busy planning next summer's tours."

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2008.10.07 Telegraph