Green Man's Cycling Dilemma

Last weekend I faced a dilemma - I wanted to go on the World Naked Bike Ride as I support it's aims of celebrating cycling, showing how vulnerable cyclists are on the roads, and highlighting our dependence on oil and the damage that it's doing. But as I get booked by church groups, synagogues and others who might not book someone who had cycled naked through the streets, I had to decide to either join the ride clothed or to do it naked but cover my face and use a less recognisable bicycle. Or not go on the ride, but this wasn't an option!

I decided to support the event and join the ride dressed as Santa Claus on my unicycle. This was a fun option, and meant that I wasn't instantly recognisable by people who didn't know me well, yet was entertaining in a surreal way. It was pretty uncomfortable, especially towards the end of the 5 mile ride - my Santa suit had become a Sauna suit, my feet were fizzy and Iwas just a little saddle sore. But I felt really good - the only unicyclist on the York ride, and at the finish, Santa got a round of applause from the other cyclists, after the organisers and before the police. That felt good too!

My 'green tip of the week' is to get on your bike - it's health-giving, aerobic exercise and it'll get you from A to B suprisingly quickly, especially in crowded cities where you can cut through the jams. Cycling doesn't add unduly to climate change and it feels good to be part of the solution. As a cyclist, you can take advantage of the 6500 miles of Sustrans National Cycle Network.