Motorcycle Practice, Cyclist & Ice Cream by the Canal

Me, right after I received my CBT certificate in April 2011

What a gorgeous Sunday we've had. I started my day off with motorbike manoeuvres. Met up with some friends and we practised for our motorcycle tests coming up. I've got my Theory test this Thursday! I've been practising for that too. Wish me luck! Vroom Vroom! ;-)

Fraser's of Gloucester

You might ask, why is this mad woman taking a motorcycle test at her age. Well I'll tell you. Back in my early 20's I had a motorcycle licence and a lovely Honda Helix 250. The bike was way bigger than me back then and I don't remember being afraid to ride it. Actually I really enjoyed riding it. I only gave it up because it wasn't practical for carrying babies around on.

Me on my Honda Helix back in the late 1980's 

Well, the guys at Fraser's of Gloucester heard about my past on a bike and decided to tempt me back on one. They like a good challenge these guys. So they nudged me in the direction to get my CBT which I did through Motag. My instructor was fantastic and very patient with me, he had me riding in no time at all! Thank you Mr. Orton. :-)

The Suzuki Burgman I'm currently ridding from Fraser's of Gloucester

This is the bike I've been riding around, you may have spotted me on it or seen the bike parked somewhere. I love riding this bike, it's sooo much easier to park than the big Volkswagen Passat we have. Lots more fun to ride as well. Not to mention  much more economical. Vroom Vroom!

Suziki Burgman

One of the main features that I love about this bike is the big trunk space, plenty of room for lots of camera gear. :-D Once I pass my test we are getting a bit bigger bike. My husband has a motorcycle licence and he wants to ride it too....he can't be seen on a smaller bike. ;-)

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After our manoeuvres practice I scootered down to Waitrose in Stroud to pick up some lunch and then across to the London Road Car park where The Stonehouse Wheelers cycle club were gathering for their Sunday ride.  The push bike kind of cycles not the motorbike kind. I used to be a regular rider with this group, was even their Honourable Secretary for a while, but then I got busy with photography. I must get back on my bike this summer. I must, I must, I must!

As I had the wrong kind of bike, I wished them well on their cycle ride around the country side and said I'd meet with them later at their tea stop. Which I did, later, walking down the hill to meet with them.

Stonehouse Wheelers Cycling Club arrive at The LockKeeper's Café

This past Sunday the Stonehouse Wheeler's Cycling club had their tea stop at the LockKeeper's Café in Stroud. What a beautiful day to sit down by the canal with a cup of tea and a cake after a long ride around our beautiful country side.

Stonehouse Wheelers enjoying their tea & cake by the canal in Stroud. 

This is a new tea stop for cycle club, they are always on the look out for great tea stops for their Sunday rides. I heard a lot of good comments about this tea stop and how much everyone enjoyed it and how nice everyone was at the LockKeeper's and how grateful they were that the Café was open for them. This just might become a regular stop for them. If the Stonehouse Wheelers gives a café a thumbs up then you know it's got to be good, as they are serious about their tea stops.

Daphne, Olympic Torch Bearer and avid cyclist. (That's my husband Peter on the right)

Daphne Edwards, an active member of the Stonehouse Wheelers and secretary of the Stroud Valleys Cycling Club, joined the group for a bit of tea and cake out in the lovely sunshine down by the canal. You may have heard about Daphne and her honour of being one of the Olympic Torch Bearers for our area. She's definitely one of the coolest grandma's around!

Winstones Cotswold Ice Cream by the Canal

The LockKeeper's Café sell my favourite ice cream, Winstones Cotswold Ice Cream, nom nom nom. Of course I couldn't resist having some out in the sunshine down by the canal. :-D

Canal Locks in Stroud

Tea by the Canal in Stroud

After the cyclist departed on their way I had a lovely walk up the hill back home with my husband, him pushing his bike. Well it is a push bike. :-p 

Annual Cycle Carol Service in Cam

Today was the annual Cycle Carol Service at St. George's Church in Cam. I didn't take my camera so I don't have any photos from the day. **kicking self** We did have a lovely day though, starting with an early bike ride to the Cam Memorial Hall for hot water and then on to the Church to practice before the Service started. Sue and I cycled with Peter so that we'd get their ahead of our cycle club which was cycling a bit later. It was a freezing cold day and we had to watch out for ice on the roads. It was a lovely bright crisp morning though and I was very tempted to skip out on the service and run away with my camera for the day! But I didn't, I stuck with my husband Peter and the club. :-)


The church was packed full of Cyclist from all over the area. Cycle Clubs that I know were there were The Stonehouse Wheelers, Stroud Valleys CC (CTC), Bristol CTC, Cheltenham CTC, Gloucester City and Swindon CTC. It was a lovely service with our club President Eric Lewis doing a reading on behalf of our club. Also on behalf of our club Peter played the organ for each of the 6 carols and Sue sang a solo. Also there was Nicki on her trumpet from the Stroud Valleys accompanying Peter on the organ. I sat by Peter on his bench at the organ and helped him keep count versus and pulled a few stops for him. It was a lovely service and I enjoyed it.


After the service we all went back to the Cam Memorial Hall for snacks and hot drinks before setting off on our bikes back home. While there I sold a few Stonehouse Wheelers Calendars which we have produced for the past few years. Malcolm Jackson designs the calendars using photos from the club members of the club out cycling. This year, Peter and I were the only ones to submit photos. Here are a few screen shots of the calendar to give you an idea what it's like:

Peter took the above photo, I'm the one in red. :-)

I took the above photo, Peter is the second rider in this shot.

I took the above shot, Peter is second from the left. This was taken at the Clubs 60th Anniversary ride. Inset is a photo that was in the paper from the day.