Cotswold Cruise 2011
23rd June 2011
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Sorry for the delay in the report but repeated Computer problems, now sorted.
The Cotswold Cruise started from the M5 Junction A46 Tormarton, in a layby and with a good food van. Ride Captain John Cooke led with Tail Gunners Muddy Waters with wife Lesley. Also attending were Pete Lambourn, Shane Dick with partner Cher, both solo, John Rolfe, Simon and Claire Anderson, Roger Smith with wife Linda on pillion and Daughter Emma. Glynn solo, Ruth on her trike, Malcolm Palmer and wife Annette, and a prospective member Nigel Lewin.
Those who arrived early enough had something to eat and drink, but no toilets for the ladies. Due to some travelling for nearly 3 hours, well done Pete, first stop was at The Roman Road garage for a quick fuel stop.
The weather was fine but cloudy for the beginning and the end of the ride, with one or two stages of light rain and strong winds.
We travelled north through Nailsworth and onto Stroud, before going over the beautiful Rodway Common followed by Minchinhampton Common. It was good to see the cows lazing around the common grass, and because of the weather it wasn’t too busy with Nissan Micra Tourists. Some of the roads across the common were nice and open, and those making up time after some difficult junction traversing, made some tidy speed.
Following the A419 to Cirencester, then the A429 to Bourton on the Water. Somebody up there realised it was lunchtime and as we parked the bikes he bought the best of the sun out. We couldn’t get parked in the town, so it was the nearest car park. The group split up for an hour’s lunch break and the town was full of tourists, mostly carrying ‘Nikon’ cameras, so guess where they were from.
Children and dogs played in the shallow crystal clear water, and people sat, stood and posed in every vantage point for their pictures to take home. The most beautiful sight was a pretty young teenage, oriental girl with yellow parasol, traditional white make up, in beautiful flower print dress, tights and shoes. She wouldn’t have been out of place in any traditional Japanese city, but in this town, took full credit.
After lunch it was on to some lovely narrow lanes through Greater then Little Risssington, the Barringtons and a ride through the most photographed village in Britain, Bibury. It had been our intention to stop for Ice Creams in this stone cottage village, but again the roadside parking was full of cars and four coaches were vying for any remaining parking available.
As we left Bibury and onto Cirencesterm and Tetbury, the weather did lose some of its sunny disposition and after passing Badminton we again pulled up at The Roman Road Garage, for that Ice Cream and fuel refill. Yes Ruth, it was the same garage we had stopped at earlier. It was from here that we said our goodbyes and all departed back towards the M4 in smaller groups.
Thanks John for a lovely day out, not too long for those who had travelled far to get here, but enough to make it a great ride.
(Webmaster's Note: Thanks to Lee Waters for the route - an excellent choice, cheers Lee)
Glynn Kettleborough
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