Gloucestershire

Glad to see this although I never speak highly of Gloucester. Born and lived there for 19 years until moving to London for uni. Parents moving out relatively soon so probably wont have much reason to go back. The Newent Cycle Loop and adjoining Ledbury Loop is a really great ride

Also (Super) Ted James for all your posh handmade bicycle frames.

I meant to pop in on you dj when I was passing your area after me hols, but my old dad railroaded my plans so I ended up going home via him in the Mendips instead.

FWIW I spent a shitload of time around there a while back (90s) around Nailsworth valley/Stroud in particules, it’s nice.

I used to like hanging in The Pelican in Stroud, wonder if it’s any good now.

My gran lived in Wootton when I was growing up, visited pretty regularly. However, never really went round the place. First time I cycled out there after moving to Bristol I was shocked at how 'big' it was.

I like Stroud - pass through there every day on the way to work - there's frequently people walking round with blue hair and cloaks - come harvest time it all kicks off, apparently.

Bit of a lurker on the forum, but also recently moved to Bath. Been a year now. Taken a while to get used to but loving it now. Great for the kids. Dad’s over in Nailsworth which I’ve always loved. Great pub too, Village Inn.

I live less than half a mile off the Newent Loop. It’s my default “can’t think of what to do ride”

I'm new to Longlevens after a life in London. So much is different. I bought a 1980s Raleigh folding bike...3 spokes missing. An odd size too. Eastgate of Gloucester sent me to Paul at Striking Bikes who made the spokes for me for £1.50 each in 2 hours. Now I love London and all that you can get and do in the capital but this wouldn't happen...would it? Not only that but he had seemingly endless time to chat. I'm getting used to relaxing, getting things fixed, chatting to folks, smiling back at passers by....

Nice, are you newent based or somewhere more rural? It certainly beats eating pollution and cabbies of London

Upleadon somewhere between Newent and Red Marley

Nice image you paint there.

re: Country ways - Guess not although I personally will always be a village lad in London - talking to strangers, saying good morning to the elderly, smiling at posties, that sort of thing. The other day I randomly helped a lad going to the station with a massive bag. He could have been a burgular, but we exchanged names, talked about skate spots (he had a board), fistbumped you name it. I think you can have a slow, sociable life in a city, if you insist. Talk Talk’s biggest hit ‘Life’s What You Make It’ applies.

nice skully this was my out look also but many times it slipped and became dragged in to the head down mentally.

Good to catch up today dancing james. I'm loving this change (drop) of pace but then at my age I'm due a break. I bought a temporary (while we refurb) sofa for £100 from a fleamarket in Gloucester. That's a nice meal for 2 in Table du Marche in East Finchley. Turns out I've bought a vintage leather Chesterfield, comfy as fuck...and genuinely distressed by decades of Gloucestershire arses. All I need is pipe, slippers. dog. Got the dog.

1 Attachment

Sofa pics please.

If anyone is around the Forest of Dean, I’m running a launch event for a new inclusive cycling project at Pedalabikeaway this Wednesday... it gets people on bikes (with taster sessions at black ridge athletics track in Cheltenham) and then flat forest trails through the Forest.

We’ve a range of accessible bikes and staff to support riders. I’m always looking for more volunteer riders if anyone is interested too...

Pm me if you want more details.

I’d have helped out but am in London next week. Are you doing more things there? Both @MetalMelly and myself are cycling instructors and not that far from pedalbikeaway or Cheltenham

I've been doing things for years there James! Just never really brought it on to here (work / forum overlap things I guess).

The Blackridge and PABA stuff is regular work - we've a couple of storage containers at both locations with a pool of accessible bikes, and 1.5 workers to support it - but always looking for more volunteers and/or experts!

I'm trying to get funding to roll the model out across England with Cycling Projects at the moment...

where are you based these days?

Herne Hill - which doesn't make a trip to FoD or Cheltenham easy...

next year we will have a spare room you can stay in if you need to overnight round here (currently doing renovations so room not available)

I'll think of that as a I get up at 4am to travel there on Wednesday!

fuuck

as of february will have the spare room in action again

Which one of you did I see on the A38 heading out of Tewkesbury about 7.40am? Fixed Dolan with a la mode flat bars, calf tattoos, roll top rucksack.

Not me

Nice one - glad you're enjoying it. Where are you living in town? Say hi if you ever see me about town - I'll probably be riding a black dolan with a rack on the front.

Will do! Likewise for you, I’ll likely be on an old white/yellow/purple moustached Raleigh or a pink (purple?) straggler. We’re based in Weston. Love it out here. Easy for town easy for the hills. You?