Written in the stars

Powell 

As I sit here gazing into the beautiful Cornish sky with its hundreds and thousands of twinkling stars, I get to wondering about what lays ahead.  Is our future written in the stars?

Truth be told, I have never felt so lost or unsure with what I want to do.  But there is something about getting back to basics and sleeping in the outdoors, camping, that gets the brain rewired.

Powell

It was only this week that I left my job of two years and my home to start a fresh in North Cornwall.  It was a great farewell although I did look rather strange driving over an hour with balloons attached to the back of the bike (hasten to add, the balloons didn’t make the full journey).

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Although coming out of one pub management role into the another a feeling of ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’ comes to mind. But in the same sense, I am a true believer in ‘everything happens for a reason’ and when opportunities arise they are to be grabbed with both hands. After all if we don’t keep moving forward, we would never truly experience what life has to offer.

This isn’t to say I am destined to stay at this job but it’s all part of my journey. My husband and I both have dreams to travel and being in a job with more money and moving from a cottage into a room (thus downsizing significantly) brings us one step closer to that dream. Our family have always refered to us as ‘Nomads’ as we have never been able to settle in the 6 years we have been together, moving somewhere different every year. I feel more and more we were not destined to live in the norms of society. Although with the husband not anywhere near to wanting to ride a motorcycle, our travels may end up looking like this:

Restell-Anderson

But at least we will both living out our dreams. After all its written in the stars……..

Blogging from inside my very small tent

White

Off into the Cornish Sun

There is nothing quite like mouching around on the bike when the sun is rising or about to set. Yes we have all seen endless beautiful sunsets but there’s something rather nostalgic about riding on a motorbike off into the sunset. Reminding us of a sense of belonging and being, at one with our glorious machines. For me motorcycling evokes all the senses and unless you ride a motorbike you won’t truly understand the feeling of the “wind in your hair” (or helmet). It’s a beautiful thing.

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There is also something wonderfully peaceful about riding early in the morning, especially in Cornwall. With little traffic on the roads and the Cornish landscape as your highway. Riding along the coast as the sunlight flickers off the ocean.  Stunning! 

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I particular like to get up early on longer journeys to avoid as much traffic as I can and it’s a great relaxing way to start a long ride, watching the world slowly starting to wake.

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One of my favourite rides was a sunset ride to West Pentire on the North Coast of Cornwall from Looe in the South East.

I arrived to a spectacular site of rolling cliff tops of wild poppies with stunning views out to the Atlanic.  It was the most beautiful setting for a perfect sunset, something I will never forget.

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As I slowly explore the wonders of this county, it has to be said that I have never seen such beauty in the skies as I have seen here. 

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Make the most of those early mornings. Safe and happy riding!

Lonely T.W.A.T

I have loved motorbikes since I can remember.  Although it was only at the age of 24 that I got my 1st bike, a brand new Honda CBR 125cc 2010.

Powell

I was instantly hooked and went everywhere on her and through all weather’s rain, snow,ous sunshine and wind (my worst kind of riding weather). Being 5.2 and less than 60kg I would feel like a rag doll about to take off into the abyss. However riding in all weather conditions have given me some invaluable motorcycle skills and overall has made me a more confident rider.

But being a bit of an introvert and lacking in social confidence I have always found it hard to mingle with others who also have the same passion. Altough truthfully I have always been a bit of a loner.

It wasn’t until I got my 1st big bike, my beautiful Yamaha Fazer 03 600cc and moved to Cornwall in 2013, that I slowly started to get into the bike scene.  But I soon realised the realities of moving to this county meant working most weekends and once again I found it difficult to get out and enjoy my new bike.  But as my now husband worked away the majority of the time in London I had my free time to slowly bimble around Cornwall.  From here I set-up my Motorcycle Travels Facebook page. This meant I could keep a record of places I visited.  I also love photography and it was a great platform to share my travel photos on the bike.

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However within a year of living here I decided to start a part-time three year Foundation Degree at City College Plymouth (which I can happily say I have just completed and I graduate in a few months). Meaning most my time off was spent in lessons and studying.

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But a chance meeting with a nice bunch of bikers at Plymouth megaride in 2015 opened up a new door to an online bike community T.W.A.T (Two Wheels And That).  Which I joined as a member in 2016 as T.W.A.T number 170.  It felt great to finally be a part of the biker community.  I also found it a lot easier socialising with others behind a keyboard and especially as I still worked most weekends.  It’s sad but it’s true, most my social life was now conducted through Facebook.  But hey I had a social life of sorts! It suited my hours and on the rare occasion I am not working, there are always events and rideouts I can join (providing they are not at the weekends). But to be fair I am used to riding on my own and don’t mind but it’s nice to know I have a choice. Although I think I may forever be #lonelyTWAT170.

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But onwards and upwards. I have since joined a few other groups including The Litas Plymouth female bike group (yes again online) and occasionally visit biker cafe/hotspots. Which I am finding I am meeting more and more T.W.A.T members which has grown phenomenoly since I joined.

However I am keen to know if others have also found it as hard? And if there are other lonely riders out there?  Although I am comfortable going at it alone, as I have still not yet convinced the husband to get a bike. It does seem a shame not to share such an amazing love of motorcycles with others, does it not ………