Yes, Janet has called it Fozzie! It's her new FZ1, and she picked it up from Fowlers a week ago today. She has already done over 300 miles on it, and scrubbed the tyres in nicely!

We've enjoyed changing our bikes fairly regularly over the past 10 years or so. We wanted a pair of 1000s this year really, as we are looking toward changes in our lives, in terms of work/life balance, and we have now got a pair of machines that will enable us to cover some distance, as well as providing fun on weekend mornings, and for a long time too. No more new ones for the forseeable future!

We've chosen a good pairing, although they are about as different as a pair of 1000cc DOHC fours (both based on race replica engines) could be. The Honda is a great all rounder, with loads of luggage space. Fozzie (!) is like a BMX bike with a 150bhp rocket up its bum!

But as I say, they already make a great pairing, as our first couple of rides together have shown.

It all started with the VFR1200. I've been trying to get a test ride since it was launched in February, but each time the weather got in the way. Last week, we had a few days to spare, so I popped into Fowlers and arranged a ride on Friday. Fowlers also kindly obliged with a ride for Janet on Yamaha's latest middleweight, the FZ8. Truth be told, I'm not really looking for a new bike, as I'm very happy with the CBF1000, but Janet, though happy with the Hornet, is open to the idea of a change if the right machine comes along.

The VFR turned out to be a nice bike, but not really quite to my liking - perhaps it's just that I'm not crazy about V4s, as I've found in the past that I've come close to liking V4 bikes, but never quite as much as straight 4s.

Talking of straight 4s, Janet seemed a little underwhelmed by the FZ8. While it had no glaring faults, it just didn't seem to offer many advantages over the 600 Hornet that she currently rides.

We retired to the cafe for a snack, to compare notes. At which point a chance conversation reminded us that the FZ8 has a big brother, the FZ1. And what's more, it looked like we could get a great deal on one.

So, to cut a long story short, Janet took one for a ride yesterday, and next week she'll be the proud owner of a brand new white FZ1.

It's going to be great, having both of us on 1000cc machines. The touring will be easier on Janet, and it'll be a good long termer too.

Well, that was a great biking week. We got away to the Peak District in Derbyshire, staying at a little cottage, and splitting the days between biking and walking.

We set out early Saturday, and headed up through the Welsh borders. The trip was reasonably incident-free, except for the rideout that we inadvertently joined. At a roundabout, half of them came out ahead of us, and the other half after, leaving us ... in the middle! We rode along there for a few miles, which was fun, then we flagged the tail enders past us, so as not to spoil their party.

On the first day of our stay, a Sunday, we went to the local biker gathering place, Matlock Bath. It was a warm sunny day, so there was a good turn out, and we sat for a couple of hours, and watched the comings and goings.

The rest of the week was a great combination of rides and walks over the hills and dales. The weather was great, except for one day, and we made the most of that day too, catching up on e-mails in the local Wetherspoons (Wifi hotspot).

Then, of course, there was the local cuisine, which included plenty of pork pies, sausages, ice cream, sweeties and fish & chips!

The ride back was a fast 200 miler, down through the Midlands, and we were home by lunchtime, in time to clean up the bikes before tea.

Both of the bikes performed really well, and we had a lot of fun. The luggage on the CBF was great, and made a real difference to the trip. We were able to carry all the stuff we needed, without a single bungee in sight!