The Tandem Club

STOP PRESS: The routes have been published -an email has been sent to all those booked on the rally. You must bring your own copies of the routes to the rally.

Please email tci2019@tandem-club.org.uk if you did not receive the email, or have have any problems with the routes.

​ Bookings closed on 21st July

More details here

We have been working on making the website more mobile phone friendly. Its not complete yet, but hopefully most pages should display better on these devices.

When I first learned of the Dartmoor Way I decided it was a ride I'd like to complete. When I asked at our Christmas meal if anyone would like to join us, I was surprised and overwhelmed at the response.
After looking at the Sustrans route I soon realised that some alterations would be needed to make it Tandem friendly, after all we weren't going to be riding mountain bikes!
So, on the 18th May 10 Tandems and 3 solo bikes left Buckfastleigh station for the first stage of our 2 day ride, the weather was better than anticipated, so that was a bonus. After riding up through the Teign Valley we had a pleasant lunch at the Teign House Inn and then a further stop at Whiddon Down. After climbing up through the extremely picturesque villages at Skaigh and Belstone we joined the Granite way at Okehampton Station for the final leg to Lydford.
We all enjoyed an evening meal together at the Castle Inn where Karl and Lisa set us a quiz.
On Sunday we headed off to the west side of the moor and enjoyed fantastic views and bright sunshine. We had a longer than anticipated lunch stop at Clearbrook due to staffing problems. We then tackled the challenging climbs around the south side of the moor before we found ourselves back at Buckfastleigh. 
I'm pleased to report that we all made it back and I think we all felt a great sense of achievement, after riding over 90 miles with just over 8,500 feet of ascent.
Thanks for your help Karl and Lisa and thanks to all of you that joined us on the ride, it really wouldn't have been the same without you.
Andy and Anita.
 

Richard and Michelle organised the February ride for the Taunton Group. The route that was planned took into account that it would probably be cold and icy or wet and miserable. It was in fact a perfect spring like day. The skylarks were singing and there were snowdrops in abundance.
11 tandems left Hestercombe and set off on a route that circumnavigated part of Taunton. We were pleased to have Neil and Bridget from the West Country group join us although trying to keep up with them up the few hills was difficult! Trish and Paul left us near Trull and the remaining 10 tandems headed to the Cross Keys Pub for lunch. Finding a venue suitable for large numbers is becoming increasingly difficult but they put us in the Conservatory which we had to ourselves – perfect!
The ride back to Hestercombe was short - just as well after all the roast dinners that had been consumed!
It was good to see Grace back on the bike after an enforced rest from cycling and to catch up with tandem friends

Please note the date for the August group ride has changed from the 11th to Sunday 4th of August due to a clash of dates

Clive and Emma organised the July ride for the Taunton Group. Eight tandems and three solos met at the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury to ride across the Somerset Levels.
We set off on the National Cycle Network lanes to Ashcott, Shapwick and Catcott before turning north at Cossington.
We stayed on the lanes passing the peat farms to East Huntspill and then onto a coffee and cake stop at Rich’s Cider Farm. The clouds had cleared and we were all able to enjoy the sunshine at the outside tables.
The return journey took us across the lanes towards Westhay Moor. We all declined the option to stop again at Sweets tearooms and continued through Godney and back to our start point for a lengthy lunch.