The Tandem Club

We have finished preparing the joining instructions, programme and routes for this year's National Rally.

A link to the webpage has been emailed to those booked on the rally. If you have not received the email, please contact the organisers using email address: tcn2019@tandem-club.org.uk

Details of the location and camp site for the 2019 International Rally are now available. 

STOP PRESS: BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN.

More details here

Future Rally News and Past rally News and Photos

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.

Rob and Sally organised the January ride for the Taunton Group where a last minute surge in numbers saw eight tandems and one solo gather in the centre of Wiveliscombe on a chilly but dry morning. Fortified with coffee from the White Hart pub we set off on a circular route which we had described as ‘undulating’. We completed twenty miles on quiet roads and back lanes with approximately 500m of climb passing through Ford, Pitsford Hill, Ash Priors, Halse, Oake, Nynehead, Langford Budville and then back to Wiveliscombe. Ian and Lisa well and truly christened their clean shiny new tandem on the muddy lanes but at least no one accidentally went off route into the farmyard which has a mud and slurry lake about a foot deep, as Rob and I had done when planning the route a couple of weeks ago.
The views on this route are beautiful and the verges and hedgerows at this time of year festooned with snowdrops. We saw pheasants, free range chickens, the usual farm livestock and even alpacas. There were even moments when the clouds gave way to patches of blue sky although the sun remained elusive.
We returned to the White Hart for lunch where we were also joined by Rex and Hannah. The White Hart catered excellently for our large group although there was some haggling over dessert when there were only six portions of apple and blackberry crumble left and ten people wanted them (me included). I kept my head down and fortunately there were more gallant people than I who gracefully made other choices. I was glad because the crumble was superb!

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