Tandem 2025 - UK National Rally

Saturday 24th May to Saturday 31st May 2025

Tanner Farm Touring Caravan and Camping Park
Goudhurst Road
Marden
Kent
TN12 9ND

Neil Wheadon2025-05-19 10:45:39tcn2025

Hi Alistair. When you open the ride there is a download large file hyperlink at the bottom. If you do this you can then print/save the map and superimpose it on the maps that you have or even print it and use it to navigate by, an example is shown of the download. At 1.9MB it should have enough detail. The way to make sure you are on course with a dedicated GPS device is use the ‘where Am I function in rides. This was detailed but is the target style dot on the map to the left of the map in rides. If you initiate this ( you’ll need a smartphone) it gives your location. I use this quite a lot now, used intermittently it’s really useful for locality to the route or places of interest.

Philip Ingram2025-05-19 21:42:55tcn2025

There have been two minor amends tonight to the routes - West Short Plus, and North West Short. You may wish to reupload to your garmins etc.

Alan Tibble2025-05-20 22:18:45tcn2025

Hi there anyone. Mary Tibble here. I have bought a new Garmin Edge Explore and havent a clue. I can download the gpx files to my laptop and have syncd my phone and Garmin. I am coming to the rally on Friday. I hope there might me someone who can help me to get the rides onto the Garmin so that it beeps at me for the turns. Thanks for reading this garbled message.

Richard Gill2025-05-21 06:50:27tcn2025

Mary,

Richard Gill2025-05-21 09:43:59tcn2025

I have just been informed by the campsite that the A229 Loose Road has been shut in both directions at the junction with Boughton Lane until 1st June. This is a major route from Maidstone and the diversion is not the greatest, very narrow in places and probably not ideal for caravans and motorhomes. This should not affect the majority of attendees as the best route anyway from the north is down the A21 to the A262 roundabout then follow signs to Goudhurst where you take the B2078 to Tanner Park Farm. Locals coming from the Maidstone area will know the best alternative route.

Alan Tibble2025-05-21 21:38:11tcn2025

Thank you Richard, that is very kind of you.

Tony Prichard2025-05-23 16:24:31tcn2025
Club Shop

The club shop is on Pitch 79 when not in the marquee.

Tony Prichard2025-05-23 16:24:31tcn2025
Club Shop

The club shop is on Pitch 79 when not in the marquee.

Richard Gill2025-05-23 16:27:03tcn2025

Welcome everyone to Tanner Park Farm. Here are the bar opening hours. We can open earlier if there is a demand. See Jim & Kate. Pitch 22. Friday – 19:30 Sat – 18:30 Sun -17:00 May close after the games until 19:30 Mon – 19:00 Tues – 19:00 Wed – 18:00 Thurs – 17:30 Fri – 18:30

Philip Ingram2025-05-24 09:54:16tcn2025

We are going on nw short this morning. Depart around 10.15 from reception. Anyone like to join us? We have to be back at 2.30. Philip and Verna

Philip Ingram2025-05-24 14:44:03tcn2025

If anyone switches on an electrical appliance, and the power trips, please tell camp site staff immeadiately. They are trying to diagose an issue.

Richard Gill2025-05-25 07:50:26tcn2025

Weather today looks not too bad, if a little windy, according to the Met Office. Suggested directions today are North & East but you can go in any direction you wish. For medium riders who would like to go to Faversham, which is on the long route, you could just make it by using the long route but returning by reversing the outward route. For those who want a gentle start, the Sissinghurst loop, 16.5 miles is lovely. The cafes are outside the castle boundaries if you are not a NT member. The Castle gardens are at their best this time of year. Tandem Games this evening, so those who think they have good tandem handling skills please bring your bike and compete for some high class prizes! The bar will be open as some may be dehydrated. Bike jumble sale at 19:30 and an evening of relaxation with everyone in the marquee.

Richard Gill2025-05-25 08:00:22tcn2025

For new members and those who would like to include a new member in your group, a good meeting point would be the triangle of grass in front of pitches 75 to 79 near the bottom toilet block. Groups will probably leave 09:30 to 10:00. We’ll see how this works but please people aware of your capabilities.

Richard Gill2025-05-25 08:03:43tcn2025

For those who would like to visit the Aspens animal farm near Penbury, it looks like it and the cafe are closed BH monday. There seem to activities there for the rest of the half term week. Check out their website.

Martin Green2025-05-25 15:15:13tcn2025

Pitch 17 Benimar MoHo..Alan? We have your van keys on Pitch 16 safe...

Alastair Hopkins2025-05-26 07:43:31tcn2025

Does anyone have precision screwsrivers - for glasses screws? Ann-Marie would appreciate - pitch 68.

Richard Gill2025-05-26 08:03:50tcn2025

I have one. Richard pitch 77

Alastair Hopkins2025-05-26 08:32:04tcn2025

Screwdriver acquired and glasses now mended. Thanks all!!

Richard Gill2025-05-26 08:36:45tcn2025

Weather today looks not too bad. There may be a few spots of rain around lunchtime. I didn’t see anyone short of a ride group yesterday. Please let me know if anyone needs to find a small group. Suggested ride directions today are NW and South. The Tenterden short is the easiest of the two but has a cafe dessert until Tenterden. Both routes are lovely. Tenterden is worth a visit and do go and see its small museum. We did the NW medium yesterday and really enjoyed it. Once again a cafe dessert until Tonbridge but lots of cafes there. Igtham Mote is beautiful and you get a really good look at it from the route. If you are an NT member, do go in and look. You can do a quick look in 20 mins but you will want to go back. The bar opens this evening at 19:00 and tonight’s presentation is on hop bines and the hop pickers of Kent. You will need a glass of beer to enjoy this!

Richard Gill2025-05-27 08:02:23tcn2025

The weather looks OK this morning with rain over lunch and light rain this afternoon. You may want to swap your rest days as Wednesday looks better. Scotney Castle has a large inside part and a large outside part which might be a good option. Suggested directions are W essentially to Tunbridge Wells or NE to Aylesford Priory and beyond for those of an athletic bent. Tonight is the eagerly awaited Lucy’s quiz at 19:30. Teams of 6 to 8. If you haven’t got a team come along and we will sort you out into a team. The bar will be open at 19:00 so get your drinks before we start. Please order your next drinks between the rounds. We have not had the expected price list from Marden Butchers so we cannot risk you not having supplies for the Wednesday BBQ. We suggest you order what you require for the BBQ via the site Sainsburys order process or call in at a Supermarket on your way round the routes today or tomorrow. Apologies for this.

Kevin Hughes2025-05-27 13:54:42tcn2025

I am thinking of extending my stay here, Saturday + Sunday night. Who do I contacr

Kevin Hughes2025-05-27 13:55:46tcn2025

Who do I contact. Weekend weather looks great.

Richard Gill2025-05-27 14:18:50tcn2025

Hi all, quick message from your favourite bar staff Jim & Kate. We planned all the East rides and have had some feedback on the East short ride. The route planner has tried to take us through a private road when leaving Lenham Square. We did cycle over there this morning to check out any options, but the easiest solution is to ignore your sat nav for a couple of minutes when leaving Lenham and retrace your steps for a short distance and pick up the route which takes you left to Egerton. Apologies to those who have already riden the route.

Richard Gill2025-05-27 14:24:03tcn2025

Someone is asking how to extend their stay. Just go to reception and book as you will be outside the rally dates. It is really good you are enjoying the site and the area.

Richard Gill2025-05-27 15:50:11tcn2025

Marden butchers prices. They have come in too late for us to pull together a single order. If you want to use them, noting they do provide good quality meat, I suggest you phone through your order and personally collect it. Opening hours:- Wednesday 28th May 2025 is 8.30 - 1 p.m. All sausages £10.00 per KG: Pork and Sage  (Gluten Free) sausages; Pork & Apple sausages; Honeyroast sausages. Beefburgers  £1.50 each. Chicken Thighs £7.00 per KG Plain or Flavoured  (Some of the flavours are:-   Smoke BBQ,      Chinese,      Sweet Chilli,     Sweet Chilli & Lime,         Sticky Maple).

Richard Gill2025-05-28 07:56:21tcn2025

The rain now seems to have past but the wind remains quite strong from the west. Today is designated a rest day but it looks like some took the rest yesterday. No suggested direction today but if you didn’t do them yesterday the W or NE are good options. If you have never been before, Tunbridge Wells is a good option. NE takes you to Aylesford priory but if you want to go to Rochester, normally a long ride, take NE short to the Priory then pick up the Long to Rochester. Return the same way. This would then be a longer medium. Tonight is the BBQ. Light up at 17:30 for cooking at 18:30. The site are trying to sort out the showers in the lower shower block.

Richard Gill2025-05-28 09:16:34tcn2025

Ice cream van will be at the Marquee at 19:30 for the BBQ as arranged by the site.

Philip Ingram2025-05-28 21:34:52tcn2025

First velocio start time is 1000 at Paddock Wood community centre. Coffee and cakes from 0930. The timed section finishes in Marden, while the total length back to the campsite is 30km. Gpx to get you to the start is attached. Turn by turn route sheets to the start will be available in the marquee.

Terry Barnaby2025-05-28 21:38:30tcn2025
Treasure hunt GPX to start

Link to ride to start of Treasure hunt.

 

https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?cmd=view&id=1710

Richard Gill2025-05-29 07:54:58tcn2025

We have had two brilliant evenings, firstly great thanks to Lucy for a brilliant and unusual quiz. The BBQ went very well, the weather was perfect and band were excellent. The ice cream arrived at exactly the right time. There was a lot of running around yesterday to make it all happen. Tim and Vicky made two round trips to Crawley to pick up the BBQ equipment, Pauline and Cliff went to Folkestone to pick up two kegs of beer and Jim and Kate had to go and pick up so more wine. So great thanks to them all as it was greatly appreciated. Also thanks to Dave Ferguson for being press ganged into lighting and tending to the BBQ. Without his help it would have been very chaotic. It looks like grey clouds this morning, but no actual rain forecast. This afternoon will be much brighter and getting quite warm for the evening. Today, find your way to the community centre at Paddock Wood for Tea/coffee and a cake. Don’t forget your vouchers. The route is in the rides list the bottom or there are route sheets in the Marquee. The tea and coffee will be in a Gazebo but we can go inside the community centre until 11:00 if it is a bit cold outside. There will the Try a Tandem event on at the same time, so, hopefully, there will be others around the field so lock up your bikes. Russel and Rachel will be handing out the Treasure Hunt sheets and recording your start time. Tim’s clues can be quite intriguing so it will be an interesting challenge. Tim and Vicky will be at the end in Marden to record your time. There are two pubs and a cafe at Marden for lunch or you cycle to Balfour Winery for a platter and some wine tasting, expensive but very nice if it sunny. The afternoon is your own, You can easily get to Scotney Castle or Bedgebury Pinetum for a pleasant visit. The bar will open at 17:30 so you can have something with your fish and chips. Collect you fish and chips from the van by reception. The talk tonight, 19:30, is by John and Kate Bosley about the trials and tribulations of their tour around France. It will be proceeded by the Treasure hunt results and grand prize giving.


Entrance to Tanner Farm Park

Tanner Farm Park pitches

Leeds Castle by Colin Smith

Ightham Mote by Brian Snelson

Approach to Sissinghurst Castle by Len Williams

Scotney Castle and Garden by Calluna51

Kent and East Sussex Railway by BWard 1997

Bewl Water

 

IMPORTANT
Bookings are now CLOSED - the rally team is busy doing final preparations for the rally.
T-shirts can no longer be ordered - we have now placed the order with our suppliers.

Please note that the campsite may make a small charge for off-site people visiting the campsite - we are in discussion about that.

 

The Rally

The National Rally will be based at Tanner Farm Park, around 9 miles east of Tunbridge Wells, midway between the lovely Kent villages of Marden and Goudhurst.

Around Tanners Park Farm

The Weald is an area of South East England between the parallel chalk escarpments of the North and the South Downs. The name "Weald" is derived from the Old English weald, meaning "forest". Tanner Park Farm sits right in the middle of the Kent Weald.

The area is characterised by woodland, rolling hills, quaint villages, orchards, hop fields and latterly vineyards. Kent is home to a large number of sights and attractions, many of which are within cycling distance of the rally site. There is more than enough to see and do and rally members will have the difficult choice of cycling through the lovely countryside or lingering to take in the sights. You could, of course, stay longer or return in the future. It is such a lovely site. The major ones are listed below:

- Leeds Castle (Activities for children)
- Scotney Castle
- Sissinghurst Castle
- Igtham Mote
- Bedgebury Pinetum (Activities for children)
- Bewl Water (Activities for children)
- Tunbridge Wells
- Rye
- Tenterden
- The Big Cat Sanctuary
- Aylesford Priory
- Pilgrims way
- Belmont House

Rally Site

Tanner Farm Touring Caravan and Camping Park is a peaceful and picturesque 5 star, award winning caravan and camping park set in the glorious Kent countryside. The caravan park is surrounded by woodland, farmland and apple orchards, with many beautiful countryside walks, woodland walks and wonderful dog walks direct from the park. The park layout ensures that you are not crammed in as the 120 pitches are spaciously set within 15 acres of the 36 acre park; even when the site is full it does not feel crowded. The spacious pitches are large enough to accommodate caravans with awnings, motorhomes and all modern style tents while the wide, open green spaces in the middle away from the caravan and tent pitches, allow children of all ages to play safely and have lots of fun without impacting on the haven of peace and quiet.

The Site are block booking the whole site (less the seasonal pitches) for the tandem club so there is more than enough room for all the normal rally attendees and more. On the booking form you will have the opportunity to book the Friday before the rally and the Saturday and Sunday night after the rally if you wish. If you want to spend more time in this beautiful area, you can book nights outside of these 10 days direct with the campsite.  Note that the prices are significantly cheaper outside of the core 10 days.

There are two glamping pods available as an alternative to a tent, you will need to bring your normal camping bedding and cooking equipment but will have some very snug accommodation, see site website for details. They are each intended for 2 people.  2 people are included in the price.

Families Are Especially Welcome

The site is especially suitable for families. It has:

- Under 10’s playground - A spotless enclosed play area which includes a sandpit, slide, swing and baby swing.
- Wooden Adventure Play area

For older children:

- There is a large field for ball games, football , flying kites & throwing frisbees.
- Recreation room -A small room housing a television and football table for the occasional wet day becomes a teenage hub in the evening. Children are encouraged to be responsible for keeping the room tidy and litter free. The room is locked in the evenings around 10pm.

Off Site Accommodation

The site is located deep in the country side so there is little accommodation nearby. If you are happy to travel in from Tunbridge Wells (approximately 12 miles) there is plenty of accommodation:

- Hunny Lodge Bed and Breakfast – 1 mile from site, (3 double rooms)
- Star & Eagle Hotel, Goudhurst
- Goudhurst Inn
- Mercure Tonbridge Wells Hotel

Rides

We are preparing rides for every day of the rally with some extra ones for those who wish to arrive early or leave later. As space in cafes can be limited we offer rides in opposite directions each day in the hope we get an even split of people on the routes but you should still meet other tandemists en-route. On one of the days there will be a Velocio competition.

The rides will be in the usual format of short (roughly 30 miles), medium (roughly 45 miles) and long (anything up to 70 miles).

The rides are generally not led and groups/individuals typically leave between 08:30 and 10:00. We are expecting to have a board in the Marquee so that those who are new to rallies or don’t really know anyone can post their names such that they can ride with established groups or others.

Entertainment

The evening entertainment will follow the normal format with talks, a barbecue, quiz, tandem games and a barn dance,  We will run a bar in the marquee with local ales to enjoy.  We will have a free coffee and cake stop on one of the day's rides.

Wednesday is designated as a rest day but you may take the opportunity to cycle to one of the attractions or sights.  We intend to provide direct or indirect but pleasant cycling routes to some of these.

Rally T-Shirts

T-shirts can no longer be ordered - we have now placed the order with our suppliers. 

 

Mens' T-shirts

Size XXS XS S M L XL XXL 3XL 4XL 5XL
inches 32/34 34/36 36/38 38/40 41/43 43/45 46/47 48/50 51/54 55/58

Ladies' T-shirts

Size XS S M L XL XXL
UK ladies 8 10 12 14 16 18

 

Booking

You need to be members of the Tandem Club or certain overseas organisations to book. See the Terms and Conditions below.

Please use the button below to book for this event.

Preferred payment for UK residents is by on-line credit/debit card payment but the form will present you with other options. 

For people based abroad, you can pay using a card, in pounds or you may pay by bank transfer in euros to our euro denominated account - details will be provided.

If you have a website login account, then please login before using this form as most fields will be filled in for you automatically.

The campsite is a Caravan and Motorhome Club affiliated site, and charges in the same way as the CAMC i.e.there is a charge for the pitch and charges for each person staying on the pitch. We have secured a discount so all people attending benefit from the a CAMC member price reduction.

All pitches have an electric hook-up, except for cycle camping pitches.

We have negotiated a special reduced pitch rate for people who are cycle camping.  These pitches do not include electric hook-ups, but there will be a distribution board in the marquee that will enable charging of gadgets and e-bike batteries.  People who book this pitch type will be located in an area near the marquee; they are not individual marked pitches.

Please only book a cycle camping pitch if you are cycle camping i.e. arriving by bicycle or tandem and camping in a lightweight tent.

Note that we ask that you book at least 7 nights.  We may relax this rule later, but we wish to ensure that people who want to stay the whole rally week can do so.

Need further information?

 

Map

Below is a screenshot of the campsite's location. You can follow this link to the campsite on Google Maps.

 

Event Information

Attendees Event information

Terms and Conditions.
Booking confirmation:
Your booking is not confirmed until payment has been received in full and cleared which should be before the closing date for bookings. Dishonoured cheques will result in the cancellation of your booking.
Members Only:
This event is open to UK or overseas Tandem Club Members or, in the case of overseas people, members of the following organisations: "Tandem Club of America", "Tandem Club de France", "Tandem Club NL (Netherlands)", "Tandem ClubVlaanderen (Belgium)" and "Tandem-fahren.de (Germany)". You can join the Tandem Club using the forms on the TC website. Joining the TC (About 15 UKP per year).

Disclaimer:
If you participate in any ride or event organised by the Tandem Club you do so entirely at your own risk. The Club, its officers and ride organisers accept no responsibility for loss, damage to property, accident, injury or death, that may occur, however caused, whether by negligence, deliberate act or otherwise.

Cancellations and refunds.
The rally fee will not be refunded after the closing date. Refund of other components will depend on what the Club can recover from the campsite and/or other suppliers. Members may wish to consider taking out Holiday Insurance to cover losses the Club cannot refund.

Photographs taken at the event may be published on the Tandem Club Website, The Tandem Club Facebook pages and The Tandem Club Journal