The home of shared cycling adventures for couples, families and friends

Taunton Regional Group

Organisers Contact: Jackie and Stuart Hibberd, Tel: 0117 9695159, Email: westcountry@tandem-club.org.uk

 

Monthly rides usually held on the third weekend of the month - either on a Saturday or a Sunday.

 

Neil Wheadon2026-08-02 21:20:26tcn2026

There will be a burger van on Tuesday. Not any old burger apparently a farmer from Wells that rears rare breeds and these are pressed beef. ,

Neil Wheadon2026-08-03 23:06:39tcn2026

TUESDAY The rides all head out together to Yeovil then diverge. Suggest tea stop on the old railway path through Yeovil, outdoor seating. Cafe have been warned. If full there are a few options a kilometre later in a shopping area. Short ride then returns. Medium and Long, basically head for Sherbourne. A pretty Dorset town. The Abbey is good for a picnic, a few cafes at the bottom of the High Street. Going back. Cafe at East Knowle is open according to Facebook. There are cafes in South Peterson. The cafe at Merritt is closed but open on Saturday when routes pass this way again. In the evening burger van at 17:30, sounds yummy. At 19:00, not the quiz, teams of 8 in the marquee, bring your glasses and maybe a torch!! Depends on how long this takes, who knows, could be fast, could be slow 😉 The bar will be open

Neil Wheadon2026-08-03 23:22:21tcn2026

South Petherton not South Peterson

Tony Prichard2026-08-04 10:51:16tcn2026

Woodstock lane marked “closed” at the top is roadworks gang who will help you past the works

Tony Prichard2026-08-04 13:18:53tcn2026

Should be Woodhouse Lane on the Family ride. Roadworks gang very helpful getting us past.

Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 17:40:24tcn2026

Orange bone conduction ear phones now in reception in marquee, found in shower

Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 18:03:34tcn2026

BURGER VAN caught behind a tractor, he’s coming

Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 18:37:17tcn2026

As the burger van was an hour late, we’ll start the ‘not the quiz night’ at 19:30. Teams of 8-10, just bring yourselves, no pens needed but if you wear glasses don’t forget them

Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 22:01:29tcn2026

RIDES on WEDNESDAY. The short and medium are ‘similar’ Recommend a morning coffee stop at Barrington Court (National Trust) The medium goes to Perrys Cider Farm which has a good cafe. I’ve never known it full but their website recommend to book to avoid disappointment. Not sure how relevant this is, but the link is found if you google Perrys Cider Farm. Both then go via North Curry and then to the Wetlands museum and cafe which is a lovely visit. Return to Langport, my favourite cafe is next to the bridge just after you cross it on the left side. The long takes you to Wellington. Monument worth looking at but views not great as a lot of tree growth. Better from the car park a few hundred metres before the turn to descend steeply to Wellington.

Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 22:02:14tcn2026

https://www.perryscider.co.uk/cafe The link to book the cafe

Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 22:13:26tcn2026

WEDNESDAY EVENING At 17:30 tandem games. Head for the marquee and

Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 22:17:02tcn2026

Wednesday continued. Head to the Marquee and Clem will come up with various games involving tandems. In the marquee from 19:30 Show us you Tandem, how was it built, where have you been, who’s idea was it, maybe even talk technical. Talking of that if you have anything to sell/ give away then bring it along. I’ll also put out an OS map with the Velocio points so you can plan the next day

Peter Weeks2026-08-05 08:09:06tcn2026

To everyone on the Committee: I would like to arrange a quick get-together one evening while we are here to get to know each other and catch up. Not sure what eve yet. Peter

Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 21:55:05tcn2026

VELOCIO key times. Start 08:00 - 10:00 at the marque. Cafe, Alfredo’s in Somerton 09:30 - 12:00 Time allowed 6.5 hours

Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 21:57:27tcn2026

VELOCIO 4 components. Main clues are scattered about a 20km radius, map in the marquee, the further way the more points

Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 21:58:38tcn2026

3 quiz sheets in Martock, Somerton and Langport, great for families and a slower pace. Prizes for these

Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 22:00:22tcn2026

There is a bridleway through Westcombe, B3153 Somerton to Langport is busy

Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 22:03:58tcn2026

Lastly, rides the Tandem Club database is your friend. Open the map via any ride. Hit S, select none, then misc/velocio to reveal black icons at the locations of the clues. The target circle below S is a position marker, shows where you are. You could just select Velocio as above, create a marker and the small red circle homes in on the clue, much like the Alien film

Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 22:04:46tcn2026

Rides markers will be switched just before 08:00

Terry Barnaby2026-08-06 07:31:43tcn2026
Velocio

For the Velocio the TC Rides system might help as it will show a list of the Velocio places as a list or on a map with the questions on a mobile phone.


As a list use:

https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?cmd=placeList&sel_category=misc%2Fvelocio&sel_mapReference=&sel_postcode=&sel_distance=30&sel_period=&sel_onMap=&sel_title=&sel_personal=0&sel_allZooms=&sel_pager=0&sel_order=%21id&sel_zoom=&postValidate=9cxq341w&select_cmd=Search


Or on a map any of the weeks rides when viewed on the TC website will show them, or use the following link:

https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?cmd=navigate

The map will track where you are (if you allow it to access your position). The Velocio Places are shown as a black shield which you can click on to get the questions.

You can use the "S" button to select just the "misc/velocio" places to make it easier to see where they are. The location I con can be toggled to turn off the tracking of your position and the +- buttons can zoom the map.
The place icons can appear a bit later if mobile Internet is slow and a page refresh can help.
Have fun.

Terry Barnaby2026-08-06 12:21:05tcn2026
TC Rides location wrong

If the TC Rides system is showing your location wrong, make sure your location settings for your Web browser (Chome?) is set to precise.

Neil Wheadon2026-08-06 22:06:48tcn2026

HOG ROAST Green salad with a French dressing and coleslaw, pesto pasta salad

Neil Wheadon2026-08-06 22:08:34tcn2026

From 18:30 (hopefully) Please bring your own plates, knife and fork to reduce waste. I think the portions should be OK but if you want to supplement with something else please do

Neil Wheadon2026-08-06 22:12:35tcn2026

Congratulations to Richard and Hilary Abbott who won Velocio. Stuart and Jackie Hibbard along with Eugene and Sally Kertzman came a very creditable second. The walking clues were ruled by the Dutch, well done Jan and Anja

Roger Frost2026-08-07 08:48:04tcn2026

Sorry we missed the hog roast. Roger met a friend in Somerton he had not seen for 20 years and we had meal out with them, Tandem power bringing people together in a loverly way.

Peter Weeks2026-08-07 09:16:12tcn2026

Reminder; Committee and ROs welcome to a get-together THIS EVE Friday 17:30 in marquee before the hog roast. Peter

Neil Wheadon2026-08-07 18:26:23tcn2026

HOG ROAST ready maybe 18:40 by the marquee. Please hog first then vegetarian at 18:55ish as this helps the cooking process. There is gluten breadcrumbs in the vegetarian burgers, we do have gluten free buns if required

Neil Wheadon2026-08-07 21:35:07tcn2026

SATURDAY RIDE. All rides head south. All go through Merriott which makes a good cafe stop. I haven’t warned them but it’s a good stop. The short then swings north to Barrington Court, the National Trust property. The medium takes in the Chard to Ilminster Cycleway that has a good surface. The long goes further south, the cafe at the shop at the south is open until 13:00 (Thorncombe) after that return north to meet the other routes we

Neil Wheadon2026-08-07 21:37:56tcn2026

SATURDAY NIGHT cider tasting and tasting notes. Probably 6 to guess the type from the description. There will also be some apple juices and some cheese available. Will be in the marquee at 19:00 at the moment, dependant on Somerset farmer time

Neil Wheadon2026-08-07 21:42:07tcn2026

SUNDAY MEAL quiche, bread and salads. We have some gluten free rolls. It will start at 17:30-18:00 dependant on set up time ( same caterers as tonight) There is a 50/50 split of vegetarian/ham quiches. As carnivores also like vegetarian food, can the 30 vegetarians who opted for this on Friday, go through first. As with tonight please no seconds if there are any until the last person has gone through

09/08/2026 Lancashire & Cumbria
Starting from Kendal Leisure Centre with a coffee stop in Kirkby Lonsdale.  Back over Hutton Roof to Beetham Nurseries at lunchtime.  Return to Kendal.  31 miles.
Contact: Paul Rodman Tel: 07768 647745 Email: paul.rodman@kencomp.net
09/08/2026 Nottinghamshire
58Km to celebrate 58 years of bliss! Usual start at Kingfisher cafe 10am start Lunch at Hickling Wharfe cafe with an option for a shorter route if preferred by the group. Ride route GPX/TCX
Contact: Kevin Smith Tel: 07879411059 Email: kevinsmith20002000@yahoo.co.uk
22/08/2026 Thameswey

Contact:
21/07/2026
Thanks Neil for arranging the Hot Air Baloon Visit 😁
Marquee is full at rallySelection of photos submitted for the photo competition during the 2026 International Tandem Rally in Gouarec
16/04/2026
15/10/2026
Id: 1941
Location: Halton, Lancaster
Postcode: LA2 6PD
Map Reference: 54.0764, -2.73272
Ride length: 65 km
Lancashire and Cumbria Group - October ride from the Crook O Lune to the Lancashire coast. 9 tandems and 3 solos set off on a misty autumnal day, on David and Caroline's ride, exploring the Lancashire Coast and Lune Estuary. Superbly led, great company and perfect refreshment stops at The Quayside a ...
15/08/2026
Id: 2044
Map Reference: 52.9081, -2.46868
Ride length: 47 km
Start: From Viv & Andrew's home in Market Drayton Time: Leaving at 10:30am Distance: 30 miles Lunch: At the Old Piggery Cafe, Station Rd, Prees, SY13 2DW Toilets: At the start and at the cafe. We do not need to pre-order the meals, but please let us know if you are joining the ride (email address be ...
09/08/2026
Id: 1920
Location: Thorney Lakes, Langport
Postcode: TA10 0DW
Map Reference: 51.0056, -2.81533
Ride length: 64 km
Ride ease: Average
Heading right out of the campsite, you'll pass to the east of Langport to be greeted by the highest climb of the day as you ascend 84 metres to High Ham, giving lovely views of the Somerset levels. Descending to the levels takes you to the Shapwick nature reserve which is a series of large ponds wit ...
09/08/2026
Id: 1921
Location: Thorney Lakes, Langport
Postcode: TA10 0DW
Map Reference: 51.0052, -2.81576
Ride length: 85 km
Ride ease: Average
Heading right out of the campsite, you'll pass to the east of Langport to be greeted by the highest climb of the day as you ascend 84 metres to High Ham, giving lovely views of the Somerset levels. Descending to the levels takes you to the Shapwick nature reserve which is a series of large ponds wit ...

The ability to download all the rides, by a member, in a zip file will be available once the rides have been published here.

August Ride Report.html

July Ride Report.html

June Ride Report

May Ride Report and photos

April Ride Report and phots.html

March Ride Report.html

February Ride Report.html

YouTube Video - February

November 2013 Ride Report.html
December Ride Report.html
October Ride Report.html
Ride Report - February 2014.html