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.

 

Ian Hewitt2026-05-23 17:01:21tcn2026

Neil, I can't for the life of me remember if Jill and I have applied for the National Rally . Much regret I have no record of having done so. Have we applied or not. Thanks.

Eugene Kertzman2026-05-23 19:13:54tci2026
Events at cafe Pont at len
Events at cafe Pont at len

Along the canal about an hour

Eugene Kertzman2026-05-24 14:40:36tci2026
Sunday's update

The food-van should arrive around 18:30, we'll start the quiz around 19:30 so you can get your meal and eat it.

Photo competition, upload your photo here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZSc78NmNWnngvKqd7

If you fancy something different for your day off, you can rent a kayak form the campsite and paddle up the canal, or even hire Geoff's 2CV Citroën here: https://www.roadstr.fr/cars/citroen-2cv-1983-plelauff

Tomorrow's rides go towards the North-West on very quiet country roads. It is a bank-holiday so we are not sure what will be open! Make sure you have a backup plan!

 

Eugene Kertzman2026-05-25 07:14:20tci2026
Mondays route etc

On today’s route is Mark-Carhaix, it has a lake and “beach” area to cool off. It also has a bakery that may be open in the morning, not sure.
Tonight is cycle jumble, from 18.00 hrs.
Anyone feels like doing an article for the tandem club magazine?

Kevin Hughes2026-05-25 10:07:36tci2026
Soldering iron required

Does anybody at tci2026 have a soldering iron + solder. I have broken control wire on electric tandem. TIA, NZ Kevin

Kevin Hughes2026-05-25 10:07:36tci2026
Soldering iron required

Does anybody at tci2026 have a soldering iron + solder. I have broken control wire on electric tandem. TIA, NZ Kevin

Pat & Mike Strauss2026-05-25 11:06:59tci2026

Abus bike lock found, and is now on the table in the marquee. If you know the combination. it's yours!

Martin Hansell2026-05-25 11:45:14Yorkshire

Kevin, we have I think and if not someone else has and we also have spare control cables, so see you when we get back.

Martin Hansell2026-05-25 11:45:29Yorkshire

Kevin, we have I think and if not someone else has and we also have spare control cables, so see you when we get back.

Bart Smulders2026-05-25 11:58:56tci2026

@Kevin Hughes, I have soldering iron, but I cannot find the solder.

Eugene Kertzman2026-05-25 16:37:10tci2026
Update for Tuesday

Tomorrow's ride will take you along the canal for a fair way, the Cafe Ar Len will be waiting with your refreshment but remember your voucher. The Cafe is at 22km for the short, 38km on the medium and 58.5km on the long. Market in Rostrenen from 9:00 - 11:30 hrs. Quite spread out but nice creperie and coffee stall in the Square de la Fountaine.

Tomorrow evening is Tandem Games, 19:00 onwards.

Cafe Ar Len: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aVDk69je7DPgxdrH8

Eugene Kertzman2026-05-25 18:26:28tci2026

Cafe at Len is open from 9.00 to 15:30 tomorrow

Neil Wheadon2026-05-25 21:27:43tci2026

Hi Eugene. What’s the opening time for the cafe tomorrow as with Rostrenon and the lake before on the medium ride it might be closed after 38km

Eugene Kertzman2026-05-26 16:57:03tci2026
Update for Wednesday 26th (No set rides)

Optional activities:
* Swimming in Lac de Guerledan (free) https://maps.app.goo.gl/L7rw7JrUK6ySDz6ZA
* Kayaking from the campsite in the canal
* Free train-ride from Gouarec station to Bon Repos. One way or return, sign up! Leave at 15:30 come back at 16:00 hrs
* Creative writing: Can anyone do a write up for the tandem magazine? We have plenty of pictures!
* Friday Night will be the last evening, you can get a free drink with a voucher, obtainable from Sally or Eugene. Suckling pig, Veggie BBQ, Geoff's rock band, speeches etc.
* Photo competition : A shortlist of 3 pictures each will be made tomorrow evening in 2 categories: 1. Tandems & people 2. Anything without a tandem. The shortlist will pub published here with an opportunity to vote for your favorite picture. Pictures submitted on Friday won't count for the competition.

Eugene Kertzman2026-05-26 20:28:12tci2026

Today's picture!

Eugene Kertzman2026-05-28 16:59:49tci2026

Friday's Update *Rides* are going North-West, 41, 51 & 71km *Geoff's famous rock band* whilst you enjoy your *pork dinner* or your *vegetarian BBQ* starting at around 18:30 hrs, (a *couple of volunteers requested* to take a 30 minute shift with the vegetarian BBQ please ). At 20:00hrs we will gather in the marquee with your free drink (get your voucher from Sally if you haven't already got one) during the evening will be some speeches and thankyou's. We also have some wine remaining from the opening evening so we will put that out as well. Op is op! (when it's gone it's gone) *Photo competition* will close shortly and you will get a shortlist to vote on in WhatsApp. Winners announced tomorrow evening. *4 volunteers* requested for Saturday morning at 10.00hrs (for around 30 minutes) to help put away the gazebos, tables and chairs. *Article for the journal* volunteer still needed please Please speak to me or message me if you are able to help with any of the volunteering requests.

Tony Prichard2026-05-29 14:17:15tci2026

Can someone help us with a 25mm hose clip? Need to secure campervan waste hose.

Tony Prichard2026-05-29 19:27:00tci2026

Has someone picked up a Salviac plastic glass by mistake?

Kevin Hughes2026-05-30 17:22:41tci2026
Couple with faulty bike electrics

A TCI couple approached me last night about loss of electrics on their Shimano powered Orbit tandem, can't remember their names, they were going to cycle to Roscoff
Just had a thought, did they check if the little magnet on a spoke on the rear wheel is aligned with the sensor on the rear chainstay, it tells your bike computer your wheel speed. Once on my Hase Pino the magnet had twisted on the spoke and out of alignment and I lost power

Kevin Hughes2026-05-30 17:22:41tci2026
Couple with faulty bike electrics

A TCI couple approached me last night about loss of electrics on their Shimano powered Orbit tandem, can't remember their names, they were going to cycle to Roscoff
Just had a thought, did they check if the little magnet on a spoke on the rear wheel is aligned with the sensor on the rear chainstay, it tells your bike computer your wheel speed. Once on my Hase Pino the magnet had twisted on the spoke and out of alignment and I lost power

Stephen Adams2026-05-30 19:55:27SouthEastWales

Hi Kevin - thanks for the suggestion - it's one of the things I checked last night, but no joy. We're now sorted with a ride to Roscoff on Monday for Amy, me and the tandem. Now we get to enjoy 2 extra days in Gouarec and will probably ride the flat route to Bon Repos for a coffee tomorrow. Thanks again, Stephen

Stephen Adams2026-05-30 19:58:59tci2026

Hi Kevin - thanks for the suggestion - it's one of the things I checked last night, but no joy. We're now sorted with a ride to Roscoff on Monday for Amy, me and the tandem. Now we get to enjoy 2 extra days in Gouarec and will probably ride the flat route to Bon Repos for a coffee tomorrow. Thanks again, Stephen

Kevin Hughes2026-05-30 21:49:22tci2026

Hi Stephen, great to hear you Amy and the tandem are sorted. Be interesting to hear what the solution to you problem was. Many other Shimano powered tandems in the Tsndem club might benefit in the future.

Bernard Norton2026-05-31 16:58:55tci2026

Yes please we e-Orbit tandemers need to know what the solution is//was? But we are pleased thou found it!

Stephen Adams2026-05-31 17:13:46tci2026

I'll keep you posted...

Terry Barnaby2026-06-05 09:16:00tci2026
Cycling shoes left at rally
Cycling shoes left at rally

These cycling shoes were found after cleaning up after the rally.

Hans Uittenboogaard2026-06-06 00:19:18tci2026

Oops. These are ours. Swapped for more comfortable shoes after the tandem games. And left early wednesday morning. Please be in touch via uittenboog@hotmail.com to see how we can get them repatriated. Apologies for the inconvenience. Hans&Angelique Uittenboogaard

Tim Hall2026-06-09 14:03:57SurreyAndSussex

The next Surrey and Sussex ride is this coming Sunday, 14 June starting at Old Basing RG24 7JY at 1000

William Sherlock 2026-06-10 20:03:35tcn2026

Hi, We're new to tandem riding but have been club members for a while. We live in North Devon. Would we be able to join the rally just for a day or two, and stay overnight, either Friday 7/Saturday 8, or Saturday and Sunday. Thanks, Will

Neil Wheadon2026-06-10 20:21:04tcn2026

Hi Will yes a few nights are fine, non electric. Hope you can join us

20/06/2026 Thameswey
Thameswey TC Ride 20-06-26: Cherwell Valley W & E This month's ride, on Saturday 20th June, takes us north-east from our starting point in Eynsham to the River Cherwell at Lower Heyford. Lunch will be at the Oxford Arms pub in the village of Kirtlington on our way back south. A shortage of hostelries in the area means that the ride to lunch will be 19 (fairly hilly) miles, but then the route goes downhill and then along the flat back to Eynsham. The total distance will be 30 miles, and you can download a GPX file of the route at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55540957. The long morning stretch means that we will leave Eynsham Market Place earlier than usual, at 10:15am. Lyall & Co's café opens at 8, so you can still have coffee beforehand! Depending on our progress, we may have a brief stop for snacks after 10 miles in the village of Wootton, where the post office sells take-away coffee.  The Oxford Arms menu is at https://drive.google.com/file/d/101nKMzWziIEqFnWK26fcIBr1h-zNuBww/view?usp=sharing. Note that the pizzas are filling, so you may wish to share between two and order a side dish (or starter) to share as well. Please send your menu choices to Liz by the evening of Sunday 14th June. Thank you! Eynsham is about 4 miles west of Oxford. If you haven't started a ride there before, I can send you directions. We look forward to seeing as many of you as can join us -- Best wishes, Liz & Guy Matthews
Contact: Liz & Guy(Login to see contact details)
20/06/2026 Taunton
We ride 18 miles to Compton Abbas airfield for our lunch stop. We will probably stop in Semley to ease our legs and have a stretch. The Bennet Arms opens at 1200 if we want a drink or the loo.
It is a hilly ride to the airfield so be prepared with a nice low gear. After lunch at the airfield we drop down to Fontmell Magna and then have rolling lanes back. There is a pub in  East Stour where we can stop for a drink if we want to. Another 5 miles from East Stour brings us back to Gillingham.
Contact: Clive & Emma Tel: 07875 375306 Email: cliveandemmabowyer@gmail.com
25/06/2026 West Country
Last Thursday Social at The Bird In Hand 58 High St, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3EJ

Contact: Cathy Email: westcountry-pub@tandem-club.org.uk
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 ...
10/08/2026
Id: 1916
Location: BA3 5LS
Postcode: BA3 5LS
Map Reference: 51.0056, -2.81533
Ride length: 64 km
Ride ease: Average
09/08/2026
Id: 1920
Location: BA3 5LS
Postcode: BA3 5LS
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 ...

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

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