Taunton Regional Group

I have sent the short and medium route sheets to Neil to post for anyone who wants them. Please note that they are as accurate as I could do in the time available. As older tandem riders only used to road riding, we are not too keen on narrow paths and lots of unmade tracks through the woods, so I shall be developing largely on-road versions of a combination betwen short and medium to ensure we visit lots of cafes and all places of interest. Happy to share.

We too would like routes that stick to normal roads, but we're already en route to the rally so can't print up anything. Might someone be able to do that for us so we can collect them when we arrive? Pat and Mike Strauss

I'll print a set Pat and Mike

I am working on these and will send them to Neil when ready. I am trying to ensure that they visit all the things to see and little towns without making them too long. Because of a shortage of roads I am using some wider cycle paths after consulting my captain!

This month’s ride will take place on Saturday 16th August, starting at 10:30 sharp opposite Lyall’s Café in the Market Place, Eynsham (5 miles west of Oxford). Lunch will be at The White Horse, a community-owned pub in the lovely village of Stonesfield (https://www.thewhitehorsestonesfield.com). There is a free car park in Back Lane, Eynsham: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgYfYaqLVYU2TRZ98?g_st=ipc Technical issues mean that we can’t send you the route until Tuesday at the earliest, but we expect that it will loop around Wychwood Forest and pass through Charlbury en route to Stonesfield. The total distance should be 30-32 miles and there are likely to be a few short and sharp hills. The pub has asked for numbers and menu choices a week in advance, so please can you peruse the attached lunch menu (also available at https://www.thewhitehorsestonesfield.com/menus) and send your selection to liz.masterman@gmail.com by Friday evening, 8th August? Thank you! Best wishes, Liz & Guy https://www.thewhitehorsestonesfield.com/_files/ugd/6929a1_b080d3a1cdfb46ce8da8ff3c715e17b0.pdf

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52130002

Have just sent Neil the following route sheets that are the kind of surfaces we like to ride, i.e. on paved surfaces with just a little bit of walkable narrow/rough path if necessary: Sunday 48 km, Monday 64 km Tuesday 60 km,Thursday 62 km, Friday 62 km. These are for our own use - no guarantees but as accurate as I could make them, with cafes and 'sights' indicated..

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52130002

When is the welcome party and where can I find the whole schedule? We're looking forward to seeing you all soon!

We are arriving a little late - Sunday PM - on the boat Friday night. Looking forward to meeting new friends - David & Kate (Oxford)

Received an email today into the Thameswey Group email address "We are arriving a little late - Sunday PM - on the boat Friday night. Looking forward to meeting new friends - David & Kate (Oxford)"

Saturday is the day of the start of the 2025 ITR.The gates of the campsite will be open from 09:00 onwards. Feel welcome to arrive anytime therafter! Please call at the marquee on the rally site upon arrival before setting up camp. You will receive a package including a schedule and other information.

I have stored the routes on my Komoot account available for all - I am not familiar how other people can find them but names of the routes are as published on ITR 2025 Hope this works for anyone who want to use the komoot routes. best regards Evert van der Laan first time at ITR

I just found out i could make a collection of all the tours - this is the link where anyone could find them https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/collection/3736109/-itr-2025

Arrive at camo site today, just let campers know that the toilet block has no soap or toilet tissue, looks like you have to supply your own.

Flags flying let people know we are arriving 😄

Hot news, the games are relocated to the Posthoorn field, the grass patch oppositie the reception area.Obviously the ice cream parlor will also be there. Don't miss out on GAMES or the free ICE cream! CU all there at 19:30!

RM Instow was the start point for 3 rides for the Taunton Tandem Club August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Day 1 saw us head first along the Tarka Trail towards Braunton for coffee. We then continued on to the holiday resort of Ilfracombe where we had a picnic lunch sat around Verity, the Damien Hirst statue overlooking the sea. Glorious weather gave us fabulous clear views of Dartmoor and Wales before route 27 took us back via Slade Valley to Instow.

Day 2 we set out along the Tarka Trail in the opposite direction, towards Dartmoor for coffee at Yarde Orchard Café. Leaving the Tarka Trail to pick up route 27 towards Sheepwash, where we were joined by Liz and James for lunch at the Half Moon Inn.  After a good lunch we retraced our route through glorious scenery back to base.  The Tarka Trail provided the opportunity to enjoy the engineering prowess of our Victorian Forefathers in the form of the Rolle Canal, Beam Aqueduct and a number of Railway bridges and Tunnels.
Day 3's ride was organised by Malcolm and Grace and took us to the picturesque Village of Appledore where we sat on the Quay to enjoy Coffee and cake. We then made our way to Westward Ho! where we cycled behind the great pebble ridge, avoiding the golfers on one of the oldest Golf courses in the country. Lunch was a picnic in Victoria Park, Bideford before riding back to Instow to complete a great Bank Holiday Weekend with a great bunch of Tandemists.

Jeff & Vicky Conibear

Saturday 25th October 2025 Donside Autumn Loop 25-30 mile circuit of the River Don. Starting and finishing at the garden centre in Alford. Aiming to meet at 9.45 am for a 10.15 am start. The route will pass through Kemnay on route with the option of a coffee stop. The what3words location for start in Alford https://w3w.co/visions.saved.weeded Please get in touch if you plan to come along.

The Tandem Clubs Easter event for 2026 is now live and can be booked. Based in Derbyshire close to Ashbourne, there will be 7 rides offered covering the local area and many of the glorious trails such as the High Peak Trail and the Tissington Trail. https://tandem-club.org.uk/events/tce2026/index.html

Further the message about Easter 2026, it seems we have a temporary issue in taking payments, so if you'd like to come along can you wait until tomorrow evening at the earliest. Apologies Neil

Easter Bookings for 2026 are now fully functional, I hope you can join us.

Our Easter Event in Derbyshire is now open for bookings. Only 70 sites available, we look forward to seeing you there https://tandem-club.org.uk/events/tce2026/index.html

Six tandems and one single set out from Chardstock on a beautiful Autumn morning for a 28 mile circuit among the Blackdown hills.  First downhill (mostly) for ten miles along NCR 33 switching to NCR 2 (via Tesco’s car park) for coffee at the delightful Tramstop Cafe at Colyton (self-styled Devon’s most rebellious town). We crossed the Rivers Kit, Axe (twice) and Yarty; and sneaked through a sandpit on foot under the A35 - luckily, since the weather has been dry, not a mud pond.
After coffee it was thirteen miles, nearly all uphill, to the Barleymow farm shop, where we were joined by two more members, for a well deserved lunch crossing the Corry and Yarty (again) en route.  Finally, downhill again for five miles back to our starting point.  All through lovely rolling green countryside and great views.
Malcolm & Kate Balston

There will be a ride in the Humberside district on Sunday 12 Oct 25. 43 km starting in South Ferriby. On the seat just after the right turn of the A1077. Starting at 10:30 am.

Ride on Sunday 12 Oct.  starting at South Ferriby at 10:30.  On the seat just after the right turn of the A1077 on to Horkstow Road.  43 km.  Refreshments stop at Elsham Hall.  Good weather ordered, from Paul Hudson.  

The ride is 12 October not July. Unfortunately Dr Whk will not be attending with the Tardis. My appologies.

A chilly start with a thick fog didn't dampen the spirits of the six riders from Humberside, who set off on a leisurely tandem ride through the picturesque lanes of North Lincolnshire. Organised by Peter and Lyn, the group met at South Ferriby, with the aim of completing a  circular ride from South Ferriby,  also takingbin the Roman rosd Ermine Street.

Hi

There are now 22 onsite booking for Easter 2026 which leaves 48 sites to fill, so still plenty of room, however I need to release the exclusive use in mid November so if anyone you know wishes to book, please remind them.

If you want to book with the site either side of the rally, I am happy to liaise with the site. I need the dates (and the days) that you would like. Please Email me at neilwheadon1@gmail.com

Chris Juden is helping with the routes. He was the technical editor for CTC and has moved to Derbyshire. He led tours for CTC Holidays, so I have every confidence. He also rides a tandem with Helen

   Best Wishes

       Neil

We would love anyone whohasn't already done the Rally Survey to do so by clicking on this link to complete a very short survey!

As they say ‘all good things come to an end’ so on Sunday 19th October after a long dry spell the forecast for the Somerset Levels was 90% rain and strong winds! 4 intrepid tandem pairs and 3 soloists decided to brave the weather.

We left the Avalon Marshes Centre after talking ourselves into it over coffee and tea. We started out heading for Tealham Moor where we were stopped in our tracks – the ground shaking – as the young ‘goddesses of the grass’ or black and white heifers galloped after their farmer along the road, as usual the naughty one at the back took her time!

The back roads towards Cheddar were new to some of our local riders and the spectacular view from 6 weeks ago was now shrouded with low cloud! We skirted Cheddar, with all noting how the reservoir is still very low, to pick up the Strawberry Cycle Track to our coffee stop in historic Axbridge where the Traffic Warden was very busy! The Almshouse Tea rooms had reserved space for us and before leaving we cycled up and down the famous High Street with its blue plaques and wonderful front doors. We returned to Westhay - our lunch stop – via the main road at some speed with those of us using pedal power only slowing down for the hills and nasty short climb, all worth while to speed down Mudgley Hill.

We met friends at The Bird in Westhay for a generous lunch allowing the open fire to dry us out a bit. Most of us decided to cycle along the Shapwick Heath Reserve before returning to the Avalon Marshes Centre for more tea, if you are visiting there beware the eco teaspoons they use although we did have a fit of the giggles as Rex tried to remove his tea bag! Special mention to Malcolm for cycling from home to join us then racing back to collect Grace in time for lunch. It was wet but at least warm and well done and thankyou to all who joined us for the 27 miles.

Rex and Hannah Whitcombe