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.
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
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
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
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
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.
Yes please we e-Orbit tandemers need to know what the solution is//was? But we are pleased thou found it!
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
The next Surrey and Sussex ride is this coming Sunday, 14 June starting at Old Basing RG24 7JY at 1000
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
The hog roast will be on the Friday night (7th) All confirmed. If you would like this but haven't said so on the booking form, there is still time, just Email me

It’s flaming June and holiday season so five members of Taunton Tandem group set off from Gillingham to the airport.
The weather was perfect for cycling, warm but not too warm and no wind.
Clive and Emma’s carefully planned route took them along shady, leafy and quiet lanes and through charming villages. The Bennet Arms at Semley, (a village with an old worldly feel and large green), was just about to open but the ride was going so well no one felt the need of a break. They pressed on, through Donhead St Mary to the longest climb of the route. Unfazed they then continued to Compton Abbas Airfield to lunch at The Lore of the Sky.
While dining on the patio, they were able to watch the small planes taking off, circling and landing. There was even a Tiger Moth. Clive and Emma had managed to arrange an airshow!
After the leisurely lunch the group then set off for home, dropping down to Fontmell Magna and then on through rolling lanes back. There was a pub in East Stour where they could have stopped for a drink but yet again they were happy to press on. Another 5 miles from East Stour brought them back to Gillingham. The whole ride was 28 very enjoyable miles.
Clive & Emma Bowyer
Hog Roast - Thankyou for the updates. One from this end. I have upgraded it a little, so it now includes a green leaf salad with French Dressing and Coleslaw. In addition a pesto pasta sald. The hog roast has pork stuffing and cracking served in a soft white bap. The vegetarian is a vegetarian burger with lettuce, tomatoes and onions with ketchup and mustard. Please can everyone bring there own plate and cutlery please as trying to reduce waste. If anyone else is tempted let me know and I'll add you to the numbers.
Hi, re hog roast, we've signed up to that, but one of us is gluten intolerant, and I see stuffing is included.
Hi, re hog roast, we've signed up to that, but one of us is gluten intolerant, and I see stuffing is included.
Hi, re hog roast, we've signed up to that, but one of us is gluten intolerant, and I see stuffing is included.
Hi, re hog roast, we've signed up to that, but one of us is gluten intolerant, and I see stuffing is included.
Hi, re hog roast, we've signed up to that, but one of us is gluten intolerant, and I see stuffing is included.
Err, no idea what happened there, sorry. Anyway, can you please confirm if the hog itself is gluten free? Thanks!
I am away in Mongolia, for 2 weeks from Monday. It’s an area of no WIFI/signal, so I cannot respond to any queries. Best Wishes Neil
The July ride visits the lovely Eden valley, with one ford, two castles, a few short stretches of gravel and “couple” of hills. The ride is a total of 39 lumpy miles, but the biggest hill is within the first 1½ miles so just make sure your battery is charged and you’ll be fine. The start is in the centre of Orton just north of J38 of the M6 (9:15 for a 9:30 start) with coffee at Bojangles in Appleby after 12 miles and lunch at Lowther Castle after 25 miles (although we will be taking a picnic).
There are toilets at the start.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53512793
Contact: Andrew Acklam Email: aacklam1@gmail.com
Contact: David Martin(Login to see contact details)
Contact: Russell and Christine Blackburn(Login to see contact details)
The ability to download all the rides, by a member, in a zip file will be available once the rides have been published here.
| 13/05/2026 | Misc | 2026-AGM |
|---|---|---|
| 05/03/2026 | Rose and Crown menu | |
| 02/03/2026 | Tandem Club rides list Jan-July 2026 |
April Ride Report and phots.html
November 2013 Ride Report.html
December Ride Report.html
October Ride Report.html
Ride Report - February 2014.html

