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 Wheadon2026-08-05 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

Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 11:19:25tcn2026

CIDER TASTING There will be 6 ciders and 120 samples of 80ml each, so that means about 500ml (1 pint) It’s really hard to judge the numbers coming so can I ask that initially tandem teams share a taster and we’ll see where we go from there. There are 180 on the rally and usually about 2/3 attend these. There is 2.5kg of cheese so it’s all about tasting rather than munching, clues will be given and match the ciders. Starts at 19:00 Somerset Farmers time

Jeroen & Anne-Marie2026-08-08 14:49:40tcn2026

in Ilminster at the art center a light with perplex underside hat is foundation. Jan takes this to the Narquee.

Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 17:19:45tcn2026

LED RIDE SUNDAY Sarah and I will lead this and it will be the SHORT. Combination of distance, heat and group dynamics. Early lunch at Glastonbury, afternoon stop at Somerton, try that cake you didn’t get at Alfredo’s. Start at 09:15 at the marquee

Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 17:30:10tcn2026

CIDER TASTING. Please bring your own drinking recepticle

Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 18:58:16tcn2026

Cider they have small paper cups to reuse so no need for a glass

Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 23:20:54tcn2026

SUNDAY RIDES All head to Glastonbury with a climb over High Ham. Through Shapwick through the bird reserve, where the surface is good, please give way to walkers. Into Glastonbury. Lots of places to eat and drink, our favourite is the 100 monkeys up the High street on the right. The 3 routes diverge, the medium does a loop to Wells, the Bishops Palace is an atmospheric tea stop. The long heads to Castle Cary returning along the South Somerset Cycleway. All converge on Somerton for a final teastop. Plenty of places to visit. No pinch point cafes, nothing booked, just enjoy the final day.

Neil Wheadon2026-08-10 21:57:36tcn2026

WRAPPING UP. Thankyou to everyone for the tremendous gift on the last night. It will go on helping to upgrade the main computer and screen to which I’ve been glued, hopefully a little faster and all the APP’s will work again. Loads of people said Thankyou as well during the event, every one appreciated. The floored marquee, led rides, show us your tandem, jigsaws and the cider evening seemed to be highlights. However the food was fab, the barn dance band brilliant and having sole use of the campsite all worked. The club is extraordinarily lucky to have so many lovely people underscoring these events. Bernie for lugging the stuff about, Clem for games, Jackie and Stuart for the labels, Pat for badges, Terry for IT. We mustn’t forget Peter though for being a cracking chairman. I leave you all with Eugene for events, Lincolnshire awaits, it will be grand. Neil

joanne saunders2026-08-11 06:46:17tcn2026

Many thanks Neil, we really enjoyed our first tandem rally

John Pound2026-08-11 07:11:31WestMidlands

Thanks very much we enjoyed our first rally and meeting some new friends ,we will be coming again in the future , Ali & John Pound

Martin Morrell2026-08-11 16:11:55tcn2026

Hi Neil. I would like to reiterate the thanks for all your organisation and hard work. This was our second rally and must say it was great. Thanks again Martin & Jill Morrell

Martin Morrell2026-08-11 16:11:57tcn2026

Hi Neil. I would like to reiterate the thanks for all your organisation and hard work. This was our second rally and must say it was great. Thanks again Martin & Jill Morrell

Neil Wheadon2026-08-14 08:39:23tcn2026

Clearing up, these were in with all the paperwork, buried. I presume put there as lost property? Are they anyone’s?

Neil Wheadon2026-08-14 08:41:03tcn2026

The email has no image but on the website it does. Pair of light green gloves and 2 Laura cycling tops

Neil Wheadon2026-08-14 08:42:07tcn2026

Spellcheck strikes Alltura tops

Peter Simpson2026-08-14 11:24:01tcn2026

Hi Neil. I don't recognise the gloves (or the feet laugh) but the tops are what David and I brought for the jumble sale, together with two similar red and white ones. As we had no pen or paper, and had no idea how much to ask for them we just left them on the table for anyone to help themselves. The red/white ones disappeared a day or so later and the blue/white ones disappeared a few days later so we assumed that someone had helped themselves to them (that's fine!), but obviously not the the blue/white ones. If you, or anyone in the West Country group would like them then they are very welcome to have them. If there are no takers then let us know and we'll send you the postage to send them back to us.   

22/08/2026 Thameswey
The detials from Phil & Julie for their ride on Saturday 22nd August. Please also read to the end as there is also the opportunity to buy a ladies TC cycle jersey  Phil & Julie: We fancied taking you to another of our favourite rides this August, along the fabulous Test Valley from St. Mary Bourne to Wherwell, Chilbolton and Longparish. This stretch of the Bourne Rivulet / Test Valley is breathtaking with chocolate box cottages all along the route.  We get to cross the chalk bed River Test several times.  It still had plenty of water when we visited on Wednesday 12th August. Meet at St Mary Bourne Community Shop and Café (SP11 6BE, entrance opposite The George Inn, over the bridge) at 9:30am.  There is a large free car park.  We suggest you park in the NE corner.  If you are driving from the north, the A343 south of Newbury is a beautiful and exhilarating drive to Hurstbourne Tarrant, where you turn east towards St Mary Bourne. Lunch is at The Plough Inn, Longparish (SP11 6PB) at 1pm.  The menu is attached.   Total distance is 22.5 miles, and the lunch stop is after 17 miles.  There are plenty of sections of tree canopies, so a rear light is advisable.  We will depart from the community café at 10:30am. The café would like to know numbers (so they can ensure sufficient staff) and I need to let the pub know numbers and menu choices, so please let Phil and Julie know at the latest by Tuesday 18th August. Please email philipharmer2@gmail.com or telephone 07767 600 943. Kind regards, Phil.  (NB a note from Pauline - I purposely haven't added route files as this often stops the email being recevied by the recipient. If you are going and would like the route, please let Phil know)   ** FOR SALE 

New - LADIES fit, full zip, short sleeve XL jersey. Cost £45, selling for £30 plus postage which is expected to be around £3 - please contact Chris Jones +44 (0) 7534 181867 if you are interested

Ride route GPX/TCX
Contact: Phil & Julie(Login to see contact details)
22/08/2026 West Country
Meet at Junction of Day House Lane and A4259 near Coate Water Country Park at 10:00.
Park in Day House Lane for free or Coate Park (£4.60)

Contact: Stuart and Joan Tel: 07884 363006 Email: joan_davies@hotmail.co.uk
12/09/2026 West Country
Meet at Chipping Sodbury Clock Tower at 09:30h
Ride to coffee at The Fox and Hounds followed by lunch at The Rattlebone Sherston.

Contact: Roger and Alison Tel: 07761 146001 Email: rogerfrost96@gmail.com
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 ...
22/08/2026
Id: 2047
Map Reference: 51.2507, -1.39741
Ride length: 37 km
The detials from Phil & Julie for their ride on Saturday 22nd August. Please also read to the end as there is also the opportunity to buy a ladies TC cycle jersey Phil & Julie: We fancied taking you to another of our favourite rides this August, along the fabulous Test Valley from St. Mary Bourne t ...
22/08/2026
Id: 2046
Map Reference: 51.2507, -1.39741
Ride length: 37 km
The detials from Phil & Julie for their ride on Saturday 22nd August. Please also read to the end as there is also the opportunity to buy a ladies TC cycle jersey Phil & Julie: We fancied taking you to another of our favourite rides this August, along the fabulous Test Valley from St. Mary Bourne t ...
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 ...

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