On Sunday 17th November 9 tandems, four solo bikes and one recumbent solo set off on a ride to celebrate Ian and Lisa Warren’s Golden Wedding Anniversary.
It was fresh but dry as the group set off from The Walnut Tree Hotel, North Petherton, for a ride around the Somerset levels.
We began along fairly new cycle paths alongside the Bridgwater Road before we crossed to strike off across the Levels. We followed the River Parrett for some of the way then rode down some very muddy drove roads and lanes, which needed care to cycle along. We rode back alongside the Parrett towards Burrowbridge and Stathe. After Stoke St Gregory and North Curry we eventually arrived at our lunch stop after 21 miles.
The Maypole Inn at Thurloxton catered for us well, and we had a much enjoyed meal, leaving only 3 miles back to our starting point.
To finish their celebratory ride Lisa and Ian had laid on cream teas for us all. This rounded off the day and we would all like to thank Ian and Lisa for their generosity and send our best wishes. The Taunton group are very fortunate to have them as our Regional Officers!
Nina and Paul Swift
Saturday 14 th December Christmas Ride and MealMeeting at 9.30 am at the Gairlogie Inn near Aberdeen Saturday 14-12-24
Ride will be a loop of approximately 30 miles followed by lunch at the Gairlogie Inn
December ride cancelled due to poor weather
The annual Christmas Meal for the Taunton Group was held at the Walnut Tree Hotel in North Petherton. Unfortunately Storm Darragh had created difficult conditions for the cyclists and the original route had to be cancelled. An alternative route across the Levels was quickly created and led by Malcolm with a reduced number of tandems and solos taking part negotiating floods, fallen trees and bracken.
The main entrants in the fancy dress competition were Jeff and Vicky. Unfortunately the very strong winds made it impossible for them to cycle dressed as Christmas Stockings!
Thirty one people attended the lunch and were accompanied by music and songs from Nick, Kate and Ian. The quizzes were organised by Santa’s elf and won by Vicky and Nick. As always the trophy for the most rides attended was hotly contested and Jeff and Vicky won.
Next year promises to be another busy one. We have leaders for rides in every month. Malcolm has 14 couples going to his New Forest get together in April. Ian has a similar number heading to Brittany in June. Jeff and Vicky are planning another trip to the Tarka Trail in August and the Christmas Meal may be at Tiverton for a change!
The TCN2025 rally webpage is now available and the booking system is open.
Book now to secure your place at the rally.
The club systen does not seem to be mailing out, so just a heads up that we will not be on this months ride. If anyone has a ride suggestion, please let me know.
The TCI2025 rally webpage is now available.
Find it in the Events menu or go direct to the rally webpage.
Richard Smith has a Trek drop handle bar tandem for sale. Please contact Richard on pilates@gmail.com for details.
This was a fabulous day out. We took an oval path, starting in Taunton with the zenith in Wellington. There was however an eerie stillness about Taunton before the tandems began to arrive for the start; 33 cyclists on 19 cycles.
The café we booked for the start denied all knowledge of us. The manager of the lunch stop fled the country after we booked it.
Some shops seemed recently boarded up. Like a scene from a western the first tandems appeared from the mist, riding into town along the high street.
If there had been chickens, they would have scattered. If cacti, they would have wilted. But this transient air of foreboding evaporated in the dazzle of hi viz Lycra.
We headed off through the park and took several turns around the bandstand to warm up.
Then along country lanes in near zero temperatures, spreading warmth and a wild, carefree spirit. We took a break for coffee at the Iron Duke in Wellington, then back to Taunton for an Italian lunch. Thanks to everyone for coming. It was fun.
Nick and Rachel Warner
Michelle’s Birthday Ride for the Taunton Tandem Group saw 8 tandems and 4 solos (including Ed on his recumbent) meet at Torre Cider Farm, Washford on a cold and rather dreary February morning – but at least it stayed dry for us! The Cider Farm opened especially for us, so we were fuelled with coffee before tackling our first steep hill. Our ride took us through the quiet village of Monksilver, at the foot of the long and steady climb up to Elworthy Cross. From Elworthy it is a long run most of the way down to our lunch stop at The New Inn, a community run pub and cafe in the village of Halse. We were joined at The New Inn by another 8 members of our group. Any reservations that we may have had as to whether the pub would be able to cope with such a large group were quickly dispelled as plates of roast beef, bowls of soup and other dishes were efficiently served to our long table.
Our return journey took us through the sprawling village of Fitzhead before joining the B road (known to us as the Wivey road) which took us most of the way back to the cider farm, where Michelle had laid on a splendid array of home-baked cakes and scones.
It was a short ride of a little under 25 miles but with more than 2000 feet of climbing – quite enough, it was generally agreed, for the time of year!
Thanks to Dave Jones for Michelle’s Birthday Card
coffee, cakes and tandems. Members from the Waveney valley had a meet at Halesworth with membere coming from all points of the compass. We discussed meeting every month or so. Watch this space.
Coffee cakes and tandems. Members from the Waveney Valley area had a meet ta Halesworth with memebers coming from all points of the compass.. We discussed meeting every month or so. Watch this space.
Very impressed by your turnout Andrew. We never managed anything that close here up north on the coast. If you and your fellow riders ever felt like coming this far, would be good to team up.
Dear Andrew - could you very kindly get in touch, perhaps, as there's a member who'd like to contact you but not through anything that's public like a website. As before, mark@braynework.com is the best way to reach me. Thanks.
TCE2025 Easter Rally bookings will CLOSE at the end of Sunday 23rd March.
After that point, no further bookings will be accepted.
For those who are unable to attend the 2025 AGM it will be possible to join by Zoom. Details in the Member's Area.
Hi all. I posted a Cooper drop handlebar tandem on the for sale listings over a month ago now. It has been heavily reduced, down from £4500 to £2000. It’s a real bargain but hasn’t had any enquiries and I can only think the reason us that it’s dropped down the listings since I first posted. Really need to seek quickly, so if anyone is looking for a very special tandem, please have a look at the listing and get in touch. Thank you
I've added the Shopshire Cycleway to Rides as a tour. There are 5 parts to this and each have been individually added. The GPX files have been especially created for this resource. https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?cmd=tourView&id=42
TCN2025 National Rally bookings will CLOSE at the end of Monday 31st March.
After that point, no further bookings will be accepted.