12 couples joined us for our Summer Meet in Brittany this year based at Camping du Goulet just outside Brest. The campsite gave us a warm welcome and proved to be an excellent choice with caravan, motorhome and tent pitches together with various styles of mobile homes for hire.
A group of us arrived on Friday and we started our evening entertainment with a game of Crazy Golf. Lisa won the game but Nina surprised us all with a hole in one on a very difficult hole!
We officially started on the Saturday with an evening drink and get together followed by Pizza at the bar (open especially for us).
Sunday’s ride took us to Locmaria-Plouzané for coffee then on to Plougonvellin then back to Trégana for lunch. On returning to the site we stopped to look at the Blockhouses and the lighthouse at the Pointe du Petit Minou – a beautiful location. The evening’s entertainment included a music quiz which was won by Rex and Hannah.
Monday’s ride took us through Brest, past the Naval dockyards to the Plage de Moulin Blanc for coffee. We then crossed the river on the Pont Albert Louppe bridge and cycled on to Tinduff for lunch. We stopped at Plougastel to see the Calvary and to give Nick the opportunity to buy us all an ice cream! This evening’s entertainment was Finnish Skittles – pilots v stokers.
Tuesday’s ride took us on a different route to Plougonvellin for coffee then on to the Pointe de St-Mathieu to see the Abbey and lighthouse. We stopped at Le Conquet for lunch then crossed the estuary on the cycle route before retuning to the site. The evening’s entertainment was Tandem Drive (similar to Beetle Drive) and was played at the picnic tables surrounding the pool – well done Andy for winning
Wednesday was the usual rest day and some of us took the excellent tram service into Brest to see the various sites (Museums or the large Decathlon store at Guipavas). The evening’s entertainment was a quiz on Brittany and Emma was the winner.
Thursday we headed north to St Renan then up to Milizac for coffee. We then did an amalgamation of 2 rides based at St Renan before dropping back down to the St Renan lakes for lunch. Entertainment this evening was organised by the campsite who provided a Crèpe evening for us. The evening finished with Nick and Kate providing the music.
Friday we cycled west but had to shelter after 2 miles as we had a torrential downpour! The weather cleared and we cycled on to Ploumoguer for coffee then on to the Pointe de Corsen – the most westerly point of mainland France. We continued to Porspaul for lunch and sat on the quay side watching the fish then returned to the site via Plouzané. The final evening’s entertainment was the awards ceremony for all the winners – we were also given a lovely present for organising the trip – many thanks! We finished the Summer Meet with a final game of Finnish Skittles then said our good-byes.
Many thanks to everyone who attended for making this such an enjoyable week in glorious weather, excellent scenery and great company!
Lisa & Ian Warren

Thirteen riders set off from the Museum of Rural Life in Glastonbury having first enjoyed refreshments in the cafe. Because of the threat of rain the route was shortened which allowed for a more relaxing pace across the Somerset levels to Wells and a welcome stop. 
We took the cycle path out of Wells, arriving in North Wooton in good time for lunch at Crossways where we were joined by more tandem friends for a splendid meal with a view of Glastonbury Tor in the distance. 
After lunch we headed towards Pilton and circled the Glastonbury festival grounds where there was still a lot of activity clearing up after last month’s festival. The second part of the route was hillier and the hardest climb proved particularly long and challenging, though probably fair to say slightly less so for those of us with battery assist, but we all made it. Finally we had a steady ride along the rhynes, passing the mile long caravan “village” on the outskirts of Glastonbury and back to the Museum, feeling relieved and grateful that the weather remained good all day.
Clive & Emma Bowyer

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.