The Tandem Club

The Taunton group met at the Walnut Tree at North Petherton for their Christmas Meal and ride – a record number of 40 people attended the meal.  

The fancy dress/decorated tandem competition is always amazing. Rob and Sally stole the show dressed as oven ready turkeys. They cycled the 18 mile route and must’ve roasted! Other costumes included Christmas trees with flashing lights, reindeers, and of course Santa himself.

Coffee and biscuits is a great way to start then Ian led the ride with daughter-in-law Sarah as his stoker to provide much needed pedal power - Lisa had just had a replacement shoulder operation and will be back in action later in the year.  Heavy rain delayed the start but fortunately the sun came out as 14 tandems and 2 solos cycled to North Newton. We then continued across the levels and up the ‘steep’ hill into North Curry where we re-grouped.  From there we made our way to Burrowbridge and then alongside a very high River Parrett up to Huntworth and back to North Petherton.  A lovely ride with lots of friendly chatting and numerous comments from those watching us pass by.  Thanks must go to Richard and Michelle for keeping the group together.

The Christmas Meal was as good as always and it’s lovely to see so many people attend. The trophy for the most rides done in the year was awarded to Nick and Rachel who rode 9 out of the 11 rides in 2019, including the successful 100 mile Tour de Dartmoor weekend organised by Andy and Anita with help from Karl and Lisa. The Christmas quiz was won by Tim and Mary and Ian and Lisa were presented with gifts in appreciation of their work as Regional Officers.

After the ITR 2020 in France Carl & Julie Mattson are riding to Bordeaux, staying two nights then going by train to Nantes.    We will then ride the Atlantic Route 1 to the Spanish Boarder for 18 days.  This is a self supported ride, 40-50km per day, no long range reservations, eat when we are hungary, sleep when we are tired, enjoy the towns, the sights and the sea side.  Tandems and single bikes are welcome to join us for as short or long as you wish.   Carlmatt@aol.com

Tandem Club Runs List for LA, PR and FY postcode areas 2020

RO Stephen Webb Mobile 07940 372433     Landline 01539 729660     email stephen.webb001@gmail.com

Richard and Michelle organised the January ride for the Taunton Group starting from Wiveliscombe. Organising a winter ride can have its challenges - namely weather conditions and lack of open cafes. Two days before the ride our concerns were the very wet and muddy lanes, however, on the day it was the cold and ice. Five tandems plus two solos set off towards Bampton on a road that was supposed to have been gritted. One icy patch resulted in a few walking but everyone stayed upright. The Toucan Café, in Bampton, kindly opened early for a coffee stop. Bikes were safely stored and we thawed out before continuing. Although a few were up for following the planned route along the lanes the general view was to stick to the bigger roads so we looped round to The Black Cat and Exeter Inn before heading back to Wiveliscombe where we jumped in the cars and drove to The Globe in Appley for lunch. Nick and Rachel joined us in Bampton for the short loop and then drove on to lunch on the original route and confirmed that we had made the correct decision! Driving on from the pub was also not very pleasant.

Our first ride of the year is on Sunday 9th February starting from Kendal College car park and we'll be heading to Beetham, Silverdale and Carnforth.. All the details can be found in the 'What's On' section. Everybody welcome

LA Group February Ride - Weather Update. Heavy showers and gales are forecast for Cumbria on Sunday with gusts in excess of 60 mph. Please check the What's On for updates or contact the leader before considering travelling. There is a high probability that we may have to rearrange this ride.

LA Group February Ride - Weather Update. Heavy showers and gales are forecast for Cumbria on Sunday with gusts in excess of 60 mph. Please check the What's On for updates or contact the leader before considering travelling. There is a high probability that we may have to rearrange this ride.

LA February Tandem ride has been postponed from Sunday 9th until Sunday 16th February. Apologies for having to rearrange the ride but in view of the weather warnings that have been issued for Cumbria I feel that this is the sensible course of action.

We've had Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis disrupt our rides but next Sunday 8th March we are hoping for fine weather for our LA Group ride from Carnforth into north Lancashire. See the What's On for more details.

We've had Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis disrupt our rides but next Sunday 8th March we are hoping for fine weather for our LA Group ride from Carnforth into north Lancashire. See the What's On for more details.

Great ride in South Cumbria and North Lancashire today, led by Paul. Beautiful weather too :-)

We are discussing what to do in light of today's (16/3) announcement about Covid19. I'll send an email to everyone over the next couple of days, meantime I've asked that further bookings be temporarily disabled.

The April club ride to Wray Castle and the May ride in the Fylde and Bowland areas have been cancelled following the latest advice from the UK Government and Cycling UK. We hope to fit these rides in later this year. Thanks for your understanding, Stephen Webb LA Group RO.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the National rally 2020 in Corsham has been cancelled. We are hoping to delay this to next year, and are awaiting written confirmation that this is possible from the Rugby Club. Please bear with us: as soon as we know what is happening next year I will send an email to everyone who has booked onto the rally, and let you know your options. Many thanks,

It is with regret due to COVID 19  we have taken the decision to suspend the monthly gathering until further notice.  Hope we can meet up again before too long.

I am pleased to confirm that the national rally in Corsham has been postponed to 2021. This will be the 50th anniversary of the Tandem Club and a big festival of all things tandem. I've sent an email to each lead booker today, and there will be another over the next few days. Cathy

To all Cumbria and Lancashire (LA) Group couples, when you are out and about on your solo 'Boris' exercise rides, don't forget to send me a photo and a description of where it was taken for Regional Round Up section of the club journal. Email stephen.webb001@gmail.com

Sadly this year's International rally has been cancelled due to uncertainties caused by COVID-19. Full refunds will be made to all those who booked on the rally. The refunds will be processed starting 27th April. An email has been sent from Bob and Mary with a little more detail. Further information is available from: tci2020@tandem-club.org.uk.

On page 4 of the April/May Tandem Club Journal (Vol. 288) there is a notice regarding the increase of the subscription rate. Please remember to change your Standing Order before your next renewal date. The club is unable to do this for you.
If you are unable to do this via on-line banking and need a paper form please contact the treasurer.
Tony Prichard (Joint Treasurer)