I’m Peter Saunders the regional officer for this area and I’m thinking it was about time we got together again and had a ride! So how about meeting up at 10.00am Sunday 8th September at the Beach Pavilion Cafe on the prom in Llanfairfechan LL33 OBY. There is plenty of free parking on site. Set off riding at 10.30. The route is a mix of fairly quiet road and cycle path to Bangor pier where there is a good cafe and toilets. Entry fee to the pier is £1.00 I believe. Then it's back along the cycle path and onwards to Tregarth where we leave the path, cycle up a bit of a hill before heading downhill to Tal y Bont. Here we rejoin the cycle path and take the "express path" back to the start. Around 26 miles altogether. Please let me know you if you would like to come on this ride so I can get some idea of numbers. Please note: if the ride has to be postponed due to bad weather then I'll post details on this site the day prior to the ride...so please check this site for confirmation or message/ring me. Regards, Pete 07913 062930
Hi Peter, we would have loved to join you but we are away on holiday then. Sorry. Tim & Sue
Hi all,
Hi all, due to wet weather forecast this Sunday, the ride is postponed until the following Saturday14th September. The same meet up details apply. I will confirm, after checking weather forecast the day before, whether or not the ride will go ahead. Regards, Pete
Pleased to announce that the ride will go ahead tomorrow, Saturday 14th September, as planned. Peter
Jeff and Vicky organised the August Bank Holiday trip for the Taunton Group.
Saturday morning started with a visit to the Royal Marines Base at Instow. After Coffee and cakes, 7 Tandems and 1 solo bike set off towards Meeth. Luckily the rain had cleared by the time we reached Bideford and the weather improved and at Peters Marland we were able to sit outside in the garden for coffee at Yarde Orchard Cafe. After another couple of miles the trail diverts from the old disused railway line and meanders through a pretty wooded area eventually passing Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve. We then joined the A386, after a short but steep climb up into the village we arrived at the Bull and Dragon in Meeth for our well-deserved lunch. We then retraced our route back to Instow with lots of nice gentle descents. Everyone was staying at Tarka Trail Camping for the night and in the evening we met up for a meal and were able to watch a glorious sunset over Instow Seafront.
On Sunday morning our meeting place was the Tarka Trail campsite at Yelland and 9 Tandems and 1 Solo bike started out towards Barnstaple, passing the Heritage Centre at Fremington Quay. By-passing the centre of Barnstaple, by using the new bridge to cross the River Taw, we then cycled onto the Quay Cafe at Braunton for coffee. Leaving here we left the Tarka trail heading down the toll road (no toll for the bikes) which goes to Crow Point car park, at the end of which we utilised a small cut through to reach Braunton Burrows where we then joined the old American road. This was built during WW2 by American Forces who used Braunton Burrows extensively for training before the D Day Landings. We then took the main road to Saunton Sands Beach where in typical British style we enjoyed a blustery and damp picnic. Our route back took us around Braunton Great Field, this is an exceptionally rare medieval landscape with a strip field system still in operation. With none of the usual Devon high hedges we were able to enjoy unrestricted views across Braunton Marsh. We then re-joined the Tarka Trail for a windy ride back to Yelland.
On Monday, Malcolm and Grace arranged a short ride for 7 tandems along the Tarka Trail to Bideford. A steep and rough track then took us up to Northam before dropping down to Appledore for coffee. We then cycled across Northam Burrows to Westward Ho! passing lovely multi coloured cottages. A very steep ascent then took us up and over to Bideford where we stopped for a picnic in the park in the sunshine. We returned along the Trail to Yelland to complete our August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Very many thanks to everyone who attended, with special thanks to Jeff for organising the visit to the Royal Marine Base where many of us fulfilled our boyhood dreams getting up close to the MOD vehicles.
Jeff and Vicky
Taunton Tandem group spent a long weekend at Wadebridge in mid-September. Some of us stayed at Pendavey House and Lodge, while the rest of the group stayed at Little Bodieve Campsite. On Saturday we kicked things off with a social evening for all at Pendavey House, with a bring and share supper. We then enjoyed three days of cycling in wonderful early autumn weather.
Sunday’s ride took us to Port Isaac, with lunch at Trevathan farm shop. Our return route took us to Rock, where some of the group took the ferry to Padstow and returned along the Camel Trail, while the rest of the group came back via Chapel Amble.
On Monday we climbed out of Wadebridge to St Breock Down to enjoy some spectacular views, before heading down to the coast at Harlyn Bay for our lunch stop, then on to Padstow and back along the Camel trail. In the evening, we all enjoyed a meal at the Borough Arms in Bodmin. Thanks to the group for paying for our meal as a thank you for organising the weekend - that was very much appreciated by us both.
Tuesday saw us heading up the Camel Trail, through Bodmin and on to Bodmin Moor. We had three stops, first a café stop at Blisland, followed by a picnic in the churchyard at Churchtown, and a final café stop at St Teath. The weather was fantastic, and we all enjoyed the wonderful vistas as we crossed Bodmin Moor.
Thank you all for joining us on what was, at times, some quite challenging routes. I think special mention must go to Grace, who at 91 years of age joined us for every ride, riding approximately 100 miles over the three days – what a gal!
Andy and Anita
Is there any cycle rides in the area that people are going on thats not on the web site
Would it be fitting for the club to send a well rounded message from the memnbers to Sir Chris Hoy Just a thought
John Lowe
We have another name to be aware of Morgan Stuart sounds a bit more believable
John Lowe
An intrepid Taunton Tandem group set out from Wells for our October ride over the flooded Somerset Levels. Fortunately it was just light rain and not too windy. We had missed the worst of Storm Ashley but still had the challenge of flooded roads. Luckily we missed a heavy shower while we had our coffee stop but got caught in a heavy downpour as we left Glastonbury just before our lunch stop. After a good lunch at Middlewick Farm where we were joined by more tandem friends the sun came out so we finished on a high note, back in Wells reasonably dry apart from soggy feet
Clive and Emma
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
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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.