Well. How do you organise a tandem ride with 12 tandems that can only cycle in groups of three?  Some of them want to be challenged; some of them want to have a leisurely social; some are very fit and young; others are…….less fit and young.

This is how we did it.  Four routes were sent out by email.  They included a printable map showing the routes highlighted on an OS map and a GPX file.  The routes were called the Aliens - dark matter in their legs and fit, the Proletariat - hard working class of cyclist, the Intellectuals - need time to discuss matters, and the Lone Ranger - for the off the wall individual who needs an extreme challenge.  We all met at the lovely Cafe 360 in Bovey and very quickly sorted ourselves out into like-minded groups.  We all cycled up to Moretonhampstead in groups, fastest first and then returned to Bovey by the different routes.

I’m very grateful for the fact that the Taunton Group have a high proportion of good map readers and competent mechanics.  Their navigation skills were called on and everyone rose to the occasion, but no-one could salvage Andy’s car which was sadly collected by the RAC at the end of the ride.  I also want to recommend the OS app. which makes this sort of planning much easier.

I think everyone enjoyed it; I think everyone returned but sadly we weren’t able to have a group hug at the end cos’ of……you know what.

James & Liz Goodwin

 

Thanks to everyone who took part in the Lancashire and Cumbria Group 'Virtual' Tandem ride this weekend. Although we couldn't ride alongside each other we kept in touch via WhatsApp on our individual rides.  Hope it isn't too long before we are back riding together.

Stephen

In lieu of our festive lunch this year we are holding a Christmas Quiz on Sunday 13 December at 16:00.  Simon and Hayley have offered to organise it.  Further details from Simon, email s53brown@gmail.com.  It will be a fun filled afternoon :-)

My wife and I, Have a Tandem called the White Rabbit. It is named after a loving bunny we have called Jester. Jester is a 18 Month old, Continental Giant, Red eyed White rabbit. He was born on the 01 April, Hence the name Jester. For charity Jester has had a Children's book published. Entitled Jester's 1st Christmas. it is available from Amazon. All money raised from the sale of the book will go to Charity. The book can be obtained from amazon at the following link. https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjY4qPfzsHtAhVK1O0KHcT1AvIYABAHGgJkZw&ae=2&sig=AOD64_0Xh1ug_rslEgf_sKQaXKtEXx5Lrw&ctype=70&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjyx5nfzsHtAhWUThUIHaNqDAIQ-pECegUIAhDHAg&adurl=

19 members from the Lancashire and Cumbria Group took part in our Festive Quiz organised by Simon and Hayley.  Surprisingly, we all found the bike logos round quite difficult!  A great time was had by all and a big thanks to Simon and Hayley for organising it.  Lockdown Tiers permitting, we will get back together in early 2021.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

TC Humberside Region Club Christmas Quiz Numbers and words, the numbers remain but the words have been removed with the first letter of the word remains. For instance.

6 T in the S N. = 6 teams in the 6 Nations.

There will be a small prize for the winner. E-Mail or post answers back closing date 31 Dec 20.

Dear Friends,

We would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and Healthy new year. We are hoping that we wil be able to ride as groups come the spring of 2021.  

We would like to say a big  thank you to Richard and Anne, Liz and Mark for Leading rides this year and putting on splendid refreshments. Also for Jim and Kate who had organised and was ready to lead a ride just as we went into our 2nd lockdown. So thank you for the work  and for the other tandems who turned up to make the ride enjoyable.

Best wishes to you all, and hope to see a few of you our on the nice winters day. 

Pauline and Cliff 

RO Kent

Dear Friends, We would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and Healthy new year. We are hoping that we wil be able to ride as groups come the spring of 2021. We would like to say a big thank you to Richard and Anne, Liz and Mark for Leading rides this year and putting on splendid refreshments. Also for Jim and Kate who had organised and was ready to lead a ride just as we went into our 2nd lockdown. So thank you for the work and for the other tandems who turned up to make the ride enjoyable. Best wishes to you all, and hope to see a few of you our on the nice winters day. Pauline and Cliff RO Kent

If it's raining outside and you'd like something to do then why not add a few icons to the Tandem Club ride map. I've added over 1000 and the map is looking pretty good for the South West. Anything from teashops to Farm Parks to Ancient Monuments that can be visited for free. There really is nothing like this anywhere else and if every member did just 10 that map would look prety impressive and would be a fabulous thing. Go on you know you want to, brew a cup of tea, grab a mince pie and look at https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?cmd=placeList. Just Shift/left click on the place, add a description and away you go. Any question, I'm about at Neil@Tandem-club.org.uk

We're Linda and Mark and have recently offered to coordinate the rides and rekindle the Three Counties area of the Tandem Club.

We've been riding our Orbit Lightening Tandem seriously for just a few years and love it! We also enjoy riding our solo bikes, sportifs, leisure riding and touring.  If you see us out on our white and turquoise tandem, give us a wide berth in case we wobble when we return your friendly wave.

We thought this role would be a great opportunity to cycle and get to know fellow 'Tandemers' and explore new cycling routes, however, currently this opportunity comes with the added challenge that this region is in different tiers with restricitions on travel, exercising in groups, equally of note is that cafes, restaurants and pubs are also closed!

It is also paramount that we all remain safe and adhere to the guidelines.  We're trying to remain optimistic and thought we'd plan some dates for the New Year with the routes to be reviewed and confirmed two weeks before the ride.

Sunday 17th January: Meet at Pittville Pumprooms, East Approach Drive, Cheltenham GL523JE at 10am for 10.30am departure. There is a carpark, public toilets and cafe - opening of the cafe will be subject to local restrictions so please bring your own drinks and food. It will be approx 25 miles at steady pace around Cheltenham. Led by Linda and Mark

Sunday 21st February TBC

Sunday 21st March TBC

Sunday 18th April TBC

Sunday 16th May TBC

We are happy planning the first couple of rides as we all get to know one another but really keen that local members share their favourite rides and plan routes.

We currently have access to the regional data base and will use email to correspond with Three County members.  Details of the rides will also be on the Tandem Club website and extend a warm welcome to members from other areas.

Please confim your attendance in advance with the ride leaders.

We look forward to hearing from you and finding out more about your tandeming experiences!

Best wishes for 2021,

Linda and Mark Jackson

Note you can no longer login to the website using the generic Journal month based logins. This has been done for security reasons. You now need to have an individual user login on the website based on your email address. This can be setup using this link: https://tandem-club.org.uk/user?cmd=register

The Taunton Group’s Christmas ride was held on December 13th and started with socially distanced coffee and cake in the gazebo outside Mr Miles Tea Rooms in the High Street in Taunton.
Two groups of 3 tandems set off in different directions. Ian and Lisa had planned four routes but unfortunately the weather forecast was not encouraging and a few couples were deterred. On the day the weather wasn’t too bad – the first group headed out south-west from Taunton through Pitminster and West Buckland while the second group headed out north-west through Bradford-on-Tone and Bishops Lydeard. Upon return to Taunton several couples decided to have lunch and the staff at Mr Miles Tea Rooms obligingly found tables for us. 
The event was great in the circumstances, the two groups didn’t mingle and riding in small groups was quite acceptable, almost feeling normal. This year has been so different and rides have been organised to conform with the current regulations and have proved popular. The trophy for the couple attending the most events organised during the year was awarded to Rex and Hannah.
To include those unable to attend the ride we also held a Zoom Christmas Party on December 18th. Nick and Rachel planned it meticulously with a spectacular simultaneous switch on of Christmas lights, a magnificent firework display (complete with fire alarm!), a game of pontoon, a fancy dress competition and, being the Taunton Group, included community singing culminating in an unusual rendition of ‘Daisy Daisy’ to the tune of Auld Lang Syne (?).
What a year! Many thanks to all those who have supported the Taunton Group throughout this year – and special thanks to those who have agreed to lead rides in 2021.  
Lisa & Ian Warren
 

The February club ride to Kirkby Lonsdale and Arnside has 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

Spurred on by reports of other group activities, Wessex held a social chat Zoom attended by just 4 tandem couples. A further get-together with some short illustrated tour reports is planned for later this month.

Wssex Region: Spurred on by reports of other group activities, Wessex held a social chat Zoom attended by just 4 tandem couples. A further get-together with some short illustrated tour reports is planned for later this month.

Spurred on by reports of other group activities, Wessex held a social chat Zoom attended by just 4 tandem couples. A further get-together with some short illustrated tour reports is planned for later this month.

20 Feb Latest advice from Cycling UK about cycling restrictions during Covid

https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/coronavirus-qa-cycling-guidance

Twelve screens joined our second Zoom get-together and we were delighted to see some new faces. We enjoyed a tour of Kent and an adventurous trip from the UK to Santander, as well as quick visits to Corrèze and Salviac. We hope to meet again if more material is forthcoming.

Over the past 4 months I have added National trust/English Heritage/Cadw and Scottish Trust properties to the Tandem Club Rides map. This is stage 1 for me because i will now be looking to add rides to flesh it out. There are over 3000 places marked now. I've said before that it's unique, and it is. So if you have a favorite ride that others will enjoy please upload it or get in touch.