Hi. Some have asked about the 5% discount for which I have no nowledge I'm afraid, but this may work? https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/offers/black-friday

This is the link I was sent. It worked for me. And gave 5% off in addition to the Brittany Ferries 20% Black Friday eatly bird discount which expires today, 8 Dec. "Dear Rally participant, I now have the Brittany Ferry discount code. This 5% code is only for those coming to the 2026 rally and can't be used at other times https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/?referrer=XXXXXX (Sorry removed the XXXXXX as everyone can see this. The value is on the Attendees web page (if you have booked for the event) or email tci2026@tandem-club.org.uk TB). Distances from ports:  Caen 182 miles St Malo 85 miles Sherbourg 205  Bon voyage!" Linda

The sky was blue and the sun was shining when eight tandems and 4 solo bikes lined up for the decorated cycle helmet competition. We rode through Tiverton and then onto quiet country roads to take us to the Globe at Sampford Peverell where we stopped for a coffee. 
It was then back on the bikes to ride a slightly different return  route through Chieflowman and Chevithorne.  We cycled up past the walled garden at the National Trust property Knightshayes, down the main drive and back to our starting point.
There we met up with another 14 club members for our annual Christmas lunch and prize giving. Joan won the decorated cycle helmet competition for her fabulous ‘Santa down the chimney’ roof scene, and she and Rick then picked up the award for the most rides attended with an amazing 100% attendance.  Nick and Rachel won the Christmas quiz competition, which had most members scratching their heads. 
Ian and Lisa then told us of the packed diary of club rides and events planned for 2026. So we all have a lot to look forward to in the New Year.
Vicky and Jeff Conibear 

There is a trial running event at Bon Repos on the Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th. Various distances but you must enter asap when entries open on the 25th January at 18:00 hrs (19:00 hrs French time). Enter here: https://www.traildeguerledan.com/inscription

 

3 months to go and the campsite have opened up to external bookings, so far one pitch has been taken. If you want to come along, please book ASAP. Happy New Year Left as now: 4. hardstanding with electric 3 grass without electric 17 grass with electric

Hello Lincoln members,

We are in touch with Camper UK Leisure park in Swinthorpe, Lincs. We are hoping to have the National rally there in 2027 and I was hoping that you might be able to help with that as you live in Lincolnshire.

There are different things that would need doing but the routes would be a major part (5 days, short, medium and long) and there would be the evening program to think of as well as the marquee and other practical things.

If this is something you could help with I would like to hear from you.

Kind regards,

Eugene Kertzman, Rally Co-ordinator

We can do the routes but id like help in checking them for accuracy

We can do the routes but id like help in checking them for accuracy

Greetings, Eugene. As a BC route planner, and H&S trained, i be more than happy to do the routes. Also check them for accuracy, safety and for places of interestjust let me know how long you would like routes to be . Best wishes, yours in cycling, PEtet Hobson

Our server's SSL security certificate was updated fairly recently and uses a modern certificate that requires the knowledge of the Sectigo Public Server Authentication Root R46 certificate. If you encounter security access issues make sure your device has the latest software updates. Unfortunately if it is an older device that does not receive updates then you can install the "Sectigo Public Server Authentication Root R46 certificate" manually. Different devices have different ways of doing this.

The root certificate is available from https://crt.sh/?d=4256644734 make sure you trust this download.

On Android phones/tablets you can install using:

• Download the Certificate:

• Get the Sectigo Public Server Authentication Root R46 certificate file (usually a .crt or .cer). You can use a WEB browser for this.

• Save it to your device's Downloads folder.

• Open Settings: Navigate to your device's Settings app.

• Find Certificate Installation:

• Go to Security or Security & privacy.

• Look for More security settings or Encryption & credentials.

• Tap on Install a certificate or Install from storage.

• Select Certificate Type: Choose CA certificate (Certificate Authority).

• Install the File:

• Acknowledge any warnings.

• Use the file manager to find and select the SectigoR46Root.crt file you downloaded.

• Tap Install.

• Confirm: You'll need to enter your device PIN or use your fingerprint to confirm. 

The certificate will then appear under the User credentials tab in your trusted certificates.

I bought a pair of Endura mountain bike trousers last year. They have been great.

When I fell off my mountain bike onto a studded peddle I lay in the moor for a while counting my blessings and noticed that I had ripped my pants, as well.

I emailed Endura to ask if I could buy a repair patch and they told me to post them back to Endure at my expense and they would repair and return them without any cost. This sounded too good to be true so I was careful to  checkout where I was sending my trousers to. Sure enough 5 days later I got them back - looking better than I could believe - new reflective stickers on them and the tare repaired almost invisibly.

How brilliant. In this throw it away, buy some more society there is still a company that assists their customers to look after their kit. Definitely they have my loyalty. Alas, the fantastic thermal Freeer pants are not available online this year. So I will be very careful with my existing pair now.

Jacqueline

 

Can I encourage everyone to find their Tandem Club login and have a look at rides. A lot of time is being spent adding everything onto the routes. There are icons and information along the routes which you can open on the ride telling you what you are going to see and where places to eat are, these are bespoke to this event. There is also a fabulous button on the left at the bottom, where you can see your location in relation to the route and all the things to look at. The picture shows a route that I have just done

They aren't published yet, but find your login in advance

This is the location button. Try it in the UK. It works better the more you zoom in

Sunday 25th January. A ride through pretty North Somerset Villages.

18 hardy cyclists set off with threatening clouds following Storm Erin the day before. Fortunately the forecasted heavy persistent rain did not arrive and only one small shower tried to upset the ride.

Starting at Winscombe the ride took us to Banwell where we stopped to admire the castle and could see some of the £105 million bypass works. We then continued passing Banwell caves and down into the valley with great views of the Mendip Hills and Crook Peak. Passing through the village of Christon and arriving in Loxton where we stopped for coffee at the Frankie Howerd’s Community Cafe. Recently extended and under refurbishment this local hub and cafe run by the Frankie Howerd OBE trust with regular visitors like Joanna Lumley.
 
Then on through the lovely villages of Bleadon, Lympsham and East Brent before heading back to Winscombe for a lovely Sunday Lunch where we were joined by 4 other local members 22 in total.

There will be 2 organised teastops. One at Hartington YHA, the other courtesy of Kirk Ireton Village Hall. These are included in the booking fee and are dsigned to get people together and in the case of Kirk Ireton help the village church fund. I need to know if there are any gluten intolorance please. Can you email me at Neil@Tandem-club.org.uk please to let me know and if you have any other intolorances that we need to know about, just ensuring there is something to give you on arrival.

Booking are open for the 2026 National Tandem Rally https://tandem-club.org.uk/events/tcn2026/index.html

Easter 2026. An addition. I've ordered a floor for the marquee, so we may as well use it. I intend to have it as a central meeting point. Aside from the AGM on Saturday at 16:00 and the band in the evening, I have booked an external speaker for the Thursday night. Mike Higginbottom will be giving a presentation on the railways and canals of the area, so you'll know a little about what you will be cycling along over the event. It will start at 19:30 and will be preceeded by a welcome drink. Chris Juden (former CTC Tour leader and CTC technical editor lives in Matlock and is putting together some fabulous routes, his notes alongside are a thing of beauty. There are still a few sites available, so if anyone you know wishes to come, this is looking to be a lovely event

Extra nights at the site, either side of the event. I am at the point of confirming. Can everyone who wishes to stay a few days either side please tell me, even if you have already. Doing this, the National, a job, other tours etc etc is stretching my brain at times. Email neil@tandem-club.org.uk

Program for the event. Thursday evening - talk on the local railways and canals before they became cyclepaths, so that you will appreciate the istory before riding them. Friday, Peter Weeks will do a quiz in the marquee. Saturday will host the AGM and in the evening a good band will entertain us. Sunday, something new and everyone can take part. 10 minutes to talk about your tandem, your tour, anything tandem bicycle related. I'll bring a laptop and projector, so any pictures please bring them on a USB stick. This format has been done at the Cycle Touring Festival and works w=very well. For the rides, 2 communal coffee stops included (already paid for) on the Friday Hartington YHA where a hot drink and a piece of cake are on offer. Sunday, sounds like quite a few from the village of Kirk Ireton are going to turn out to provide an afternoon drink and cake stop, we'll also do a collection for the church should you wish. These are designed to bring everyone together on the road as you explore the area. Routes, Chris Juden has done the most amazing job on these, the route sheets are fantastic, they will give turn by turn directions and information about the things you are passing. I have added all the places onto rides (our inhouse system) so the 2 together should provide you with all the information you need. Finally there are about 7 places left, if anyone else you know would like to come along please do. At present there are close to 130 people coming, should be a fun event