The Taunton Tandem Group's September ride followed the Taunton Cycle Trail, which is a route devised and promoted by the Taunton Area Cycling Campaign ('TACC').  TACC works hard to promote safer cycling and the interests of cyclists in the Taunton area.  The route circumnavigates Taunton, mostly on quiet country lanes. 7 tandems and 3 solos joined the ride which started with coffee at Hestercombe Gardens and then stopped for lunch at The World's End at Bradford-on-Tone. We had pre-ordered our lunches and did not have to wait long before the food arrived.  We were soon suitably nourished to continue our ride back to Hestercombe.

It was good to be back cycling as a larger group and meeting people who we had not seen for months! The weather was good and there were no incidents that affected us. We crossed over the M5 twice - the first time the north bound traffic was at a standstill apparently due to a shunt involving several vehicles. Re-crossing a couple of hours later the traffic was still backed up - tandem travel is far less stressful!

After 39 miles we arrived back at Hestercombe but then had a long wait for tea and cake due to staff shortages! However, sitting together and chatting in the sun made it all worthwhile.

Richard and Michelle Miles