We had a superb time on the January tandem ride. This should have been the shortest ever Taunton ride designed for winter in uncertain times.  15 of us met at Hestercombe. Within a ride distance of just 13 miles, we climbed 1300 feet up onto the Quantocks , stopped for coffee and cake at Fyne Court , and found we had lost five tandems and 10 riders. This was disheartening because the average number we usually lose is 2.3. And while people usually turn up eventually, there are still some cyclists unaccounted for from a ride back in 2009 around the infamous Somerset triangle. 
This time making use of satellite technology and contacts in Cheltenham we managed to link up again with the missing riders who had mysteriously elected to do an extra 3 mile loop. It didn’t rain, there was very little traffic, the conversation was of the usual high standard and there were beautiful views out over mist in the Vale of Taunton.
Nick & Rachel