The Tandem Club

Thanks to Eifion Francis, we now have audio versions of the more recent Tandem Club Journals available on-line. These are in the members only area of the website so you will need to log in to access them. Once logged in they are available from the home page link Journals or directly at: https://tandem-club.org.uk/files/members/journals/. They are in MP3 format can be listened to directly or downloaded as a whole or by chapter.

Nigel and Mercedes led the September ride which started from Barnstaple on a very sunny September Saturday morning. We started with a cup of coffee at the Bike Shed some cafe which was perfect. This also proved to be an opportunity to stock up on any cycling essentials which had been forgotten. The first task was to gain from sea level some height (800 feet) over approximately five miles to Shirwell. This height did not have to be regained during the ride. Subsequently, gloriously quiet country lanes were enjoyed to Berry Down Cross where the A3123 is joined. This road, although busier was still relatively quiet since was outside the school holidays. To our right there were clear views across to South Wales. Straight ahead Lundy was clearly visible. It was at this point that our one and only puncture was encountered. This led to a division of labour along gender stereotype lines, the four male cyclists doing a combination of careful inspection and violent wrestling with the offending wheel to fix the problem. We were soon on our way again but the offending tandem riders suffering from a mild dose of P.P.A. (post puncture anxiety). However this did soon pass.

At Turnpike Cross we turned off on to another quiet lane and descended into Georgeham and particularly the 'Rock public house where we had an excellent lunch. We then continued on our way down into the popular coastal village of Croyde and subsequently on to Braunton via the scenic and flat lanes of Braunton Burrows. It was at this point that the Tarka Tail was joined. The gates were negotiated very expertly by all tandems with hardly a foot down at any point. We continued along the north bank of the Taw estuary and were very much flattered by being greeted by a marching band as we reached Barnstaple. It was actually because of the town carnival which was soon to start though! A refreshing cup of tea at Tea in the Taw' seemed appropriate. This 'retro' cafe is strategically positioned on the cycle path itself. At this point we were almost back at our starling point which is the Barnstaple 'park and ride'. In total it was 37 miles with 1400 feet of climbing, the vast majority of which is gained in the first 7 miles with a single steady climb.

Nick and Rachel organised the June ride which started at Hestercombe Gardens, just North of Taunton, and covered 33 miles. 6 tandems set off with cheerful optimism into the rain which we soon left behind as we headed West. The route took us along narrow country lanes (see Photo) and followed the River Tone upstream crossing it 4 times.  We headed through Wellington where we attracted attention from the local Paparazzi then, just to work up an appetite, took on a couple of climbs. The Martlet Inn Langford Budville happened to be at the top of the final hill, and the sun came out as we enjoyed a refreshing lunch in the pub garden.  Then it was downhill all the way, apart from when it wasn’t the wind behind us and the sun on our backs.

Paul and Nina organised the August ride which started at the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury. The previous day was wet (really wet) but joy of joys, the sun shone, the wind blew in helpful directions and two tandems from the Taunton Group, two tandems from the West Country Group, two tandems from the Wessex group AND a tandem from Kent (Graham and Sally) arrived at the rendezvous and all set off for the Polden Hills and beyond.

The ride was advertised as flat, but going out over the Moors would have meant a ride into the wind and despite their name The Poldens aren't really too hilly, as one member said  " just lumpy" and once we had reached Cossington it was all downhill and then level until we reached Burnham. We picnicked in a recently renovated park called Marine Cove where numerous self-timed photos were taken, the best of which is published here!  Then 6 tandems took the flat and wind assisted route home across the levels, while the seventh tandem couple continued up the coast to their home, having cycled that morning to the ride start.

No one got lost, no one fell off, (despite a good attempt by a white pick-up driver on one of the narrow sections) and we had a very enjoyable and social time. And the couple from Kent? - for their first ride out with a Tandem Club section, they had cycled to our ride from their campsite in Cheddar, and they rode back to Glastonbury with us all despite the fact that they could have shortened their journey home considerably.

Malcolm and Grace organised the July ride with an invitation to both Taunton and West Country group members. The ride,  based near the border of the two regions,  saw 12 tandems in total with 10 starting from Puxton Park and 2 others joining us from the morning coffee stop. Heading out through Banwell, Sandford, Wrington and then into Congresbury where we stopped at Heathers to enjoy homemade cakes and coffee. Shortly after leaving coffee we arrive at the scene of a broken down car on a narrow stretch of busy road causing quite long queues and tailbacks. Already being attended to by a solo cyclist we soon had the car shoved off the road and out of our way! A broken clutch apparently. The remaining morning ride into Clevedon and onto the sea front was uneventful and we all settled down to a nice pub lunch overlooking the Severn Estuary. (Photo shows the group outside of the pub refreshed and ready for the ride home.)  Afternoon ride back into Yatton where we joined the Strawberry Line through to Congresbury and Sandford returning back to Puxton village where we stopped to view the Church of St Saviour a medieval church with a heavily leaning tower which is now redundant but still maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust. The final leg was back along to Puxton Park where afternoon tea and cakes were enjoyed by many of the riders. So....36 miles, 24 riders, 12 tandems, lots of sunshine and most importantly new friends for all.