Tandem Club

The TC website group along with our Journals editor have been busy modernising the style of the TC website. We hope you like the new style !  There is on-going work to improve this style and to improve the websites functionality. To login please use the "User/Login" top menu item of the "User" quick link icon at the top of the webpage. Some of the webpage content still needs editing, GPS files need adding and we need additional articles and content for the website, so we are looking for TC member volunteers to help out. If you can spare a bit of time to help the club, please contact us at: internetgroup@tandem-club.org.uk

The Department for Transport seek views on changes to the Highway Code to improve road safety, and so as a club we will make a submission on behalf of tandemists. If you wish to contribute to the Club’s response, which is set out in the latest TCJ, please send your comments to Eifion Francis and Jonathan Flower. Details below.

There are 3 main changes proposed:

1. Introducing a hierarchy of road users - those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility
2. Clarifying rules for pedestrian priority
3. Guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and priority at junction

1. Tandem riders need to exercise greater prudence and responsibility than ordinary bicycles.
2. Special mention should be made for tandems and other ‘non-standard’ forms of cycles, which may be longer, wider or less manoeuvrable than a conventional single bicycle. 
3. It should be made clear that people who cycle, especially on tandems and adapted cycles, may have impaired sight, hearing or mobility.
4. The proposals about cycle crossings could be strengthened.
5. The proposals advise cyclists to: “ ...leav(e) enough room (a door’s width or 0.5m) to avoid being hit if a door opens unexpectedly ..."  We think 0.5m is not enough when passing parked vehicles especially on a tandem which is less manoeuvrable
6. ‘bicycle’ should be replaced by the more inclusive ‘cycle’ which embraces trikes, hand cycles and other variants  
7. Clubs such as the Tandem Club could help promote and disseminate these changes.

Comments to be included in the Tandem Club response must be received by 20 October.  Please send comments to: eifandjill@aol.com or jonathan.flower@uwe.ac.uk

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=

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

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

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

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

Articles and content are needed for the next edition of the Tandem Club Journal. It could be an account of a day ride, or a long tour, preferably with good quality photos. Any technical notes, queries, solutions or customisation would also be of interest I'm sure. Send content to editor@tandem-club.org.uk

The TCN2025 rally webpage is now available and the booking system is open.

Book now to secure your place at the rally.

For those who are unable to attend the 2025 AGM it will be possible to join by Zoom. Details in the Member's Area.

Hi all. I posted a Cooper drop handlebar tandem on the for sale listings over a month ago now. It has been heavily reduced, down from £4500 to £2000. It’s a real bargain but hasn’t had any enquiries and I can only think the reason us that it’s dropped down the listings since I first posted. Really need to seek quickly, so if anyone is looking for a very special tandem, please have a look at the listing and get in touch. Thank you

I've added the Shopshire Cycleway to Rides as a tour. There are 5 parts to this and each have been individually added. The GPX files have been especially created for this resource. https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?cmd=tourView&id=42

TCN2025 National Rally bookings will CLOSE at the end of Monday 31st March. 
After that point, no further bookings will be accepted.

Bookings are now being accepted for the 2025 International Rally.

Use the Booking Form button on the rally webpage rally webpage.

The rally team is busy making final preparations for the rally.

I have added many of the routes from the International Rallies to Rides, so if you fancy a fixed based centre in Europe and want a selection of good routes from the campsite, here they are. There are 11 sets at the moment and will increae as I find more sets. For an example see https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?group=tci2022

You need the “Garmin Connect” application on your laptop. Drag and drop each gpx file onto the Garmin Connect app. Or find some way of getting the files to the app. I am not sure with a PC because I use a Mac or iPad but you should find help on You Tube.

When you have the files in Garmin connect open each gpx file (called “courses” in Garmin terminology. You will find the list of courses hidden in the “More” menu (three dots) and then in “Training and Planning” then “Courses”. Open each in turn (each will show a small scale map) and click the Send to Garmin icon which is a small blue arrow pointinf at a watch. Then you need to connect your Garmin to the PC by bluetooth or cable. It will show connected in the home menu of the Connect app. Then you just need to activate the “Synch”. On my iPad it takes a while and looks like nothing is happening but eventually the “courses” will appear on the Garmin.

When you get on the rally find someone with a Garmin to show you how to operate it to guide you round the course. Martin Green is better at this than me as I don’t use mine very often and usually forget what to do until I have practised a couple of times.

Hope that helps. You should be able to find a You Tube video and/or a User Manual online that you can download.

Some re-organisation of the website is on-going, some things may have moved ...

Our Easter Event in Derbyshire is now open for bookings. Only 70 sites available, we look forward to seeing you there https://tandem-club.org.uk/events/tce2026/index.html

A chilly start with a thick fog didn't dampen the spirits of the six riders from Humberside, who set off on a leisurely tandem ride through the picturesque lanes of North Lincolnshire. Organised by Peter and Lyn, the group met at South Ferriby, with the aim of completing a  circular ride from South Ferriby,  also takingbin the Roman rosd Ermine Street.

We would love anyone whohasn't already done the Rally Survey to do so by clicking on this link to complete a very short survey!

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

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

I have been working in the background, over the last year, on improving the Rides system software. This is basically complete and you will now notice a new Rides selection system which I hope is easier and more intuitive for everyone to use. It will likely have bugs, so please email webgroup@tandem-club.org.uk with any noticed issues and also possible improvements.

The Rides list is at: https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides.

The help for this new system needs to be updated and will be over time, but I hope it will be intuative enough for people to user as it stands.

We have a new Club Secretary Jan Cheng who is taking over from Helen Blundell.

Helen has been an excellent Club Sec and I am sure Jan will be the same. Many thanks to her for stepping up and allowing the club to continue for us all.

All Peter HobsonNE Help Russell Wiles2026-08-02 08:50:27tcn2026 Just re downloaded 1911 and imported it into Outdooractive and it is ok. Something has changed??? Neil Wheadon2026-08-02 08:52:14tcn2026 Not from this end (insert smiley) Neil Wheadon2026-08-02 11:16:31tcn2026 IMPORTANT, If you've read nothing read this. I have updated and put a synopsis of everything on the rally information at https://tandem-club.org.uk/events/tcn2026/info/info.html This includes timings, what's happening etc. Booking in starts at 14:00 on Monday and everyone including those alread onsite and those 18 off site must register as there are confirmations to be ascertained in regards the meals being provided. Also the badges are rather nice. No more from me now until Monday. See you all from 14:00 at the start, safe travels Neil Wheadon2026-08-02 21:20:26tcn2026 There will be a burger van on Tuesday. Not any old burger apparently a farmer from Wells that rears rare breeds and these are pressed beef. , Neil Wheadon2026-08-03 23:06:39tcn2026 TUESDAY The rides all head out together to Yeovil then diverge. Suggest tea stop on the old railway path through Yeovil, outdoor seating. Cafe have been warned. If full there are a few options a kilometre later in a shopping area. Short ride then returns. Medium and Long, basically head for Sherbourne. A pretty Dorset town. The Abbey is good for a picnic, a few cafes at the bottom of the High Street. Going back. Cafe at East Knowle is open according to Facebook. There are cafes in South Peterson. The cafe at Merritt is closed but open on Saturday when routes pass this way again. In the evening burger van at 17:30, sounds yummy. At 19:00, not the quiz, teams of 8 in the marquee, bring your glasses and maybe a torch!! Depends on how long this takes, who knows, could be fast, could be slow 😉 The bar will be open Neil Wheadon2026-08-03 23:22:21tcn2026 South Petherton not South Peterson Tony Prichard2026-08-04 10:51:16tcn2026 Woodstock lane marked “closed” at the top is roadworks gang who will help you past the works Tony Prichard2026-08-04 13:18:53tcn2026 Should be Woodhouse Lane on the Family ride. Roadworks gang very helpful getting us past. Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 17:40:24tcn2026 Orange bone conduction ear phones now in reception in marquee, found in shower Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 18:03:34tcn2026 BURGER VAN caught behind a tractor, he’s coming Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 18:37:17tcn2026 As the burger van was an hour late, we’ll start the ‘not the quiz night’ at 19:30. Teams of 8-10, just bring yourselves, no pens needed but if you wear glasses don’t forget them Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 22:01:29tcn2026 RIDES on WEDNESDAY. The short and medium are ‘similar’ Recommend a morning coffee stop at Barrington Court (National Trust) The medium goes to Perrys Cider Farm which has a good cafe. I’ve never known it full but their website recommend to book to avoid disappointment. Not sure how relevant this is, but the link is found if you google Perrys Cider Farm. Both then go via North Curry and then to the Wetlands museum and cafe which is a lovely visit. Return to Langport, my favourite cafe is next to the bridge just after you cross it on the left side. The long takes you to Wellington. Monument worth looking at but views not great as a lot of tree growth. Better from the car park a few hundred metres before the turn to descend steeply to Wellington. Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 22:02:14tcn2026 https://www.perryscider.co.uk/cafe The link to book the cafe Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 22:13:26tcn2026 WEDNESDAY EVENING At 17:30 tandem games. Head for the marquee and Neil Wheadon2026-08-04 22:17:02tcn2026 Wednesday continued. Head to the Marquee and Clem will come up with various games involving tandems. In the marquee from 19:30 Show us you Tandem, how was it built, where have you been, who’s idea was it, maybe even talk technical. Talking of that if you have anything to sell/ give away then bring it along. I’ll also put out an OS map with the Velocio points so you can plan the next day Peter Weeks2026-08-05 08:09:06tcn2026 To everyone on the Committee: I would like to arrange a quick get-together one evening while we are here to get to know each other and catch up. Not sure what eve yet. Peter Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 21:55:05tcn2026 VELOCIO key times. Start 08:00 - 10:00 at the marque. Cafe, Alfredo’s in Somerton 09:30 - 12:00 Time allowed 6.5 hours Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 21:57:27tcn2026 VELOCIO 4 components. Main clues are scattered about a 20km radius, map in the marquee, the further way the more points Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 21:58:38tcn2026 3 quiz sheets in Martock, Somerton and Langport, great for families and a slower pace. Prizes for these Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 22:00:22tcn2026 There is a bridleway through Westcombe, B3153 Somerton to Langport is busy Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 22:03:58tcn2026 Lastly, rides the Tandem Club database is your friend. Open the map via any ride. Hit S, select none, then misc/velocio to reveal black icons at the locations of the clues. The target circle below S is a position marker, shows where you are. You could just select Velocio as above, create a marker and the small red circle homes in on the clue, much like the Alien film Neil Wheadon2026-08-05 22:04:46tcn2026 Rides markers will be switched just before 08:00 Terry Barnaby2026-08-06 07:31:43tcn2026 Velocio For the Velocio the TC Rides system might help as it will show a list of the Velocio places as a list or on a map with the questions on a mobile phone. As a list use: https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?cmd=placeList&sel_category=misc%2Fvelocio&sel_mapReference=&sel_postcode=&sel_distance=30&sel_period=&sel_onMap=&sel_title=&sel_personal=0&sel_allZooms=&sel_pager=0&sel_order=%21id&sel_zoom=&postValidate=9cxq341w&select_cmd=Search Or on a map any of the weeks rides when viewed on the TC website will show them, or use the following link: https://tandem-club.org.uk/rides?cmd=navigate The map will track where you are (if you allow it to access your position). The Velocio Places are shown as a black shield which you can click on to get the questions. You can use the "S" button to select just the "misc/velocio" places to make it easier to see where they are. The location I con can be toggled to turn off the tracking of your position and the +- buttons can zoom the map. The place icons can appear a bit later if mobile Internet is slow and a page refresh can help. Have fun. Terry Barnaby2026-08-06 12:21:05tcn2026 TC Rides location wrong If the TC Rides system is showing your location wrong, make sure your location settings for your Web browser (Chome?) is set to precise. Neil Wheadon2026-08-06 22:06:48tcn2026 HOG ROAST Green salad with a French dressing and coleslaw, pesto pasta salad Neil Wheadon2026-08-06 22:08:34tcn2026 From 18:30 (hopefully) Please bring your own plates, knife and fork to reduce waste. I think the portions should be OK but if you want to supplement with something else please do Neil Wheadon2026-08-06 22:12:35tcn2026 Congratulations to Richard and Hilary Abbott who won Velocio. Stuart and Jackie Hibbard along with Eugene and Sally Kertzman came a very creditable second. The walking clues were ruled by the Dutch, well done Jan and Anja Roger Frost2026-08-07 08:48:04tcn2026 Sorry we missed the hog roast. Roger met a friend in Somerton he had not seen for 20 years and we had meal out with them, Tandem power bringing people together in a loverly way. Peter Weeks2026-08-07 09:16:12tcn2026 Reminder; Committee and ROs welcome to a get-together THIS EVE Friday 17:30 in marquee before the hog roast. Peter Neil Wheadon2026-08-07 18:26:23tcn2026 HOG ROAST ready maybe 18:40 by the marquee. Please hog first then vegetarian at 18:55ish as this helps the cooking process. There is gluten breadcrumbs in the vegetarian burgers, we do have gluten free buns if required Neil Wheadon2026-08-07 21:35:07tcn2026 SATURDAY RIDE. All rides head south. All go through Merriott which makes a good cafe stop. I haven’t warned them but it’s a good stop. The short then swings north to Barrington Court, the National Trust property. The medium takes in the Chard to Ilminster Cycleway that has a good surface. The long goes further south, the cafe at the shop at the south is open until 13:00 (Thorncombe) after that return north to meet the other routes we Neil Wheadon2026-08-07 21:37:56tcn2026 SATURDAY NIGHT cider tasting and tasting notes. Probably 6 to guess the type from the description. There will also be some apple juices and some cheese available. Will be in the marquee at 19:00 at the moment, dependant on Somerset farmer time Neil Wheadon2026-08-07 21:42:07tcn2026 SUNDAY MEAL quiche, bread and salads. We have some gluten free rolls. It will start at 17:30-18:00 dependant on set up time ( same caterers as tonight) There is a 50/50 split of vegetarian/ham quiches. As carnivores also like vegetarian food, can the 30 vegetarians who opted for this on Friday, go through first. As with tonight please no seconds if there are any until the last person has gone through Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 11:19:25tcn2026 CIDER TASTING There will be 6 ciders and 120 samples of 80ml each, so that means about 500ml (1 pint) It’s really hard to judge the numbers coming so can I ask that initially tandem teams share a taster and we’ll see where we go from there. There are 180 on the rally and usually about 2/3 attend these. There is 2.5kg of cheese so it’s all about tasting rather than munching, clues will be given and match the ciders. Starts at 19:00 Somerset Farmers time Jeroen & Anne-Marie2026-08-08 14:49:40tcn2026 in Ilminster at the art center a light with perplex underside hat is foundation. Jan takes this to the Narquee. Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 17:19:45tcn2026 LED RIDE SUNDAY Sarah and I will lead this and it will be the SHORT. Combination of distance, heat and group dynamics. Early lunch at Glastonbury, afternoon stop at Somerton, try that cake you didn’t get at Alfredo’s. Start at 09:15 at the marquee Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 17:30:10tcn2026 CIDER TASTING. Please bring your own drinking recepticle Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 18:58:16tcn2026 Cider they have small paper cups to reuse so no need for a glass Neil Wheadon2026-08-08 23:20:54tcn2026 SUNDAY RIDES All head to Glastonbury with a climb over High Ham. Through Shapwick through the bird reserve, where the surface is good, please give way to walkers. Into Glastonbury. Lots of places to eat and drink, our favourite is the 100 monkeys up the High street on the right. The 3 routes diverge, the medium does a loop to Wells, the Bishops Palace is an atmospheric tea stop. The long heads to Castle Cary returning along the South Somerset Cycleway. All converge on Somerton for a final teastop. Plenty of places to visit. No pinch point cafes, nothing booked, just enjoy the final day. Neil Wheadon2026-08-10 21:57:36tcn2026 WRAPPING UP. Thankyou to everyone for the tremendous gift on the last night. It will go on helping to upgrade the main computer and screen to which I’ve been glued, hopefully a little faster and all the APP’s will work again. Loads of people said Thankyou as well during the event, every one appreciated. The floored marquee, led rides, show us your tandem, jigsaws and the cider evening seemed to be highlights. However the food was fab, the barn dance band brilliant and having sole use of the campsite all worked. The club is extraordinarily lucky to have so many lovely people underscoring these events. Bernie for lugging the stuff about, Clem for games, Jackie and Stuart for the labels, Pat for badges, Terry for IT. We mustn’t forget Peter though for being a cracking chairman. I leave you all with Eugene for events, Lincolnshire awaits, it will be grand. Neil joanne saunders2026-08-11 06:46:17tcn2026 Many thanks Neil, we really enjoyed our first tandem rally John Pound2026-08-11 07:11:31WestMidlands Thanks very much we enjoyed our first rally and meeting some new friends ,we will be coming again in the future , Ali & John Pound Martin Morrell2026-08-11 16:11:55tcn2026 Hi Neil. I would like to reiterate the thanks for all your organisation and hard work. This was our second rally and must say it was great. Thanks again Martin & Jill Morrell Martin Morrell2026-08-11 16:11:57tcn2026 Hi Neil. I would like to reiterate the thanks for all your organisation and hard work. This was our second rally and must say it was great. Thanks again Martin & Jill Morrell Neil Wheadon2026-08-14 08:39:23tcn2026 Clearing up, these were in with all the paperwork, buried. I presume put there as lost property? Are they anyone’s? Neil Wheadon2026-08-14 08:41:03tcn2026 The email has no image but on the website it does. Pair of light green gloves and 2 Laura cycling tops Neil Wheadon2026-08-14 08:42:07tcn2026 Spellcheck strikes Alltura tops Peter Simpson2026-08-14 11:24:01tcn2026 Hi Neil. I don't recognise the gloves (or the feet laugh) but the tops are what David and I brought for the jumble sale, together with two similar red and white ones. As we had no pen or paper, and had no idea how much to ask for them we just left them on the table for anyone to help themselves. The red/white ones disappeared a day or so later and the blue/white ones disappeared a few days later so we assumed that someone had helped themselves to them (that's fine!), but obviously not the the blue/white ones. If you, or anyone in the West Country group would like them then they are very welcome to have them. If there are no takers then let us know and we'll send you the postage to send them back to us. Colin Larmour2026-08-16 18:56:57AberdeenandDundee ABOYNE Ride Saturday 22nd August. Hi there Just a reminder about our next tandem outing next Saturday in Aboyne. We are planning our next ride on Saturday 22nd August from Aboyne in Deeside aiming to meet at 9.30am for a 10 am start. The meeting point will be in the carpark in Station Square. There is a convenient public WC close by as well as a great cafe if you need a pre-ride caffeine boost. Here is the whats3words for the start location- ///lush.spearing.fulfilled https://w3w.co/lush.spearing.fulfilled The route will be around 30 miles with a cafe stop on route. If you are coming along please let me know so we can plan numbers for cafe etc. Fingers crossed for good weather and hopefully see lots of folk out. Cheers Colin Peter Hobson2026-08-18 18:51:43Humberside(E, D) On 04 September, British Cycling are putting on anopen event. To advertise cycling for all in humberside and the UK. The article i have receivedbis as follows. I shall be there from 11am. And lead the Humberside Tandem Club. Anyonecwho wants to take part in the ride is more than welcome. All participants will receive a BC goody bag. Timings Arrival at Scout Hut – 11:45 prompt On arrival could your group representative check in at the Road Safety Van and collect your groups goodie bags. Paula Parker will carry out a short briefing prior to the ride starting. Set Off - 12:30 (Approxinate) Max – 30 minutes ride time. • Ride Leaders will facilitate a community ride on a closed road prior to the finish of stage 3 of the Tour of Britain. • People are then free to explore activities within the fan zone and watch the race. • Groups/ individuals will be responsible for themselves, however please liaise with Paula Parker on the day to make her aware of any medical or welfare issues. • The route will be approximately 1.7miles. • Toilet facilities will be available prior to the start and again within the fan zone on the Westwood. • Please make your own arrangements for travel to and from the event. • There will be NO parking within Longcroft School. • A road closure will be in place from North Bar along York Road, access back into Beverley will be on foot. • All riders must bring have a road worthy cycle and are requested to wear a helmet. • If you are representing a group, please wear your relevent jersey/ t-shirt. Point of Contact on the day .