Wessex tandems on the road (or in the café) in 2016
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16th July: Treasure hunt, BBQ and Clock Presentation
Sue and John, Pat and Bob had organised the usual brilliant weather for the annual Wessex TC BBQ, but this year there was a twist - a Treasure Hunt to earn our lunch. We set off through the Avon Valley lanes towards Burley, answering tricky questions as we went. Who would have expected that the back of signposts, to be seen only by foxes in the fields, would have place-names and distances on them as well as the front? And should we add these to the total.....?
At Burley we enjoyed coffee at the Old Farmhouse and then set off with enthusiasm on the route home, having to answer more tricky questions on the way. Knowing the roads made it harder for some, and one tandem passed by three clues without noticing!
Having all returned safely to Mudeford, a sumptuous BBQ appeared before us which we tackled with a will. Relaxing after what had not really been a very strenuous ride, we chatted and ate and drank. Then there was the rather belated presentation of the clock trophy, awarded annually to the tandem couple who attended the most number of rides on the Wessex programme. The clock was handed with ceremony by the 2014 winners, Ann and David Friend, to the 2015 winners, Clare and Dave Muir.
Soon it was time to thank our hosts and the chefs for a great day, and to set off home.
Sue and John, Pat and Bob had organised the usual brilliant weather for the annual Wessex TC BBQ, but this year there was a twist - a Treasure Hunt to earn our lunch. We set off through the Avon Valley lanes towards Burley, answering tricky questions as we went. Who would have expected that the back of signposts, to be seen only by foxes in the fields, would have place-names and distances on them as well as the front? And should we add these to the total.....?
At Burley we enjoyed coffee at the Old Farmhouse and then set off with enthusiasm on the route home, having to answer more tricky questions on the way. Knowing the roads made it harder for some, and one tandem passed by three clues without noticing!
Having all returned safely to Mudeford, a sumptuous BBQ appeared before us which we tackled with a will. Relaxing after what had not really been a very strenuous ride, we chatted and ate and drank. Then there was the rather belated presentation of the clock trophy, awarded annually to the tandem couple who attended the most number of rides on the Wessex programme. The clock was handed with ceremony by the 2014 winners, Ann and David Friend, to the 2015 winners, Clare and Dave Muir.
Soon it was time to thank our hosts and the chefs for a great day, and to set off home.
10th January: Beaulieu for coffee and Lymington for indoor picnic lunch
Seven tandems including two on their first Tandem Club outing (welcome to Carl and Terri, Tony and Andrea!) set out from Lymington under cloudy skies and on wet roads to cycle the ten miles to Beaulieu. After a shower just before we started, we were lucky enough to stay dry all the way and see a little sun and a complete rainbow, although a lot of very large puddles as well.
The Old Bakehouse cafe, popular with cyclists from all over the area between Bournemouth and Southampton, was already busy when we arrived to find Martin and Ann from Ashurst waiting for us, while three more tandems from Blackfield and Clive on solo soon joined us there. We were especially delighted to see Alan and Audrey, very senior club members, on their electric assist tandem trike. Another little shower delayed our departure slightly but then we lined up to record the splendid turnout of eleven tandems and a solo, with Beaulieu Mill Pond and Palace House in the background.
The permutations then changed as Martin and Ann set off back to Ashurst and Clive to the Waterside, while the rest of us headed back to Lymington. Audrey and Alan, who needed to stay within battery range of home, accompanied us for a short way before turning back towards Blackfield. Under lowering skies the remaining nine tandems made it back to Lymington in the dry, where three had to leave for home due to other commitments. The rest of us then adjourned to John and Sheila Ward's home and were joined by Stephen and Jill, not riding due to recent illnesses, for an indoor picnic with homemade soup and lots of tandem chat. Finally after a sharp shower delayed their final departure, everyone set off in various directions for home.
Seven tandems including two on their first Tandem Club outing (welcome to Carl and Terri, Tony and Andrea!) set out from Lymington under cloudy skies and on wet roads to cycle the ten miles to Beaulieu. After a shower just before we started, we were lucky enough to stay dry all the way and see a little sun and a complete rainbow, although a lot of very large puddles as well.
The Old Bakehouse cafe, popular with cyclists from all over the area between Bournemouth and Southampton, was already busy when we arrived to find Martin and Ann from Ashurst waiting for us, while three more tandems from Blackfield and Clive on solo soon joined us there. We were especially delighted to see Alan and Audrey, very senior club members, on their electric assist tandem trike. Another little shower delayed our departure slightly but then we lined up to record the splendid turnout of eleven tandems and a solo, with Beaulieu Mill Pond and Palace House in the background.
The permutations then changed as Martin and Ann set off back to Ashurst and Clive to the Waterside, while the rest of us headed back to Lymington. Audrey and Alan, who needed to stay within battery range of home, accompanied us for a short way before turning back towards Blackfield. Under lowering skies the remaining nine tandems made it back to Lymington in the dry, where three had to leave for home due to other commitments. The rest of us then adjourned to John and Sheila Ward's home and were joined by Stephen and Jill, not riding due to recent illnesses, for an indoor picnic with homemade soup and lots of tandem chat. Finally after a sharp shower delayed their final departure, everyone set off in various directions for home.
Wessex tandems on the road (or in the café) in 2015
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21st March: Walhampton Arms - Wessex Region Annual Lunch
Sixteen tandems in all turned out for the Wessex Region Spring Lunch on 21st March, several being newer members of the Club. Some rode to the lunch, some rode out together for coffee before the lunch, and a few did both. Meeting up at our lunch venue, the excellent Walhampton Arms just outside Lymington, twelve tandems set off through quiet New Forest lanes to Beaulieu, passing plenty of ponies and donkeys on the way. A brisk nor’nor’easterly made life a little tough at times. There we were met by a thirteenth tandem at the Old Bakehouse Café, another outstanding venue, for coffee and some iniquitously calorific tea cakes, buns and cakes.
Leaders John and Sheila Ward finally managed to drag everyone away to set off home, and the same wind blew us down part of the route most satisfactorily. A short section into the wind reminded us just how strong it was, then a ford gave the opportunity to judge the risk-takers in the group (about 60% cycled through, 40% used the bridge) before we reached the pub again and met more members who had cycled to lunch. We were particularly delighted to see Alan and Audrey Joy, very senior members of the Region, who had come across on the Forest on their electric-assist tandem trike.
After a leisurely group ride of less than 18 miles (but a lot more for some who had cycled from home) we prepared to tuck into a very enjoyable meal and indulge in lots more tandem talk, as tandemists are prone to do when they get together. There was plenty of chat about past tandem tours and possible future ones, about new tandems and upgrades, and plans to join in various forthcoming rides. Finally the clock trophy for the tandem couple attending the most Regional rides in the year was presented by the 2013 winners John and Sue Sutton to 2014 winners David and Ann Friend.
Sixteen tandems in all turned out for the Wessex Region Spring Lunch on 21st March, several being newer members of the Club. Some rode to the lunch, some rode out together for coffee before the lunch, and a few did both. Meeting up at our lunch venue, the excellent Walhampton Arms just outside Lymington, twelve tandems set off through quiet New Forest lanes to Beaulieu, passing plenty of ponies and donkeys on the way. A brisk nor’nor’easterly made life a little tough at times. There we were met by a thirteenth tandem at the Old Bakehouse Café, another outstanding venue, for coffee and some iniquitously calorific tea cakes, buns and cakes.
Leaders John and Sheila Ward finally managed to drag everyone away to set off home, and the same wind blew us down part of the route most satisfactorily. A short section into the wind reminded us just how strong it was, then a ford gave the opportunity to judge the risk-takers in the group (about 60% cycled through, 40% used the bridge) before we reached the pub again and met more members who had cycled to lunch. We were particularly delighted to see Alan and Audrey Joy, very senior members of the Region, who had come across on the Forest on their electric-assist tandem trike.
After a leisurely group ride of less than 18 miles (but a lot more for some who had cycled from home) we prepared to tuck into a very enjoyable meal and indulge in lots more tandem talk, as tandemists are prone to do when they get together. There was plenty of chat about past tandem tours and possible future ones, about new tandems and upgrades, and plans to join in various forthcoming rides. Finally the clock trophy for the tandem couple attending the most Regional rides in the year was presented by the 2013 winners John and Sue Sutton to 2014 winners David and Ann Friend.
15th February: Burton Green
Led by David and Ann Friend, five tandems and a solo left Burton Green north of Christchurch to cycle up to Ringwood in the New Forest for coffee. It was a cold morning but bright enough, and most importantly it was dry. At Ringwood they were joined for coffee by a sixth tandem that came cross country from Lymington, and there was chat about spring and summer cycling plans. Quite a few tandems were booked on the Easter Rally. The party eventually left the café and continued northwards up the Avon valley through little lanes.
Reaching Fordingbridge and passing the statue of painter Augustus John by the river Avon, the leaders had a little surprise up their sleeve before lunch. A swift diversion took the group up the valley side, up a steep little hill to reach our lunch destination, the Sandy Balls Holiday Village, where there were picnic tables for those who wanted to eat their sandwiches, and a very acceptable café for those who wanted to warm up a bit and decided that their sandwiches could wait until tomorrow. John Taylor set up a timer on his camera to snap everyone in front of a decorative gipsy caravan, saying "The journal editors always look for something a bit different!".
The route home went back down that steep hill, which was a great pleasure, and then southwards along the Avon valley again, past Ringwood and Bransgore back to Burton Green. Being in the Forest, there were plenty of ponies and a few donkeys to be seen. The sun, which had been showing itself intermittently, tried a bit harder and all agreed that it had been a great ride, thanks to leaders David and Ann.
Photo at Sandy Balls Holiday Village by John Taylor.
Led by David and Ann Friend, five tandems and a solo left Burton Green north of Christchurch to cycle up to Ringwood in the New Forest for coffee. It was a cold morning but bright enough, and most importantly it was dry. At Ringwood they were joined for coffee by a sixth tandem that came cross country from Lymington, and there was chat about spring and summer cycling plans. Quite a few tandems were booked on the Easter Rally. The party eventually left the café and continued northwards up the Avon valley through little lanes.
Reaching Fordingbridge and passing the statue of painter Augustus John by the river Avon, the leaders had a little surprise up their sleeve before lunch. A swift diversion took the group up the valley side, up a steep little hill to reach our lunch destination, the Sandy Balls Holiday Village, where there were picnic tables for those who wanted to eat their sandwiches, and a very acceptable café for those who wanted to warm up a bit and decided that their sandwiches could wait until tomorrow. John Taylor set up a timer on his camera to snap everyone in front of a decorative gipsy caravan, saying "The journal editors always look for something a bit different!".
The route home went back down that steep hill, which was a great pleasure, and then southwards along the Avon valley again, past Ringwood and Bransgore back to Burton Green. Being in the Forest, there were plenty of ponies and a few donkeys to be seen. The sun, which had been showing itself intermittently, tried a bit harder and all agreed that it had been a great ride, thanks to leaders David and Ann.
Photo at Sandy Balls Holiday Village by John Taylor.
Wessex tandems on the road (or in the café) in 2014
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11th January: Romsey Ride
1st March: Alice Lisle Lunch / Coffee at Wolvercroft Garden Centre
Wessex tandems on the road (or in the café) in 2013
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27th January
16th March
28th April
13th July
14th September
27th October
