Low Vision Roadshow- 11 Apr 25

Representatives from TT ventured out to Halifax, to tout our wares and provide information to interested individuals and organisations a like.
The event was made up of many stands with products and services specifically for visually impaired persons (VIP’s).
Trekkers volunteers (Stevie, and Chris) provided information and contacts for Trekkers.
The Tandem Trekkers stand included information boards, evidence of our fun filled rides, and displaying (one of) our fantastic tandem bikes
We got a few potential new pilots and stokers we look forward to welcoming any new recruits and friends of TT over the next season.

A gentleman in an orange and yellow TT cycle jersey stands next to a blue orbit tandem on a stand and notice boards with photos of tandem trekkers events.

Humber Bridge – 12 Apr 25

Early start for a long ride and a long day out.

8 tandems and an excited guide dog loaded for a day out in Humberside and North Lincolnshire.

a group shot of riders and tandems prior to the start of the ride. The group is amassed together in a carpark area, many people wearing the yellow and orange synonymous with TT. Shadows are cast on the floor from the bikes, the sky is blue but the trees in the background remain bare of foliage.

The assembly at the start point included 2 sponsored walks and an inflatable 8 foot high dinosaur costume, hence our visit from the superintendent of the bridge to check our intentions as he already looked to have his fair share of “different” visitors without a marauding gang of tandem riders from West Yorkshire.  We were all impeccably behaved and managed to ride across the bridge without incident and even managed not to run over the dinosaurs tail.

Photo from Steve D's stoker perspective showing Stevie B  piloting him and other riders ahead of them, beginning to go across the Humber Bridge which is looming up in front of them. They are on a path next to the oncoming traffic separated by a metal railing on the left.

The sun shone incredibly well and 20 miles were covered prior to the obligatory café stop where Trekkers once again commandeered all available table space and made the most of the extensive menu, including the Bakewell Tart whose sloppy bottom filling of cherry jam may have made indelible marks on my racing jersey.

Muz and pilot Brian on a tarmac road with a grass verge and hedge to the left.

Extended lunch break completed a gentle 13 miles afternoon jaunt back through the Lincolnshire countryside before a dash through Barton on Humber and back up onto the bridge.

A group shot of 6 riders in a little wooden booth made to look like a hut, enjoying their lunch at the Bike and Bean cafe.

33 miles completed, no mechanicals and no casualties other than the jam on the jersey incident.

Ahmed and Paul grinning into the camera from their tandem, framed by green grass, hedges and blue sky in the background

Taya (Jules’ new guide dog) appeared to have a had a wonderful day out with her puppy raisers in Beverley and we all departed in various directions roughly on time.

Taya the guide dog surrounded by her former Puppy raisers and her new owner Jules.
Taya is a black Labrador, surrounded by 1 man and 2 women, one of which is in cycle outfit including yellow TT branded gilet.

Thanks to all pilots and drivers involved today, particularly as logistics are challenging with this many people coming form so many different directions. 

A view of the off road path surrounded by tall hedges and greenery with a trail of tandemsz and riders heading in front into the distance.

Write up by Barney

Wyke Track Session – 6 Apr 25

Last Sunday was an unusual morning in more ways than one. Firstly it was a Sunday, secondly we had an excess of pilots over stokers and thirdly wearing my Charlotte’s Tandems charity hat we had mother and daughter trying out a wheelchair tandem with a view to borrowing it from said charity and fourthly we had a familiar face as interloper on her recumbent trike (Mrs M, that is!).

Sam sticking her tongue out as she pilots from behind her daughter on the wheelchair tandem

So a varied field of machinery, variety is after all the spice of life.

Lou and Kieran at the side of the track, mounted on their bike. The sky is bright blue and the path is even tarmac with grass verges.

It was a lovely sunny day although with a stiff breeze keeping the warmth at bay.

Jules on the back of a tandem with her face appearing orange from the suns reflection of her pilots luminous orange jacket.

Thanks to Barney for loading and unloading whilst I claimed a dodgy back….(It’s true I tell you!)

Thanks to everyone who came. I think we had a good morning.

Julie and Carlie at the side of the track with their tandem, they seem to be checking the saddle height before mounting the bike.

Write up by Drew

Penistone – 29 Mar 25

We were greeted with fine if somewhat chilly weather for our jaunt along the Trans Pennine Trail from Julies cafe in Penistone today 29th March 2025

Twelve Trekkers turned out supported by Tayer Jules’s newly qualified guide dog and Alison who took Tayer on a nice walk and acted as official photographer.

Keith piloting stoker Richard on an offroad path with trees and shrub running alongside the path. Another TT Tandem is close behind.

We all set off in different directions as planned to meet a couple of hours later for a well earned late breakfast at the very reasonably priced Julies cafe where we were all welcomed with a smile, speedy service for once and great food for a catch up with friends.

Group shot including Elisa, Drew, Katie and Richard around a picnic bench outside Julie's Cafe in Peniston

After a slightly delayed start whilst I inflated the tyres on my trusty Orbit with the short pump from the ride leader pack, we set off for a ride up and down the trail in the sunshine. Some went east, some west and and a few with lots of energy managed both directions.

Steve De and Katie stationary, astride their tandem, ready to set off, with trees in the background and a clear blue sky above.

One pair of our party unfortunately became entangled with a mad March hare which ran into them on the trail causing the timing chain to come off the tandem and a somewhat traumatic experience.

Sadly the hare didn’t make it but thankfully our friends trekkers were able to continue their ride after some running repairs, the maintenance course earlier this year clearly delivering results and both pilot and stoker were unharmed.

Drew piloting, with his stoker (Jules?) hiden behind his luminous yellow cag. The pair are cycling along a tarmac path with grass and trees to either side. The sun is shining and you can make out a clear shadow of the tandem on the path to the left of the picture.

Next up is a Track session on the 6th April at Wyke followed by a ride over the Humber bridge on the 12th April.

Write up by Steve De

Ripon 22 Mar 25

Do we actually ever grow up? Join the Tandem Trekkers to find out!

A shot of Ripon Cathederal with Trekkers and bikes parked up outside taking in the bells and the vast structure.

Whatever your age, once you join, you’ll soon discover it’s like being transported back to the classroom, and you do not want to sit next to so for fear of breaking out in stitches, or you are best staring into the distance trying not to make eye contact! Our club brings out the best in people … like when they were 6 years old, and this is “challenging” for any ride leader, to be fair. Not only are you volunteering your time to give your stoker the sense of freedom of cycling, but you must also put up with fully grown adults who digress to classroom giggles, disruptive behaviour (I shall name no names tough Kate and Dave joined us today), and questions of “are we there yet” and messily eating icecream cones!

A group photo

All this obviously is best done with fantastic scenery, and we certainly had that today as we did a giggle-stop-start-tour around Boroughbridge and even visited Ripon cathedral, making the tiny town of Ripon, in fact, a city!

A picture with Trekkers stood by their mounts looking up at the vast cathederal front of the imposing church which is across a small road. There are a few trees, not yet in leaf, on either side framing the building.

On the downside, we were grossly “missold” deer, a true dear oh dear moment, and didn’t spot a single one, though plenty of pheasants were laughing along with our banter and jokes, or they were making noise complaints – unsure!!
In terms of shout-outs – one must go to our (permanent but not felt tip) marker on the ride, Brian, who didn’t mark up any homework but instead super helpfully made sure we crossed every junction safely! Meanwhile, Andy kept sweeping up the rowdy gang of trekkers with a smile, and Martin assisted.

Picnici-ing Trekkers at Studley Royal, some sat on benches others stretching their legs.
A distant view of Studley Royal church , with trekkers cycling up the winding path away from the camera. Trees and grass verges run alongside the almost central path.

So overall, it was a (very) fun ride with (adults who act like) 6-year-olds in the lovely countryside, we even missed the rain! I am giving it 4-stars.

Katie and Tim posed just before going over a cattle grid under an ornate stone archway

Thanks, everyone, for the company. It’s a total hoot, as always! Andy, Brian, Chris, Steve B (thanks for organising, inc recce, and leading), Steve, Tim, Aisha, Michelle, Jules, Kate, Dave, Katie, Martin, Ian, and Helen for dog walking.

Dave and Aisha in front of Steve D and Jules, on their tandems, grinning as they ride with Studley Royal church in the background, against hazy blue grey sky.
Taya, a black Labrador Guide Dog, who had been for a 2.5 mile walk whilst her owner was cycling with trekkers, having a quick snooze before home time on a grey dog bed.

Write up by Judith

SVGW – 15 Mar 25

This week we had our first outing of the year on our local ride – the Spen Valley Greenway. It was fabulous to see everyone again, as our ride leader Judith remarked afterwards. We were also joined by our latest pilot recruit, Paul, who seemed to be immediately at home within our jolly tandem peloton.

Steve D (Piloting) and Katherine (stoker), with big grins as they ride along a stretch of the SVGW lined by hedges on one side

After a cold and frosty start, most tandems made it to Low moor station before a swift return to see our friend Hayley at the Sunflower Pot Café.

Stevie B and Martin parking up outside the Sun Flower Pot Cafe, Martin has already dismounted and is removing his helmet whilst Stevie B is smiling at the camera whilst holding the tandem straight.
Recent Recruit Paul piloting, with Ian  as stoker on the SVGW outside the cafe. Paul is grinning, and both seem to be enjoying blue skies and sunshine.

There was a really joyous vibe going on as we refuelled and had fun as only Trekkers can.

Louise  guiding Aisha at the cafe, Both ladies are mid laugh as they chat to each other.
Judith and Elisa sat at the picnic benches in the cafe area, smiling straight at the camera

All returned to HQ in glorious sunshine, see you next week for our Ripon ride.
Post by Stevie B

Birkin 8 March 25

We had a cracking start to the season with a glorious first ride out with tandem trekkers today. The spring sunshine made it feel like we were on holiday and we all agreed it was an extremely relaxed and enjoyable ride from Birkin round the very flat but still beautiful countryside round Selby.

A pre ride group shot of 8 lycra clad cyclists  smiling straight into the camera with grass and trees against a bright blue cloudless sky, in the background

Multiple road ahead closed signs caused only slight concern and we merrily rode on sure that nothing would stop us. Indeed it didn’t, though if we had needed to invent a quick detour we were confident that we would have managed it and still made it to the café for lunch. 

An action shot of 3 pairs mounted on their tandems  at a road intersection

We got there in record time and had a very nice lunch in the sun, and even an icecream. 

We were a small group of 8 trekkers today, but we certainly had quality and a good time. 

A selfie from Ride leader Louise, of 3 tandem pairs mid ride

Brooksbank Track- 1 Mar 25

1st of March, Saint David’s Day and the start of meteorological spring.

It didn’t snow, it didn’t rain and the wind didn’t blow. Absolutely perfect weather for Tandem Trekkers to get their outdoor ride calendar underway at the Brooksbank Cycle Track.

A cracking good facility for our first ride to help blow away some of those winter cobwebs and get our legs moving with the sun on our backs.
Seven stokers and more pilots than you could shake a stick at came along to enjoy the fun.

A very big thank you to them all, particularly Barney and Keith for sorting out the transport of tandems and stokers!

A very warm welcome to Warren and Hilary on their first official ride with TT, they were still smiling at the end which is always a good sign.

We all got some good laps in and it was great to see everybody in the flesh once more having a good chinwag and a few laughs. It’s what TT is all about and we’re really looking forward to the rest of the season.

Fingers crossed the sun keeps shining on us and we don’t have to break out the waterproofs!

Maintenance Course – 8 Feb 25

 A much reduced pack of 3 trainee mechanics this year due to illness and family issues attended the maintenance course.

Many portions of flapjack and quiche were consumed along with the best part of 6 hours of hands on maintenance of tandems leading 3 more competent and confident pilots able to assist with technical issues on the trail.

Once more the course was endured in near freezing conditions of our lock up so congratulations to the club kettle for ably providing a steady stream of hot drinks, they were essential in preventing early onset hypothermia.  Next time we will choose a warmer month.

Picture shows 4 members of TT sat in the TT HQ enjoying a lunch break on the maintenance course.

Another positive result of the course is that we have now ticked off all the outstanding maintenance tasks highlighted at our December clean up session.


Special thanks to British Cycling Limitless for funding additional tools and training equipment for this years course.