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November afternoon stop.
‘Pete and Sarah Bird set up
The Tandem Experience in
2002; now they have moved into new, extensive premises, provide a range of
“experiences” for tandem riders of all abilities, offer guided holidays in England and
France, self-guided tours, corporate training, repair and maintenance master classes and much more. Above all, they offer expert advice and enthusiastic encouragement’.
The scenario; there was a thirtieth birthday party on Saturday night, during which hangovers of varying severity were prepared. Emma and I met up with the celebrators on Sunday morning at the premises of the Tandem Experience in
Jackfield, deep in the Ironbridge Gorge, with the Severn swirling swollen muddy waters but a little way off. Rob, the birthday boy, was a keen cyclist and had decided to take his friends tandeming for a day. Some had no experience of cycling, whilst others were off-roaders and racers but not tandem riders. Emma and I had a few tandem miles under our belts, but, as
Pete pointed out, as cyclists we had taught ourselves all the wrong things and had all the bad habits when it came to riding tandem.
The day began with a chat and a cup of tea
- finished with one, too. Then there was an introduction to the difference between a tandem and a bicycle. Even on a Sunday morning this might not seem much of a challenge for the least quick witted, but actually as soon as I took the words of wisdom on board my opinion of the tandem – which I had previously regarded as the misbegotten spawn of the Devil – immediately improved. I'd been under the impression that it was two people riding a bike; wrong. Pete explained the different roles played by the riders and how these impacted on the other if they were not done correctly. No technical overkill, just enough to get us all riding safely as a group.
The sizing of the tandems was thorough. It was also used to teach mounting and dismounting, All eminently practical.
Outside there was starting and stopping drill. By this time Emma and I had realised how complicated our previous practice was and how natural the new method seemed.
We were given the honour of carrying the tool kit and other gear. At the end of the ride it emerged that amongst this was one pack containing Sarah's make-up.
As a novice tandemer I will not make so bold as to comment on what kit is crucial to a successful group ride.
The success of the teaching methods was indicated by the rapidity with which the group picked up the new skills; their relevance by the safety of the group on the open road. Pete explained how without that sort of introduction there would just be a series of major delays along the way.
However, the philosophy of The Tandem
Experience is that riding a tandem is fun and that a little practical teaching is all that is necessary to get people under way. Their route to encouraging cycling is to enthuse and give confidence. They are, in my view, right. For the more experienced or interested they run a variety of courses on tandem maintenance and repair. These include master-classes, roadside repair classes and classes solely for women.
They use a variety of routes for group rides , but all include a lunch stop with high quality food. This is another element of the ethos; energy food is fine, but most leisure riders and gentler tourers – in particular newcomers to the fine pastime we all love - appreciate a good food stop.
On their guided centre based tours in
England and France, food and wine are a popular feature, whilst a “Gourmet” ride is
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REVIEW
Pete and Sarah Bird: happy to be out and about.
Road drill: starting and stopping.
to be found amongst their self-guided tours.
Tandem Experience is situated on NCN
Route 45. This runs along the Ironbridge gorge, eventually linking Shrewsbury to
Bristol roughly folowing the River Severn.
Our group followed roads along and then out of the gorge, by a couple of steep hairpins, and onto lovely country lanes, peaceful and perfect; riding in harmony, the sort of lane that, in the russet glow of autumn sun, should never end. The way was well chosen, once out of the gorge there were opportunities for teaching basic techniques on the few gradients that were more than gentle.
There is plenty of accommodation nearby, including Youth Hostels at Ironbridge and
Coalport and several B&Bs. We stayed at
The Calcutts House, all of two minutes walk from the Tandem Experience. See www.calcuttshouse.co.uk
Nearby, there is a cafe in the craft centre, whilst the Black
Swan serves a refreshing pint and good value, straight-forward food. Moreover,
Ironbridge is a world heritage site with museums and scenery to occupy several days of frenzied pottering.
At the end of the day I felt that I knew more about tandem riding, had proved to myself that I could do it better than I have done before, found out about the type of tandem we might like to have; I had even come to feel some affection for it. Emma and I will almost certainly use their
“Ride 2 Buy” day when we have saved up our pennies!
Moreover, I had had a jolly good day: I think the rest of the group had, too, though, as one would expect from a range of abilities some found the going harder than others.
The crucial A-frame: learning to mount up and dismount.
Pete and Sarah are both enthusiasts for the tandem. They are also excellent hosts; good-humoured and helpful. Several people new to cycling or tandeming or both who had come for a day, have come back and are now regulars on their trips to
France. Both would include enthusiasm for tandeming amongst their success criteria for their business. They are keen on green tourism and in promoting cycling in the area. They are also highly professional.
Pete was a bike builder before deciding that he wanted to get out on the road more, and his mechanical skills are readily demonstrated should they be required.
They offer a high quality product at a reasonable price, well prepared, planned and executed. Mind you, it is all so easygoing that you might feel that you have just had a grand day, except it wont “just” be that. I will not need my arm-twisted to try out other activities; and they do seem to offer almost everything to do with tandems, with the possible exception of acrobatics.
Details of the range of Tandem Experience master classes, activities and holidays, as well as the annual festival of tandeming at
Bishop's Castle and their Buddycard benefits, including prices, can be found at: www.tandeming.co.uk
or by calling: 08456066456 or e.mail: info@tandeming.co.uk
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