Jingle bells, jingle bells
jingle all the way!
Oh what fun
it is to ride
On a tandem made for two …. !!!
With the big day fast approaching and thoughts turning to turkey and tinsel and mistletoe and wine this “old lady” decided it was time to wish readers of my Matildas Musings blog, and fellow tandemers everywhere, (and even solo cyclists!) a very Merry Christmas on behalf of Team Matilda.
The “old git” being a huge fan of the Christmas period is in a festive frenzy – while the “old gal” is enjoying the festive spirit (and wine!) while trying (and failing!) to exert a calming influence!
My dynamic crew – the “old git” aka my Captain and the “old gal” aka my Stoker – would like to thank you all for reading my Matildas Musings this year and following our adventures in #tandem, naturally!
And thanks for all your messages of support – whether that be a comment on my blog, or on my Matildas Musings Facebook, Twitter or Youtube feeds.
Team Matilda sincerely hope you continue to find the adventures of the UK’s only blogging tandem entertaining – and that it makes you smile – while finding something that you (as non-professional non-lycra-clad fun-loving fellow tandemers) can relate to!
For a number of reasons there were not as many blog posts this year as previously. But with a bit of luck – and no major mechanicals concerning my ageing frame; or the fitness of my dynamic crew – there will be many more rides, and Musings, during the first year of a new decade in 2020.
The big event in 2019 was the annual tour of the self-proclaimed Nutty Tandemers Club – which was an epic odyssey taking on the Hebridean Way Challenge – tandem cycling “on the edge” of Scotland, while taking in the views of some of the world’s best beaches.
Now the “old gal” really enjoys a little fun recreational island hopping – and scenic beaches – but this was something different! A true adventure on Sustrans Scotland NCN Rt 780 across the Outer Hebrides, starting at the southernmost point on Vatersay and ending on the northernmost point at the Butt of Lewis, covering 185 miles, 10 islands, six causeways and two ferry crossings!
And my dynamic crew were truly honoured to have fellow founding members of The Nutty Tandemers Club – John and Jane, who have their own Travelling in Tandem blog – with us every pedal of the way! So special festive greetings to them and thanks again for their magnificent company and encouragement to help us all reach the finishing point together. Roll on the Nutty 2020 tour!
Naturally I wrote a blog about our adventures, titled: “Hebridean Way – the definitive guide to tandeming ‘on the edge’ with the Nutty Tandemers Club. The epic post gives lots of advice on how to do the 10 island odyssey route as an independently booked, self-guided, end-to-end pedal. It is also offers a refreshingly unfiltered honest reflection – highlighting the highs and lows; uphills and downhills of 5 days tandeming “on the edge” of Scotland.
Lets just say that if the 185 mile Hebridean Way is on your bucket list of #tandem or cycle rides – then this is the blog for you! So grab a cuppa and click on this link to enjoy a chuckle or two as you flick thru the blog which is full of useful tips, advice and recommendations of places to stay, eat, and replenish (prosecco!) picnic supplies along the #HebWay – along with some to avoid! It also highlights the best tips in The Offcomers guide book and the bike transfer service provided by HebShuttle.
For anyone wondering, the Christmas card front image at the top of this blog post is an artificially snow-sprinkled image of me and my dynamic crew from that unforgettable Nutty Tandemers Club Hebridean Way Challenge back in June – featuring the dramatic Callanish Standing Stones where we spent a magical evening of the summer solstice.
As a Christmas treat here’s another chance to see Team Matilda’s musical montage of images from that unforgettable tandem trip. Just click on the image below to watch:
So here’s to a wonderful festive season to all. And on behalf of all captains and stokers everywhere – lets hope Santa fills your Christmas stockings with all the things you have put on your present list!
Mind you, that does make an assumption that you are on the “good tandemers” list rather than the “naughty tandemers” list!
And remember: It truly is always better when you’re together on a tandem”!!
So have a “twice the fun” Merry Christmas – from Matilda, Colin and Diane!
Ho! ho! ho!
Matildas Musings 