A blog written by Matilda – the "old lady" classic tandem – and her Musings about her adventures, trials and tribulations with the "old git" and Chief Pilot, aka Colin and the "old gal" and Chief Stoker (as well as Chief Engineer) aka Diane.
The “old gal” and the “old git” at the viewpoint at Loch Leven … with a special guest!
*WARNING* this blog contains images of a red poncho which some readers may find alarming!
So with the weekend approaching the “old git” – ever the romantic – asked the “old gal” if she fancied going out for something to eat on Saturday evening. He explained that he had heard that there was a summer weekends pop up burger bar at Loch Leven’s Larder – a recommended foodie farm shop-cafe just a few hundred yards from the banks of Loch Leven.
But there’s no flies on the “old gal” – that should be there are no midges on her! – and she got it right away … she was going to have to earn her burger with a 13 mile tandem ride round the loch first!
But gamely she immediately agreed! And that’s why at about 5pm we were cycling away from the car park – right into the full force of the entrails of Hurricane Gert! Let’s just say there was a bit of head wind to start until we got into our stride – or before synchronicity kicked in!
Fortunately the route is relatively flat. Built at a cost of £3 million – it is known as the Loch Leven Heritage Trail – linking 30 natural and cultural heritage sites. You can check out the route of our tour of Loch Katrine on Strava below – and don’t forget to click on the map image to get the full date and statistics!
We set off on a clockwise loop and it wasn’t long before my crew encountered the dreaded midges. On a stretch along some stagnant water there were thick swarms of midges everywhere. The “old git” was literally coated in the nasty little blighters as he took the full blast as my Captain! He was muttering something about it was due to the fact that we were going so fast that there were so many on his body! We didn’t believe him of course, but the “old gal” helpfully took a picture of his forehead to show how many midges were about! (after removing his crash helmet, of course!)
Midges everywhere! Fortunately the Smidge worked wonders and meant they didn’t bite!
Fortunately my crew had taken the precaution of spraying themselves from head to foot with Smidge – a highly effective repellent that they knew from previous experiences works a treat in throwing the midges off your scent and stops them biting.
My crew were picking up speed – perhaps to try and leave the midges behind – and we soon we tandemed past the interesting RSPB Loch Leven Nature Reserve at Vane Farm before pedalling up the only real inclines to the viewpoint area battling more strong Hurricane Gert headwinds!
My dynamic crew against a backdrop of blue skies at the viewpoint overlooking scenic Loch Leven.
At the viewpoint the “old git” whipped out his portable extendable tripod and bluetooth camera clicker which allows him to take pictures of both of my dynamic crew together and took a few arty shots to show the blue sky overlooking the fantastic vista of the loch.
Now today’s trip brought back memories of exactly a year ago when Team Matilda hosted John and Jane of Team Bluebird to our area for a memorable week long Tour de Perthshire – which included a somewhat wet loop of Loch Leven. As the heavens opened Jane donned some “high fashion” waterproof protection – forever to be known now as “the fetching red poncho!”
Flashback to a year ago – Jane with the fetching red poncho!
So as a friendly wheeze the “old git” decided that Jane would be introduced into our ride as a special guest – courtesy of a large photo of her wearing said fetching red poncho! It was actually a bit windy and the flimsy paper print kept flapping about in the (hurricane force) winds! But my dynamic crew persevered to get the shot … just to show the three of us were thinking of Jane! Oh how we laughed!
The “old gal” saying ‘wish you were here’ to Jane in honour of the red poncho!
The “old gal” had to dissuade the “old git” from attaching the photo of Jane in a plastic wallet to the big round rock at the viewpoint and adding her email in case anyone wanted to buy a similar fashion statement! And after many smiles at the gentle ribbing, and at great memories of tandeming with wonderful friends John and Jane, we pedalled on.
The strong wind was behind us for a bit which offered some relief – but then, as always happens, it turned in direction and blasted us as a viscous side wind. Any as you know, I am a long vehicle so when the wind catches me it can be mildly scary for keeping our balance!
We negotiated a trip off the path through the car park at Kinross Pier, and a wooden boardwalk section, before rejoining the path just in time for a great view of Loch Leven castle in the middle of the loch – which was the setting for the most traumatic year in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. It was here in 1567 that she was imprisoned and forced to abdicate before her dramatic escape a year later.
The last section took my dynamic crew back into the forest for a final coating of midges before we sped back to Matilda Transport and the end of our loop. Feeling healthy after the ride – and wiping off what seemed like hundreds of dead midges – my crew then retired to the sanctuary of Loch Leven’s Larder and the pop up burger bar to enjoy some decadent pleasures.
Time for a well earned burger and a wee glass of prosecco – in tandem naturally!
While looking over the burger menu there was time to check out Strava which officially recorded the ride as being worthy of no less than 9 gongs – 6 personal bests and 3 seconds. Me and my crew had tandemed a distance of 13 miles with a moving time of 1 hour 17 minutes. The elevation was a minimal 252 feet which allowed a healthy average speed of 10.1 mph. The recorded top speed was 38.9 mph but that had to be a Strava glitch – which makes a change from an ‘operator error!’ – as the old fashioned handlebar speedo recorded a much more realistic top speed of 17.8 mph. Team Matilda managed to burn up 629 calories and produce an average power output of 121 W.
Cheers! Time for a wee cheeky alfresco prosecco on the decking awaiting the burgers!
Certainly something worth to toast there with the obligatory prosecco – as if my crew needed any excuse! The “old gal” ordered a sharing platter which consisted of a yummy selection of perfectly barbecued burgers – beef, salmon, chicken and portobello mushroom with a giant frankfurter thrown in for good measure. It was all served with bowls of healthy fresh crunchy salads and tasty dressings and it really hit the spot.
Restaurant with a view! My crew’s table overlooked the nature reserve at Loch Leven.
My crew were really lucky with the weather as the hurricane winds had all but disappeared and the sun was out! It really made it an idyllic spot – with the restaurant decking overlooking the nature reserve at Loch Leven. The “old git” lost count of the number of flights of geese he saw taking off – flying in perfect v formation over the water!
We were lucky with the weather – but clearly it isn’t always sunny!
As I say, my crew were lucky – but clearly the weather isn’t always wonderful however … if the cheeky sign above the exit to the outdoor area is anything to go by … with the wording: Sorry but sometimes the weather here is pants” … written on large pairs of bloomers!
As always the Strava statistics and our route are brought to life in our Relive 3D video – so take a look below. (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
So back at Matildas Rest and I was unpacked into my garage, with my dynamic crew reflecting on yet another memorable ride full of laughs – emphasising that its the Smiles not the miles that count. What better way is there to spend a Saturday evening?!
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The “old git” and the “old gal” were joined by solo cyclist friends Gillian and Craig.
There’s nothing like tempting fate! In his infinite wisdom (ie questionable!) the “old git” decided we needed to beat our demons and do a trouble free and deluge free tandem trip to Loch Katrine – which nestles in some of Scotland’s most atmospheric, picturesque and historic scenery in the heart of Rob Roy Country and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
So it was with somewhat more confidence – hopefully not misplaced – combined with an encouraging weather forecast that we set off from Matildas Rest to meet up with good solo cyclist friends of the “old gal” and “old git” – Gillian and Craig. The “old git” had done his research and discovered there was a music cruise on the historic steamship Sir Walter Scott later in the afternoon – and booked tickets so my dynamic duo could relax with Gillian and Craig after their exertions!
So at at ten o’clock on Sunday morning we were parked at the head of the beautiful Loch Katrine at Trossachs Pier. As we unpacked it was apparent that we were in midge country – with literally swarms of the nasty little blighters everywhere. Fortunately my crew had taken the precaution of spraying themselves from head to foot with Smidge – a highly effective repellent that they knew from previous experiences works a treat in throwing the midges off your scent and stops them biting.
The itinerary – planned (as usual) with military precision – was for us to tandem the 13 miles down to the bottom of the lock at Stronachlachar, before having a spot of lunch, then cycle the return leg, before the cruise. The distance was a manageable 26 miles – but the terrain is fairly undulating! (“That’s HILLY – not undulating” shouts the “old gal”!) So it was going to be a good test for my dynamic crew’s new found fitness! And that’s why – somewhat tongue in cheek – the “old git” was sporting his red polka dot Tour de France King of the Mountains jersey! Oh and he has matching socks too!
The “old git” was glad he wasn’t doing the hills on this penny farthing!
You can check out the route of our tour of Loch Katrine on Strava below – and don’t forget to click on the map image to get the full date and statistics!
In lovely dry conditions we set off tandeming down the loch – with the synchronicity soon kicking in and we picked up a fair pace. The route down the side of the loch is a well maintained private road owned by Scottish Water who use the loch as a reservoir to supply Glasgow. And of course the amazing scenery is real brain food. After about four miles, and the first really tough King of the Mountain hill, we all stopped for a welcome breather and took in the awesome views across the loch.
My dynamic crew hamming up being knackered after the first real hill! Or so they said!
An arty through my handlebars shot showing the moody skies.
My dynamic crew were really enjoying the ride – even managing to nail most of the hills that previously required them to get off and push. The route was busy with cyclists – quite a few who were clearly with cycling clubs given their matching lycra kit! A couple of very friendly ones stepped off their pace to chat for a bit and jokingly admired the “old git’s” King of the Mountain jersey and said that the “old gal’s” green one represented the sprint jersey in the Tour de France … making us quite a powerful combination. To which the “old gal” replied that my crew simply had delusions of grandeur!
It was tough going but – in a mark of the new found fitness of the “old git” and the “old gal” – we reached the bottom end in what seemed like no time at all and cycled round to Stronachlachar for a halfway break. Gillian and Craig had already arrived a good few minutes ahead of us, but they videoed our arrival as their stomachs rumbled ready for lunch! (Don’t forget that if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
There is a fantastic spot for lunch here – the Pier Cafe which really is a treasure of a find, in a very remote corner of the country. It has new owners and all the food on the refreshed menu is home-made on the premises. After a much-needed reviving chilled drink, extremely tasty paninis were ordered and demolished! Coffee and caramel shortcake followed – to ensure energy levels were topped up for the return journey. Five stars for the service and food – and it was good value too.
The Pier Cafe at Stronalachar offers great food and super views up the loch.
Before heading back my crew noticed a great addition to the car park – the old red phone box had been turned into a defibrillator station. Naturally my crew joked that with the hills it may be needed! – but seriously it is a great place to store such a vital piece of life saving equipment.
The “old gal” laughing that she needed the defibrillator after tackling the hills!
As we hit the first hill it brought back happy memories for the “old gal” and the “old git” – as they reminisced about a day five years go when they visited Loch Katrine on their first proper date together! You see, this spot has a very special place in the hearts of my dynamic duo as without Loch Katrine they may never have teamed up together! It is the very reason they got into tandeming in the first place and it was totally by accident! They had planned a walk along the banks of the loch but as they arrived, they noticed tandems for hire from Katrine Wheelz at Trossachs Pier.
The “old git” and “old gal” on their first ever tandem ride five years ago on their first proper date!
Thinking this would be a fun way to break the ice on the date they set off in an unsteady fashion – but the result was they got hooked on tandeming immediately – despite the constant heavy rain that day and the “old gal” falling off into an unglamorous muddy heap on at least two occasions!
And the rest, as they say, is history – with my crew romantically falling in love with a new hobby … and each other … as a result! And despite my crews unconventional way of starting out, they have gelled as an unbreakable team – having become synchronised with each others foibles … both on and off the saddle. You can read a humorous account of that fateful day here.
Those fifth anniversary memories of their first tandem ride spurred my crew on as they battled the hills on the return journey. And fortunately the weather was much better and they were able to enjoy the fantastic awe inspiring scenery – albeit there was the odd shower of rain.
One of the highlights, about half way back along the route, is a scenic viewpoint at Portnellan which overlooks the burial ground of the Clan MacGregor – which dates back to the 17th century – and has historic links to the legendary Rob Roy MacGregor.
The “old gal” at the viewpoint at Portnellan looking down at the Clan MacGregor burial ground.
On we pedalled up and down hills and spotted a couple of hired tandems coming in the opposite direction. They were crewed by Dutch tourists who insisted on high-fiving my captain on the way past! Team Matilda was happy to do our bit for post-Brexit European relations! My crew had planned a prosecco stop half way back along, but when we arrived at the picnic tables there were swarms of those midges everywhere and that idea was quickly abandoned. It must be one of the few times that my crew have voluntarily given up prosecco – but they did pledge to open it later! The good thing about cycling is that we were travelling too fast for the midges – so it was actually very pleasant … until we stopped! So a final couple of hills before the route finally levels out for the last couple of miles back to Trossachs Pier where you get a great view across to the steamship.
The “old git” on the banks of the loch looking across at the Walter Scott steamship.
On return to Trossachs Pier I was quickly packed back inside Matilda Transport in a futile attempt to thwart the midges! But my dynamic crew were delighted that we had beaten our demons and completed Loch Katrine without a major mechanical incident …. and without getting soaked!
Strava officially recorded the ride as covering an elevation of 1,643 feet – one of the biggest up and down hill rides that my dynamic duo have done. All credit to them – and I would even have to say that the “old git” really deserved to be wearing his King of the Mountains jersey! Whisper it but I think he is going to order the “old gal” one as well!
There was great euphoria when my dynamic crew discovered that Strava had awarded Team Matilda 14 gongs along the way – no less than 12 personal bests … I will repeat that … no less than 12 personal bests!! … and 2 second bests.
We tandemed a distance of 26.3 miles with a moving time of 2 hours 41 minutes, with an average speed of 9.8 mph – which is pretty impressive given the hilly terrain. Top speed was 32.9 mph – and we managed to burn up 1,858 calories and produce an estimated average power output of 172 W.
The “old gal” popping the prosecco cork after 12 personal bests!
If my dynamic crew ever needed an excuse to pop open the prosecco, then those impressive figures provided a great reason. As I rested up, my dynamic duo and Gillian and Craig got changed out of their cycling gear and had a celebration glass of bubbly on the pier. The toast was not only to the PBs – but of course to five fantastic years since that first (fateful) tandem date! Cheers!
Cheers! The “old gal” and the “old git” toast five wonderful years since that first fateful tandem ride!
As always the Strava statistics and our route are brought to life in our Relive 3D video – so take a look below. (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
The four cyclists then boarded the Sir Walter Scott for a two hour music cruise on Loch Katrine. It was a wonderful event, sailing on an iconic 115 year old steamship, listening to rock, folk and pop music – along with a good few cheesy tunes – from enthusiastic entertainer Dougie McQ against a backdrop of the stunning mountains and almost mirror-like flat loch which was reflecting the scenery.
The “old gal” pictured beside the calm reflective waters of the loch from the boat.
My dynamic crew clowning around and having lots of fun aboard the steamship.
The “old git” had to be persuaded not to get up to do his “Dad dancing” routine again – well banned by the “old gal” actually! – so he had to make do with singing along to some of his favourites from the 1970s! The “old gal” had prepared one of her special picnics for my crew to eat while listening to the music as the cruise took us all the way down to the bottom of Loch Katrine and back up again.
The view from a porthole on the steamship underlines the beauty of the loch.
The “old gal” enjoying the view of the spectacular scenery from the front of the boat .
After disembarking my crew bid farewell to Gillian and Craig before Team Matilda headed back to Matildas Rest.All in all another fabulous tandem ride – with no mechanical mishaps – and another day full of fun, laughs, iconic scenery, sunshine, a bit of rain, prosecco, and a fantastic picnic … all shared with good friends!
And that is truly the definition of another great tandem day out for me and my dynamic crew!
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“Its Now or Never”! Time for prosecco picnic at Loch Rannoch after Elvis party.
So you know how it is when the “old git” gets an idea into his head! Sometimes – did I hear the “old gal” say ‘often’ there! – they seem a bit madcap … but more often than not it would need to be admitted that they turn out to be great days out. Yes sometimes they can go spectacularly awry and today’s plan certainly had that potential – but fortunately it fell into the spectacularly good category.
You see my dynamic crew were invited to a birthday party for the Dad of a friend of the “old gal’s” on the Saturday night in our home town of Auchterarder. And it wasn’t just any birthday party – it was a 60th party with an Elvis theme … with compulsory dressing up in Elvis-era gear as the birthday boy was a huge fan of the King of Rock and Roll. And so bedecked in their teddy boy outfit and rockabilly dress my crew had great fun as they partied the night away till 11.30pm.
Which is all fine and dandy except the “old git” had decided that the next day Team Matilda would head off to one of our favourite wilderness spots of Loch Rannoch in Highland Perthshire! And that’s why at 7am the morning after the night before the alarm wakened my crew. A couple of hours later and we were driving up the A9 turning off just after Pitlochry for Tummel Bridge. Amazingly, 75 miles away from base, we were parked up and ready to ride by 11.30am.
What a difference twelve hours can make!
Cool Cats! My crew at Elvis party at 11.30pm on Saturday in Auchterarder.
Tandeming Cats! My crew at 11.30am on Sunday ready to roll (without the rock!) on the banks of scenic Loch Rannoch nearly 75 miles away from Auchterrader. What a difference 12 hours can make! Sunglasses required but not for sore heads!
Now sunglasses were required as we set off – but not for reasons of sore heads, but because the sun was shining brightly! Now despite giving the appearance of being bright eyed and bushy tailed it was evident that my crew – or at least the “old git” – did still feel a bit ‘All Shook Up’ as there was an ‘operator error’ with Strava at the first photo stop! Read on for more details!
The “old gal” had suggested we go anti-clockwise round the loch for the first time. Every previous visit had seen us stick to a clockwise rotation of the loch – but the “old gal” is a bit of a rebel and likes a change to freshen things up now and then, so the decision was made.You can check out the details of our route on Strava below – and don’t forget to click on the map image to be transferred to Strava to get the full data and statistics! Oh and apologies in advance for the “operator error” which results in us appearing to tandem on water up the loch! Read on to discover whose fault that was!
The Loch Rannoch folly.
The anti-clockwise circuit started with a nice descent from our parking spot, turning right before crossing the bridge over the River Gaur followed by a steady steep uphill climb for about half a mile. It certainly raised the body temperatures of my dynamic crew! But the climb is worth it with views across the whole length and breadth of the loch. A point of interest is Eilean Nam Faoileag – a small island which was occupied from the middle of the 15th century until the middle of the 17th century and now is home to a tower which is a 19th-century folly. You can’t miss the impressive Rannoch Power Station – part of the Tummel Valley hydro scheme – which has been in operation since 1930 and is currently being renovated to extend its lifespan.
The route on the quieter south side of the lock is amazingly scenic – possibly more so than the (slightly) busier north shore road. The B-class single track road never seems to be more than a couple of yards from the loch itself and there is always lots to catch the eye of Team Matilda.
The “old gal” spotted a (mini) kilted Highlander at the side of the road!
The wilderness factor is underlined as the narrow road winds its way through the magical Black Wood of Rannoch – one of the largest areas of ancient pine forest left in Scotland. It certainly lives up to its Forestry Commission billing as “a living growing monument with some trees thought to be about 400 years old, and is home to a wonderful variety of plants and wildlife, including deer, pine martens and red squirrel.” It is little wonder that it is designated a Special Area of Conservation and was looking magnificent in the sunshine. It was truly a wonderful spot to be out tandeming in and both the “old gal” and the “old git” felt privileged to be there.
The route is gently undulating – and despite their excesses from partying last night (or should that be because of!) – my dynamic crew were really in the zone today and we were pedalling along at an average of over 15-16 mph for long stretches – a good bit faster than our normal.
We soon reached a stony beach area at the top of the loch – which my dynamic crew decided would be a perfect spot for their prosecco picnic. But as he dismounted the “old git” let out a loud “Aaagh” as he made the discovery that Strava had not been recording the ride for 8 miles from the first photo stop! Seems he had stopped the timer so as not to waste valuable seconds when taking some pictures – and then promptly forgot to start it again as we tandemed off! And his pain was made even worse by the fact that we had been fair rattling along! Oh how me and the “old gal” laughed!
Painful moment for the “old git” discovering HIS Strava operator error. Oh how we laughed!
However his pain – or was that embarrassment because the “old gal” is always telling him to just let it auto-pause – was soon forgotten about when the “old git” spied a perfect picnic table for two right at the edge of the loch. He quickly unhooked the bottle of prosecco I had been safely carrying in my la bouclee bottle carrier and plonked it in nature’s fridge that is Loch Rannoch to chill.
Arty shot of the bottle of prosecco in nature’s fridge at Loch Rannoch!
As the “old git” popped open the prosecco cork with a loud pop, a Mum was walking on the beach with her young daughter and says to the girl that there was a couple celebrating! The Mum asked the “old gal” what my crew were celebrating. My stoker replied that we were just celebrating it being Sunday lunchtime! To which she replied as she walked off enviously: “Oh I remember these days, I think!”
Cheers! Perfect prosecco picnic table for two with a view on the edge of the loch.
My dynamic crew toasted another sensational picnic spot with a nicely chilled glass of fizz before enjoying some smoked salmon and chilli cream cheese croissants and some fresh fruit for lunch.
The “old git” did manage to redeem himself a bit in the “old gal’s” critical eye when he brought out his portable tripod extension and set it up, linked to a bluetooth clicker, to be able to take pictures of both of us together. Whisper it but in the photo below, the “old gal” put on her best smile when he said “ready” – even tho it was being taken from behind and only showed her back view!
I’ve obviously been learning to take pictures of my dynamic crew when they’re not looking!
After enjoying the prosecco picnic – and some amazing views right down the loch in bright sunshine – it was time for my crew to get back on my saddles and pedal across the bridge over the River Tummel and thru Kinloch Rannoch before heading down the north side of the loch.
The “old gal” decided a quick stop was required at the wild camping area about a third of the way back down the loch – which offers a perfect viewpoint for pictures with the majesty of the perfectly conical shape of Schiehallion – one of Scotland’s most recognisable mountains – in the background. This area provides easy access to rocky beach and the loch which was looking beautiful despite the clouds darkening and the imminent prospect of rain. Unfortunately those clouds had “stolen” the top of Schiehallion which wasn’t visible in the photos!
Here I am at the wild camping site on the north side – but where is Schiehallion hiding?!
It’s up there under the cloud! The “old gal” pointing to where Schiehallion’s iconic conical top should be.
My crew didn’t stop for long as it appeared the forecast rain was due to arrive soon. And just short of three miles from the end it started – fortunately just light rain as we climbed a steep hill towards the end of the loch before a rapid downhill to Bridge of Gaur and the mile or so back to our parking spot.
After a quick hi five to celebrate completing the circuit, and with the rain getting heavier, I was quickly packed away in Matilda Transport and my crew drove the 5 miles to the end of the road and the wonderfully remote Rannoch railway station where there is a favourite coffee and cake spot for the “old git” and the “old gal” – the amazing Rannoch Station Tearoom.
It really is a truly fabulous hidden gem – and must get the vote for being not only the most remote tearoom in Scotland – but the most welcoming and friendly. Run by the uber-hospitable Bill and Jenny Anderson it offers cyclists, walkers and railway passengers an amazing oasis of home made tasty coffees, cakes and light meals. You can even have a wine or a beer while sitting on the station platform watching the live theatre that is the natural wilderness of Rannoch Moor.
The duo’s customer service ethic has no bounds – and even runs to delivering phone orders of bacon butties to train passengers travelling up and down the Glasgow to Fort William route. In my crew’s case it extends to happily reserving a couple of scones (via Facebook) to ensure they didn’t run out! What service! So it was delicious home made fruit scones with clotted cream and jam followed by gigantic slices of seriously yummy carrot cake and lemon mascarpone cake, washed down with a cafetiere of wonderfully strong freshly brewed coffee.
Finger lickin good clotted cream scones, fab cakes and strong coffee! Yum!
According to my dynamic crew the tearoom more than lived up to its five star Trip Advisor certificate of excellence award. And if the look of satisfaction on the “old gal’s” face as she sampled the goodies was anything to go by, I think if she could have awarded six stars, it would have been more than earned!
Bill and Jenny were excitedly getting ready for a visit from a tv crew filming for the new series of the Channel 4 show Village of the Year with actress Penelope Keith. Over this summer the programme has been visiting villages across the UK to determine the winner of this brand new competition, with a £10,000 prize to be spent on a worthwhile community project. Kinloch Rannoch has been one of the villages nominated for filming for the 2017 series which aims to celebrate all that is great about our rural communities. Certainly if breathtaking wilderness scenery is anything to go by, the village should be an outright winner! My crew will be watching progress.
The uber hospitable Bill and Jenny who take service standards to new highs at Rannoch Station Tearoom.
As my dynamic crew were leaving a nice gentleman introduced himself – after recognising them by their hi-viz yellow t-shirts emblazoned with my blog – as being Steve from Dial a Bike Rannoch who said he was an avid reader of my blog posts! Steve runs a cycle rental service in the Rannoch Moor, Kinloch Rannoch and Tummel Bridge area. So if you happen to be staying in the area and need some bikes to get around then Steve is your man! He even has a couple of those electric bikes – for those that want to cheat! But he has yet to introduce a tandem to his stable of bikes – although my crew did their best to persuade him that he should!
Replete and refreshed after their afternoon tea, it was time to head back out of the Tummel Valley and back to base. The weather had deteriorated to heavy rain, leaving Team Matilda feeling lucky that we had such an enjoyable – and mainly dry – ride round the loch. Back at Matildas Rest – and with internet connection restored – a check of Strava revealed that we didn’t record any gongs on our route … but this was because it was the first time that we had done the Loch Rannoch loop anti-clockwise!
Now due to that unfortunate incident – which the “old git” refers to as “operator error” when it was really his own silly fault! – Strava officially recorded the ride as covering a distance of only 15.8 miles at an average speed of 12.2 mph, and a top speed of 31.1 mph. However the old-fashioned speedometer thingy on my handlebars, which is not prone to “operator error”! – recorded me and my dynamic crew covering 24.7 miles and an average speed of 13.6 mph and a maximum of 32.1 mph. The traveling time was 1 hour 49 minutes and we managed to burn up 1,441 calories.
As always the Strava statistics and our route are brought to life in our Relive 3D video – so take a look below. Oh and I will apologies again for the Strava “operator error” which results in us appearing to tandem on water up loch on the video! (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
It has certainly been an action packed 24 hours for my dynamic crew – from arriving at the Elvis party to arriving back at Matildas Rest after another memorable tandeming trip full of laughs and fun.
After tandeming thru Gask our destination was Gloagburn at Tibbermore on outskirts of Perth.
My crew are always impressed at the rich history they find right on Team Matildas own doorstep. And our recent tandem trip was no exception – as they discovered while pedaling along on the rural Perthshire roads around Gask that it was the site of one of the earliest Roman settlements in Scotland. And it is even more interesting when you come across this history almost by accident.
The “old gal” had identified a new route, exploring a network of country roads in the general direction of Perth that had previously been unexplored by my dynamic crew. Not sure why – but tandeming along is a great way to see your local area that you would otherwise never see when driving a car.
So we were full of enthusiasm as we headed off from Matildas Rest on our adventure at 10.30 am – with the forecast promising a sunny weather window from the recent heavy rain … although whisper it … but it seemed likely we would be hit by the odd shower when we were out. You can check out the details of our route on Strava below – and don’t forget to click on the map image to be transferred to Strava to get the full data and statistics!
The great thing about living in Auchterarder is that we are out in the glorious Perthshire countryside, pedaling on quiet rural roads, in less than two minutes from starting. We soon were crossing our first point of interest – the historic Kinkell Bridge which is a grand four-arched bridge over the River Earn and dates from 1793. It gives great views over one of Perthshire’s top salmon beats.
The scenic Kinkell Bridge spans the River Earn and dates from 1793.
A sharp right turn saw us heading along a wonderful gently undulating well surfaced road – ideal for tandeming – as we headed to Trinity Gask Parish Church. The original building traces its history back to 1770 and has a 19th-century bellcote which houses a bell bearing the date 1838. The area immediately opposite the church offers fantastic views overlooking the valley towards the landmark Craig Rossie hill, part of the Ochils.
The “old gal” overlooking the valley from near Trinity Gask Parish Church which dates from 1770.
We had perhaps been lulled into a false sense of complacency by the warm sun and the relatively flat roads. But on leaving Trinity Gask reality struck in the form of a sharp steep hill which appeared from nowhere round a corner. It certainly felt like my crew were busting a Gask…et (see what I did there!) on that climb!
As we reached the plateau my crew realised why the area is known as Gask Ridge Frontier which the “old git” discovered was the earliest Roman land frontier in Britain – built in the 70’s or 80’s AD, 40 years before Hadrian’s Wall and 60 years before the Antonine Wall.
Nearby there are remains associated with the Gask Ridge frontier – a term describing a chain of Roman watchtowers and forts built to monitor movement between the Highland massif and Fife. We came across a sign for Kirkhill Watchtower – one of the best preserved remaining sites which would have housed a timber watchtower as an observation point overlooking the clear view to the south.
The site of the Kirkhill Watchtower – with its clear view to the south.
After the history lesson Team Matilda turned right and fair zoomed along a nice flat stretch of just over 5 miles to our half way spot of Gloagburn Farm Shop at Tibbermore on the outskirts of Perth. No picnic today due to the likelihood of rain showers, but my dynamic crew were pleased to see that they had recorded the near 14 mile distance in a very respectable time of 1 hour and 01 minute – meaning they felt they deserved a coffee and cake break!
Here I am at the entrance to Gloagburn Farm Shop – our half way coffee stop!
My crew enjoyed a freshly baked cherry and almond scone before sharing a slice of carrot cake – de rigueur for tandemers – with a nice strong coffee. But guess what? The “old git” forgot to take a photo until after it was all scoffed!
Blink and you’ll miss it! The “old gal” looking like she ate all the scones and cakes!
Gloagburn has an interesting shop – which apart from selling lots of local produce from Perthshire’s larder, has a gift section. The “old git” couldn’t resist a joke photo when he found some copies of the Out of Africa book by record breaking endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont who lives in nearby Crieff. Mark is currently cycling across Australia on the second leg of his bid to cycle around the world in 80 days! So naturally the “old git” had to get a photo with signed copies of Mark’s books kidding on he was researching and planning for a future trip …. just like Mark! Oh how the “old gal” laughed!
Planning for a future trip like record breaker Mark Beaumont?! Aye rite!
Refuelled Team Matilda set off on the return trip and amazingly immediately started to pedal into a head wind! This seems to happen on almost every recent ride! But we soon built up a good speed again and the “old gal” decided we would take a different loop home to add a bit of variety. So we pedaled past the road end that would have taken us back to Trinity Gask, heading towards Madderty and turning left to the picturesque village of St Davids. Another steep climb before we picked up speed on a nice descent back to Kinkell Bridge.
Back at Kinkell Bridge – the “old gal” at the entrance to what was the toll house.
My dynamic crew again took a different loop to end, powering on up the slow steady grind of Easthill, before a welcome fast downhill finish through Auchterarder town centre and ending back at Matildas Rest. And the timing couldn’t have been better, as having avoided the showers all during the ride, as soon as I was safely back in my comfy garage the heavens opened with a heavy downpour!
Time for a quick congratulatory selfie after a great fun ride – before the rain!
Safely inside, a check of Strava revealed that this “old lady” registered three gongs on the ride – two personal bests and one Queen of the Mountain award – which is rather good considering most of the route was being travelled on for the first time.
Strava officially recorded the ride as a distance of 28.5 miles at an average speed of 11.7 mph, with a top speed of 31.1 mph. The traveling time was 2 hours 25 minutes and the elevation covered was a not insubstantial 1,163 feet. We managed to burn up 1,633 calories, and produced an estimated average power output of 168 W.
As always the Strava statistics and our route are brought to life in our Relive 3D video – so take a look below. (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
So yet another great days tandeming – with lots of laughs and fun and a bit of fascinating local history thrown in along the way. I feel certain that we will be exploring some of the other network of roads around today’s route soon!
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The image of our favourite picnic spot at Loch Voil which caught the attention of Landward.
Well its been a bit of a media whirlwind for this “old lady” the past few weeks! You know how me and my dynamic crew like to live a quiet unassuming life and hate any stardom (not!) Well it seems that more and more people have been noticing my adventures as a blogging tandem and been amused at my humorous tales of the antics Team Matilda get up to on a bicycle made for two!
The number of people reading my blog has jumped – and at the same time my social media presence has been attracting attention with lots of new followers signing up to my MatildasMusings presence on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.
And if that wasn’t enough – then believe it or not my tandem frame and blog (and obviously the “old gal” and the “old git”) have been featured on national television and radio in recent weeks – and I have even been captured for posterity in action by an artist.
First up was my grand television appearance where me & my dynamic crew featured on the Landward programme on BBC1 Scotland. The show was researching material for a a new mini feature called “my favourite picnic spot”. One of the producers spotted a photo on Facebook of one of Team Matilda’s famous prosecco picnics and got in touch. It was a picture taken at Loch Voil in Robroycountry and the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Landward liked the eye catching prosecco picnic spot at Loch Voil.
The Landward production team wanted to know exactly were the photo was taken and asked my crew to send in a few original photos. The show then decided that they would send presenter Dougie Vipond and a film crew to Loch Voil to film the feature on location.
And fortunately they got a wonderful sunny day for the filming which showed the area off at its scenic best. And I was so excited when Dougie Vipond mentioned on national tv that I am a blogging tandem!
You can watch my two minutes of fame by clicking play below. (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
Just a week or so after basking in the glory of lots of people saying that they had seen me on tv, it was time for me to feature on national radio!
This time it was the Out of Doors programme on BBC Radio Scotland which is broadcast at breakfast time on a Saturday morning. The “old git” had been doing a couple of work-related pieces with the production crew and casually mentioned that they should do a feature on tandeming.
They jumped at the idea and one sunny Wednesday evening Team Matilda met up with presenter Mark Stephen at Loch Leven to record an interview. Nothing formal or stuffy about this however. It turned out to be a real fun off-the-cuff chat with my dynamic crew promoting the joys of tandeming.
The “old git” deep in conversation with Mark Stephen from Out of Doors.
The wide-ranging feature covered topics like why its always better when my crew are tandeming together, being founder members of the Nutty Tandemers Club, the pleasure in sampling Scotland’s food and drink larder by tandem, and some of our crazy experiences on a bicycle made for two!
Presenter Mark Stephen even teamed up with my Captain for an on-air shot as Stoker. Lets just say it didn’t all go swimmingly for Mark! Not sure it was really his thing really – and as you can hear he felt a bit out of his comfort zone!
But the general opinion was that the “old gal” and the “old git” came across as real enthusiasts, if perhaps enthusiastic nutters! The “old git” wants to stress at this point that he was hamming up the madness thing to make good radio, but I’m not so sure that it wasn’t his natural state! But the production team obviously liked it as the result of all the madcap chat was that the feature filled nearly 15 minutes of the programme.
So take a listen to the broadcast by clicking play below. (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
The final part of my recent media blitz saw me being captured in a fantastic drawing – showing me and my dynamic crew in action tandeming along.
This came about through the wonderful world of social media where I was discovered by an artist called Jo Sunshine Art on Twitter. She had been drawing a few pictures of some of the eyecatching BLiSStrail installations after linking up with Kim Proven – the enthusiastic chair of LETi and owner of Briar Cottages at Lochearnhead.
Now regular readers of my blog (and followers on social media) will know that Kim is a fan of my Musings – and has even had a couple of shots on my saddle as substitute stoker! So through the connections and links that social media bring – Jo Sunshine Art saw a few photos of me on the RobRoyCountry Twitter feed and decided to draw a picture of me!
The original crayon drawing of me by Jo Sunshine Art on the BLiSStrail.
Wow! Me and my dynamic crew were very impressed at the artwork – and even more so when we discovered that Jo is registered blind and draws with only partial sight in one eye. She produces brilliant colourful works of art in neon wax crayons, with fabulous attention to detail.
And an added attraction is that the drawing is of Team Matilda tandeming at one of our favourite spots – on the BLiSStrail on Sustrans Scotland NCR7 in Rob Roy Country beside the impressive wooden Soaring Eagle near the Broch Cafe in Strathyre.
The bright colours of the wax drawing looks fantastic in a frame.
The “old gal” and the “old git” were so taken with the drawing that they had to buy the artwork – which is now looking very smart in a frame which now has pride of place in the hall at Matildas Rest. It all really underlines that it can be amazing the connections you make on social media!
Jo Sunshine Art also has a Facebook page – which is well worth looking at to see some of her drawings – and she also sells her work on Etsy.
The tandem artwork now has pride of place in the hall at Matildas Rest.
All this media activity has actually been a lot of fun – and the good thing is that Team Matilda gets to push tandeming as an activity and the Tandem Club UK as well as all the blog self promotion!
But one thing is certain, I won’t let all this fame won’t go to my handlebars – although I must admit it – this “old lady” does like a bit of recognition! And whisper it, but I get the impression that the “old git” and the “old gal” quite like it too!
So what next? Form an orderly queue with these offers of supermarket openings!
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The self-proclaimed members of the Nutty Tandemers Club ready to ride!
Muchos excitement for Team Matilda as we headed to the south of England for a week’s tandeming in the New Forest! Regular blog readers will remember that a year ago I became ‘best pals’ with another tandem called Bluebird crewed by Jane and John Taylor who live near Southampton in Hampshire. Team Bluebird had travelled north to enjoy a memorable Tour de Perthshire du Tandem and we all enjoyed ourselves so much that we became self-proclaimed members of the Nutty Tandemers Club!
Such was the success of the inaugural tour that an event in John and Jane’s home territory was put into planning immediately after the Perthshire event. You see the crews have so much in common. Firstly Team Bluebird run their own blog called Travels with Bluebird – but more importantly have the same views as my dynamic crew on not taking tandeming too seriously.
As so much nuttiness and fun tandeming happened during the busy action-packed week, this blog is a kind of Musings photo special – complete with Strava maps and Relive 3D videos – as I recount the best bits of Le Tour de New Forest du Tandem…
TdNF Day 1 – introduction to New Forest and Lepe Loop
Me and my crew arrived at Jane and John’s lovely home in the village of Dibden Purlieu after a long drive south in Matilda Transporter on Sunday. A tasty welcome dinner and toast to the tour made Team Matilda feel very welcome. So Monday – and the first day of the tour – was planned by our hosts as a gentle introduction to the delights of the New Forest.
Check out the details of our Day 1 route by clicking on the Strava map below.
Before the off I had some very fetching laminates attached to my frame featuring the official tour logo – which John had cleverly created. And my crew donned their official tour t-shirts which featured the same design – complete with names on the sleeves – which they are pictured in throughout this blog.
The stylish and very original laminated posters for Le Tour de New Forest.
Now although I had caught up again with my pal Bluebird, the Pino semi-recumbent tandem, our hosts decided to take Henry – the vintage member of their growing tandem collection – out for today’s spin. I can’t say that I was disappointed because as an “old lady” I am a bit of a classic vintage tandem myself and (whisper it) but I hear that Henry is a bit younger than me and has an eye for the ladies! And I have always been attracted to toy-boys! … or should that be toy-tandems?!
We headed off out of the village and within minutes we were tandeming across roads in the New Forest National Park – almost immediately getting our first of what would be regular sightings of the wild ponies on the heath. And the first impressions were that the roads were flat – which meant the “old gal” had a big wide smile on her face!
Cheers! Time for the first prosecco picnic of Le Tour de New Forest at Lepe.
First stop was Lepe beach and time to pop the cork and have the first prosecco picnic of the tour! Although the sun was out, there was a fair breeze blowing off the Solent – but it didn’t stop everyone enjoying their picnics, washed down with fizz, drinking in the views over the Isle of Wight. After the picnic we explored the headland overlooking the beach – part of Lepe Country Park – and found it much more protected from the wind. Temperatures rose and even the “old gal” removed her cycling jacket to bask in the sun for a series of fun photos overlooking the sea with both tandem crews.
The “old git” and “old gal” enjoying the sunshine on headland above Lepe beach.
The “old gal” with an old anchor – honestly my brakes are fine!
Jane and the “old gal” chilling with that charming Henry tandem and me!
John managed to get into one of the pictures – with the “old git” behind the camera!
Pedalling on we cycled out to the point at Calshot Castle – marking the entrance to the deep channel of Southampton water. My crew popped in to see the velodrome at Calshot Activities Centre – built by converting the old Sunderland hangar which used to be part of the RAF Calshot base for seaplanes and flying boats. Fortunately both crews wisely decided that viewing from the spectator gallery would suffice instead of riding the tandems around the track. Which is just as well as it features sweeping 45 degree bends and claims to be the second steepest velodrome banking in the world!
The “old gal” and the “old git” overlooking the steep banks of the Calshot velodrome.
So after examining the velodrome it was time for a coffee and cake stop at the cafe before heading back for showers and dinner. But not before the sampling of our new local surroundings ended at Hythe for a celebratory drink on the balcony of Seashells overlooking the water – and a toast to the fact that tandeming just doesn’t get much better than days like this!
Ahoy there – on the seafront at Hythe overlooking Southampton.
A great first day of the TdNF covering 25.2 miles with the route brought to life in our Relive 3D video – so take a look below. (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
TdNF Day 2 – Independence Day ride to redwoods and vineyards and stay at Filly Inn at Setley Plain
July the 4th and Independence Day and a day with a bit of an American theme naturally! The weather station at John and Jane’s house was promising bright warm sunshine so it was time to slap on the sun cream and pack the panniers for an overnighter at a traditional English Inn deep in the heart of the New Forest – via a visit and tasting at a vineyard.
Check out our Day 2 TdNF route by clicking on the Strava map below.
I was delighted that Team Bluebird had in fact selected the tandem that bears their name for the two-day trip so I was going to have plenty of company en route! It was already a good bit warmer than recent temperatures back home in Perthshire when we tandemed off – heading across the heath to the picturesque village of Beaulieu – which is home to the National Motor Museum. It hosts the original Bluebird CN7 car in which Donald Campbell set a new World Land Speed Record of 403.10mph in July 1964. Not sure if that’s what John and Jane named their Bluebird after – but if it was, surely it must have been with tongue firmly in cheek! Or maybe its just because Bluebird’s frame is blue!
A quick photo stop at the quaint and picturesque village of Beaulieu.
No time to visit the classic cars however, as Team Matilda and Team Bluebird headed into Brockenhurst for a welcome morning coffee stop – before we had fun filming me and my dynamic crew pedalling through the Watersplash ford, where as the name suggests I got my wheels wet! Whisper it but Jane – who was responsible for taking the video – managed not to record anything the first time so we had to repeat the process for “take 2”!
Here I am getting my wheels wet at the Watersplash ford at Brockenhurst.
After the video shenanigans we pedalled on to the much anticipated Rhinefield Ornamental Drive where we saw the two tallest trees in the forest – a couple of giant Redwoods. I must say that even though they are a bit smaller than their American cousins in California, it was still an impressive sight. And given that in America, giant Redwoods are known to be up to 3000 years old – these two are mere youngsters being only about 150 years old! Mind you that made me – despite being an “old lady” – feel a right young thing!
Selfie time – Teams Bluebird and Matilda dwarfed by the giant Redwood trees.
Me posing with the “old git” and the “old gal” among the giant trees.
I know I am old, but the giant Redwoods are considerably older!
Selfie time for my crew to try to show perspective of height of trees.
Pedalling back we found a lovely sheltered and deserted spot by the river for the prosecco picnic – which I had carefully carried in my stylish la bouclee bottle carrier.
Prosecco for picnic for tandem crews picnic is safely carried in my la bouclee.
The river at our picnic spot provided a natural way to keep the prosecco chilled!
The “old gal” cleverly used her initiative and found that the river provided a natural way of keeping the prosecco chilled! When it reached the required coolness the cork was duly popped – with Jane given the vital job of having the glasses ready to ensure not a drop was spilled!
Ready, steady, pop! The “old gal” uncorking with Jane making sure not a spot is spilled!
Cheers! A glass of prosecco is a must for any picnic amongst the trees!
After a very tasty alfresco French style meal of bread, hams, cheese and grapes – oh and did I mention the prosecco?! – it was time for one of the daily highlights when John got his extendable tripod out to take some pictures of both teams! This involved two bikes and three riders set up in position with John running in to shot before the ten second timer expired! Which he always did with cool aplomb!
Refreshed and ready for the afternoon cycle – both crews after the picnic lunch.
Me and my friend Bluebird after a picnic stop rest ready for the afternoon cycle.
Me and my dynamic crew crossing the bridge over the river after our picnic stop.
With the tripod safely away for another day, we crossed the bridge and headed onwards enjoying the cycling on flat roads with my crew really enjoying the scenery of the New Forest. The “old git” had to stop when a couple of ponies were on the road – and the “old gal” even quipped that he was obviously looking to get some extra horsepower to drive me on! Well at least I am sure she was joking! …
The “old git” obviously hoping to get some extra horsepower for me from the New Forest ponies!
Next stop was one of the highlights of the week – a visit to Setley Ridge Vineyard. Now as regular readers of my blog will be well aware, me and my dynamic crew are no strangers to visiting vineyards – but until now these have always been in France … in Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. But Team Matilda had never visited a vineyard in the UK, so this was a first.
Jane had arranged for their fellow Pino-owning tandeming friends Pam and Ken to join us as she had kindly fixed up a tour of the vineyard with Paul Girling, the owner. We were all treated to a highly informative and excellent tour of the vines and their on-site winery – and with the sun beating down my dynamic crew could have been forgiven for thinking they were in France!
Vineyard visit – is it France? – no its Setley Ridge in the New Forest.
The “old gal” posing as wine connoisseur!
The tour ended with a tasting of three wines – a refreshing rose, a dry white and my crew’s favourite … an oaked red made from Regent, Rondo and Triomphe grapes. All three were delicious, but my crew chose a bottle of red to take home to add to the wine collection at Matildas Rest! They also made a few purchases from the Farm Shop which was literally groaning with wonderful New Forest produce. Amazingly this included locally produced gin and tonic ice cream – which purely in the interests of research for this blog had to be sampled! Let’s just say that it seems the jury is still out over whether there was any noticeable taste of gin in the “unusual” flavour!
Keeping the alcoholic theme going with some “unusual” gin and tonic ice cream!
Pam and Ken headed home as we tandemed a few hundred yards from the vineyard to our base for the night – The Filly Inn which describes itself as a a forest gem in an enviable scenic location. First task after a friendly welcome was a cooling drink in the gardens – before showers and evening meal.
Given it was Independence Day, the choice had to be burgers! And what was produced were some of the largest – and tastiest – burgers the crews had ever seen. My dynamic duo both had beef burgers with blue cheese, which looked like a massive tower when they arrived. Team Bluebird’s crew had halloumi ones and they were so big that they said they could have easily shared one! Oh and there were chips in case they weren’t filling enough!
The massive burgers at the Filly Inn – with chips in case not large enough!
An arty sunset shot – taken by Jane – at the Filly Inn.
Obviously no room for dessert – but time for a short post meal walk for both tandem crews in a vain attempt to walk off some of the food! But they did get to experience a wonderfully colourful sunset before a nightcap at the bar brought down our own sunset on what was another fabulous day’s tandeming covering 20.5 miles with sunshine and laughs all the way! Great memories! Check out the Relive 3D video below.
TdNF Day 3 – Return tandem with lots of New Forest ponies and donkeys
Day 3 started with the sun already bright in the sky and it was clearly going to be a scorcher out on the open heath. It was a day for lots of suncream, and a route back home from our overnighter which promised lots of sightings of New Forest ponies and donkeys.
Check out the details of our Day 3 route by clicking on the Strava map below.
After breakfast – which none of Team Bluebird or Team Matilda really needed after last night’s massive burgerfest – it was time to pack up the panniers and take our leave from the highly recommended Filly Inn. It was already so warm that only the light Nutty Tandemers t-shirts, which John and Jane had got printed for the tour, were required. And temperatures were forecast to hit 30C today!
Nutty Tandemers Club tour t-shirts – listing crew members on the sleeves!
The start of our return journey was a lovely forest track which gave a welcome bit of protection from the sun. First stop was at a woodcarvers area with some carved creatures including a crocodile – but the big attraction was a pair of stocks! Now it was obvious who was going to have to have a shot in them – yes, how did you guess … the “old git”! And I am delighted to say after being a good sport he was allowed out again! After all – who was going to be my Captain if he had been left behind?!
Day 3 and the “old git” is where everyone wanted him … in the stocks! But they did let him out!
Back on the saddles we tandemed on to Lymington and cycled down the busy high street before the crews headed on some lovely rural lanes towards East Boldre. Nearly every corner we pedaled round resulted in a view of a thatched cottage – each more beautiful than the next. This really was magnificent fun tandeming – under clear blue skies.
One of the many beautiful thatched cottages – complete with pony design on roofline.
A shot of my dynamic crew – by Jane – enjoying another laugh!
It was laughs a plenty as Team Bluebird and Team Matilda joshed with each other from everything from our average speed to our next refreshment stop to whether lunch would be required after last nights food intake. And as we tandemed along the roads we were deep in wild pony and donkey country. It was both amazing and fascinating how tame they were – happy to be wandering around outside the village shop – and indeed just how inquisitive they were. In fact so nosey that I thought at one stage I was in danger of having my top pannier eaten by one of the ponies!
Mum and pony sauntering along the road – just a few yards from a village shop!
A friendly pony keen to find out what’s for lunch by nosing my pannier!
And finally the “old gal” gets to see some elusive donkeys up close!
As temperatures rose Jane decided it was time to stop and top up our alcohol levels so we diverted into the beer garden of the Turfcutter’s Arms and relaxed under the sun umbrellas while having a nice chilled Crabbies Ginger Beer. And believe it or not – no one had the slightest appetite for food – yes, not even the “old git”!
The “old git” and the “old gal” showing its always better tandeming together!
Team Bluebird – John and Jane – enjoying a cool refreshment at The Turfcutter’s Arms.
The “old gal” taking refuge from the bright sun under a parasol.
Another application of suncream, and back on the road for a mainly downhill dash to Beaulieu – where us tandems were parked up to while our crews took a touristy stroll up the pretty village street, making a few purchases in the shops. The stomachs of my dynamic crew were rumbling at this point and they indulged in a traditional cream tea … well a cream coffee to be exact as they prefer coffee to tea!
To add a few miles to the trip Team Bluebird then led us towards Lyndhurst to a lovely grassy and wooded area where the famous pony sales take place after the New Forest pony drifts – where all the ponies are rounded up. The Beaulieu Road Pony Sales is where the Commoners (owners of the ponies on the New Forest) sell their ponies by auction. It has been the sales centre for semi feral and handled stock for over 60 years.
John got his extendable tripod out again for some more fun team pictures opposite the stockades for the pony sales – before we tandemed back to John and Jane’s via Ipley.
Selfie time! Both crews posing for a self-timer selfie via John’s extendable tripod!
John, the “old git” and the “old gal” looking a bit warm as temperatures soared – but still smiling!
Team Matilda – enjoying the sunshine and the smiles from a fab tandeming trip.
Team Bluebird and Team Matilda in a Nutty Tandemers Group shot in the warm sunshine.
Team Bluebird – John and Jane in tandeming action negotiating a bend.
After returning to base for a welcome shower – both crews shared an even more welcome magnum bottle of nicely chilled Saumur white wine while sitting in the shade in the garden for pre dinner drinks. It disappeared amazingly fast as they recounted the fun, laughs and smiles of the overnight tandeming adventure. And the delicious Saumur wine naturally turned the conversation to Team Bluebird and Team Matilda’s joint desire to one day attend the Anjou Velo Vintage cycling event based right in the heart of Saumur wine country. Now that would be fun!
Showered and sitting in the shade enjoying a magnum of nicely chilled Saumur white wine!
All in all, a brilliant third day of the TdNF covering 24.0 miles – brought to life in our Relive 3D video.
TdNF Day 4 – All aboard on overseas leg to Isle of Wight and lots garlic at garlic farm
The schedule provided by our wonderful hosts (and tour guides!) for day 4 said: “All aboard! Time to don the old sea legs and head overseas to the Isle of Wight for lunch at the Garlic Farm where it’s garlic with everything … including the beer!” What an amazing voyage of discovery it was going to be!
Check out our Day 4 TdNF route by clicking on the Strava map below.
Now today I had yet another new partner tandem – after making another new acquaintance – this time with Siggy who is the most recent purchase of Team Bluebird. You see Siggy is very clever and he has couplings which allow him to be separated into 3 sections – making it much easier to transport. And given that John and Jane are heading to India next February for a tour by tandem, I can see why Siggy was an essential purchase!
Another day where sunscreen was essential as we headed to the local Hythe Pier for the first of three ferries we would be taking each way today. And regular readers of my blog will know how this “old lady” likes ferries – although my experience so far has been limited to the Cal Mac ferry to Millport! But today I was assured I was going on a proper big ferry!
The entrance to Hythe Pier with a plaque for the world’s oldest pier train.
Hythe Pier stretches some 700 yards into the deep channel of Southampton Water.
The “old git” decided that since it was so bright and sunny that this was a day to reveal his much coveted polka dot King of the Mountain jersey (known in France as a maillot a pois) – and all somewhat tongue-in-cheek as it is a replica of the one worn by the best hill climber in the Tour de France! And as you know going up hills are not my dynamic crew’s strong point! But John had promised that today’s route was relatively flat, so the “old git” was sure he could just bask in the attention the eye-catching cycling jersey would bring without having to prove his (lack of) hill climbing prowess!
Ahoy there! Team Bluebird’s crew of John and Jane on the ferry to Southampton.
The “old gal” making sure I have my sea tyres on and not getting sea sick on the ferry!
Mind you the first ferry – from Hythe over to Southampton – was actually smaller than the Millport ferry I am used to. But then we tandemed a few hundred yards to the Red Funnel ferry – the biggest I have ever been on – and it was straight on board with us tandems being locked up on the lorry and freight deck while our crews retired to the passenger decks for morning coffee.
In less than an hour we were on the Isle of Wight – where we had to board our third ferry – called the Floating Chain Bridge which took us from East Cowes to West Cowes. After all the excitement of getting on and off ferries it was nice to get tandeming and the island is an ideal place for cycling.
Almost immediately we were on the Red Squirrel Trail – a wonderfully scenic cycle path which goes right across the island on a disused railway line. We weren’t going that far but my dynamic crew really enjoyed the ride – which was very flat with lots of great views, particularly along the Medina river and through the main town of Newport.
Tootling on a bit further on the cycle path Team Bluebird and Team Matilda soon rolled up to one of the island’s star attractions, The Garlic Farm near Newchurch, which describes itself as “the complete garlic experience”! Our arrival neatly coincided with lunchtime – where the tandem crews had a veritable garlic extravaganza. I am going to leave the pictures and captions to do the talking as they describe the meal to …. well to a clove or two of garlic really!
Arriving at the Garlic Farm – where the abundant smell was, yes, you’ve guessed … garlic!
The “old gal” was ready for a beer – garlic beer naturally!
A garlic mezze sharing platter was the obvious choice of my dynamic crew!
The full blackboard description of the lunch – count the garlic references!
My dynamic crew really had a delicious lunch – even if their breath did stink!
After all that it just had to be black garlic (and chocolate) ice cream for dessert!
After all that divine garlic, the “old git” as Captain sitting up front, warned the “old gal” – who sits very close behind him as Stoker – that there was to be no burping … intentional or otherwise, as he had quite enough garlic flavour of his own in his system! So much in fact that when he re-applied the sunscreen he was sure that his skin was oozing garlic!
It was very warm now on the ride back and the tandem crews decided on a stop for some water and also another of their Nutty Tandemers Club fun photo shoots – which resulted in more laughs and smiles! Last year on the Tour de Perthshire the “old gal” John and Jane took up the role of the three monkeys with an unforgettable image, so naturally the first shot had to be a new version of that!
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil – The Three Wise Monkeys 2017 version!
Remote control selfie time again with John’s extendable tripod!
The two team’s Stokers – their (so called) powerhouses – but minus their Captains!
The “old git” pretending he is Number 1 in the King of the Mountains with his polka dot top!
Spangled – the “old gal” playing to the cameras as she feels the heat!
Spangled also – the “old git” having a quick 40 winks in the sun!
Moving on we retraced our tyre tracks and headed back into Newport where both crews unanimously agreed it was time to stop for a liquid refreshment! The huge Bargemans Rest provided the perfect opportunity for a chilled Crabbies Ginger Beer while watching the world go by.
Back into West Cowes and this is where the travel arrangements via three ferries went a bit awry. The Floating Chain Bridge had just pulled away as we arrived and it took longer than normal to return from East Cowes due to a surprise visitor in the area in the shape of a dolphin – which my crew sadly found impossible to photograph.
Back in East Cowes we raced round the corner only to see the Red Funnel ferry to Southampton pull away from the dock! The next one wasn’t for another hour so it looked like a pub stop to pass the time – but the one at the ferry terminal has seen better days, and my crews decided instead to stock up at the nearby Waitrose for the next day’s picnic!
The “old gal” showing what a wonderful day’s tandeming we all had on the Isle of Wight.
On board the ferry back to Southampton the journey passed while enjoying a welcome glass of wine. Then we realised that there was only a few minutes to get off to catch the small ferry back to Hythe. It was a bit like the start of the Tour de France (well nothing like the start of the Tour de France actually!) as the crews waited for the big ferry to dock. We were allowed to disembark first and cycled round to meet the link to Hythe with just seconds to spare! Phew! It’s hard work catching these ferries!
One steep hill to climb back up from Hythe before showers and a lovely meal made by Jane. The evening saw Team Bluebird and Team Matilda reflecting on a sensational day’s tandeming on our overseas trip – which was another prime example of tandeming at its very best … great fun with great like-minded friends!
Strava notched up the trip as covering 41.4 miles – but that did include 11.0 “ferry” miles due to operator error – so the official distance tandemed was 30.4 miles. Watch our Relive 3D video below.
TdNF Day 5 – Grand finale Nutty Tandemers Club ride to gin tasting and prosecco picnic before 2000 miles on Matilda celebrations
The schedule for the final day said: “Friday is Nellie night! But to earn a pint in the old pub we will complete one of our well cycled and favourite local routes using quiet lanes.” Ok then, if you insist!
Check out the details of our Day 5 route by clicking on the Strava map below.
All too soon the last day of Le Tour de New Forest was upon us and both tandem crews were keen to make the most of the sunshine for the final trip. And I was delighted that my good friend Bluebird was the tandem chosen by our hosts John and Jane for today’s outing!
We headed off west with the “old git” determined to start the day with a personal best on the hill climbing out of the street where John and Jane lived! And yes we achieved it! So he was a happy Captain! And my crew were delirious when on the steep downhill section into Beaulieu we hit a new all time Matilda speed record of 34.0 mph! There’s life in this “old lady” yet!
We then followed the route of the river – although the water was not always visible. But when it did appear – at the tourist attraction of Bucklers Hard – it was very scenic. This was a ship building village in times gone by and it seems several of Nelson’s ships were built here using the oak from the forest. There is a museum and some of the houses are open to the public – but the crews just wandered down the grassy slope of a street and took some suitable Nutty Tandemers pictures. Just for a change!
The “old gal” actually said “it’s warm” at the scenic Bucklers Hard!
Lean to starboard! John and Jane countering the slope to the Beaulieu River!
Naturally my dynamic crew had to do likewise in another Nutty Tandemers photo shoot!
Next on the final day’s route was a quick stop at Needs Oar Point, a former WW2 airfield, before hitting the coast again at the bottom of Tanners Lane. Both the temperature and the colours made the “old gal” feel as if she was in the Mediterranean rather than the south of England!
You could be forgiven for thinking this shot was taken on the Med given the shade of blue!
We rode on into Lymington where we wandered round the cobbled streets of the Quayside which were fairly busy with tourists. No time for coffee – as John and Jane had a treat up their sleeve for the “old git” and the “old gal”- a visit to a gin distillery for some gin tastings! We pedalled round beautiful country lanes towards Pennington Marshes where we found the Dancing Cows distillery which has only recently starting producing artisan gin and describes itself as “the spirit of the New Forest”.
Now my dynamic crew consider themselves to be gin aficionados, so this was right up their street. They tried three – their Lymington Gin, New Forest Gin and Myristica Gin. The last which is infused with vanilla, raspberry and nutmeg was by far their favourite and amazingly a bottle was purchased and just happened to find its way into my panniers!
The range of Dancing Cows gins – the spirit of the new forest!
After that the crews were feeling a bit peckish so picnic beckoned and we stopped at the nature reserve at Pennington Marshes and found a suitable picnic bench where we could sit, eat, open the prosecco I had been faithfully carrying, and …. dance on the table! You see my dynamic crew had picked up a small sign in Lymington which said: “Time to drink prosecco and dance on the table!” And obviously Team Bluebird and Team Matilda were not going to disobey an instruction like that!
Me and my la bouclee – with the prosecco for the final tour picnic!
‘Time to drink prosecco and dance on the table’ said the sign – so naturally we did!
There was no stopping John and Jane once they got started dancing!
Naturally my dynamic crew had to be persuaded to have a shot!
Nutty Tandemers Club are us! The crews having yet another laugh … in tandem of course!
It was an idyllic spot and both crews enjoyed their picnic as the reeds swayed in the breeze, listening to the birds singing, and looking out to sea and the sailing boats in the Solent, with views of nearby Hurst Castle and the Needles on the Isle of Wight. Both team were feeling quite mellow after the prosecco and could have sat there for the afternoon! But there was more tandeming to be done with the return journey to be completed.
It was at this point that the “old git” discovered that I was just 17 miles away from racking up the landmark total of 2000 miles since Team Matilda was formed. He kept a beady eye on the milometer on my handle bars – and guessed that the total would be hit just as we emerged up one of the few steep hills on the tour … a slow grind of a climb out of Beaulieu.
And he was correct so as the climb flattened out he persuaded the “old gal” to pedal and we increased speed so we could break the 2000 mile mark at 20 mph. Just as we hit the speed the numbers rolled over to 2000 to a much cheering and high fives from my crew!
Photographic evidence – my milometer on my handlebar clocks up over 2000 miles!
Team Bluebird soon caught up with us after my dynamic crew’s euphoric exertion and suggested a celebratory drink so we pulled in to the beer garden of The Glen pub – a whole mile from the finishing line. The crews dutifully toasted the 2000 miles … and the 2000 laughs and smiles along the way!
Cheers! A toast to clocking up the landmark 2000 miles – and more than 2000 laughs along the way!
Awh shucks! My dynamic crew celebrating that its always better when tandeming 2000 miles together!
What a fantastic final day of the TdNF covering 39.8 miles – including two new landmarks … a new best ever top speed of 34 mph for me! Wooo! And then clocking up 2,000 miles in total with my dynamic crew! It just gets better and better! Today’s final route is brought to life in our Relive 3D video below.
So after the drinks it was home, showered and my dynamic crew joined John and Jane for one of their Friday institutions – a visit to the Lord Nelson pub in Hythe – aka The Nellie! – for the tour finale pre dinner drinks! No tandems involved as the crews walked! So I was able to have a good final get together with Bluebird, Siggy and of course, Henry!
Suitably refreshed it was time for the crews to enjoy the grand Tour de New Forest finale – a celebration meal at the Thai Corner restaurant to mark a fantastic week with fantastic company creating fantastic memories. And the Thai food was fantastic too, I am reliably told, as was the wine selected to wash it down!
Naturally there was a toast (or two, or was it three or four!!) to an unforgettable tour! And the good news is that all members of the Nutty Tandemers Club agreed unanimously that we need to meet up for another tour before too long. I don’t know if it was induced by the free flowing wine – but I am told that a suggestion was made for the tandem teams to do a Tour de Western Isles by taking on the Hebridean Way – a trip on the newly established Sustrans Scotland NCR 780 which begins on the Island of Vatersay and ends on the northernmost point at the Butt of Lewis, and takes in 10 islands, six causeways and two ferry crossings! And of course another time, there is the long standing goal of a trip to the Anjou Velo Vintage!
So on behalf of Team Matilda, it was a real pleasure to be hosted by Team Bluebird to their amazing part of the country and a real privilege to spend a week enjoying the company of John and Jane – who proved they are real kindred spirits to my dynamic crew!
It really was an utterly fabulous week – a time where you can honestly say that tandeming just doesn’t get much better than this! But don’t just take this “old lady’s” word for it – you can read Team Bluebird’s two-part account of the Tour de New Forest in their Travels with Bluebird blog posts on Facebook here and here.
So to pull this bumper blog post to an end – a comment from Team Bluebird’s crew John and Jane: “A very successful week – only about 150 miles but some of the best for weather, laughs, good company and memorable nuttiness!”
Couldn’t put it better myself! Guess we best start the planning process for the next Nutty Tandemers Club tour then…..! Till the next time! Cheers!
Teams Matilda and Bluebird saluting a memorable Tour de New Forest!
p.s. After returning home, the “old git” pulled together this video – a montage of the pictures of a memorable week on Le Tour de New Forest in July 2017.
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A classic model with a classic model! The “old gal” with the magnificent Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.
So Sunday morning dawned and my dynamic crew opened the blinds to what seemed like idyllic weather conditions for tandeming – bright sunshine and little wind. Which was just as well on two counts – one being that the “old gal” doesn’t like the wind at all … mind you the “old git” is not too keen on it either as it always seems to be a head wind – and as my Captain, he seems to take the brunt of it! And secondly, the “old git” had decreed today would be a longish run, in training for Team Matilda’s forthcoming Tour de New Forest – now known as TdNF – but more of that later in this blog.
Just after 10am we headed off towards Bridge of Earn – a scenic 14 mile undulating run across roads in rural Perthshire. You can check out the details of our route on Strava below – and don’t forget to click on the map image to be transferred to Strava to get the full data and statistics!
First stage was an easy canter towards the village of Dunning, then on to Forteviot. My crew were enjoying their usual doze of fun and laughs on my saddles as the miles seemed to whizz past in idyllic conditions. Even a fairly tough climb out of Forteviot – featuring several hills – didn’t phase them as they battled on to the top.
The reward for that climb is a great long downhill stretch in to the town of Bridge of Earn itself, with the “old git” reveling in his role as Captain – revealing that we were hitting the 30mph mark at several parts. As we turned into the Brig Farm Shop and cafe at Bridge of Earn, my dynamic crew were both amazed and impressed to find they had arrived in record time of 1 hour 02 minutes – marking an average speed of just shy of 14mph! There’s obviously life in this “old lady” yet! I must admit I do like it when we are whizzing along as it makes me feel like a young thing!
Time for a celebration scone and cake … but sitting in the car park was a beautiful classic car, a white Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. It seemed only natural for me, as a classic bike, to be pictured beside such a classic car! After all, we have similar sleek lines!
Seems the car was part of The Round Britain Tour 2017, which is is a joint celebration of two important Rolls-Royce events. Firstly, it celebrates the remarkable achievements, 110 years ago, of the original Silver Ghost, AX201, in establishing a new world record of running without involuntary stops for a distance of 14,371 miles, almost twice that previously set by a motorcar.
Spot the similar sleek lines! Here I am lined up beside the Silver Ghost.
The other reason for the tour was to celebrate another occasion 60 years ago, when a few Rolls-Royce enthusiasts decided it would be a good idea to form a club. Formed in 1957, the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club has resulted in a worldwide organisation, now in its Diamond Jubilee year.
The “old git” trying (and failing) to look cool beside one of the coolest cars on the road!
My crew then decided an alfresco refuelling was required and ordered up a spread of ice cold ginger beer, apple scone, and some carrot cake – the favourite of tandemers and in particular the “old gal” and the “old git”. All of which was yummy and consumed on the colourful decking area.
Alfresco apple scone, carrot cake, and ginger beer. Perfect refreshment for tandemers!
After a nice relaxing time in the warm sunshine it was time to head on the return journey. My dynamic crew were in happy mood after such a good first half of today’s route – but unfortunately, while they were indulging their taste buds – the wind decided to start blowing. And as we know, when there is wind, it is always blowing in an unhelpful direction. It was still pretty warm, but the “old gal” and the “old git” were now battling against a fierce head wind.
Now the road out of Bridge of Earn is a bit of a tough one at the best of times – a long slow grind of a cycle – but the head wind rendered some of the comments coming from my stoker’s position unrepeatable in what is after all a family blog! Let’s just say that the speed we achieved on the way to the cafe was not being achieved on the way back – and in fact at some stages we were lucky if we were hitting half of that speed.
But they gamely battled on (well truthfully there was no alternative!) but the ride home only got more frustrating for my crew when we had a mechanical after the turning to Forteviot on the stretch to Dunning. My chain slipped off my cog and got jammed in my metalwork. More interesting words from my stoker – but top marks to her as in her role as chief engineer she soon had the chain problem sorted – but only after I had to be turned upside down, in an ungainly manner for an “old lady”.
When we finally cycled in to the village of Dunning the temperature was rising and my crew were wilting a bit with the relentless pedalling again the wind. The “old git” had a brainwave moment and decided a brief detour into the garden area of the Kirkstyle Inn would be a good idea! I mean, he said it would have been rude to pass by without stopping!
It would have been rude to pass the Kirkstyle Inn without a stop for a tonic (with gin!)
It would need to be said that the “old gal” thought this was one of the “old git’s” better ideas – it seems he does have a few! – and immediately ordered my Captain to go to the bar and order two tonics (with a good splash of gin in them!) to recharge my dynamic crew for the last five miles of the trip.
The warm sunshine in the garden area belied the strength of the wind and lulled my crew into a false sense of security, So much so that when they got back on my saddles it was a really hard slog to get going and make any forward progress! At times it almost seemed Team Matilda was standing still – and it wasn’t for the lack of effort and power going into my pedals!
After finally returning to Matildas Rest the “old git” had to take a couple of pictures in the bright sunshine of my snazzy new name decals – well to be strictly honest … its the names of my dynamic crew which are now emblazoned on my shiny steelwork! Don’t know why they couldn’t have got a Team Matilda one … but no, its obviously all about them! But whisper it … I do actually quite like them! And one thing is for certain – no one will need to ask my crew’s names again!
The “old gal’s” name emblazoned on the Stoker’s section of my frame ….
… and the “old git’s” name on the Captain’s section. Spot the snazzy saltire flags!
A check of Strava revealed Team Matilda had registered seven personal bests along the way and eight second bests – much to the delight of the “old gal” and the “old git”. Perhaps not surprisingly all the PBs were on the outward bound half of the ride – before the wind got up!
Strava officially recorded the ride as a distance of 27.7 miles at an average speed of 10.2 mph, with a top speed of 32.0 mph. The traveling time was 2 hours 42 minutes and the elevation covered was a not insubstantial 1,276 feet. We managed to burn up 1,554 calories, and produced an estimated average power output of 143 W.
As always the Strava statistics and our route are brought to life in our Relive 3D video – so take a look below. (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)
So an ideal training run for Le Tour de New Forest – what’s the TdNF I hear you ask? Well I am getting uber excited as I am ticking off the days before Team Matilda are heading off to near Southampton in Hampshire to meet up again with my “best pal” – a tandem called Bluebird!
Regular readers of my blog will remember last August my dynamic crew welcomed Team Bluebird to Perthshire. Team Bluebird are Jane and John Taylor who brought their unusual Pino semi-recumbent tandem north of the border for a fabulous week of tandeming which was called Le Tour de Perthshire.
Me and Bluebird had a great time and we have quite a bit in common as she also has her own mini blog called ‘Travels with Bluebird’. Both tandems had a wonderful week, with lots of chats and fun!
This pic sums up the Tour de Perthshire – fingers crossed for fab weather for Tour de New Forest.
And the crews certainly seemed to have lots of fun and laughs too – in bright sunshine. Jane and John certainly seemed to have lots in common with my dynamic duo – such as not enjoying hills and definitely enjoying wine! In fact both Team Bluebird and Team Matilda seemed to have the same views on not taking tandeming too seriously.
To emphasise that point the four crew members all decided they would become self-proclaimed founding members of the Nutty Tandemers Club! And that definitely set the tone for the week – and gave us all a crazy reputation to live up to! And I can say that over the week all four tandemers more than passed the test to be life long members of the Nutty Tandemers Club! Check out my blog of the week’s fun and frolics to see what kind of things we got up to!
I feel confident there will be one or two prosecco toasts during the Tour!
This included my dynamic crew playing a key role in helping Team Bluebird develop a likeing for prosecco, and indeed Team Matilda’s infamous prosecco picnics! So I am sure my la bouclee wine carrier will always have a bottle in it during the TdNF!
And to make the trip even more exciting John and Jane have added not one, but two tandems to their stable of bikes since last year. They have added a vintage tandem called Henry and a tandem that easily comes apart for travelling called Siggy – so it promises to be an interesting week.
Whisper it, but I am told that Henry is a bit of a charmer of a gentleman tandem … with an eye for the ladies of similar vintage! So you never know he and I may just have a little bit of a holiday tandem romance! But I will have a good chat with Bluebird to make sure she approves!
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