A signature prosecco toast for the Nutty Tandemers – one of many over the week!
This Matildas Musings is a specially extended blog post about another truly epic week in #tandem as my dynamic crew were joined by their fellow founding (and only) members of the self-proclaimed and highly exclusive Nutty Tandemers Club for their 2023 Tour de Borders.
Jane Termini Taylor and John Taylor – who have the same nutty attitude to tandeming as the “old git” and the “old gal” – met up with Team e-Matilda at Coldstream Holiday Park, our base for the next week. Jane and John arrived with their caravan and my dynamic crew took up residence in Cheviots View, described as a “Glamping MegaPod with hot tub.”
Regular readers of my blog will remember that back in 2016 we became best pals with Jane and John. Such was the level of laughing, fun and general nuttiness on our inaugural Tour de Perthshire that the tandem crews have met up for a tour every year since.
Coldstream was chosen as it sits on the River Tweed, which straddles the border between Scotland and England – and seemed an ideal destination for one of the Nutty Tandemers tours given that Jane and John live in Englandshire! But they are really honorary Scots, so that’s ok!
My Captain and Stoker – bedecked in their new job description t-shirts – ready for the off.
So it was up early for my dynamic crew for the near 100 mile drive from Matildas Rest to the Scottish Borders. Excitement was at fever pitch as my Captain and Stoker – aptly bedecked out in their new job description t-shirts – drove off with me, the new Gepida Bikes Thoris Voyage e-tandem, some 9 feet high on the roof on the excellent e-tandem carrier supplied by JD Tandems.
After arriving, checking in and unpacking it was time to uncork the first of many bottles of prosecco to get the tour officially started. Fortunately, not only do Jane and John have the same general outlook to tandeming – but they also have a very similar likeing for the odd bottle of prosecco. Indeed the Nutty Tandemers prosecco picnics, while out on a ride, have become legendary!
John popped the cork with a certain aplomb on the first bottle of prosecco of the Tour de Borders.
John did the honours – opening the first bottle with a certain aplomb to mark the start of the Nutty Tandemers week together. But there were at least two other big reasons for celebration and the fizz, as if any other reasons were actually required!
Two tandem naming ceremonies were required to recognise two new tandems in Nutty Tandemers ownership. I had to be officially named e-Matilda and Jane and John had taken delivery of a new Hase Pino semi-recumbent tandem just a few days before the tour. This was a replacement for Polly who suffered a fatal crack in her frame a few weeks ago.
I name this bike …. Jane and John toast the name of their new red Hase Pino tandem.
So first up Jane and John toasted their new red Pino bike, after revealing their tandem’s new name as “Carmen.” You can watch the naming ceremony on a short video – so click here to view or on the image below.
After the big Carmen reveal, it was my turn – with my Captain and Stoker doing the honours pouring some fizz over my front wheel and officially naming me e-Matilda!
I am officially named e-Matilda by my Captain and Stoker in traditional celebratory manner!
You can watch my naming ceremony on a short video – so click here to view or on the image below.
Day 1 NTC Tour de Borders – Pilgrims trip to Lindisfarne as Team e-Matilda clock up 8000 miles in tandem!
The first full day of the Tour de Borders saw the Nutty Tandemers crews embark on a Pilgrims trip to Lindisfarne – a ride which also saw Team e-Matilda clock up 8000 miles in tandem together!
You can check out the details of our e-tandem route on Day 1 of the Nutty Tandemers Club Tour de Borders by clicking on the Strava map below.
Both Nutty Tandemers teams wanted to start the week with a bang – and chose one of the “big” rides to get the Tour de Borders started in style. And what better destination to chose for the first ride than the historic and magical tidal island of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island. So it was an added bonus to have the sun shining when we got up to get ready for the off after a very comfortable first night in our bijou pod, which catered for Team e-Matilda’s every need.
Team e-Matilda ready for the off from our fab bijou pod at Coldstream Holiday Park.
Team Carmen’s captain John had been busy back home before departure, and had researched a great new way of route planning – involving using a clever Ordnance Survey Maps app which allows you to plot your route and then download a gpx file to your bike computer. And it worked a treat, which made the day out in tandem all the more enjoyable. It was just a case of John “following the pink line” on his Garmin as we approached each junction. And he had meticulously planned the route to keep us off busy main roads as much as possible. Superb job!
Leaving the holiday park we crossed Coldstream Bridge over the River Tweed and into England for our grand day out. The route took us along beautifully scenic Northumberland lanes and up over the hills to the coast. It was a lovely tandem and both tandem crews were in buoyant spirits. The “old gal” in particular had a big smile on her face as Team e-Matilda easily tackled some of the big hills with the help of the battery assist!
The “old gal” in reflective mood in the sun – happy with the e-assist on the hills to the coast!
Still Game! – the two Nutty Tandemers captains strike a pose during a break on the country lanes.
With the coast in sight there was some welcome downhill to the paved causeway which allows access to Lindisfarne when the North sea tides permit. The “old git” had checked the tide times and found we were safe to cross from mid morning thru till about 6pm – allowing ample time to cross and enjoy the island before it was cut off again.
Team e-Matilda prepare to cross the causeway to Lindisfarne, after checking the tide times!
A strong south west wind literally blew the tandem crews across the causeway as they took in the dramatic scenery of the crossing. Lindisfarne itself only has a small resident population of around 160 – but that is swelled by some 650,000 visitors who come from all over the world each year. And it seemed that given the warm sunshine, nearly all of them had decided to visit today as it was mobbed!
After a quick pit stop for loo and a much needed coffee, the tandem crews cycled to the furthest point at the 16th century Lindisfarne Castle – the venue for the first prosecco picnic of the tour. It was however a case of “hold on tour your glasses” in the strong wind! As always the popping of the cork on a Nutty Tandemers picnic caused a bit of a stir – with lots of fellow visitors smiling at our nuttiness.
A breezy lunch for Team e-Matilda with Lindisfarne Castle in the background. Cheers!
During out most enjoyable picnic lunch, the “old git” checked my milometer, and – as had been expected on this ride – saw that my dynamic crew had recorded enough miles to break their 8000 mile in tandem barrier! Most of those miles, of course, have been over the last decade on my predecessor – the original and much loved Matilda – the “old lady” classic Jack Taylor tandem, who is now virtually gracefully retired.
But 8000 miles is quite a landmark! And that mileage, according to a quick Google search, would take my dynamic crew all the way from Matildas Rest in Auchterarder in Perthshire to the Falkland Islands off the southern coast of Argentina! That was most certainly worthy of a celebratory prosecco toast!
The “old gal” holding up 8 fingers to mark Team Matilda hitting 8000 miles in tandem.
After lunch the tandem crews cycled back into the town to take in the views of Lindisfarne Priory and take in the history of the place. The “old git” even got his picture taken in the garden, which someone (probably with no historical context) had named the naughty seat!
The “old git” in the so-called “naughty seat” at the Priory.
With the temperature rising it was time to leave Lindisfarne and head back over the causeway, which turned out to be a bit of a battle pedalling against a pretty fierce head wind. But again the battery assist came into its own and made life a bit easier for the tandem crews.
John had plotted a slightly different route for part of the return journey to keep the interest levels high – and this included a stop at Flodden Field, which was the venue for one of the most horrific and bloodiest battles between Scotland and England back in 1513.
Parked at Flodden Field, venue for the famous Scotland v England battle in 1513.
As I rested beside an interpretation board, the tandem crews walked up the hill to a monument to those who perished in the battle – which bears a simple plaque reading “To the brave of both nations.” In the middle of scenic sun-kissed countryside, it was quite eerie, and hard to take in the horrors that took place there.
Team e-Matilda at the monument at Flodden Field.
Luckily, it was mainly downhill for the last few miles, which just happened to have a handily placed pub stop at Cornhill on Tweed just a mile from our base where the thirsty crews drenched their thirst with a suitable refreshment!
My dynamic crew headed the last mile or so back to our welcoming pod at Coldstream Holiday Park for showers. As a faithful Captain, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike activity. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed 52.5 miles with a moving time of 4 hours and 13 minutes. The average speed was 12.4 mph over the undulating terrain. Elevation was 2,746 feet. The maximum speed was 31.5 mph and Team e-Matilda managed to burn up 3,184 calories and produce an average power output of 188 W.
As always the route is brought to life in our Relive 3D mapping video – so click here to view or on the image below.
Over a meal – and a few welcome, and deserved, refreshments! – the Nutty Tandemers all toasted the fact that Pilgrims trip to Lindisfarne was a rather special and magical way to start the Tour de Borders!
Bring on Day 2 – but firstly some much needed recovery sleep!
Day 2 NTC Tour de Borders – Sunday constitutional prosecco tour round the Tweed.
The second day of the Tour de Borders saw the Nutty Tandemers crews embark on a Sunday constitutional pedal prosecco tour around the Tweed!
You can check out the details of our e-tandem route on Day 2 of the Nutty Tandemers Club Tour de Borders by clicking on the Strava map below.
Today’s weather forecast was for a gorgeous warm sunny morning, with a 100% certainty of heavy showers sweeping in during the afternoon. The decision was taken to do a shorter, more relaxed morning cross border raid ride taking in the scenery around the River Tweed – which turned out to be just perfect as the rain did indeed hit in the afternoon.
Team e-Matilda in Scottish saltire cycling shirts – what else for a border raid into Englandshire?!
After the exertions of yesterday, conditions were calm and sunny as both crews quickly got their legs turning again, pedalling out of Coldstream Holiday Park and heading for Coldstream Bridge, which spans the mighty River Tweed. At this point the border between Scotland and England is midway across the Tweed.
At one end of the bridge there is a “Scotland” sign and at the other end there is an England sign. Naturally my dynamic crew had to stop at both for a couple of fun photos.
Freedom! The Scotland sign at one end of Coldstream Bridge across the River Tweed.
Not so good! Englandshire sign at the other end of Coldstream Bridge!
Half way across Coldstream bridge there is a plaque to mark a visit to the area by Scotland’s national bard, Rabbie Burns back in 1787. He reportedly crossed the bridge and entered England for the first time. And, as the plaque states, he knelt and gave a verse of one of his poems, preying for a blessing on his native land.
The plaque on the Coldstream Bridge to mark the visit by Scotland’s national bard, Rabbie Burns.
Also of note as the crews left Scotland was the last house – or the first house as you entered Scotland which is known as The Toll House or The Old Marriage House. It was very popular with eloping couples coming across the Border to get married, where rules were more relaxed in the 18th Century – in a similar way to the more famous Gretna Green.
The “old gal” at The Old Marriage House – first house on Scottish side of border.
After the history lessons, the crews enjoyed the pedal on the gently undulating quiet country roads, with views of the Tweed never far away. The route went thru Wark before we stopped at the pretty village green at Sprouston, where a suitable picnic bench was kindly waiting for a signature Nutty Tandemers sun-kissed Sunday prosecco toast. I mean it would have been rude not to!
Sunday morning Nutty Tandemers prosecco constitutional. Would have been rude not to!
John did the popping the cork honours, and amazingly the cork popped straight into a prosecco glass without hitting the ground. Give that man a coconut!
The cork popped straight into the prosecco glass! Give that man a coconut!
Team Carmen – John and Jane – enjoying their fizz on the quiet village green at Sprouston.
Refuelled with the prosecco, the tandem crews pedalled on into the centre of the market town of Kelso – where a loo and coffee stop beckoned. The “old git” also did a bit of a recce for parking near the ruins of Kelso Abbey for another of this week’s Tour de Borders planned routes.
The crews then enjoyed a wonderful pedal back to Coldstream along the A698 never more than what seemed a few yards from the spectacular River Tweed. Another great pedal with wonderful scenery and gorgeous warm sunshine. But that rain was coming!
Matching – the “old gal”, aka my stoker, with saltire shirt and saltire name badge on bike.
Snap! Ditto for the “old git”, aka my Captain!
Back at base, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike activity. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed 21.6 miles with a moving time of 1 hour and 40 minutes. The average speed was 12.8 mph over the undulating terrain. Elevation was 489 feet. The maximum speed was 30.1 mph and Team e-Matilda managed to burn up 1,006 calories and produce an average power output of 149 W.
As always the route is brought to life in our Relive 3D mapping video – so click here to view or on the image below.
My dynamic crew took time for a relax in the hot tub – part of our pod booking at Coldstream – and very nice it was too. Perfect timing too, as the first drops of rain were staring to fall as the “old git” and “old gal” got out.
The “old gal” having fun and enjoying the hot tub, which was part of our pod booking.
The Nutty Tandemers had planned for the inevitability of rain – given the forecast – and had planned an afternoon of refreshments in the bars of Coldstream. So it was a case of donning rain jackets and putting up the umbrellas and walking (maybe paddling was more descriptive!) the mile or so into town where an enjoyable late afternoon was had with some great chat and drinks, while looking out at the monsoon rain.
The Nutty Tandemers enjoying a Sunday afternoon drink to stay dry out of the heavy rain!
As the rain eased, and finally went off, John and Jane headed back to their caravan to eat while my dynamic crew decided to have an Indian meal before heading back to base camp.
A good way to spend a Sunday, despite the rain – and a big day of tandeming to look forward to tomorrow.
Day 3 NTC Tour de Borders – 4 Pilgrims Progress on 4 Abbeys Cycle Route in a day … divine intervention required to stop biblical rain on first leg!
The third day of the Tour de Borders saw the Nutty Tandemers crews embark on an epic 4 Pilgrims Progress on 4 Abbeys Cycle Route in a day … where divine intervention was required to stop the biblical rain on the first leg!
You can check out the details of our e-tandem route on Day 3 of the Nutty Tandemers Club Tour de Borders by clicking on the Strava map below.
Today was the day the 4 Nutty Tandemers decided to become Pilgrims and tackle the renowned 4 Abbeys Cycle Route. A pretty straightforward task on paper – of completing a 55 mile loop that passes four of the famous Borders Abbeys, in a day!
The 4 Nutty Tandemers Pilgrims ready to start the 4 Abbey Cycle Route at Kelso Abbey.
It was always going to be a tough day in the saddles – as the 4 Abbeys Cycle Route website itself states: “Can be done in a day, but hard going” and has an official difficulty rating as “moderate.”. But the Nutty Tandemers decided they were up for the challenge and drove to Kelso to park up and start the route from outside Kelso Abbey.
The “old gal” – kitted out in King of Mountains jersey – at the start of 4 Abbeys Route at Kelso.
The Nutty Tandemers opted to do the circular route on the recommended clockwise direction – which would take in Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh Abbeys, which all come under the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Access to the Kelso Abbey site is sadly currently closed while high level masonry inspections are undertaken – but it can be clearly seen from outside – where we saw the first of the official 4 Abbey Cycle Route signs. John had also downloaded the gpx of the route onto his trusty Garmin bike computer. So both crews were able to follow the signs while John kept us on the right track by following his pink line!
The 4 Abbeys Cycle Route is well signposted with official blue cycling route signs.
There was a buoyant mood as the Nutty Tandemers set off just before 10.30am in sunny but breezy conditions on the first 20 mile leg to Jedburgh. But after about five or six miles the first spits of rain started and the tandem crews all stopped to put on rain jackets – just in time for the heavens to open with some biblical rain.
The route saw us continue to climb and it was pretty windy and now very wet on the exposed country roads. At one stage, near a planned stopping point at Cessford Castle – midway between Kelso and Jedburgh – there was even a hail shower!
Biblical rain left the crews soaked to the skin at Cessford Castle and seeking divine intervention!
Morale dropped and there was obviously a need for some divine intervention to try to get the rain clouds to move on. Obviously the hot line to the weather gods was somewhat busy, as it took a while before the message got thru and the rain finally eased and some blue sky emerged!
In fact it was just as we hit the big climb before a long descent into Jedburgh where the Nutty tandemers arrived somewhat cold and disheveled and soaked thru to the skin.
The crews literally dripped into a coffee shop where a reviving cup of hot coffee was required – as water dripped off the riders onto the floor. With some blue sky emerging, the decision was taken to continue and we all pedalled round the corner to some picnic benches in front of the imposing ruin of Jedburgh Abbey.
It was decided, in true Nutty Tandemers fashion, that the best way to try and get the day back on track was to go ahead with our planned prosecco picnic – which did its job of lifting spirits, while the tandem crews tried to dry off their jackets and clothing in the sunshine.
Jane and John – Team Carmen – trying to dry out the cycling clothes at Jedburgh Abbey.
The prosecco picnic at imposing Jedburgh Abbey raised spirits of my dynamic crew.
Refuelled by sandwiches and prosecco, and now somewhat drier, both tandem crews headed off on the next leg – a 19 mile pedal from Jedburgh to Melrose, taking in some lovely scenery around the River Teviot.
John’s pink line said we had to to leave the tarmac roads for a short off-road section, which took us to a ford. My Captain was pretty sure we were going the wrong way at this stage – but we weren’t! The water looked a bit deep, but fortunately there was a narrow wooden bridge – just wide enough to push the tandems across – so noone got wet feet or wet tyres!
A bit of off -roading led us to a ford – which had a bridge to push the tandems across!
The crews tackled a very long climb, followed by a fast downhill into the town of Melrose, before arriving at the magnificent ruins of Melrose Abbey. Sadly, there seems to be no interest in promoting the 4 Abbeys Cycle Route from Historic Environment Scotland – who look after the Abbeys – despite the route being busy with cyclists.
Jane asked at Melrose Abbey if the Nutty Tandemers could get into the grounds just for a minute for a quick photo opportunity, and was told it was full priced ticket holders only. Obviously the tandemers, like many other cyclists on the route, did not have time to enjoy a full visit. So, it might be a good marketing opportunity if the body was to create a special reduced price 4 Abbeys admission ticket which allowed cyclists doing the route in a day reduced price admission at the sites which were open. And that could even be developed into a 4 Abbeys Passport which could be stamped at each Abbey, with a self-print certificate on completition of the route. Just a suggestion!
Melrose Abbey behind the railings – zero welcome for cyclists from Historic Environment Scotland
Photographs duly taken from behind the railings, the tandem crews decided another coffee stop was required, before moving on to the next Abbey at Dryburgh.
Happily, the weather had improved drastically since the biblical rain earlier, leaving a sunny, if windy, late afternoon. Dryburgh is just 4 miles from Melrose, but it took a bit of navigating to actually find the Abbey itself on the 3rd leg of the route. It might have been that the tandem crews were getting a bit tired, but the blue cycle signs seemed to disappear at a crucial stage, John’s magical pink line mysteriously also disappeared, and several locals claimed not to know where the historic ruin was!
Eventually a vey helpful barmaid in the pub in Dryburgh came to our rescue with clear directions, and we finally arrived at Dryburgh Abbey – via a circuitous route over a bouncy cable bridge.
Team e-Matilda walking over a bouncy bridge to Dryburgh Abbey!
Not brilliant timing, however, as the Nutty Tandemers arrived at the entrance at 5.35pm – just five minutes after Dryburgh Abbey closed to visitors for the day! Doh! There seemed no easy way to get a photo of the Abbey itself from outside the fences, so the tandem teams had to make do with photos at the entrance, and the padlocked gate!
Not brilliant timing! Abbey closed 5.30pm. Nutty Tandemers arrive 5.35pm!
The “old git” and “old gal” had to make do with a photo at the entrance to Dryburgh Abbey.
That just left the final leg of the 4 Abbeys Cycle Route, the 11.5 mile pedal from Dryburgh to complete the loop back to the start point at Kelso Abbey.
It was a lovely rural cycle to Kelso, most enjoyable and without any big hills. Which is just as well as the Nutty Tandemers were pretty spent when they rolled back into Kelso just before 7pm, after their epic day. But job done – and the 4 Abbeys Cycle Route completed in a day, with a great sense of pride and personal achievement!
Thumbs up from my ecstatic Captain and Stoker – 4 Abbeys Cycle Route done in a day!
Playing to the camera! – A pretty knackering day in the saddle clocking up nearly 60 miles.
Before the drive back to Coldstream, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike activity. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed an epic 57.5 miles with a moving time of 4 hours and 40 minutes. The average speed was 12.3 mph, pretty good given the hilly terrain. Elevation was an incredible 4,114 feet. The maximum speed was 35.8 mph and Team e-Matilda managed to burn up 4,102 calories and produce an average power output of 219 W.
As always the route is brought to life in our Relive 3D mapping video – so click here to view or on the image below.
Back at Coldstream, the tandem crews met up for a prosecco toast to a day which turned out to include some fairly extreme and unexpected summer weather and a route which was somewhat hillier than had been expected. It was certainly tough and my dynamic crew and Team Carmen agreed with the route’s description of “hard going”. There was however a great sense of euphoria that the route was completed and we didn’t give up and abandon. Kudos to all!
A well earned fish and chips and a muscle easing hot tub rounded off the day for the “old git” and “old gal”. Let’s just say my dynamic crew didn’t find it difficult to sleep!
Day 4 NTC Tour de Borders – A drookit pedal to Eyemouth and St Abbs from Foulden.
The fourth day of the Tour de Borders saw the Nutty Tandemers get drenched on a drookit pedal to Eyemouth and St Abbs from Foulden.
You can check out the details of our e-tandem route on Day 4 of the Nutty Tandemers Club Tour de Borders by clicking on the Strava map below.
I would need to be said at the outset, that the weather forecast didn’t look promising – with an outlook of lots of showers. And maybe the Nutty Tandemers felt they could cope with anything after yesterday’s 4 Abbey Cycle Route triumph. And as a result the group decision was taken to try a car assisted ride to Eyemouth and St Abbs, hoping the weather would improve. Wrong!
John had identified a suitable spot to park the cars at the village of Foulden. Unfortunately, as soon as the tandems were set up, the rain started. So for the second day in a row, rain jackets were the order of the day – even before we set off.
It probably didn’t help that the ride featured a long big climb almost from the start, in damp, blustery conditions. The downhill into Ayton was even longer than the uphill, leading the tandem crews to quietly think about facing an ultra long climb on the way home. The Nutty Tandemers however pedalled on and rolled into the working harbour town of Eyemouth – and were just able to see the views as the rain continued to fall.
The “old git” and “old gal” take in the views at Eyemouth Harbour in the rain!
At a loo stop in the town, with the rain getting heavier, the “old gal” voiced her fears about the return journey and suggested looking for an alternative route back. Everyone agreed – especially as the weather had now turned into biblical rain for the second day in a row.
The crews pedalled on from Eyemouth to our destination of St Abbs – with its pretty harbour. But by this time everyone was soaked thru to the skin again, which perhaps wasn’t the best way to experience what would have been a spectacular route.
By the time Team e-Matilda got to St Abbs the rain was biblical again. Unhappy Stoker!
My Captain wasn’t overly impressed either!
A bright spot was that the crews found Ebbcarrs Cafe right on the harbours edge – which promised a menu loaded with fresh seafood, apart from welcome relief from the rain. The whole experience was wonderful, friendly staff and fabulous food – with my Captain enjoying fresh crab!
Over lunch the tandem crews repeated pleading for divine intervention to blow away the biblical rain failed. Clearly the hotline was not answering calls today! There was simply no respite, so emerging from the warmth of the cafe, and before heading back, the drookit Nutty Tandemers dutifully posed for a variety of photos at the harbour just to prove we had been at St Abbs – which to be fair, did look as if it would be beautiful … on a sunny, warm day!
The drookit Nutty Tandemers in the rain at St Abbs! Nice lunch at the cafe at the harbour tho!
Jane and John – our “besties” and fellow Nutty Tandemers – braced against the elements!
My rain battered Captain and Stoker trying to smile! Penny for their thoughts!
Spot the rivers of rain on the ground – but St Abbs was beautiful.
So it was back to Ayton as quickly as the crew’s could pedal thru the rain. John masterfully found an alternative route back to Foulden at this point – which was slightly longer and on a busier road, but avoided the huge climb.
Back at the cars, my dynamic crew still had the job of getting me back on my fancy tandem carrier roof rack system in the rain! What fun! And would you believe that the very minute the “old git” and “old gal” shut the car doors, the rain eased off substantially. Oh how they laughed!
Before the drive back to Coldstream, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike activity. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed a very wet 28.4 miles with a moving time of 2 hours and 23 minutes. The average speed was 11.9 mph, pretty good given the heavy rain. Elevation was 2,218 feet. The maximum speed was 34.2 mph and Team e-Matilda managed to burn up 2,144 calories and produce an average power output of 223 W.
As always the route is brought to life in our Relive 3D mapping video – so click here to view or on the image below.
Back at base at Coldstream Holiday Park, the tandem crews started the process of trying to dry out their kit, for the second evening in a row. My dynamic crew then got together with their fellow Nutty Tandemers in Jane and John’s lovely caravan for some evening drinkies.
Drying out and warming up! Evening drinkies in Jane and John’s lovely caravan. Cheers!
Discussions naturally included the current unseasonal weather. No one was prepared to say it was the wrong decision to go out for a ride today – but there was general agreement that it wasn’t really that enjoyable getting that wet! Let’s hope the weather improves before the end of the Tour de Borders!
Day 5 NTC Tour de Borders – Scenic short tandem loop around Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle.
Day 5 of the Nutty Tandemers Club Tour de Borders was actually on the sixth day, as the fifth day saw a group decision to abandon any attempt at a ride due to the continuing wet weather. having been soaked two days in a row, there was no appetite to make it three in a row.
The schedule had been a planned car transfer to Peebles, and do a couple of shorter tandem rides from Peebles, either side of lunch, in the company of fellow Tandem Club members – and residents of Peebles – Alan and Kate MacDonald.
With the rain falling from early morning – and the fact that we had been battered by the weather the previous two days – Alan and Kate understood the decision to abandon the tandeming. However, we all still met up for a most convivial long lunch at the superb Osso restaurant in the town. It was an excellent way to pass a couple of hours, exchanging tandem stories!
The rain fell most of the day, so it was indeed the correct decision, and the Nutty Tandemers still enjoyed their day off the tandems, being tourists in Peebles.
Happily, the weather improved dramatically for the fifth, and last, riding day of the Tour de Borders which saw the Nutty Tandemers enjoy some sunshine – and traditional nutty fun and laughs – on a scenic short tandem loop around Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle.
You can check out the details of our e-tandem route on Day 5 of the Nutty Tandemers Club Tour de Borders by clicking on the Strava map below.
The schedule for the Grand Finale of the 2023 tour was a drive to Seahouses, a short tandem ride to Bamburgh, then back to Seahouses for lunch and a boat trip out to the Farne Islands to see the the bird sanctuaries and seals.
When the tandem crews arrived in Seahouses it was already very busy with day tourists – given the sun was out. Team Carmen and Team e-Matilda soon were ready to go and enjoyed a fabulous leisurely short ride along the stunningly scenic Northumberland coast to the town of Bamburgh, famous for its imposing castle.
A perfectly positioned bench on the village green – with the backdrop of the castle, made the perfect place for a coffee stop. After the two rides where everyone got soaked, the Nutty Tandemers were really enjoying the warm sunshine. Good to see that the area was really busy with other cyclists – mainly on single bikes. It was perhaps therefore not surprising that the two tandems attracted quite a bit of attention.
Here I am posing at Bamburgh. Naturally I attracted lots of attention, which I lapped up!
Smiles restored to the faces of the Nutty Tandemers – enjoying the sun at Bamburgh.
After the coffee stop the crews decided to tandem on a bit further, which was a great decision. A quiet coast road left the town and skirted the beach and sea, revealing some amazing views – all featuring the castle. Naturally this was the ideal venue for a Nutty Tandemers photoshoot!
Every corner produced another photo stop along the beautiful Northumberland coast.
Jane and John, our fellow Nutty Tandemers, overlooking the beach at Bamburgh.
My dynamic crew taking in the view of imposing Bamburgh Castle.
Another different Nutties line-up – this time the “old git”, the “old gal” and John.
During the Tour de Borders, the tandem crews had been looking for a suitable venue for their Three Wise Monkeys shot – which has become a long running “must-do” photo on the Nutty Tandemers annual tours. This year’s line up saw John take up the see no evil role, the “old git was given the role of speak no evil (can’t think why?!) and Jane was in the role of hear no evil. The “old gal” was the photographer.
See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil! A Nutty Tandemers “must-do” shot on every tour!
The crews pedalled on to Bamburgh Castle Golf Club, with its fantastic sea views, where there was another stop for more nutty fun photos.
Stoker Sisterhood! The “old gal” with Jane – the two Nutty Tandemer stokers!
Very colourful! The Nutty Tandemers enjoying the sea views before returning to Seahouses.
Now I think I have previously mentioned John’s major contribution to the enjoyment of the 2023 Nutty Tandemers Tour de Borders – with his fantastic route planning. This was where he had downloaded gpx routes he had plotted on his laptop from Ordnance Survey and downloaded to his Garmin bike computer.
Naturally John faced a good deal of gentle ribbing about “following the pink line” on the rides – which became almost a catchphrase of the tour! So the “old gal” decided to set up a photo using her pink rain jacket of John following his now famous pink line. But all joking apart, John’s route planning was actually a godsend and avoided the Nutty Tandemers getting properly lost on several occasions.
John posing following his famous pink line! His route planning was actually a godsend.
The “old gal” enjoying the scenic views at Bamburgh in the much needed sunshine!
After all the photo fun – and plenty of new shots for next year’s Nutty Tandemers calendar – it was time to tandem back to Seahouses via a short part of the Coast and Castles cycle route. Then it was back to the cars and I was quickly put on my fancy roof bars so my dynamic crew could head off for some lunch and the boat trip.
Before heading off to enjoy the rest of the day in Seahouses, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike activity. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed a very modest 9.2 miles with a moving time of just 43 minutes. The average speed was 12.5 mph. Elevation was a fairly flat 276 feet. The maximum speed was 23.9 mph and Team e-Matilda managed to burn up just 473 calories and produce an average power output of only 161 W.
As always the route is brought to life in our Relive 3D mapping video – so click here to view or on the image below. And the images of our superb Nutty Tandemers fun from our short ride just goes to prove that it is the smiles that count, not the miles!
With tickets bought earlier for the boat trip, it was time for some lunch. John remembered a fresh sea food shack at the harbour – and it provided some fabulous goodies for a rather special sun-kissed prosecco picnic lunch on the harbour side. Once again, the popping of the cork resulted in many favourable comments from other visitors!
Prosecco and fresh seafood picnic for the Nutty Tandemers at Seahouses harbour. Very special!
The Nutty Tandemers then boarded the Serenity Farne Islands Boat Tours catamaran at 3.15pm for what was scheduled to be an hour and a half trip out to the islands to see the wildlife in their natural habitat. It was the last trip of the day, and there were only a total of 8 passengers on board the vessel which could carry 90 – leaving plenty of room to walk around and get the best views.
The “old gal” and the “old git” enjoying their sea safari to see the wildlife on the Farne Islands.
The “old gal” and just a few of the thousands of Guillemots who have colonised the cliff faces.
The boat trip offers some amazing close-up views of the seabirds who have effectively taken over the Farne Islands, which are just a mile or so off the Northumberland coastline. The islands are owned by the National Trust who conserve the wildlife and protect the ecology.
There are over twenty different species of birds breeding on the islands – including Puffins, Guillemots, Cormorants and Artic Terns, with over 80,000 breeding pairs of birds. The noise and the smell of the guano made it a truly unique experience.
It was fascinating to see so many birds clinging to the rocks of the Farne Islands.
Some of the over 80,000 breeding pairs nesting on the rock faces.
The boat trip also offers the opportunity to observe the rarest seal species in the world, the Grey Seal – as the Farne Islands are home to one of the largest Grey Seal colonies.
The Farne Islands are home to one of the largest Grey Seal colonies.
Ahoy there! The Nutty Tandemers enjoying their boat trip around the Farne Islands.
But the best was yet to come – one of those being in the right place at the right time moments, that creates a once-in-a-lifetime moment. As the boat trip was coming to an end, and the catamaran was heading back to harbour, a dolphin was spotted, then another. The boat skipper, turned the vessel round, to search for more. Very quickly the sea was bubbling with dolphins as the boat encountered a pod of around 50 dolphins.
The boat skipper said it was the biggest pod of dolphins they had ever come across – and the dolphins were happy to follow the boat and play around the bows. The “old gal” was lucky to capture one doing its flip, just in front of the majestic backdrop of Bamburg Castle.
The highlight of the trip was watching the large pod of dolphins off Bamburgh Castle.
The skipper extended the trip by about an hour – as it was the last trip of the day and there was no need to get back – so the passengers could take in the amazing spectacle of the dolphins. It was a truly jaw dropping experience, which provided a fitting finale to the tour.
After the drive back to Coldstream Holiday Park, the Nutty Tandemers met up for a barbeque to mark the end of the brilliant Tour de Borders. And naturally there was a signature prosecco toast to another fabulous tour which has created more great memories!
The total mileage for the week long Nutty Tandemers Tour de Borders was 170 miles, with a total elevation of around 10,000 feet.
In conclusion, on behalf of Team e-Matilda, it was another real pleasure to share every moment of the fantastic Borders rolling landscape – with all the uphills and downhills, and even the biblical rain – with Team Carmen.
It was a true privilege for the “old git” and the “old gal” to be with John and Jane on another memorable and epic Tour – where they more than lived up to being fellow Nutty Tandemers and once again proved they were real kindred spirits to my dynamic crew!
It really was another fabulous week – despite the soakings! – resulting in great experiences where you can honestly say that tandeming doesn’t get much better than this! Delighted that both tandem teams have created lots of new nutty images for the memory bank … and of course, the annual calendar.
And Team e-Matilda can’t wait for the next Nutty Tandemers Tour next year in 2024 for more nutty adventures on bicycles made for two!
Cheers to the fabulous Nutty Tandemers Tour de Borders! Roll on the 2024 tour!
Matildas Musings 