The “old gal” feeling a bit cold despite being sandwiched by Jon and the “old git” at Saltcoats!
This blog is the story of how my dynamic crew had lots of fun on a busy double header weekend of social #tandem rides starting with this “old lady” having another “date” with “the other ‘Tilly the tandem” crewed by Linda and Jon Reed on a pedal from Irvine to Ardrossan.
The second ride saw Team Matilda enjoying a hilly route to Comrie to show good solo cycling friends Anne Connel and Alan Ince our favourite riverside picnic spot.
Ride 1 – Another ride with “the other ‘Tilly the tandem” from Irvine to Ardrossan on the Cunninghame Cycleway with Jon and Linda
Excitement had been building for weeks about my second big meet up after a few months ago Team Matilda amazingly discovered there was another bicycle made for two called Matilda – tho this one is affectionately known as ‘Tilly for short by her crew of Jon and Linda.
Check out the details of our “double Matilda” tandem route by clicking on the Strava map below.
The other ‘Tilly’s crew are on a somewhat convoluted “slow pedal” Lejog – covering a rather circuitous route from Lands End to John o’ Groats in three stages.
You may remember my delight when I got to meet “the other ‘Tilly back in May on stage 1 of their ride which was from their home area of Ipswich to Edinburgh. Subsequently they have done stage 2 which covered Lands End to Ipswich.
Not really a forced smile from Jon posing with stoker Linda and “the other ‘Tilly the tandem’!
So now Team ‘Tilly are on stage 3 of their route – which will see them pedal from Edinburgh to John o’ Groats – but not exactly taking the direct route. They have decided on a more scenic journey which takes in Kintyre and then the Hebridean Way en route! It seems they decided on adding in the #HebWay after reading my blog – so I am truly honoured!
So on Sunday they were pedalling from Irvine to Ardrossan Harbour for a ferry to Campbeltown – and my dynamic crew teamed up with them for the short tandem ride.
It was great for the “old gal” and “old git” to meet up with Jon and Linda again and to catch up on some of their more recent adventures over coffee and breakfast in Small Talk Coffee and Gift Shop by the harbour in Irvine.
Team Matilda meet up with “the other ‘Tilly the tandem’ at the harbourside in Irvine.
The tandems then set off on the short 11 mile pedal along the Cunninghame Cycleway – also known as The National Cycle Network NCN Rt 73 – from Irvine to Ardrossan.
This is a great Sustrans Scotland off-road path – with an excellent hard surface, which goes thru moorland before touring the seafront of the ‘Three Towns’ – Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan. Lots of cyclists out on the route and we even had the joy of an original comment from one who on seeing the two tandems in convoy quipped: “Oh look out, it double, double trouble!”
The low cloud made conditions a bit chilly and the “old gal” was certainly wishing she had brought her winter gloves with her – especially on the blustery and exposed sea front stretch at Saltcoats. Not surprisingly there were not too may people spending the day on the beach!
Just a tad blustery and chilly on the exposed sea front section at Saltcoats!
Team Matilda in action – pedalling on NCN Rt73 at Ardrossan as the sun tries to break thru!
At the sea front at Ardrossan the “old git” found some benches under a bandstand like cover – and decided this was the perfect venue for a posh picnic for the two Team Matildas. And naturally there was the obligatory bottle of prosecco to add to the proceedings!
It would have to be said that Jon and Linda did let their side down by drinking the fizz out of plastic beakers rather than my dynamic crew’s infinitely more refined plastic prosecco glasses!
But Linda made up for their drinking utensil failings by producing a wonderful box of posh patisserie chocolates – which were immediately devoured!
Glasses (or beakers!) at the ready! The “old git” popping the cork for the signature prosecco picnic!
Posh picnic are us! Epic fail from Jon and Linda with plastic beakers for the prosecco tho!
But Linda made amends with fab patisserie chocolates – which were instantly devoured!
Picnic over we headed for the CalMac Ferries terminal at Ardrossan where the “other ‘Tilly the tandem’s day” took a major downturn – with news that the ferry to Campbeltown had been cancelled at short notice due to Covid hitting crew rosters and a ferry being withdrawn.
Fortunately Cal Mac had ordered a coach to take passengers the long way by road – a journey of over 5 hours – and even more fortunately decided that the “other ‘Tilly the tandem” could travel in the large boot area. A real get out of jail card!
So despite taking much longer to get to Campbeltown, Jon and Linda would still be able to continue with their long planned schedule of pre-booked over night stops. Phew!
My dynamic crew left the other Team Tilly just as the coach arrived – promising to follow their progress out on the Hebridean Way and on to John o’ Groats with interest and meet up again on their return to central Scotland for an essential catch up before their journey home. Or, if time doesn’t allow that, then since they live near Ipswich, there is a planned meet up when my dynamic crew take part in the Nutty Tandemers Club Tour de Suffolk in September.
Meanwhile the “old git” and “old gal” pedalled back to Irvine, enjoying the paths of NCN Rt 73 all the way back into Irvine.
Back in Irvine – my dynamic crew enjoying the sun breaking thru the cloud on a bridge over the river.
Back at Matilda Transport the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as being worth of zero gongs – as it was a brand new route for Team Matilda!
The detailed Strava figures showed my dynamic crew tandemed a distance of 21.6 miles with a moving time of 2 hours 21 minutes. The average speed was just 9.2 mph due to the social nature of the ride and poor weather conditions. Elevation was just 243 feet as the route was mostly all at the coast. The maximum speed was 19.9 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn up 1,385 calories and produce an average power output of 147 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.
Not too many miles then – but remember that Team Matilda’s motto is “It’s the Smiles not the miles that count!” And there are certainly plenty of smiles when the two Tilly’s – and their crew’s – get together!
Ride 2 – Hilly route to Comrie to show Anne and Alan our favourite riverside picnic spot.
The second part of our busy weekend saw my dynamic crew delighted to welcome good solo cycling friends Anne and Alan on a Monday pedal with us!
The destination – my dynamic crew’s preferred local prosecco picnic spot by the River Earn just outside Comrie.
And Team Matilda decided on a reprise of the new route to get there – via the hilly Langside Road. You can check out the details of our route by clicking on the Strava map below.
Amazingly the “old gal” – who you’ll remember doesn’t do hills – was actually looking forward to this one as although hilly it falls into the manageable category as it is a gentle grind rather than a sharp steep incline.
And of course the views at the plateau across the rolling Perthshire countryside are rather dramatic and certainly worthy of the climb!
My dynamic crew with solo cycling friends Anne and Alan looking back at the Langside Road climb.
All smiles from the “old gal” and solo cycling friends Anne and Alan on the way to Comrie.
What noone had factored in to the ride however, was the windy conditions – which made the 2 mile blast across the top quite a battle against a fierce headwind. But it meant everyone enjoyed the speedy long freewheel downhill into Comrie all the more.
Picnic supplies were sourced at the wonderful Hansen’s Kitchen deli, before pedalling across the old Ross Bridge and following the cycle and walking friendly route, recommended by The National Cycling Network.
Selfie time at the prosecco picnic spot by the River Earn just outside Comrie.
Luckily the picnic spot was empty and was the venue for one of Team Matilda’s signature prosecco picnics – with Alan producing a bottle of fizz which he opened with gusto!
Alan doing the honours with the fizz for the signature prosecco picnic!
Fortunately Anne and Alan had got the email and came equipped with proper prosecco glasses – not beakers! Anyhow, the prosecco certainly helped wash down the very yummy ham, brie and cranberry baguettes!
The sun even broke thru the cloud to raise the temperature – Anne and Alan were suitably impressed with the riverside setting!
Cheers! The “old gal” and Anne and Alan with the prosecco – an essential ingredient for the picnic!
Re-fuelled it was time for a fairly quick pedal back to base – as the “old gal” had an appointment to meet mid afternoon in Perth – on the regular route home via Crieff and Kinkell Bridge.
My dynamic crew even managed the challenging Kinkell to Tullibardine section and their nemesis of Easthill with relative ease – maybe it was due to the pleasantly warm sunny conditions.
It was certainly another glorious day to be out in tandem with good friends in our rural Perth and Kinross Cycle Campaign, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, Auchterarder Community Cycling and Love Perthshire area.
On return to Matildas Rest the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as being worth of an acceptable 12 gongs – made up of two personal bests; eight 2nd bests and two 3rd bests.
The detailed Strava figures showed my dynamic crew tandemed a distance of 38.2 miles with a moving time of 2 hours 58 minutes. The average speed was a very healthy 12.8 mph despite the hilly route. Elevation was 1633 feet. The maximum speed was 32.4 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn up 2,205 calories and produce an average power output of 184 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.
A busy social schedule for my dynamic crew while clocking up 60 miles riding with friends. Quite simply a great weekend in tandem … on a bicycle made for two!
Matildas Musings 