New e-tandem weekend as my Matildas Musings crew take delivery of e-Matilda!

Excitement personified! – Team e-Matilda with the keys to their new e-tandem!

This blog is the story of my dynamic crew having a brilliant weekend – starting with a trip to the wonderful JD Tandems in Gargrave, North Yorkshire on Easter Saturday to collect and test ride their new e-Matilda; followed by Team Matilda’s first pedal from home on a blustery Easter Monday trip to Bridge of Earn.

The “old gal” and “old git” left home at silly early o’clock to drive to Gargrave where a brand spanking new e-tandem was waiting for them – built to their own specification.

There was massive excitement when my dynamic crew saw their new “baby” for the first time – a Gepida Bikes Thoris Voyage, (full details by clicking link) with not one, but two 500Wh batteries and the Bosch eBike Systems Performance CX 250w motor.

My crew had visited JD Tandems – whose customer service can’t be praised enough – three weeks before and had full test rides on three battery assist e-tandems, before choosing the Gepida.

You can read my blog about the test ride weekend by clicking here – and if you are thinking about taking the big plunge towards a battery assist tandem, then hopefully the blog will give you a definitive guide from fellow tandemers as to what to expect from your visit to JD Tandems.

So why the decision for Team Matilda to go for a battery assist e-tandem? Well whisper it but this “old lady” classic Jack Taylor tandem is actually on side with the decision as I know that old age brings its own mechanical problems – just as my dynamic crew are discovering that the passing years always seems to throw up some more new health and fitness issues. Being older than both my Stoker and Captain, I am also well aware that (like them!) I am not getting any lighter!

After a run down of all the equipment from the highly patient Jamie – despite fairly constant interruptions and questions from my Captain! – it was time to take e-Matilda out for an inaugural short test ride to make sure everything was working OK … but only after the ceremonial handing over the keys (for the batteries).

Handing over the keys – Jamie from JD Tandems does the honours!

You can check out the details of our exciting inaugural sunny short test ride route by clicking on the Strava map below.

My crew headed up hill on a suitably lumpy loop which took in a tasty lunch at the incredibly scenic and busy Town End Farm Shop & Tearoom.

Spring has sprung – new e-Matilda among the daffodils at Town End Farm Shop at Airton.

It’s all about the smiles after climbing some steep hills to Airton with battery assist.

The “old gal” enjoying her lunch at the tearoom at Town End Farm Shop.

My dynamic crew were glad they had  booked to secure a table, and it was good to see the venue attracting so many bikes – all solos. It clearly has a good reputation with cyclists out on their Saturday pedals. The location – at the top of a hill – gave an ideal spot for some photos of Team Matilda in their new Team Bahrain Victorious cycling tops!

The “old git” at Airton sporting the new Bahrain Victorious cycling tops for new e-tandem day!

Time for a quick smiley selfie after a tasty lunch at Airton.

Smart new e-tandem! The “old gal” is delighted to have battery assist!

Back to Gargrave for some very minor fine tuning to see our car had been fitted with the amazing new e-tandem carrier which JD Tandems sell. Time for an in-depth lesson from the equally patient John, going thru how to put e-Matilda on and off the roof.

The “old git” making sure e-Matilda is secure on the new e-tandem rack.

I am sure my crew will get the hang of it with a bit of practice – as initially it is quite daunting – but it is a great piece of kit!

Looks like the “old git” is going to have to invest in a set of small steps as his legs are pretty short and Matilda Transport is quite a high car! In fact the height from ground to handlebars when the tandem is on the roof is no less than 9 feet!

Ready for the journey back to Matilda’s Rest. 9 feet high – watch out for low barriers!

Thanks again to Ruth, John and Jamie for their patience at the highly recommended JD Tandems. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Their service has to be experienced to be believed. Quite simply, think of any superlative then take a step up.

My crew then drove back to Matildas Rest full of excitement about their new purchase.

Unfortunately the trip to Gargrave meant my crew were unable to join the Tandem Club AGM happening at the Easter Rally – but I think collecting a new e-tandem is a good enough excuse!

As a faithful Captain, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike ride. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed a modest 10.5 miles with a moving time of 51 minutes. The average speed was 12.1 mph over the lumpy terrain. Elevation was 841 feet. The maximum speed was 34.4 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn up 797 calories and produce an average power output of 230 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.

Easter Sunday dawned and my dynamic crew’s first job was to remove e-Matilda from the bike rack – then fit all the panniers and gadgets like Captain’s Elemnt Roam on board computer. He even found a spot for my La Bouclée prosecco carrier for future picnics!

New e-Matilda outside Matildas Rest fully kitted up with new panniers and kit.

My dynamic crew made sure there was room for their personalised water bottles!

The Bosch Intuvia on-board computer and the Elemnt Roam.

No ride on Sunday as my Stoker had a rather important event to attend – her daughter’s baby shower.

Heavy rain fell on Monday morning meaning my crew thought a ride on Easter Monday wasn’t going to happen with the forecast for a wet day. But mid morning the rain surprisingly stopped and my crew decided they would head out in the afternoon for their first pedal from home on e-Matilda.

The destination was Bridge of Earn as it is a hilly route and my dynamic crew wanted to test the battery assist. As it turned out, it was very windy so it really was a good test!

The sun unexpectedly came out to play as the rain stopped – but it was windy!

You can check out the details of our first pedal on new e-Matilda from home by clicking on the Strava map below.

My crew literally flew along on the outward leg, helped by a tail wind. It is a scenic country roads route thru Forteviot where there was a fab picture opportunity at the Cradle of Scotland- A Stone for Forteviot in the centre of the small village of Forteviot, which is an ancient Pictish capital of Scotland.

The “old gal” giving a thumbs up to e-Matilda at the Cradle of Scotland stone in Forteviot.

Team e-Matilda selfie time at Forteviot, an ancient Pictish capital of Scotland.

In no time we were at our destination of Bridge of Earn and dropped into a busy The Earn Coffee Shop for some welcome coffee and cake.

Coffee and cake stop at the half way point – The Earn Coffee Shop in Bridge of Earn.

The “old gal”, aka Stoker, with new e-Matilda at The Brig at Bridge of Earn.

The “old git”, aka Captain, gives his thumbs up verdict on the new e-tandem at The Brig.

The return leg was obviously a bit tougher – given my crew’s lack of tandeming fitness – but the battery-assist was brilliant in helping to battle a ferocious 18mph headwind.

On return to Matildas Rest, The “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike ride. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed 27.7 miles with a moving time of 2 hours and 6 minutes. The average speed was a healthy 13.2 mph given the hilly, testing route. Elevation was 1,467 feet. The maximum speed was 31.1 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn up 1,649 calories and produce an average power output of 195 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.

The verdict of my dynamic crew – e-Matilda is just fantastic and is going to transform Team e-Matilda’s tandem experiences! So it is a huge thumbs up and both the “old git,” and especially the “old gal,” had huge smiles on their faces during the rides!

Spot the huge smiles on my dynamic crew’s faces after the first pedal from home.

Team e-Matilda can’t wait to be back out in #tandem very soon. Here’s to the next blog!

Matilda meets the other ‘Tilly the tandem on a long awaited date on a wet and windy ride to Perth!

I was uber excited at finally meeting “the other ‘Tilly the tandem” and her crew Linda and Jon.

This blog is the story of how my dynamic crew’s superb fun ride where Matilda finally gets to meet “the other ‘Tilly the #tandem” on a long awaited date on a wet and windy ride to Perth!

Excitement had been building for weeks about my big meet up after I amazingly discovered there was another bicycle made for two called Matilda out there – tho this one is affectionately known as ‘Tilly for short by her crew of Linda and Jon Reed.

The other ‘Tilly’s crew are on “a slow pedal” to Scotland from their base near Ipswich and have pedalled over 600 miles for the big event!

You can check out the details of our (somewhat shorter!) route by clicking on the Strava map below.

I was uber excited when my dynamic crew said today was the day and we headed from our home base of Auchterarder to meet ‘Tilly at Bridge of Earn as they pedalled on their route from Kinross to Perth! Unfortunately Team Matilda was hit by a heavy squall en route, and was forced to dry out over a welcome coffee at the newly re-opened The Earn Coffee Shop while waiting.

But that was soon forgotten and the big meet happened on the Brig which spans the River Earn and there was much parping of my horn as Team ‘Tilly came into view, which the “old git” recorded on video for posterity! So click here to view or on the image below.

After the “old git” and “old gal” introduced themselves to Linda and Jon – and I said a big friendly hello to ‘Tilly – there was time for the obligatory photo opportunity showing the two tandems!

I gave the other ‘Tilly the tandem a welcome “kiss” at the Brig at Bridge of Earn!

Linda and Jon have pedalled over 600 miles from Ipswich to meet Matilda on their Viking Serengeti.

The schedule then saw the two tandem crews to have a short ride together from Bridge of Earn, pedalling on The National Cycle Network Rt 775 into Perth City Centre.

The tandem crews pedalling into Perth on The National Cycle Network Rt 775.

Once in the city centre the “old git” had organised a celebratory glass of prosecco – followed by great coffee, toasties and cake at the brilliant Artisan – Espresso & Wine Bar, while us tandems had a good catch-up and got to know each other a bit better!

The two Matilda tandem crews enjoying a glass of prosecco at Artisan Espresso and Wine Bar!

It would need to be said the other ‘Tilly is somewhat more experienced and wider travelled than me! Linda and Jon have been riding tandems for 25 years and ‘Tilly is their third one – a Viking Serengeti which has clocked up around 40,000 kms and been to no less than 48 countries.

Jon, Captain of Team ‘Tilly and “the old gal” toasting the new tandem friendship!

The “old git” and the “old gal” hit it off immediately with Linda and Jon who recounted how they suggested meeting up after reading about Team Matilda in BIKE Magazine Europe back in March where we appeared over five pages in glorious technicolour!

Linda, Stoker of Team Tilly and “the old git” toasting the Matildas meet up!

And apart from the coincidence of our tandem names, ‘Tilly also has a blog in which they recount their adventures on ‘Tilly the tandem, and “Ten Tonne Taffy” – or “FatTaf” for short – their “beast” of a motorhome … and a Stoker who doesn’t like hills!

I do however have to stress one difference, that ‘Tilly’s blog is written by her Captain Jon – unlike me who is of course the UK’s only blogging tandem!

Cheers! The two Matilda tandem crews had to drink the prosecco outside to meet Covid rules.

A couple of hours flew by in what seemed like minutes as we all swapped stories about tandem tours, trips, adventures and of course misadventures!

All too soon it was sadly time to go our separate ways – but only after some photos on the banks of the River Tay in Perth. I must say I was a tad envious that the other ‘Tilly the tandem had a rear name plate which looked just like a number plate! I may try to persuade the “old gal” I need one of those!

Here I am getting to know the other ‘Tilly the tandem on the banks of the Tay in Perth city centre!

Rear view! I must say I was a tad envious of the other ‘Tilly the tandem’s number plate!

Front view! The other ‘Tilly the tandem was heavily loaded up for touring.

A final shot of Linda and John of Team ‘Tilly before the crews had to go their separate ways.

Linda and Jon headed to the luxury of their hotel, just a few hundred yards away across the river, while the “old git” and “old gal” pedalled off – but immediately hit a brutal strong headwind which stayed against us every mile of the pedal back to Matildas Rest.

It was so energy sapping the “old git” suggested stopping at The Kirkstyle Inn for a reviving tonic (with a small measure of the amazing new house ‘Little Earl’ gin in it!!) to ensure they got home. The “old gal” thought this was one of his best suggestions while tandeming … ever! Tho it almost didn’t happen as the Kirkstyle’s new outdoor Garden Larder was really busy – but my crew enjoyed their drinks on extremely comfortable hand crafted chairs made from the wood of spirit barrels. How appropriate!

My dynamic crew had to stop for a tonic to refuel (with a small measure of gin) at the Kirkstyle Inn.

Suitably refuelled – and with clouds building and threatening another downpour – my dynamic crew battled the headwind for the final four miles back from Dunning as quickly as they could and were much relieved to get home just seconds before the rain started and so avoided another soaking.

Safely out of the wind at Matildas Rest, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as being worthy of 3 gongs – quite amazing given the adverse weather conditions – one 2nd best, and two 3rd bests.

The detailed Strava figures showed my dynamic crew tandemed a distance of 35.9 miles with a moving time of 3 hours 04 minutes. The average speed was a healthy 11.7 mph despite the headwind on the return leg! Elevation was 1,681 feet. The maximum speed was 30.9 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn up 2,171 calories and produce an average power output of 176 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.

Shame about the wind and the rain but it was still a fabulous fun day out in tandem in our rural Perth and Kinross Cycle Campaign, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, Auchterarder Community Cycling and Love Perthshire area.

And of course it was very special for me to finally get to meet the other ‘Tilly!! But the big question I am sure all my blog readers are wondering is … will there be a second date?!!

There is talk that Linda and Jon want to meet up again when Team Matilda are down in their home patch for the Nutty Tandemers Club 2021 Tour de Suffolk, which is planned for September. Now, if that happened, it would result in a trio of tandems!! So watch this space!!