This blog is about how my dynamic team had a lot of fun on a double weekend packed with #tandem social walks, starting with this ‘old lady’ having another ‘date’ with ‘the other’ Tilly the tandem” accompanied 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 cyclist friends Anne Connel and Alan Ince our favorite riverside picnic spot.
Ride 1 – Another ride with “the other “Tilly the tandem” from Irvine to Ardrossan on the Cunninghame cycle path with Jon and Linda
Excitement had been building for weeks about my second big meet after a few months the Matilda team surprisingly discovered that there was another bike designed for two people called the Matilda – although this one is affectionately nicknamed ” Tilly” by his team made up of Jon and Linda.
Discover the details of our “double Matilda” tandem course by clicking on the Strava map below.
The rest of Tilly’s crew are on a somewhat convoluted ‘slow pedal’ Lejog – traveling a rather circuitous route from Lands End to John o’ Groats in three stages.
You may remember my delight when I was able to meet ‘the other ‘Tilly in May on the first leg of their journey from their native Ipswich to Edinburgh. Subsequently, they completed Stage 2 which covered Lands End to Ipswich.
Team ‘Tilly are now on stage 3 of their journey – which will see them cycle from Edinburgh to John o’ Groats – but aren’t exactly taking the direct route. They decided to take a more scenic trip which will pass through Kintyre and then through Hebridean Way on the way! It seems they decided to add #HebWay after reading my blog – so I’m really honored!
So on Sunday they were cycling from Irvine to Ardrossan Harbor to catch a ferry to Campbeltown – and my energetic team teamed up with them for the short tandem ride.
It was great for the “old girl” and the “old bastard” to reunite with Jon and Linda and catch up on some of their more recent adventures over coffee and breakfast at Small Talk Café and Gift Shop near the port of Irvine.
The tandems then set off on the short 11-mile cycle along the Cunninghame Cycleway – also known as the The National Cycle Network NCN Rt 73 – from Irvine to Ardrossan.
It’s great Sustrans Scotland off-road trail – with an excellent hard surface, which crosses moorland before traveling along the seafront of the “Three Towns” – Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan. Lots of cyclists on the route and we even had the joy of hearing an original comment from one who, seeing the two tandems in convoy, quipped: “Oh be careful, it’s double, double problem!”
Low cloud made conditions a little chilly and the ‘old girl’ certainly wished she had brought her winter gloves with her – especially on the windy and exposed Saltcoats seafront. Unsurprisingly, there weren’t many people spending the day at the beach!
On Ardrossan seafront, the ‘old fart’ found some benches under a bandstand – and decided it was the perfect venue for a posh picnic for both Team Matildas. And of course, there was the obligatory bottle of prosecco to add to the program!
It must be said that Jon and Linda let their side down by drinking the fizz from plastic beakers rather than the infinitely fancier plastic prosecco glasses of my dynamic team!
But Linda made up for her drinking utensil shortcomings by producing a gorgeous box of chic baking chocolates – which were immediately devoured!
Picnic finished, we headed towards the CalMac Ferries Ardrossan terminal where ‘Tilly the tandem’s other day’ experienced a major slowdown – with the news that the ferry to Campbeltown had been canceled at short notice due to Covid disruption to crew numbers and the withdrawal from a ferry.
Fortunately, Cal Mac had ordered a coach to take the passengers on the road – a journey of over 5 hours – and, even more fortunately, he decided that “the other ‘Tilly the Tandem’ could travel in the greater area of the boats. A real get out of jail free card!
So even if they took much longer to get to Campbeltown, Jon and Linda would still be able to continue their long-standing schedule of pre-booked overnight stops. Phew!
My energetic team left the other Team Tilly just as the coach arrived – promising to follow with interest their progress up the Hebridean Way and up to John o’ Groats and to meet again on their return to the center of the Scotland for an essential catch-up before them. return trip. Or, if time does not permit, as they live near Ipswich, a meeting is planned when my dynamic team takes part in the Nutty Tandemers Club Tour of Suffolk in September.
Meanwhile, the “old bastard” and the “old gal” returned to Irvine, enjoying the trails of NCN Rt 73 all the way to Irvine.
Back at Matilda Transport, the ‘old fart’ checked Strava and officially recorded the ride as not worth any gongs – as it was a brand new route for Team Matilda!
Detailed figures from Strava showed that my dynamic crew completed a distance of 21.6 miles in tandem with a travel time of 2 hours 21 minutes. The average speed was only 9.2 mph due to the social nature of the ride and poor weather conditions. The elevation was only 243 feet as the route was mostly on the coast. The top speed was 32km/h and Team Matilda managed to burn 1,385 calories and produce an average power output of 147W.
As always, the route comes 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 Tillys – and their crew – get together!
Hike 2 – Hilly route to Comrie to show Anne and Alan our favorite picnic spot by the river.
The second part of our busy weekend saw my dynamic team delighted to welcome good solo cyclist friends Anne and Alan for a Monday cycling with us!
The destination – my energetic team’s favorite spot for a prosecco picnic on the banks of the River Earn, just outside Comrie.
And Team Matilda decided to take the new route to get there – via the hilly Langside Road. You can view the details of our route by clicking on the Strava map below.
Surprisingly, the ‘old girl’ – who you’ll recall doesn’t do hills – was looking forward to this one, because although hilly, it falls into the manageable category as it’s a gentle climb rather than a steep steep slope.
And of course, the views from the plateau over the rolling Perthshire countryside are quite spectacular and certainly worth the climb!
However, what no one had factored into the journey was the windy conditions, which made the 3km journey across the summit a real battle against a strong headwind. But it meant everyone enjoyed the long, fast freewheeling descent to Comrie all the more.
Picnic supplies came from the wonderful Hansen’s kitchen delicatessen, before cycling over the old Ross Bridge and following the cycling and walking route recommended by the National Cycle Network.
Luckily the picnic area was empty and hosted one of Team Matilda’s iconic prosecco picnics – with Alan producing a bottle of fizz which he opened with enthusiasm!
Luckily Anne and Alan had received the email and were equipped with appropriate prosecco glasses – no beakers! Regardless, the prosecco certainly helped accompany the very delicious ham, brie and cranberry baguettes!
The sun even peeked through the clouds to raise the temperature – Anne and Alan were impressed by the riverside setting!
After refueling, it was time to return to base fairly quickly – as the “old girl” had a mid-afternoon meeting in Perth – on the usual route home via Crieff and Kinkell Bridge.
My energetic team even managed to handle the difficult section from Kinkell to Tullibardine and their nemesis of Easthill with relative ease – perhaps it was due to the pleasantly warm and sunny conditions.
It was certainly another glorious day to go out in tandem with good friends in our rural Perth countryside and Kinross Cycle, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, Auchterarder Community Cycling and Love Perthshire.
Back at Matildas Rest, the “old fart” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as worth an acceptable 12 gongs – made up of two personal bests; eight 2nd best and two 3rd best.
Detailed figures from Strava showed that my dynamic crew completed a distance of 38.2 miles in tandem with a travel time of 2 hours 58 minutes. The average speed was 12.8 mph despite the hilly course. The altitude was 1633 feet. Top speed was 32.4 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn 2,205 calories and produce an average power output of 184W.
As always, the route comes 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 team while riding 60 miles with friends. Quite simply a superb tandem weekend… on a bike made for two!