Well if you've read the 'it takes two to tandem' blog, you'd have known this was coming!!
Yes, the event was MONTHS ago (17th of May to be precise) but you know how busy life gets!
We'd been keenly planning our attack on the South Cotswolds, getting the bike in fine running order, and had overcome the issue of 'how to get the bike ACTUALLY to Gloucester'...
Yes, the event was MONTHS ago (17th of May to be precise) but you know how busy life gets!
We'd been keenly planning our attack on the South Cotswolds, getting the bike in fine running order, and had overcome the issue of 'how to get the bike ACTUALLY to Gloucester'...
It was a massive benefit having the in-laws in Gloucester as it meant we could all head up in the car, drop Miles at Nanny and Gramps, then Bex, I, and the bike would carry on for another 40 min down the M5 to Wooton-under-Edge where this year's Heaven of The South Cotswolds was held. I'm sure it was held here last year..but that's besides the point!
As we pulled into the field where the event camping was held, we saw James' big red van, and headed over there and unpacked the tent.
The campsite was slowly filling up, and it was a great opportunity to run/ride around the field like an excited schoolboy and jump on other people's bike,..you know..for a laff.. (they were consenting! It was a great chance to try out some of the on-one fat bikes!)
The tandem was striking up some interest, and a few of the big bike bash chaps even had a little scoot around on it!
As we pulled into the field where the event camping was held, we saw James' big red van, and headed over there and unpacked the tent.
The campsite was slowly filling up, and it was a great opportunity to run/ride around the field like an excited schoolboy and jump on other people's bike,..you know..for a laff.. (they were consenting! It was a great chance to try out some of the on-one fat bikes!)
The tandem was striking up some interest, and a few of the big bike bash chaps even had a little scoot around on it!
Once the excitement of 'getting out the house' had died down, we chilled by the van, sipping drinks and fuelling up on the well recognised 'no. 1 athlete's choice' of a pot noodle...grim!
In all honesty I wasn't sure what Bex was looking forward to the least..a night under canvas, or the ride the following day?! She's keen to let me know 'this isn't her bag', but I actually think for the most part she DID enjoy it!
Come the morning it looked like it was going to be a scorcher of a day - the sun was out, and we all latherd up in the factor 30!
Come the morning it looked like it was going to be a scorcher of a day - the sun was out, and we all latherd up in the factor 30!
With bikes and riders all prepped to go, there was the obligatory posing shots!
Once the 'bell' had gone to indicate we could start peddling, there was the expected bottleneck at the start..however the group soon spread out and 'us two' and James and Ben soon found a reasonable pace to stick to. The first few miles were going fairly easily and involved a few gentle climbs and descents.
Every rider we passed, and every rider who passed us, gave a little complimentary cheer along the lines of "On a tandem? Nutters!".
After a few more miles the hills began to become a bit more 'obvious', and those that I'd have steamed up on the SS suddenly became a real 'sit down and pedal' challenge!
We were only 6 or so miles in, and I was already streaming with sweat and very grateful for the numerous water bottles, and the thicker rubber on the wheels!
Every rider we passed, and every rider who passed us, gave a little complimentary cheer along the lines of "On a tandem? Nutters!".
After a few more miles the hills began to become a bit more 'obvious', and those that I'd have steamed up on the SS suddenly became a real 'sit down and pedal' challenge!
We were only 6 or so miles in, and I was already streaming with sweat and very grateful for the numerous water bottles, and the thicker rubber on the wheels!
I do recall one FANTASTIC descent where we steam-trained it down, smashing our way through the rocks and ruts. IIRC, James was in front shouting "tandem coming down", and Ben was behind chuckling at the wake of carnage we were (possibly) leaving behind - I do apologise to any riders we 'barked' at as we came down, but it really was a case of keeping momentum, coupled with the challenge of stopping this thing once it's up to speed. I know we didn't knock into anyone, but we were grateful for those who made way for the 'beast' coming through!
Once we had got to the 'dividing point' it had felt like we'd ridden for 25 miles - to look at the GPS and realise we'd only covered 10 yet I was feeling like this, was 'concerning' to say the least..
We both filled up the water bottles and grabbed some much needed food, and made the decision to attempt the 75km route - it would have been the furthest Bex has ridden in years, but she seemed keen to "give it a go as we'd come this far"!
Once we had got to the 'dividing point' it had felt like we'd ridden for 25 miles - to look at the GPS and realise we'd only covered 10 yet I was feeling like this, was 'concerning' to say the least..
We both filled up the water bottles and grabbed some much needed food, and made the decision to attempt the 75km route - it would have been the furthest Bex has ridden in years, but she seemed keen to "give it a go as we'd come this far"!
After the split the riders seemed a lot thinner on the ground. There were points where we had been cycling for 3-4 miles and not seen an obvious sign or other rider - it was only 'cos of the GPS (Garmin 605) that we knew we were on track!
It's fair to say that none of the hills were too 'technical' to manage on the tandem, but the South Cotswolds is a rather hilly place, and we were both feeling the constant undulations in our legs (although, it did make for some awesome scenery photos!)
It's fair to say that none of the hills were too 'technical' to manage on the tandem, but the South Cotswolds is a rather hilly place, and we were both feeling the constant undulations in our legs (although, it did make for some awesome scenery photos!)
After several more miles we came across the second feed stop just near 'Penn Wood Scout camp'. At his was practically the furthest away point, and it was here that Bex reminded me that bar the 5 minute break here and there, we'd been cycling for 3 hours non stop, and this was getting too much. I did kind of forget that I'm an oddity, and that the concept of cycling for 5-8 hours non stop isn't something most people would enjoy..
As such, we made the concious decision to divert from the route slightly, and head to a local pub for a much deserved chilled pop and fish+chips!
As such, we made the concious decision to divert from the route slightly, and head to a local pub for a much deserved chilled pop and fish+chips!
After relaxing in the sun for a bit, we made the concious decision that we'd cycled plenty today, and that the best bet was to shorten the route back to camp by heading back mostly via the roads - this still involved a whopper of a climb up by 'Lampern Wood' towards the B4058..but once we'd made it up there we screamed it back to camp at about 40mph average!!!
We were both knackered, but had enjoyed a strenuous, rewarding, and really well organised ride in a lovely part of the country! Yes we didn't manage the whole 75km but our total ride was a tad under 51km, and for a "pair of nutters on a tandem" we were both proud of each other!
Here's another shot of the bike - no punctures or mechanicals despite some serious abuse on some of the trails.
We were both knackered, but had enjoyed a strenuous, rewarding, and really well organised ride in a lovely part of the country! Yes we didn't manage the whole 75km but our total ride was a tad under 51km, and for a "pair of nutters on a tandem" we were both proud of each other!
Here's another shot of the bike - no punctures or mechanicals despite some serious abuse on some of the trails.
And the obligatory strava route..
James and Ben completed the whole 75km route and both agreed that 'this is a hilly area'! Beautiful, but hilly!
It's definitely an event that we would all be keen to do again - I'm not sure if Bex would be roped along again to ride as my stoker, but I've the best part of a year to allow her to forget it!
...Oh, and what's with the title "HOTS - A bicycle made for three..." all about? Well, it seemed we had a stowaway on board!! Exciting times eh!
It's definitely an event that we would all be keen to do again - I'm not sure if Bex would be roped along again to ride as my stoker, but I've the best part of a year to allow her to forget it!
...Oh, and what's with the title "HOTS - A bicycle made for three..." all about? Well, it seemed we had a stowaway on board!! Exciting times eh!