Wanted - loan of a tandem for the FNRttC

[Charlotte]

My friend and fellow blogstress Rachael did last month's FBRttC on a borrowed tandem with her friend Cathy.  They really enjoyed the experience and would like to do it again on this month's Southend run on the 30th, but the tandem that they borrowed last time wasn't ideal and Cathy spent most of the ride with her nose pressed up against Rachael's back.

They're now looking to borrow or hire a tandem for the next FNRttC.  Julian and I will be riding ours (and it might be a shade big at the front for Rachael anyway) so I was wondering whether anyone might be prepared to lend them one for the weekend?

Rachael's based in West London but I'm sure that she'd travel a bit to collect and return if necessary.  Has anyone got anything suitable?

[Kathy]

If your will be too big at the front, then ours will be *way* out!

[Russell]

When is the next FNRttC and what size bodies are we talking about?

Russell

[Tim Hall]

30th April.

Won't you be in Rutland?

[Julian]

They might be able to borrow my parents' if they asked nicely

[clarion]

We have our Dawes 2Across we could lend, if Butterfly agrees.  Nice long rear cockpit.  It is a bit hybrid-y, and does have straight bars (with bar ends), which I can't ride. 

Sizes - well, I've piloted it, and so has Butterfly, so that's a good range.

Just need to put the rear wheel back on

[nuttycyclist]

Ours is not in use at the moment.  Only 8speed.  No lights.  I don't know whether I'd risk it on a FNRttC, a mechanical might occur before the destination is reached.

However, if you want to give it a try just ask.  

I think the April ride is to Southend?  If so the bike can be dumped at my office afterwards to save trying to get it back to London.

[Russell]

Won't you be in Rutland?

Yes we will but there's another option.  We have one in bits in the garage that needs assembly so the hire charge could be labour!!

 

[Zipperhead]

Will mine do them?

[rower40]

My Dawes Discovery Twin is available, but a bit far away (Derby).  Not easy to get on East Midlands Trains Meridians.  Tandems fit onto HSTs, but they only run from Nottingham to London, and only on some services.

[Charlotte]

Will mine do them?

Yours might be a bit big at the front, I can't remember what the standover was like...

[wheeledweenie]

Hello all, sorry, have been off sick so didn't see all the helpful messages.

I'm the captain and am 5ft 10" with Cathy being slightly shorter. We'd need something regularly used so in good nick to avoid Simon's wrath and anything in London would be fab.

Thanks

[Russell]

Our tandem in bits is a 23" front and 21.5" rear so should be the right size for you both BUT it is in bits waiting for me to have some spare time to build it up which just isn't going to happen this side of some Christmas in the future!

It is complete but some fettling will be required.

If you have the facilities assemble it you are welcome to borrow it.

Russell

[Zipperhead]

Hello all, sorry, have been off sick so didn't see all the helpful messages.

I'm the captain and am 5ft 10" with Cathy being slightly shorter. We'd need something regularly used so in good nick to avoid Simon's wrath and anything in London would be fab.

Thanks

If you're anywhere around SW London, you're welcome to come round and see if mine will fit. I know that Charlotte thinks it's a bit big, but the saddles will go down.

[wheeledweenie]

Thanks to everyone for the offers, we have now sourced a tandem in Harrow. As this will only be our second ride on one any advice would be gratefully received.

Our first ever ride was to Brighton and we even managed Ditchling, proof, if any is needed, that tandemmers are born, not made!

[Wowbagger]

Sadly, ours will be in Wales at the time. It probably would have done nicely - and I live in Southend.

I thought you two looked very good as tandemistas!

[wheeledweenie]

Coming from such a renowned speed-demon that's praise indeed!