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About us
We have a number of tandems available for disabled or less able people and those with special or additional needs to borrow for free. Yes, that's right; Free Tandem Hire for disabled people. The borrowers all been mostly children so far, but we welcome applications from all ages. Tandems are a fun and safe way to get out and about as friends, a couple, family or group.
We have been lucky to get lots of tandems donated and grants to buy more, so if you would like to borrow one or have a tandem or components to donate then please contact Alex. We are in based in Gloucestershire, have outposts in Essex, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Surrey and are hoping to spread out to other places in the UK.
We have been lucky to get lots of tandems donated and grants to buy more, so if you would like to borrow one or have a tandem or components to donate then please contact Alex. We are in based in Gloucestershire, have outposts in Essex, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Surrey and are hoping to spread out to other places in the UK.
Our charitable status
Charlotte's Tandems became a charity in April 2011 and its constitution is available on request. The charity is run by volunteers. Gift Aid forms are available here. We do not charge for our tandems, but welcome donations and would welcome any spare parts. We have a had a few monetary donations and a grant, but not enough to take us to the threshold needed to become a Registered Charity. If we could get some grants and donations before April we may have enough to Register and then the door opens to us to apply for many more grants and then we can buy more tandems. Our first AGM will be held in Dursley, Glos, on Saturday 17th March 2012.
Our Tandems
We have a number of tandems donated via the Tandem Club and through our website, and others bought through monatary donations and one owned by Charlotte. Charlotte gets to ride one and the rest are for borrowing. Please let us know if you would like to borrow one of the availeble tandems or whether you would like to join the waiting list for one of the others. If you borrow one now, you can have it until at least Easter. We are already taking bookings for the Spring or Summer, so get in quick.
Our Gloucestershire based tandems
Cannondale road tandem
25"/23": drop handlebars: 700c wheels. Currently riden by Dave
Sun road tandem
Two Viking Salernos
Also available, a luggage trailer
We know it's not a tandem but it was donated to us and may be of use to someone.
Back rest with side supports
Attaches to our tandems. For the use of more physically disabled stokers. Available
| Green Dawes Super Galaxy
Schwinn Sierra
Flat handlebars
26" wheels Available Orbit Gemini
Trailer bike
For younger riders, this trailer bike has 3 gears. It attaches via a special rack to the adult's bike. Available
Other tandemsWe have also had the offer of a 1990's tandem frame, which will need components, to get it ready to ride. We will also be buying some tandems with a grant that we have been given. Watch this space.
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We also have a range of accessories to borrow, even if you don't borrow a tandem. Alex in Gloucestershire has front & rear pannier racks, panniers, helmets, bike luggage trailer, etc. We also have a spare bike rack and two tandem roof carriers for cars, if you need to transport your tandem. We are also buying a back rest with side supports for use by more physically disabled riders on our tandems.
Our Essex based Tandems
Blue Dawes Super Galaxy
Motobecane Ladyback
22"/20.5" ?
Drop handlebars 700c wheels Available | Hiway Vertical
Thanks to Richard for looking after the Essex based Tandems. Richard is willing to deliver tandems, as long as it's not too far. Perhaps you could reimburse his petrol costs..
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Richard also has, in Essex, some donated accesories including front and rear panniers and a rear rack.
Our Surrey based tandems
2nd Viking Saratoga
17"/15", flat bars, 26" wheels. Currently riden by Jan
| 2nd Blue Dawes Super Galaxy
22"/21", drop bars, 700c wheels. Currently riden by Companion Cycling
Other tandemsMartin is due to collect another tandem soon. Watch this space.
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Our Warwickshire based tandems
Mercian tandem
Hercules Ladyback
This tandem is being restored by John and has its own blog.
| Viking Saratoga
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Our Cheshire based tandems
Raleigh Pioneer U+1
Grey Dawes Super Galaxy
| Columbia hybrid
21"/20": flat bars: 700c wheels Available.
The Cheshire and Midland based tandems were based in Gloucestershire, however due to strong demand they have been relocated and are looked after by Brian and John respectively. So if you would like to have some of our tandems near you then fill in the form below.
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Our Tandems in Derbyshire
The three Derbyshire tandems ahave been restored to full working order by David and his colleagues. Great family bikes. Book them now.
Blue Orbita
Flat bars
26" wheels Available Ladyback tandemPicture coming soon. Reserved for Tianna
| Red Orbita
Flat bars
26" wheels Available |
Tandems elsewhere in the UK
We have an offer Thorn Discovery and a Mini 20 tandem. We've also heard that we have been awarded a grant from a major supermarket chain to buy six more low step-over tandems, but are still waiting for the cheque to arrive. We need more places for these to go, so please get in touch if you would like to borrow one or could store one or two for us.
Our History
Charlotte has severe learning difficulties, autism and is non verbal. It is hard to keep her busy and happy but we found that cycling was the best way. When Charlotte grew out of her Tag-a-long in 2005 we decided to take the plunge and a bought a tandem, without even trying one out beforehand. Fortunately, she loved it from the start and we've riden many miles, without major problems. We therefore wanted to share our love for tandeming with others. The very kind members of the Tandem Club have donated some tandems to lend out, see below. Other families, couples and friends are now able to try out a tandem for a month or two for free, to see if they enjoy it too and decide whether to buy one for themselves.
We now have Regional helpers, Richard, John, Brian, David & Martin, and we are very grateful for all their help.
We now have Regional helpers, Richard, John, Brian, David & Martin, and we are very grateful for all their help.
Our Donors
We are very grateful for the following for donating their tandems, many of whom contacted us through the Tandem Club:
Mr Phil Jenkins of Teignmouth, Devon
Mrs Val Oliver of Brandon, Suffolk Mr Tom Marrow of Bromham, Bedfordshire Mrs Bryden Stevenson-Jones of Heanor Mr David Callister of Nailsea, North Somerset Mrs Julia Tyrell of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire Mr Clem Collins of Eastbourne Mr Brian Hope of Cambridgeshire | Mr Geoff Josey of Essex
Mrs Gloria Jarvis of Cheltenham Mr David Wragg of Dudley Mr Mark and Mrs Teresa Batty of Lincolnshire Mrs Janine Wigmore of Todmorden Mrs Charlotte Elford of Cobham Mr Geoff Shore of Epsom |
We received a grant form the Summerfield Charitable Trust for use in and around Gloucestershire and have bought three tandems so far with it. We also soon hope to receive a cheque from a supermarket chain for a grant for more tandems for the rest of the UK.
We are always looking for more tandems. Please contact us if you can help.
We have also received financial donations from Mrs Karen Robinson of Fairford, Mr Steve Mellor of Harrow, Mr Patrick Ward of Farnham, Surrey, Mrs E. Langrock-Bircher of Gloucester, Mrs Zoe Young of Oxfordshire, Mr A Kent of Stroud, Mr J. Harris of Birmingham, Mr M Burgess of Oldbury and Mr Peter & Mrs Judith Ashman of Gloucestershire, each of which have been Gift Aided, and also from members of CycleChat.net. We are also supported by Alex Reeves Engineering Ltd.
Thanks also to Babcock employees: Andrew Whittaker, Marc Antill, Paul McCloud, Tarek Abdelhamid and Paul Perry for donating their secondhand bike parts for use on our tandems. We also got a solo bike through Dursley Freegle for parts.
We are always looking for more tandems. Please contact us if you can help.
We have also received financial donations from Mrs Karen Robinson of Fairford, Mr Steve Mellor of Harrow, Mr Patrick Ward of Farnham, Surrey, Mrs E. Langrock-Bircher of Gloucester, Mrs Zoe Young of Oxfordshire, Mr A Kent of Stroud, Mr J. Harris of Birmingham, Mr M Burgess of Oldbury and Mr Peter & Mrs Judith Ashman of Gloucestershire, each of which have been Gift Aided, and also from members of CycleChat.net. We are also supported by Alex Reeves Engineering Ltd.
Thanks also to Babcock employees: Andrew Whittaker, Marc Antill, Paul McCloud, Tarek Abdelhamid and Paul Perry for donating their secondhand bike parts for use on our tandems. We also got a solo bike through Dursley Freegle for parts.
We are also on Facebook. See the site for more photos.
Come for a ride with us!
How about coming for a ride with us? We've been on a few Tandem Club rides recently with the West Country and 3 Counties branches and really enjoyed them. The other members are very friendly and helped us plan our route so that we don't have to ride all day.
We had fun at the Shrubberies School May Fayre (14th May 2011) and are hoping to give rides at other special school summer fayres. We made some money for the school, got a donation for the charity and got some potential borrowers. Thanks to Ian Mynett for helping give rides. The photo shows Charlotte taking her Grandad for a ride.
We would like to give rides at other Special Schools' fayres. Please let us know if you know of one.
We had fun at the Shrubberies School May Fayre (14th May 2011) and are hoping to give rides at other special school summer fayres. We made some money for the school, got a donation for the charity and got some potential borrowers. Thanks to Ian Mynett for helping give rides. The photo shows Charlotte taking her Grandad for a ride.
We would like to give rides at other Special Schools' fayres. Please let us know if you know of one.
