Feedback from Borrowers: Aug 2022

Rich from Brighton

Rich and and his Captain collected our East Sussex based yellow Thorn tandem in late-August 2022. He Tweeted, "Borrowed a tandem from @CharlottesTand and excited to try it out. Haven't ridden a bike since before I went blind 11 years ago. Such a great charity!" Thit is very dark and they promise another.

Sienna from Lurgan

Sienna and her parents have one of our Northern Ireland based Viking Valhalla tandems since late-August 2022. Martina, her Mum, wrote in early September, "Thank you so much to Charlotte's Tandems and Helper Ken for letting us borrow the tandem. Sienna absolutely loves getting out on the bike. This is a photo of Sienna and her Dad enjoying a Sunday cycle around the lakes."

Lee from Swadlincote

Lee and and his Captain, Pete, collected our Warwickshire based blue Orbita tandem in late-August 2022. In late January 2023 he reported that he hadn't ridden it yet, as his Pilot and then him had been injured, and they hoped to ride it soon.

Mahomed from Leicester

Mahomed and and his Captain, Phil, collected our Warwickshire based Gemini tandem in late-August 2022.

Alex from NW London

Alex and her husband, Ian, collected our Berkshire based Thorn Explorer tandem in late August 2022. Ian said in mid-October, "Thank you very much. What a great concept and charity. Charlotte’s gave us a great opportunity to test a tandem and check out if it was a possibility to continue cycling together over longer distances. A real success. Looks like a purchase is coming on next spring."

Cyril from Brighton

Cyril and Eve collected our Sussex based Viking Companion tandem in late-August 2022.

Taylor from Evesham

Taylor and his Dad, Alan, collected one of our Gloucestershire based Weehoo tag-alongs in late-August 2022. A couple of hours later his Mum, Sarah, told our Facebook group, "Been back less than an hour and they're off exploring the village! Ps. Hubby did come back for his helmet."

Charlene from Chester

Charlene and her PA, Jill, collected our Liverpool based Viking Valhalla tandem in mid-August 2022. Jill wrote in early September, "We managed to get helmets and hi viz today then went straight out, Charlene’s friend Gareth came too. We had a great time until the rain started. Looking forward to going out again."

Natalie from Ayrshire

Natalie and her Pilot, Tracey, drove eight hours from Ayrshire and borrowed our Berkshire based Thorn Voyager tandem in mid-August 2022 to ride in the Super Hero Triathlon. Natalie told our Facebook group later that day, "Today myself and my guide Tracey took part in the Super Hero Triathlon series powered by Marvel.
This would not have been possible with the help from Charlotte's Tandems providing us with a tandem for the event.
Can’t thank John enough for sorting out the bike and providing transport of the bike to Dorney Lake. We can wait to do it again next year"

Jaina from Hinkley

Jaina's friend, Zoe, collected our Warwickshire based Viking Valhalla tandem in mid-August 2022. Jaina told our Facebook group in late September, "A big thank you to Charlotte's Tandems for lending my lovely friend Zoe and I this amazing tandem bike: this was an extra special experience for me as I literally haven’t ridden a bike since I lost my eyesight in 2002. We took the bike for a spin last weekend and it was the most thrilling experience! Wind in my face, a sense of freedom, excitement as we sped past the amazing surroundings. I am definitely hooked! Thank you so much."

Lily from Eastbourne

Lily and her Dad, Gabor, collected one of our East Sussex based Thorn Kiddyback tandems in mid-August 2022. It is the third tandem that they have borrowed from us. Gabor told our Facebook group in August 2023, "We had a lovely Bank Holiday Monday around the lake."

Arjun from Winnersh

Arjun and his Mum, Ruchi, collected our Berkshire based Viking Saratoga tandem in mid-August 2022. This is the second time that they have borrowed from us, the first time being in early 2022. More details and a photo are to follow.

Jack from Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Ralph collected our Newcastle based red Viking Monarch tandem for his Dad, Jack, in August 2022. Ralph told our Facebook group in late September, "First test ride on a tandem loaned from Charlotte Tandems; me and my Dad. Rider ages: 98+61=159 years... Thanks to my friend, Tim, for helping organise this."

Finn from New Brighton

Finn and his Mum, Selina, collected our Liverpool based Burley Samba tandem in mid-August 2022. This is the second time that they have borrowed from us, the first time being in 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Matthew from Surrey

Matthew and his Mum, Sarah, collected our Sussex based Thorn Kiddyback tandem in mid-August 2022. Sarah told our Facebook group that day that they were looking forward to getting out and about on it.

Evie from Bressingham

Evie and her parents collected our Norfolk based Viking Pennine Trail tandem in mid-August 2022.

Judith from Berkhamsted

Judith and her husband, Ian, swapped our Hertfordshire based Bike Friday tandem for our newly donated Dawes Duet tandem in mid-August 2022. In April 2023 Judith told our Facebook group, "After us both recovering from unrelated injuries we were able to dust off the on loan tandem from Charlotte's Tandems and go for a little 12 mile ride to ease us back. Thank you Charlotte's Tandems to try before we buy!"

Lachlan from Lyle of Lockaish

Lachlan and his Mum, Krissy, collected Freya, our NE Scotland based Viking Saratoga tandem in early August 2022. Krissy wrote soon after, "Good to know she’s called Freya. Lachlan is still struggling to actually get on her unfortunately. Too nervous to put his feet on the pedals and take off - so any tips would be welcome. He’s used to going on a bike that I’ve taken the pedals off to use as a balance bike but I think he uses a trike at school and pedals that.".
Later that day she wrote, "He’s done it! He’s gone from being so scared, he wanted me to take it back to loving it in one day! Can hardly believe it and so proud of him! Looking forward to some adventures on Freya now!"

Elodie from Abingdon

Elodie and her parents collected our Berkshire based black Thorn Voyager tandem in early August 2022. More details and a photo are to follow.

Jack from Shrewsbury

Jack and and his Mum, Jane, collected our Shropshire based Orbit tandem in early August 2022. Ray, our Shropshire Helper, went for a ride with him and told our Facebook group, "Here's Jack from Shrewsbury enjoying a ride on the Shropshire Orbit tandem. We formed part of a Cycling4All, Shropshire 'Pedal out Together' ride along cycle route 81 to the pub at Upton Magna. Jacks' fitness was only too obvious when we zipped up the inclines!"

Henry from Keynsham

Henry and his Dad, David, are the first Borrowers of the Oxford based Dawes Backstreet tandem in early August 2022. More details and a photo are to follow.

Leia from Woking

Leia and her Mum, Cat, collected our Berkshire based Duet wheelchair tandem in early August 2022. Cat told our Facebook group, "Picked up the Duet Wheelchair Tandem from the lovely John in Berkshire this morning and took it for a spin at one of our local parks in Woking this afternoon! Nice little 3 mile round trip
Took a bit of tweaking with the straps and a little while for us to get Leia into a fairly good position in the seat, but once we did, we were off! Ice cream van was conveniently parked up in the park, so would've been rude to not stop for an ice cream
Thank you so much, John, Alex and Charlotte's Tandems for enabling us to do this! Looking forward to getting Leia out for lots of adventures!"

Darcy from Cheltenham

Darcy's Stepdad, Adrian, collected our Gloucestershire based Viking Saratoga tandem at the start of August 2022. Darcy had previously borrowed one of our Midlands based tag-along bikes.