Stanley from Newmarket
Stanley and his Mum, Sarah, collected our Cambridgeshire based Viking Valhalla at the end of July 2025. Sarah told our Facebook group, "Picked a tandem up yesterday and wow, what a fun summer we are in for, our son, who is just too scared to ride by himself although desperately wanting to, has becoming a cycling fan. 6 miles done today and if it wasn't for a swimming lesson tonight I think he would be demanding to go back out. Instead of the screaming in fear they normally hear the neighbours have been treated to squeals of delight. Can't thank you enough for your amazing charity
Note no helmet on the first very short ride, from the car to the house, just to make sure he would get on it, but he is so safety conscious he has been walking round the house wearing it in the hopes to get back out on it, it was just too cute to not share his first impression."
Note no helmet on the first very short ride, from the car to the house, just to make sure he would get on it, but he is so safety conscious he has been walking round the house wearing it in the hopes to get back out on it, it was just too cute to not share his first impression."
Laura from Mortimer
Laura and her friend, Darren, collected our Berkshire based Thorn Voyager tandem in late July 2025. They returned it soon after, but did not supply any comments or photos.
Edward from Cramlington
Edward and his Mum, Lucie, collected our Newcastle based Viking Tarantino tandem in late July 2025. Lucie wrote in early August,
"Just wanted to send some pictures through of Edward and his dad Tim on their first tandem ride …… Hopefully Edward's smile says it all. We have been for a ride around Killingworth Lake and then stopped for an impromptu rest to watch a combine harvester in action.
I was able to follow behind on a mountain bike. Thank you so much for the loan of the tandem it has opened up a whole possibility of new adventures for us. We will be out tractor spotting again tomorrow.".
"Just wanted to send some pictures through of Edward and his dad Tim on their first tandem ride …… Hopefully Edward's smile says it all. We have been for a ride around Killingworth Lake and then stopped for an impromptu rest to watch a combine harvester in action.
I was able to follow behind on a mountain bike. Thank you so much for the loan of the tandem it has opened up a whole possibility of new adventures for us. We will be out tractor spotting again tomorrow.".
Fred from Hampton
Fred and his Dad, Matt, collected our Berkshire based Mission "deuT" tandem in late July 2025.
Chloe from Fleet
Chloe's Mum, Jo, collected our Berkshire based Mission Piggyback tag-along trike in late July 2025. Jo said in early August, "As requested here is a photo of Chloe enjoying her tag-along. We are out on it most days and it’s been life changing. She always jumps at the chance when we say “bicycle “ and “eeeees” her way along. She loves it and so do we, thank you!"
Joanne from Gospel End
Joanne and her husband, Paul, collected our North Staffordshire based Landescape tandem in late July 2025. Hilary, our Helper, told our Facebook group, "Jo is partially sighted and they’re looking forward to getting out cycling as a couple. Picture for publicity - helmets will be worn". They added more pictures and a video on our Facebook group.
Daisy from Tarporley
Daisy and her Mum, Liz, collected our Viking Pink Link tandem in late July 2025. This is Geoff, our Wirral Helper's first hire. Unfortunately Daisy wouldn't ride it.
Mason from Swansea
Mason and his Mum, Donna, and his Grandad, collected our Gloucestershire based Viking Timberwolf tandem in mid-July 2025. They plan to ride it along the Prom near their home.
SJ from Bolton
SJ and his Mum, Danielle, collected our Lancashire based Viking Companion tandem in mid-July 2025. Helper David told our Facebook group, "SJ came from Bolton to test ride a tandem. He wasn't at all convinced that riding a bike was for him, but the family took the tandem home, hoping that SJ would want to ride this new machine. Mum sent a couple of pics. "Practice has begun, we managed 10 mins riding around our local area." This just shows what can be achieved with gentle encouragement. Well done SJ."
Hannah from Colchester
Hannah and her Mum, Lorraine, collected our Suffolk based Ammaco Twin tandem in mid-July 2025. Hannah said at the start of August, "The days after we picked up the bike were quite rainy and we couldn’t get out. I was then on holiday and got back on Thursday, and the last two days have also been rainy, so today was the first chance we had to ride the tandem. Please see attached a picture of myself (Hannah on the back) and my mum (Lorraine on the front).
I was born visually impaired, but did learn to ride a bike. My family went out at weekends cycling around the local countryside. We even cycled around the coast of East Anglia as a holiday one year. As part of a group and slightly better vision than I have now, I could ride independently. But as an adult, although I can ride a bike, I can’t see well enough to be safe. So my mum suggest we try a tandem and, from years of being an adviser to people with Sight Loss, I was aware of Charlotte’s Tandems.
It is early days, but our maiden voyage went well and we are looking forward to many more bike rides.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue enjoying bike riding."
I was born visually impaired, but did learn to ride a bike. My family went out at weekends cycling around the local countryside. We even cycled around the coast of East Anglia as a holiday one year. As part of a group and slightly better vision than I have now, I could ride independently. But as an adult, although I can ride a bike, I can’t see well enough to be safe. So my mum suggest we try a tandem and, from years of being an adviser to people with Sight Loss, I was aware of Charlotte’s Tandems.
It is early days, but our maiden voyage went well and we are looking forward to many more bike rides.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue enjoying bike riding."
Riley from Eastleigh
Riley and his Mum, Heidi, collected our Berkshire based Weehoo in mid-July 2025. Heidi told our Facebook group, "Riley enjoyed a little ride out on the Weehoo tag along today. He was squealing with delight. I think it’s going to get lots of use over the summer. Thank you Charlotte's Tandems for the loan."
Daniel from Belfast
Daniel and his Mum, Nicola, collected our Armargh based Viking Stornoway tandem in mid-July 2025. Nicola said at the start of August, "Daniel has been out a few times over the weekend and had a great time on the tandem. He is absolutely delighted to be cycling a two-wheeler and attracting some attention when out and about! He's becoming a dab hand at the hand signals too!
His Uncle Peter has taken him out, as well as with me (his mum). Thank you so much, and thanks to Martin for his guidance when we came to try it out."
His Uncle Peter has taken him out, as well as with me (his mum). Thank you so much, and thanks to Martin for his guidance when we came to try it out."
Joe from Godalming
Joe and his Mum, Ali, collected our Surrey based Viking Timber Trail tandem in mid-July 2025. More details and a photo are to follow.
Connie from Stockport
Connie and her Mum, Sharlene, collected our Lancashire based Viking Companion tandem in mid-July 2025. Sharlene said, "Connie and I have had a big practice ride tonight ready for the school run tomorrow! She really loves it and it is a step up from our usual tag a long. Looking forward to lots of rides over the summer holidays!"
Annabel from Worcestershire
Annabel's Mum, Kirstie, collected our one of our Gloucestershire based black Thorn Kiddyback tandem in early July 2025 and they are its first Borrowers. Annabelle said a fortnight later, "We’ve loved being able to use it to get to holiday club this week and Annabelle is really enjoying the freedom. We can’t wait to get some more time out riding now that the weather has settled a bit. Thank you so much! "
Liel from Islington
Liel and his family have collected our Berkshire based KHS Sausage Dog tandem in early July 2025. Helper John has written, "They plan to use the tandem on the school run of 2.4 miles, which if done by car takes 45 mins, because of traffic. Liel will be the stoker, with mum Shani as pilot. Since its a folding tandem, transporting was easy and storage inside the house is not so difficult."
Adam from Morpeth
Adam and his Mum, Sarah, collected our Newcastle based Dawes Duet tandem at the start of July 2025. Sarah told our Facebook group, "Thank you to Tim for a great introduction to tandem riding - Adam and his Dad are off to get the shopping on our beautiful Dawes tandem loan!" and later emailed, "They got all the shopping: two big panniers full and no wobbles."
Harrison from Fareham
Harrison and his Mum, Michelle, collected our Surrey based Simmonsohn Stavanger tandem at the start of July 2025. Michelle said later that month, "He’s peddling for first time".
Barnaby from Knaresborough
Barnaby and his Dad, Edd, collected our North Yorks based Thorn Explorer tandem at the start of July 2025. Edd said in mid-July, "Thank you to Charlotte Tandems for the hire of this wonderful bike. It has been fantastic and allowed us to go out as a family together. We are extremely grateful for everything they have done to enable us to be to achieve such a simple task, in a very challenging situation. Massive shout out to Andy and Lynn for going the extra mile (excuse the pun). Thank you very much"
