Sophie from East Bergholt
Sophie collected our Suffolk based Claud Butler tandem at the end of June 2021. Sophie said in early August, "This is us at the beginning and end of the Dunwich Dynamo last weekend (200km night ride). It was such an experience - felt like we were flying (except on the last few uphills…) and we enjoyed a full English in the beach at the end. The tandem was perfect - thank you so much"
Billy from Reading
Billy and his Mum, Ngoc, collected our Berkshire based Timberline tandem in late June 2021. Ngoc said, "Thank you Charlotte's Tandems! Thank you Alex and John for helping us to get the Tandem for my son Billy. He was really happy and enjoyed it. Great service, great people".
Riley from Ashford
Riley and his Mum, Louise, collected our East Sussex based Phillips tandem in late June 2021. Louise told our Facebook group in mid-July, "My son Riley, finally riding a bike! He is asking to go on a ride every day now, and before wouldn’t even entertain the idea. Huge thank you to Richard and Charlotte's Tandems."
Josh from Windsor
Josh and his Dad, Monty, collected our Surrey based Simmonsohn Stavanger tandem in late June 2021. Monty told our Facebook group that they'd had a "A great few days in the New Forest with Joshua and the tandem."
Adam from Reading
Adam and his Pilot, Anders, collected our Berkshire based black Thorn Voyager tandem in late June 2021.
Ted from the South West
Fred collected our Gloucestershire based Orbit Gemini tandem in late June 2021 for Ted.
Ash from Reading
Ash and Leesa collected the Berkshire based Thorn Explorer tandem in late June 2021.
Kaden from Holmfirth
Kaeden and his Mum, Nadia, collected our Manchester based unbadged Viking Companion tandem in mid-June 2021. Nadia wrote, "A pic of us heading out for a ride. Thanks for providing the bike. Kade had a right laugh at my rubbish navigation/ driving skills."
Kitty from Leamington Spa.
Kitty and her Mum, Ursula, collected one of our Warwickshire based tag-along bikes in mid-June 2021.
In early August, Simon, our Warwickshire Helper told our Facebook group that Ursula had written, "Kitty finally felt brave enough to give the bike a try. So far they have only cycled around the garden but hopefully will manage a trip further afield soon."
In early August, Simon, our Warwickshire Helper told our Facebook group that Ursula had written, "Kitty finally felt brave enough to give the bike a try. So far they have only cycled around the garden but hopefully will manage a trip further afield soon."
Dexter from Worcestershrie
Dexter and his parents collected our Shropshire based Buddybike in mid-June 2021. Helper Ray told our Facebook group at the start of July, "Mum says 'We have made progress, he’s not got on it yet but he’s been ‘helping’ Andrew wheel it about and I did manage to get him to stand still for a photo. So we’re going to get it out again this weekend and see if we can get him on it.' " Have a look on our Facebook group to see the progress that they made since this.
Anita from Suffolk
Anita and her husband, Gary, collected our Suffolk based Thorn Raven tandem in mid-June 2021. Unfortunately they didn't enjoy riding it, so returned the tandem.
Joe from Cambridge
Joe and his parents collected our Cambridge based Sirius tandem in mid-June 2021. His Mum, Sophie, posted a couple of videos on our Facebook group in early July and said, "First time Joe has pedalled a bicycle (he’s been riding a tricycle until today). Thank you Charlotte's Tandems"
Sharon from Stamford
The Cambridgeshire based Mercian tandem was collected in mid-June 2021 by members of Stamford Cycling Club for Sharon.
Josh from Windsor
Josh and his Dad, Monty, collected our Hertfordshire based Viking Valhalla tandem in mid-June 2021. They swapped it soon after for the Surrey based Simmonsohn Stavanger tandem.
Ewa from Hemel Hempstead
Ewa and her Mum, Ania, collected our Hertfordshire based Ammaco tag-along bike in mid-June 2021. Ania wrote soon after, “We are now in possession of the tag along bike, which was loan to us by Steve, who was absolutely superb and even found a supporting seat for Ewa, which is great help. Ewa absolutely loves being on the bike, and when I say, “it’s a bike ride”, she is ready within minutes, getting her helmet on. We ride nearly every evening (weather permitting) and it’s an amazing feeling not to think about arrangements for my son to go on his bike, when someone’s is looking after Ewa at home, as she couldn’t fit any longer in her bike seat. We are back doing our family rides and enjoying the beautiful summer evenings, even on cloudy days like today.”
Sharon from Stafford
Sharon and her one of her sons have had our South Staffordshire based Dawes Duet tandem in mid-June 2021. Her husband, Tony, also has a tandem, see below. Sharon said in early August, "Please find attached photographs of me with my eldest son Darren. We had fun cycling on a nearby cycle path. It was extremely hot but very enjoyable."
Tony from Stafford
Tony and one of his sons have had our South Staffordshire based Viking Derwent tandem in mid-June 2021. His wife, Sharon, also has a tandem, see above. Sharon reported in early August that Tony had been unwell. Unfortunately by December he still hadn't ridden it.
Zehra from Brighton
Zehra collected one of our Sussex based Viking Valhalla tandems in mid-June 2021. It is the second time that she has borrowed from us.
Nash from Yatton
Nash's Mum, Tash, collected our Gloucestershire based Adams tag-along bike and Adams backrest in mid-June 2021. Unfortunately he wouldn't ride it, so they returned it.
Gill from Groomsport
Gill and Adrian collected our Co Down based Viking Valhalla tandem in early 2021. Gill told our Facebook group, "One of many adventures so far on our brilliant tandem from Charlotte’s tandems. Thank you so much for the opportunity. Loving the freedom to enjoy the countryside. Thank you to Ken for looking after us and making the pick up so easy."
Joshua from Epsom
Joshua and his parents collected the Berkshire based Mission Piggyback tag-along trike in early June 2021. His Mum, Tanya, wrote a few days later on our Facebook group, "We would personally like to thank Charlotte’s Tandems and the lovely John for giving us the opportunity to try and encourage Joshua to cycle, as due to his disabilities he doesn’t have the confidence or mobility to ride normal bikes. This has always been a family dream to get out riding but thought we never would! This is day 1 and we have enjoyed a bit more freedom."
Stan from Thornbury
Stan and his Mum, Charly, collected our Gloucestershire based green Thorn Kiddyback tandem in early June 2021. They previously had borrowed a tag-along from us. They plan to ride the tandem to school. See a video of them in action on our Facebook group.
Paul from Bilericay
Paul and his friend collected our Essex based Hiway tandem in early June 2021. He wrote that day, ""My friend (he did wear a helmet!) and I cycled 5 miles this morning - it took some time to get used to but got there in the end. The only issue is the size of the bike as you have previously stated. I think I will ask John in due course for the bigger size and return the Hiway bike to Mel. For Ipswich it is a 3hour round trip collecting in a van, which I will need to organise.
Thanks for the opportunity though, it was great to be on a bike again. Whilst central vision is ok, my peripheral vision has diminished to the extent I can no longer drive and had to give up cycling as would not see road traffic from the side or pot holes below me."
Thanks for the opportunity though, it was great to be on a bike again. Whilst central vision is ok, my peripheral vision has diminished to the extent I can no longer drive and had to give up cycling as would not see road traffic from the side or pot holes below me."
Eve from Warrington
Diane collected our Liverpool Viking Valhalla tandem in early June 2021 for her daughter, Eve. More details and a photo are to follow.
Oliver from Thame
Oliver and his Mum, Julia, are the first Borrowers of our Berkshire based Mission Duet tandem and collected it in early June 2021. Julia wrote the next day, "Oliver’s first go with his Dad on the tandem we received yesterday. I’m so pleased to say he loved it. The first time we’ve been out on bikes together for about 6 years. . Thank you so much for setting up this brilliant charity."
Anna from Wotton under Edge
Anna's Dad, George, collected our newly donated Gloucestershire based Axis Hitch Hopper tag-along bike in early June 2021. They enjoyed a ride along the Nailsworth to Stroud Railway Track..
Joshua from Newport, South Wales
Joshua's Mum, Joanna, collected our Gloucestershire based Pashley U Plus 1 tag-along trike at the start of June 2021. They are its first Borrowers. Joanna reported in early July that Joshua would not ride it.
Gordon from Stirling
Gordon and Shona collected our Glasgow based Viking Valhalla tandem in June 2021. Gordon wrote the following in December..
"It was taken in Glen Co where Shona and myself took the tandem for a few days to enjoy the great Scottish outdoors. It was a fabulous time and even the Scottish weather was kind to us.
I also carried out an interview with Colin, talking about the great work of your charity, which was posted by Playback, a talking newspaper based here in Scotland with a listenership of around 5,000 listeners. Here’s a link to it if you’d like to listen:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/02wbiwpdzvelbbd/Tandem.mp3?dl=0
Finally can I take this opportunity to thank you and all the team for this great service you offer. It’s been so much fun and a great way to get out and about especially during this past year."
"It was taken in Glen Co where Shona and myself took the tandem for a few days to enjoy the great Scottish outdoors. It was a fabulous time and even the Scottish weather was kind to us.
I also carried out an interview with Colin, talking about the great work of your charity, which was posted by Playback, a talking newspaper based here in Scotland with a listenership of around 5,000 listeners. Here’s a link to it if you’d like to listen:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/02wbiwpdzvelbbd/Tandem.mp3?dl=0
Finally can I take this opportunity to thank you and all the team for this great service you offer. It’s been so much fun and a great way to get out and about especially during this past year."
