Feedback from Borrowers: Sept to Dec 2020

Eugene from Sutton, Surrey

Eugene and his Mum, Eunja, collected our Surrey based Simmonsohn tandem in December 2020. This is their third hires from us, having previously borrowed tandems back in 2014 & 2015.
Eunja wrote to our Facebook group, "He is really enjoying and now he can go for longer journey with his daddy. Thanks for giving him freedom again! We really appreciate it. "

Yaacov from Newcastle

Here are Yaacov and his parents, Rachel and Naftal, collecting our Newcastle based Dawes Discovery tandem in late December 2020.

Keelan from near Cheltenham

Keelan and his Mum, Laura, collected one of our Gloucestershire based Thorn tandems in mid-December 2020. See a video of them in action on our Facebook group. They had previously borrowed one of our tag-alongs.
In June 2021, Laura reported that Keelan had learnt to ride his own bike after riding the tandem and posted a video of him in action.

Sammy from Southampton

Sammy's parents collected our Berkshire based Mission Piggyback tag-along trike in early December 2020. His Mum, Sarah, wrote "He has autism as well as Down Syndrome so all new things take time with him, but he was very happy when he saw it and did it for 15 minutes the first time on Christmas Day. We have been doing a little longer each day and today was the first day he actually asked to go for a bike ride unprompted and he did nearly 30 minutes This is his first time ever on a proper bike so we are very very happy!"

Dave from Woodstock

Dave and his Wife, Pheobe, collected our Oxford based Timberwolf tandem in early December 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Timo from Darlington

Timo and his Mum, Elizabeth, collected our Newcastle based Micmo tandem at the start of December 2020. His Mum. Elizabeth wrote to our Facebook group, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...Today I tolerated the helmet and even sat on the bike. Tomorrow, maybe Dad can get on too? Well done Tino. You are a little star"

Jude from Co Armagh

Jude and his parents collected our Co Down based Viking Valhalla tandem at the start of December 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Sophie from Bristol

Here's Sophie (modelling our Hi Viz vest) and her family collecting one of our Gloucestershire based Thorn Voyager tandems in early December 2020. They planned to go for a long ride the next day.

Pearl from Hitchin

Pearl and her Dad, Andy, collected our Hertfordshire based Globetrotter tandem in late 2020.

Cicley from Chesham, Bucks

Cicely and her Mum, Becky, collected one of our Hertfordshire based tag-alongs in late 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Joseph from Wrexham

Joseph and his Mum, Angela, collected our North Wales based Viking Ascot MCX tandem, named Doris, in late-November 2020. Angela wrote on our Facebook group in July 2021, "Hi, just wanted to say a huge thank you to Charlotte's Tandems for helping my 7 year old son Joseph to ride a bike. Your organisation has been invaluable and hope these photos will promote such a worthwhile cause. Our first ride out on the tandem was the my Mawddach trail, he'd gone from not being able to fully pedal to storming 10 miles along the beautiful Welsh estuary . Very happy bunny, thanks again"

Rachael from London

Rachael and her Dad, Andy, collected our Suffolk based Ammaco tandem in mid-November 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Adrian from Rugby

Adrian collected our Warwickshire based red Gemini tandem in early November 2020. He wrote at the end of November, "Here are myself and my son Elliot (he's the pilot) on the tandem. Between my work, his school and the less than ideal weather we haven't managed to get out for a proper ride yet but we have got to grips with stopping and starting on a few local rides. I'm an experienced tandem rider but it's new to Elliot so we're taking it slowly."

Thomas from Hampshire

Thomas and his Dad, Andrew, collected our Hampshire based Thorn tandem in early November 2020, At the end of November his Mum, Kirstie, said on our Facebook group, "We had our first ever family bike ride yesterday, it was brilliant to be able to all go out together. Thomas loved being on the tandem!"

Senna from Hertfordshire

Senna and her Mum, Catherine, collected our Hertfordshire based Ammaco Twin tandem at the start of November 2020. Catherine told our Facebook group at the end of February, "Sienna and myself have really enjoyed cycling miles together during lockdown. Thank you so much for the hire of the tandem it’s boasted Sienna’s confidence and has shown Sienna that she can ride a bike just like others x"

Holly from Berkshire

Holly and her Mum, Emma Rose, collected our Berkshire based Hase Pino tandem at the start of November 2020. Emma Rose wrote to our Facebook group in January 2021, "We’ve had lots of adventures on this amazing bike, will be sad to see it go. Thank you so much."

Erin from Sutton Coldfield

Erin and her Mum, Lisa, collected one of our Warwickshire based tag-along bikes. Lisa wrote on our Facebook group, "Erin and my first go with our borrowed tag-along! Thanks to Charlotte’s Tandems, and especially Simon Watkins! "

Arthur from Farnham

Arthur and his parents collected our Hampshire based Viking Companion tandem in late October 2020. They fitted a motor to the front wheel, as apparently it is hilly where they live.

Justin from Ipswich

Justin collected our Suffolk based Claud Butler tandem at the end of October 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Benjamin from Newcastle-upon Tyne

Benjamin and his Dad, Ifeanyi, collected our Newcastle based Orbit tandem in late October 2020. Tim, our Newcastle Helper said that Ben "enjoyed it so much that he started singing loudly as I took him round the block in the rain."

Caleb from Sherbourne, Dorset

Caleb and his Parents collected our Oxford based Orbit Routier Tour tandem in late October 2020. Alison wrote, "Thanks to Charlotte Tandems and specifically Pete from Oxford for the loan of the tandem. Our son Caleb loves it and asks to go out on it. He had only ridden an adult trike before but has taken to this so well. The only problem he has a tendency to stop pedalling sometimes halfway up the hill!!! And we live in rural, hilly Dorset!!" See a video of them in action in on our Facebook group.

Bernie from Richmond, VA, USA

Bernie and his Pilot, Doug, are the first Borrowers of our Washington DC based Bilenky tandem and collected it in late-October 2020.

Archie from Norwich

Archie and his Mum, Laura, collected our Norfolk based Mission Piggyback tag-along trike in late-October 2020. Laura wrote on our Facebook group soon after, "Thank you so much for letting us borrow your tag along. First ride out today and Archie loved it, lots of smiles, we ended up going out for an hour as he didn't want to go home. Definitely think we will be having lots of fun with this. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Louise from Kingswinford

Louise and her Sister collected our South Staffordshire based Viking Derwent tandem in mid-October 2020.

Lisa from SW London

Lisa and her Mum, Kirsten, collected our Surrey based Viking Valhalla tandem in mid-October 2020. Kirsten said in early November, "Lisa and I are loving the Tandem. I felt a little anxious after a tutorial about tandem cycling, but actually it’s been actually quite easy. Lisa could already cycle but isn’t road safe and it requires a lot of concentration to pedal, balance and try and concentrate on traffic. Following our first little ride she said ‘mummy this is amazing!! There is so much to see!!’ My heart jumped for joy.
Thank you so much for letting us borrow this brilliant tandem!".

Harrison from Guildford

Harrison and his parents collected our Hampshire based Viking Companion tandem in mid-October 2020.

Natalie's son from Croyden

Natalie and her son collected our Surrey based Viking Timber Trail tandem in mid-October 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Lucy from South Manchester

Lucy and her boyfriend collected our Manchester based Orbit Velocity tandem in mid-October 2020. She wrote at the end of the month, "We’ve been going out on it a lot !!
It’s amazing honestly we love it and it’s changed so much for me the freedom to do what I love and not the stress!"

Vanessa from Chorlton

Vanessa and her husband collected our Manchester based KHS tandem in mid-October 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Leo from Wickford, Essex

Leo and his Mum, Carly, collected our Suffolk based Viking Regency tandem in late-October 2020. Carly said in mid-November that Leo had loved it when they first tried and that an injury had prevented them from riding again until mid-November, Carly wrote in late November, "Thank you so much for the loan of your tandem bike it has been wonderful to give Leo another activity to look forward to.....he has learnt a new word ‘bike’ and happily sings away to himself while we cycle. It has kept us active during lockdown! Much appreciated"

Ronnie from Norfolk

Ronnie and his Mum, Karen, collected our Norfolk based Trek tandem in mid-October 2020. Here is getting ready to train for a Triathlon.

Jake from Norwich

Jake and his Dad, Sean, collected our Norfolk based Viking Pennine Trail tandem in mid-October 2020. Jenny, our Norfolk Helper, wrote on our Facebook group in late November, "This is the second time that Jake has borrowed one of our Norfolk tandems. He enjoyed it before and had asked to go riding again. This is a photo of him out on it with one of his carers yesterday setting off for a spin round this lovely park and then along a nearby cycle path. He loved it!"

Jessica from Nottinghamshire

Jessica and her Dad, Paul, collected our Warwickshire based Viking Valhalla tandem in mid-October 2020. This is the third tandem that they have borrowed from us. More details and a photo are to follow.

Harry from Chorley

Harry and his Mum, Amy, collected the Lancashire based Viking Companion tandem in mid-October 2020. His Dad wrote on our Facebook group soon after,
"Thanks to David in Lancashire we now have two tandems on hire Never thought we'd manage family bike rides with two children with special needs, so now we are very excited to try these out. Not managed to get us girls out on ours yet yet but here is Harry and Dad loving their first ride. Just need the rain to go away now!"
See his Sister, Charlotte, below.

Charlotte from Chorley

Charlotte and her Mum, Amy, collected the Lancashire based Why tandem in mid-October 2020. Amy wrote on our Facebook group, "And we are all out . Some last minute adjustments and a visit from David and Carole. Harry and Lottie are loving it and a lovely sunny day in Lancashire for our first family bike ride "

Maya from Gloucestershire

Maya and her Mum, Hilit, collected our Gloucestershire based blue Dawes Discovery tandem in mid-October 2020. Hilit had written beforehand, "Maya probably would refuse to ride the tandem". We persuaded her to try and just look how much fun they had on the video on our Facebook group. Spot Baloo enjoying the ride too. Hilit later said, "It was such a positive experience! I was doubtful that it would work""

Hamid from London

Hamid collected our Surrey based MTB tandem in mid-October 2020. This is the second time that he has borrowed a tandem from us.

Sam from Wolverhampton

Sam and his Mum collected our South Staffordshire based Ecosmo tandem in mid-October 2020. She said on our Facebook group, "First ride out today on the folding tandem..... huge success! Used tag alongs and SEN cycles before but never a tandem...Samuel has autism and learning difficulties and no danger sense so this offers us some safe freedom. We had so much fun and we are looking forward to taking the bike in the car for some more adventures!"

Paddy from Runcorn

Paddy and Helen collected our Liverpool based Viking Valhalla tandem in mid-October 2020. Helen said on our Facebook group, " Paddy is registered blind and hasn’t ridden a bike for about 30 years. Neither of us have ever ridden a tandem before, but it didn’t take long for us to get the hang of it. Exhilarating and can’t wait to do it again!"

Thomas from Boston

Thomas and his Mum are the first Borrowers of our Lincolnshire based Thorm Kiddyback tandem. They collected it in mid-October 2020.

Steve's daughter from Taunton

Steve collected one of our Devon based tandems in early October 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Georden from Charlotte, USA

Georden and his Mum, Crystal, collected our Washington DC based Opus Counterpoint tandem at the start of October 2020. They are its first Borrower and here is a photo of them getting used to it.

Nancy from Washington DC

Nancy swapped our Washington DC based Cannondale tandem for the Fuji tandem at the start of October 2020 and is its first Borrower. She said, "I hope to ride on Wednesday, and will get a photo then. Thank you again for this service. It is so important to me.". Our Washington Helper, Mark, wrote on Facebook, "Greta Ann (Captain) and Nancy (Stoker) recently turned in a tandem for one that fits a little better. Greta Ann writes: "Thanks for checking in. I like the new bike a lot. I think Nancy likes it but not as much as I do. She’s very flexible and amenable to many things however. I find it easier to shift the new bike and now that we have a rack, we can put a pannier on it and have grand adventures. We are still planning on riding throughout October at least. We are really having a grand time of it. I know that Nancy is an old hat at this but I’m having so much fun." I should add that Nancy had ridden a tandem before, but not for several years."

Robert from Slough

Robert and Stella collected our Berkshire based Timberline tandem at the start of October 2020. They plan to ride the length of the Thames on it.

Daniel from Sandhurst

Daniel and his family collected our Berkshire based Mission Piggyback tag-along trike at the end of September 2020. They are its first Borrowers. Nicola wrote in mid-October 2020, "We have used it every weekend so far either cycling round our local area or tackling the hills at Alice Holt Forest. It is fantastic for Daniel as his hypermobility, hypotonia and dyspraxia means he hasn’t yet mastered balancing or the coordination and power needed for pedalling, but he is starting to have a go at pedalling on this so we hope he gets the feel for the movement soon. Daniel’s big sister is also very happy that we can all go cycling together now. Thanks again for lending it to us! Charlotte’s Tandems really does make a difference."

Izzy from Severn Beach

Izzy's Grandparents collected our Gloucestershire based green Thorn Kiddyback tandem in late September 2020. Her Granddad, David, wrote on our Facebook group, "I am running the Virtual London marathon raising funds for Guide Dogs. Thanks to #charlottestandems my inspiration for the run will be able to join the support crew as I run around the NW Bristol area. My granddaughter Izzy who is 8 1/2 years old was born with no vision. Izzy also enjoys riding in a boat towed donut and currently has ice skating lessons too. She is unstoppable and #GuideDogs fund her cane use lessons at school." See a video of her and her Dad in action on our Facebook group.

Lisa from Berkshire

Lisa and Douglas collected our Berkshire based Thorn Voyager tandem in late September 2020. Here they are enjoying it on their holiday.

Saskia from Eccles

Saskia and Walter collected our Lancashire based KHS Sausage Dog tandem in late September 2020. David in Lancashire Helper wrote to our Facebook group that the tandem is "... ideal as they are short of storage space. Saskia wrote, "We did it!!! It was great and Walter managed to set it up quite quickly. We just have to practice on coordinating our pedalling, and get fitter. Thank you once again for giving me this wonderful opportunity" The couple used to ride solo and take cycle tours until illness prevented such activities"".

Tyler from South Gloucestershire

Tyler’s Mum, Kelly, collected one of our Gloucestershire based Viking Salerno tandems in mid-September 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Elliot from Cheltenham

Elliot's Mum collected our Gloucestershire based Canyon tag-along bike in mid-September 2020. Unfortunately he wouldn't ride it so she returned it.

Charlie from Nottinghamshire

Charlie and his Dad, Steven, collected our Lincolnshire based George Longstaff tandem in mid-September 2020. They are it's first Borrowers, In late November, Steven told our Facebook group, "Finally managed a maiden voyage on the tandem with Charlie, very delayed as he had double ankle surgery just after collection, think he had a good time despite a few nerves"

Yacinthe from Essex

Yacinthe and his Mum, Melissa, collected our Berkshire based Duet Wheelchair tandem in mid-September 2020. Melissa wrote on our Facebook group, "Huge thanks to Charlotte’s Tandems for enabling us to go on our first family bike ride. It was a brilliant experience and Yacinthe absolutely loved it! Particular thanks go to the very helpful John and Pat for sharing their bike with us."

Beverley from London

Beverley and Alastair collected our Surrey based Simmonsohn tandem in mid-September 2020. Beverley wrote soon after, "We have had great fun on a tandem borrowed from Charlotte's Tandems. We have been enjoying ourselves cycling around the Olympic Park and plan to go further afield on the weekends ahead. As someone with a severe hearing loss it is hard to cycle and feel safe in London. Riding a tandem seems to be an enjoyable and safe way to do so. Many thanks to Charlotte's Tandems"

Henry from Manchester

Henry and his Mum, Susan, collected our Manchester based Weehoo tag-along in early September 2020. Susan said to our Facebook group, "Well we've managed a mini ride on the Weehoo whilst we are growing both mine and Henry's confidence. Henry really enjoyed it once we got going"

Michael from Co Louth

Michael and his Dad, Tom, collected our Donegal based Viking Valhalla tandem in mid-September 2020. Here is one of the photos he posted oun our Facebook group.

Adam from Kingswood, Gloucestershire

Adam and his parents collected our Gloucestershire based, black Thorm Kiddyback tandem in early September 2020. See a video of them in action on our Facebook group. His Mum wrote, "A couple of hours after pick-up we went out for a ride with his older siblings to the next village. Out about half an hour and he loved it!"
They had it for a month then returned it, as they had now bought their own tandem (a secondhand Dawes Double Edge). They also donated Adam's old tag-along bike and an Adams backrest.

Logan from Washington

Logan and his Mum, Sharon, collected our Newcastle based Viking Pennine Trail tandem in early September 2020. Logan is giving his best smile here because he's so happy. She wrote a couple of days later, "I cant thank you all enough for giving us this opportunity, it's already made a difference to our lives and gives Logan a real sense of achievement, which leads to a much happier household. He is very proud of himself when he manages a big hill or when he determines which way we will go.
Tim was great too, he couldn't have been more helpful, gave great advice and always speedy with his responses. This charity is truly fab."

Maddie from Oxford

Maddie and her Mum collected our Oxford based Viking Timber Trail tandem in early September 2020. More detais and a photo are to follow.

Alex from Worcester

Alex and Michael collected our newly donated, South Staffordshire based, Dawes Duet tandem in early September 2020.

Ruby from Cleethorpes

Ruby and her Dad, Ian, collected our newly donated, Lincolnshire based, Ammaco tandem at the start of September 2020. More details and a photo are to follow.

Arabella from Shropshire

Arabella and her Mum collected our Shropshire based Weehoo tag-along bike in early September 2020. They've previously borrowed the Buddybike.

Aimee from Llanferres

Aimee and her Dad, James, collected our North Wales based Viking Ascot MCX tandem, called Doris, in early September 2020. James reported, "Its been great to be able to take Aimee out on the bike and although we have not ventured far its been good for to get involved". A photo was promised.

Hollie from Webheath

Hollie and her Mum, Clare, collected our Warwickshire based Viking Valhalla tandem at the start of September 2020. See a video of them in action on our Facebook group. Simon, our Warwickshire Helper wrote, " I think Hollie is going to be a brilliant stoker! Looking forward to hearing about their tandem adventures."