In tandem - and in tune

We have enjoyed barbecues, school plays, sports days and quite a bit of baby sitting. But even with all this activity we still managed plenty of tandem rides.

Yes, I believe we have ‘double-handedly’, prompted tandem riding throughout the county. Everywhere we ride we attract attention and we often hear someone shout “she’s not pedalling.” This is a joke that we have heard in many languages for we don’t just cycle in Britain you know! Our tandem is not the only reason we are noticed, because as we ride, we often sing. Yes, it must be bewildering to see us flash by, (flash might be a slight exaggeration) and hear a snatch of a long forgotten song as we cycle past. We have treated locals and holidaymakers alike, we do not discriminate, to a few choruses of “I do like to be beside the seaside” or maybe that Woody Guthrie hit, Rubber Dolly (I said they were long forgotten).

Another interesting thing about riding a tandem is just how many people say “we must get one of those.” I bet they don’t. I think you have to have a certain kind of madness to ride one, especially if Keith is in the driving seat, he’s fearless. Most people tell me they would not want to give up control of the steering to someone else. But hey I can‘t even ride a bike. Yes, it‘s true, just recently I tried to ride my grandson‘s. I fell off almost immediately to cheers and laughter and offers of instruction from the more sympathetic younger female grandchildren. No, I‘m quite happy on the back and over the years I have clocked up more miles than Lance Armstrong - well perhaps not!

The other day we made an exciting purchase of lights for the bike and flashers for our helmets which means we can ride at night. After a pleasant family barbecue we wobbled off cheerfully, having partaken freely of the hospitality during the evening. There were disapproving looks from daughters and son-in-laws who made us promise to text them as soon as we got home. How quickly they step into the parental role.