Talking Tandems

On Tuesday 21 February President Mark welcomed our two speakers, two visiting Rotarians and 24 Members to our lunchtime meeting at the Dean Park hotel. President's Business included the announcement of the February draw for the 200 Club, one of the Club's main charity fund raisers, with Rotarians and friends able to take part. As there are currently 198 members of the maximum 200 permitted the winning number was worth almost £200, with three additional prizes.

Our two speakers Roy Smith and Jimmy Milhench appropriately shared the talk about about their special cycling club and charity “Talking Tandems”. Roy is a Pilot, at the front end of the bike, and Jimmy is a visually handicapped Stoker, providing power from the back seat.

It became very clear during the talk how their sport helps provide fitness, an outdoor life, trust, friendship, a good rapport and even conversation as the Pilot must keep the Stoker aware of what is happening or about to happen at all times. Two rides are usually made each month and although some riders have their own bikes the club now has about 40 members and owns 10 bikes of its own, stored in Dalgety Bay.

Outings are not just local and included a recent visit to Switzerland. Nor is the social side neglected and there is an annual event where the Pilots are fed while sitting in the dark. Looking to the future, the club would welcome some younger members as the average age is creeping up and the club may have to consider one or two power assisted tandems, which are more expensive (and unpowered tandems are not cheap) and somehow may not provide quite the bonding which occurs currently.

Keen cycling Rotarian Ian Brown gave an enthusiastic and admiring vote of thanks to this less well known charity (SC040774).www.talkingtandems.org