TandemTart

The Tandem Tart Challenge Weekend – 18/19 May 2019

Mary Corbett – ‘The Tandem Tart’ writes,

I am the Tandem Tart, not your run of the mill name I agree but one that is attracting much attention and has seen me time trial with 48 different Partners so far and a further 55 on my waiting list. To date, I have raised £9,380 from this little pastime and my goal is to reach the £12,000 mark. Let me tell you more!

Towards the end of 2013 I was diagnosed with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), a little known condition which affects approximately 250,000 men, women and children in the UK. There is no treatment or cure. Earlier that year I had competed on the back of a tandem at all distances including the Mersey Road Club 24 hour where we set a new National Vets Age Record of 369.474 miles. I will not dwell on the next year or so albeit to say that my life completely changed. During those dark days I vowed that when I was well enough I would do all I could to raise awareness and embark on raising funds for medical research into this devastating condition.

So onto 2016, I was back in the saddle pedalling short distances and sort of managing my ME. Now was the time to get the fundraising ‘wheels’ in motion. The Tandem Tart Challenge was born, let’s see how many different tandem Partners I could race with during the year. To start with I had a list of four potential Partners. As the season progressed and word continued to spread, I had people lining up to join the ‘Tart’ Club. By the end of the season I had raced with 16 different Partners with an ever-increasing list of suitors, some of them had never been anywhere near a tandem before. Just to name drop somewhat, I am delighted to say that Partner number 28 was none other than the legendary Jens Voigt, a ride which was truly memorable. And then there was Partner number 21, Tandem Club member Bob Damper who had never ridden a time trial before but inspired many to follow in his footsteps.

Six years since my diagnosis, my wonderful cycling club, Sotonia CC proudly presents the ‘Tandem Tart Challenge Weekend’. What’s this all about I hear you say?! Well it’s about having fun whilst adding a few more coppers to my fundraising campaign. It all starts off on Saturday 18th May 2019 with the inaugural open time trial, a 10 mile event, on the P164 course at Lyndhurst starting at 2pm. It is open to tandems and solo riders but we would just love to see an abundance of tandems there strutting their stuff. The time trial will be followed by a social evening comprising of food, drink and entertainment. And finally, Sunday morning 19th May 2019 we will be offering a reliability ride of two distances covering routes across the beautiful New Forest, headed up by run leaders.

The running and cycling community consists of wonderful people. I have been truly humbled by the support, encouragement and enthusiasm of my friends and Tandem Tart supporters. We look forward to seeing you.

Mary Corbett – ‘The Tandem Tart’

To follow the weekend, like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Tandem-Tart-Weekend-421201218416570/

To enter the 10 mile time trial: https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-details/18699

To offer the odd pound or two please visit Mary's justgiving page. https://www.justgiving.com/InTandemWithME

Transporting a cake to an evening time trial

Boxing Day time trial dressed as a couple of old bags