On the 12th of October 2024, we will embark on a 7,500km journey around Aotearoa on a Tandem e-bike called the Angel Tandem (the ‘e’ stands for “extra help” – due to age and the unforgiving terrain).
With an average daily pedal of around 60km, we will get back to our start point in late March 2025 that is if all goes according to plan. We are giving the bike a deserved break in Invercargill for a few weeks over the silly season before we pick up the pace again in late January.
Despite being in the sunset years of our lives, we refuse to ‘call it a day’ too early. We guess that it would be much simpler to settle into the recliner with a glass of Shiraz and reminisce about the good ol’ days, but face it, that ship has sailed. So might as well spend our precious remaining years creating new memories, especially while the body obliges.”
We hope that our blog may inspire others to break free from the typical feedback of “you’re too old for that”. We sadly see too many seniors retreating into an oldies bubble, when in reality, many of us could still be active and even make a difference at a time when it is needed. It benefits us and the health system.
As an additional motivator, we will be raising awareness and funds for the Bald Angels Charitable Trust, which works to improve the lives of vulnerable kids in Te Tai Tokerau. Our runway is rapidly disappearing but wouldn’t it be amazing to leave knowing we’ve made a difference to some of those just starting out in life!
As you will read in our blog we have done multi-day bicycle rides before but nothing as challenging as this. Riding a tandem bike was uncharted territory for us before we got our Moustache Tandem in December 2023! After our first 575km ride around Te Tai Tokerau back in February, we declared that we’re ready for the rest of the journey. However, Ruth warned Cliff that “the rest better not be harder than those rides.” His response has not been committed to print.
We affectionately call the back seat the ‘Angel Seat’. While you can take the virtual ride through the blog and our social media posts, Ruth is more than willing to offer the saddle to anyone brave enough to try it out. Two riders, one 75 and the other 85, have so far signed up for 250km rides. We are more than happy to take anyone daring enough for a spin around town, through the park, or all the way to the next town.
Cliff & Ruth
The Angel Tandem - Adventures on the wrong side of 60 