Working out the kinks with the smaller Pois

[maillotpois]

We used to ride the tandem, 12 year old PetitePois and I, but it has been a while. Years in fact. (I just remembered that ride part way up Diablo we did with the TE gang back in 2006 was probably the last time we rode the tandem!) She just wasn't interested and I wasn't about to push and make it all negative. So when she announced a few weeks ago that she wants to do El Tour de Tucson in November, no one was more surprised than I.

So she's been riding her bike a 4 1/2 mile loop to a garden she's working on. And today we got out the tandem. GrandPois has gotten her all set up with new MTB style shoes, changed out the pedals, adjusted the fit, made sure the bike was working well. He'll ride the tandem with her at Tucson, but in the meantime, we are doing a ride (High Sierra Fall Metric Century - or however long of the short course we decide to do - it's an out and back) with my sister next weekend. So we had to get on the bike this weekend, period.

We did a 21 mile ride this afternoon. Starting off was HARD. I completely forgot how to shift Shimano. The bike made terrible noises. She's so much bigger now that the weight distribution makes the bike very hard to handle. But we got into it. She is definitely more help now. Her pedaling is more consistent. she is a help. Also - and more significantly - her attitude was amazing. Before she would complain, whine, need to stop, make the whole thing miserable. There was some complaining - but it was all VERY lighthearted. All very positive. She was really great.

We need to make some changes. The stoker and captains bars have to be changed. Period. Need to adjust her cleats. She needs new gloves.

It's not going to be easy to get her ready for a century in 3 months. But its doable. And it might even be fun.

This is from 4 years ago - maybe 5, but you get the idea:



ETA: Lordy she looks TINY in that picture!! She's 5'2" now.

[salsabike]

THAT is cool. Funny how kids change over time...and just seeing those two Pois faces together is a kick!

[Zen]

What a great photo.
When she's 30 she'll look at that and say "Oh gawd, I looked like you even then!"
I hope the Pois duo have many happy tandem miles ahead

[Blueberry]

How cool!!! Sounds like you'll have an interesting (and hopefully fun!) 3 months coming up!

CA

[spindizzy]

Peas in a pod! Good for you for letting her dictate when she was ready. Wise old mom!

[pardes]

What a GREAT photo! She's using toeclips!

You both look like you have streamers hanging from your helmets???

Think of the cool stories and memories she have about the rides when she's older. Lucky girl and lucky Mom!