Working out the kinks with the smaller Pois

[Jiffer]

That is so way wicked cool! You guys look so great. So awesome to see a kid on a tandem. Dh and I ride a tandem, so I can completely relate to being the stoker. Maybe you have been a stoker too, but in case you haven't, here's some tips from one.

Make sure you give her opportunity to stop pedaling from time to time, even if for just a few seconds, to stretch her legs and/or reposition the hoo ha or whatever. It's so different riding a tandem in that regard. On my single I can get up and out of my seat whenever I want, stop pedaling when I want, etc. Not so on the tandem when dh is just going and going. I sometimes have to request a quick leg stretch or whatever I might need. Maybe stretch one leg down a few seconds and then the other and then I'm good. Or reposition myself on the seat real quick. If you do this, you may not need to stop for full on breaks as much as you might be right now. I have no idea how often you do stop and/or if you already do this, but just thought I'd share.

Dh has learned to listen to me in regards to breaks, whether they are short coasting breaks or stopping breaks. One time I was really, really needing a full on stopping break to off the bike for a minute and he kept saying, "Oh, let's just get to the ranger station. We're almost there. Well, "almost there" to him was quite different from "almost there" to me, especially with all the climbing involved. I was steaming mad on the back of the bike for like 10 minutes and in misery because my body really, really needed a break. I finally screamed, "I need to get off of this bike NOW!" Needless to say, dh has learned that when I say I need a break, I really do need a break. And he has learned that I need those quick "stretch the legs while coasting" breaks from time to time, as well. More than he does.

Also, I don't know if you've taught her yet about leaning into turns with you, but with her weighing more now, that is probably something that would help you control the bike better if she's not already doing that.

We have talked about getting my 13 year old on the back of the tandem with Dh. She's done it a couple of times for fun around the neighborhood, but nothing more than that. I do get worried, though. I'd love for her to get into cycling, but I do worry about her safety. Funny how "I" can do it, but worry about her. Not to mention that she jumps horses over fences several times a week and has fallen off many a time. But ride a bike on a road?!!!

[lph]

Oh man, that is cute. She looks adorable

But I hear you on the attitude thing. I spent quite a while arguing with my just-11-yr.old yesterday to get him to come along on a short bike trip and he was being SOOO miserable - and once we were out there he was just a dream to have along, chatting and joking and being silly for more than 2 hours.

I wish you lots of nice trips on the tandem!

[maillotpois]

That is so way wicked cool! You guys look so great. So awesome to see a kid on a tandem. Dh and I ride a tandem, so I can completely relate to being the stoker. Maybe you have been a stoker too, but in case you haven't, here's some tips from one.

Make sure you give her opportunity to stop pedaling from time to time, even if for just a few seconds, to stretch her legs and/or reposition the hoo ha or whatever.

We have talked about getting my 13 year old on the back of the tandem with Dh. She's done it a couple of times for fun around the neighborhood, but nothing more than that. I do get worried, though. I'd love for her to get into cycling, but I do worry about her safety. Funny how "I" can do it, but worry about her. Not to mention that she jumps horses over fences several times a week and has fallen off many a time. But ride a bike on a road?!!!

I have never "stokered" (what's the verb? ), but we quickly figured out that it was going to be different. We have good communication. When she needs a "butt rest" she asks and we coast for a sec. She knows not to ask for one when we're climbing. And yesterday since the weight was so much more (and I really do need to work on my post-shoulder upper body work), II wasn't comfortable signalling, so I would tell her "right!" or "left!" and she'd signal for us.

13 years old would be a great age to start. I understand feeling nervous about it. I was plenty nervous yesterday - not so much the cars, but just worried that I'd do something stupid and we'd fall over. And when she is out with DH I also get nervous as well. (And we saw a NIGHTMARE tandem crash at El Tour a few years back which sticks in my mind as well.) But there are risks in everything. Your daughter is lucky she gets to ride horses - I grew up doing that but we just can't swing it here for her on a regular basis.