We're going El Tour as a family - my daughter and husband will be on the tandem and I'll be on my regular bike. We'll probably be in the 7 hour range. Maybe less. (DH and I generally do this in the 5 1/2 to 6 hour range - actually he's done it under 5 hours twice) but with the kid, who knows - you have to have a lot of flexibility.)
The ride is a complete zoo, but if he happens to see a family in full Power Bar kit with a blue and green tandem, that's us!
I hope he has a great week. If I thought it would take us less than 1/2 the day to put the tandem back togetherI'd try to meet up with him Friday.