attention stokers: question here

[Tuckervill]

Beware that tandems are affectionately known as "divorce machines". I know people who have said there is no way they could ride tandem with their mate.

I've heard the same thing about hanging wallpaper.

My husband has always dreamed of riding a big ol' motorcycle together, but there is NO WAY I am getting on the back of a machine with him in control. I rarely can tolerate him driving a car with me as passenger. We don't share canoes, either. So, yes, we have power issues.

And then, we have a 15 inch gap between our heights and 100 pounds between our weights. (He's 6'7", I'm 5'4") Even if there were possibly a tandem bike that fit him, I wouldn't want to be sitting looking at his behind the whole time. Then, even if he tried stoking once to see what it was like, he'd just be able to see over me--but he wouldn't fit on the seat anyway.

I admire couples that can ride tandem or canoe together or hang wallpaper. I'm just not part of one.

On the plus side, DH did go and take his first solo ride around town the other day, after I took him on a 14 mile ride earlier in the week. That's a major accomplishment for my non-athletic, tall, geeky, funny looking but adorable husband.

Karen

[Shimpie]

Tee hee! My fiancee and I have a 16 inch difference. He's 6'4" and I'm 5'0" He's all leg and I'm all torso with short stubby legs. When we sit next to each other, the height difference isn't as extreme. I don't even think a tandem exists out there that would fit the two of us.

[wabisabi]

Hee, hee; my friends who ride a tandem call it their "marriage accelerator."

[bcipam]

Tee hee! My fiancee and I have a 16 inch difference. He's 6'4" and I'm 5'0" He's all leg and I'm all torso with short stubby legs. When we sit next to each other, the height difference isn't as extreme. I don't even think a tandem exists out there that would fit the two of us.

I regularly see this couple on event rides... he appears to be around 6'4" and she around 5'. When she sits behind her husband on the bike, her face is directly in - yes that's right, his crack. Can you imagine doing a century that way? Those that have done the So Cal rides I'm sure have seen this couple.

[Susan Otcenas]

I admit it. I'm a control freak. When Jeff & I bought a tandem, people thought we were nuts (we already spend 23.5 hours a day within 10 feet or each other, did we really need a tandem too???), but we've had alot of fun on it. The most stressful thing for me is the out-of-control feeling on descents. I love riding fast descents on my single, but on the tandem, they freak me out unless they are long and straight. Twisty and steep descents on the tandem usually have me squealing in fear. So in compromise, he brakes more than he'd like to, and I close my eyes and try to trust more.

But other than that, I've managed to get over most of my control issues on the tandem. Jeff has learned to communicate bumps, turns, etc. I've learned to ask for gear changes if I'm uncomfortable, and ask for a coast-and-stand moment if I need a butt break.

Together we've learned that we can communicate through the pedals. We've been riding long enough that subtle changes in pressure on the pedals by one or the other usually transmits a desire to work harder or slow down/cease pedaling. Those of you who have been riding together with the same person for a long time probably know what I'm trying to express here.

Mimi, I do have a suggestion for training your captain. The captain you rode with initially? Have him take your husband out for a ride, with your husband as the stoker. Ask him (without your husband's knowledge) to do the things that you dislike. ie. abruptly ceasing to pedal, not calling out bumps, making unexpected turns, etc. Your husband needs to understand how it feels to be out of control, and out of communication, before he can empathize with your concerns. After the ride, clue him in to your evil plot. After being a stoker, he will be a much better captain.

Nonetheless, Jeff & I do bicker occasionally on the tandem. This is usually Jeff's cue to make sure I'm eating enough. I tend to get grumpy (and take it out on him) when I don't manage my ride nutiition well.

Susan

[mimitabby]

Hey Susan, i like your idea. The trouble is, if i get those two guys on a tandem together everyone is going to KNOW why!
on last night's ride my husband made the mistake of complaining about me
(as a stoker) to that very person and he took my side

that'll teach him.

on the other hand, last night ALL of those guys were going down the hills faster than I like.