attention stokers: question here

[mimitabby]

it hasn't impacted our "couple" at all except we can go on long bike rides together without him getting bored or cold from waiting for me to catch up ..
or.. him riding and me not riding because i get tired of seeing him disappear on the horizon.
we have the same squabbles as before, not serious though.
so there are trade offs as you see, but it is probably worth it if you don't crash.

how did we get started? some other tandem people took us.
me on the back of this fellow's bike, and D got the wife on the back of ours
and they instructed us.
the guy i was riding with is 6'3" like an old racehorse. he went really fast and
since i couldn't see anything it was just crazy fun. D had this really sensible
lady on the back telling him what to do. it was great. a great way to start.

[SheFly]

BF and I have been talking about a tandem since we first rode together. He's a much faster rider than me but we're nearly the same size: he's about 2 inches and 20 pounds heavier than I am, and we can use the same bikes (with adjustments).

So I was hoping that we could get a tandem where we could alternate positions. Did anyone ever try that? He's a great rider to draft from and I wouldn't have an issue riding in the back, but I'd also like to see the road sometimes, and to try captaining too.

Also another question: how did you guys who tandem with your life-partner get started? How did it impact your couple?

My hubby is 3" taller than me, and about 40 lbs heavier. I CANNOT manage this bike from the front position - it is too heavy for me. But, that is just my situation - you might be able to make it work for you.

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. We have a great time together, BUT it has tested our relationship on more than one occasion! There have been threats of divorce, swearing, tears, etc.

We raced our MTB tandem one year before we were married. Hubby was an expert racer and I was a beginner. He went out way harder than I could manage to make up for me, and I went way harder than I should have to try and keep up. The BEST feeling, was finishing the race, turning to each other, and giving each other a hug. I married him anyway, and we've had so many great tandem adventures since then (oh, and we won the race ).

So, I guess my advice in a nutshell, is be prepared! A good day is a great day, and a bad day can turn ugly - even for the healthiest of relationships!

SheFly

[Trek420]

SadieKate "so I take it, Mimi and Pam, that you don't want to hear about the time we went airborne at 62 mph over a steel decked bridge?"

:::Surfs over, sits in front of the fire "oh auntie SK tell us about the time you and DH flew! And are we're still waiting for the tale of AV jersey sale to total stranger?? Or did I miss that? ahem"::::

OK, I don't have a tandem or comunicative considerate SO so it's all hypothetical but I'm thinking there goes that dream because for me "total loss of control, riding "dumb", can't see a d*** thing at 62 mph....I don't think so! I think I'd jump off

Did I mention I have control issues?

Our (Bikeless and my) cousin and his fiance ride. I think he's doing the CA Triple Crown...again this year. He's asked if I want to do a Century with him on their Calfee tandem. I'm a little shorter than his fiance so fit's doable. And I guess for him hey, we're family, I've known him allllll my life, I ride, a Century's very doable so he's thinking there could be a ride he wants to do, his stoker's not available but I am....but

Maury says that tandems are more stable at high speed? True?

Q for the tandem riders: I've seen tandems with gals as captains and I read that strength is a factor for brakes etc but whoever's the more experienced cyclists for gearing especially that's who's captain?

[mimitabby]

SadieKate "so I take it, Mimi and Pam, that you don't want to hear about the time we went airborne at 62 mph over a steel decked bridge?"


Maury says that tandems are more stable at high speed? True?
?

Yes.. that's the laws of physics again. those little cracks in the pavement
aren't going to affect our momentum as we blast down a hill. But we toppled over trying to turn around slowly.
once we were going about 10mph and front tire caught a channel..
instead of going down as a single would have, the rear end just bounced a little and we kept going. it was amazing!

[SadieKate]

SadieKate "so I take it, Mimi and Pam, that you don't want to hear about the time we went airborne at 62 mph over a steel decked bridge?"

:::Surfs over, sits in front of the fire "oh auntie SK tell us about the time you and DH flew! And are we're still waiting for the tale of AV jersey sale to total stranger?? Or did I miss that? ahem"::::

Sheesh, you nag a lot.

Years ago, in our really dumb and dumber days, we rode the Napa Century (or something in that area). The course came down a straight long hill so we went the same speed as traffic (and other reasons which have been lost to history). Anyway, at the bottom was a stop sign and that steel decked draw bridge (is it still there). Anyway, no way were we going to be able to stop at the sign and then there was a small lip onto the steel deck. At that speed, it was flight. We were very stable as no one panicked. We just pretended we were on our mountain bikes.

Yep, mimi is right. Speed can be your friend but that is true on a single bike also.

The jersey story. Eh, I'm taking the 5th or drinking one, whichever is necessary. It was Kim's fault. She was the Chief Exective Decider that day. Those at the top must take all the risk and responsibility (don't go there, Trek, I can see the gears at work already.)

[Trek420]

I like to think of it as reminding bu thanks for reminding me ;-)

Years ago I think it was on the Lost Coast Century a tandem past me up a hill with a woman captain and her male stoker. He was an above-the-knee amputee.

So he's doing one-leg-drills with this massively muscled leg, she's captain. If your lurking here, hi!

I thought it was a wonderful way for them both to enjoy cycling 8-)

For those wondering if a tandem will make or break your relationship, Santana Tandems has a test:

http://www.santanatandem.com/tandemtest.html

[bcipam]

BF and I have been talking about a tandem since we first rode together. He's a much faster rider than me but we're nearly the same size: he's about 2 inches and 20 pounds heavier than I am, and we can use the same bikes (with adjustments).

So I was hoping that we could get a tandem where we could alternate positions. Did anyone ever try that? He's a great rider to draft from and I wouldn't have an issue riding in the back, but I'd also like to see the road sometimes, and to try captaining too.

Also another question: how did you guys who tandem with your life-partner get started? How did it impact your couple?

Grog:

It just doesn't work that way - the bigger, heavier, stronger peson must be the captain. The captain is responsible for controlling the bike and in particular while stopping being able to hold up the bike with the stoker intact. The stoker seldom if ever unclips from the pedals. If the bike starts to go over could you hang on to it with your husband attached? You can still see off to the side (if the speed is not too great). and a friend of mine uses a mirror to see behind her, what she has passed.

Most of my tandem experiences were with boyfriends. The first time the BF was a rider and had a tandem and talked me into riding it with him. He was a good and patient captain. Very communitive and made me feel secure. He was also a big strong guy (6'3", 240 solid pounds) so I knew he could control the bike if need be. We both really liked to ride individually but while tandeming still had a good time. It was just a different experience.

I have one friend however who she and her BF stopped talking for awhile after one bad experience (he did something stupid and dumped the bike). Probably best to have strong relationship in the first place!

[SheFly]

Grog:

The stoker seldom if ever unclips from the pedals.

Actually, I always unclip when we stop, although several of our riding cohorts do not. I am also bigger than most of them....

And the 62 mph flight story is frightening! I will admit that stopping the momentum of a tandem is a difficult thing to do.

SheFly

[SadieKate]

Yeah, let's just say it will NOT be repeated. It's just an example of how the stoker needs to stay calm and not move her body in reactive fear. Easier said that done, but you must trust the captain to know what he's doing (one reason I won't ride with just any old yahoo captain).

[DebW]

Sheesh, you nag a lot.

Years ago, in our really dumb and dumber days, we rode the Napa Century (or something in that area). The course came down a straight long hill so we went the same speed as traffic (and other reasons which have been lost to history). Anyway, at the bottom was a stop sign and that steel decked draw bridge (is it still there). Anyway, no way were we going to be able to stop at the sign and then there was a small lip onto the steel deck. At that speed, it was flight. We were very stable as no one panicked. We just pretended we were on our mountain bikes.

Was the drawbridge up or down? Are we picturing a little hop back onto the bridge or sailing over open water and taking a bath clipped to your bike?

[SadieKate]

Since we survived you can assume the "little hop." But at 62 mph, we were airborne for several feet, probably the length of the tandem.

[bikerz]

I would like to know what you guys said when you landed!

[mimitabby]

at least in a situation like this one, the stoker has time to "collect" herself.

[SadieKate]

I did? When? I did not know that bridge and the lip were there. At 62 mph I have my head tucked against his back and am "listening" to the feel of his body weight. I try to shut out other input so I don't risk leaning the wrong way.

[SadieKate]

I would like to know what you guys said when you landed!

Who knows? Just pleased to report the shorts stayed clean.