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So we bought the tandem
Yesterday we just took it up and down the street, then around the block a
few times, and then finally out to the arterial and back. My husband's never ridden a tandem, whereas I have some stoker experience and I've been a captain on our other tandem with the kids. So it took some practice to feel steady and stable on the thing. It's much easier to get started with the two of us than me and a kid -- it really helps I think to have a stoker and a captain with a clue. Today, the kids went to the movies with some friends, so we had the chance to ride the new bike a bit further. We did a fifteen mile loop: down to the lake, then along it for a bit, and back. This included a big downhill, and a steady uphill climb. Notes: o My husband's used to riding at a higher cadence than me. Maybe it's just as well I get used to that. o He'll eventually learn to warn me when he decides he's going to coast, or suddenly start pedaling again. Especially since the suddenly start pedaling again thing could have potentially damaging consequences to my crotch. o Our speed was totally kick ass. We were cruising along, at an effort that would have produced in our mutual estimations about 17 mph in him and 15 in me, but I know we were going probably 22 at a minimum. We rode past a couple of This Is Your Speed signs (speeding along the lake is a real problem), and were at 17 mph on an uphill stretch, and 25 on a flat. Maybe we'll eventually buy a computer for it. o I'm close enough to him to *smell* him. And this was on only a 15 mile thing largely in the late afternoon shade. Makes me wonder if we'll really do the Flying Wheels Century together on that thing. He'll be pretty ripe on a summer's day after a hundred miles. o Amusingly, I can literally kiss his ass, especially on downhills in a tuck. Heh. o It's easier for me to reach the water bottle when tucked into his back jersey pocket than on the bike. Maybe after we both feel more confident on the thing, we can reach down for waterbottles, but we're not quite there yet. This tandem thing might prove to be fun. Warm Regards, Claire Petersky Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com Home of the meditative cyclist: http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky -- Warm Regards, Claire Petersky Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com Home of the meditative cyclist: http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky |
#2
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So we bought the tandem
"Claire Petersky" wrote in message news:bZ_ic.36397$_L6.2096805@attbi_s53... o Amusingly, I can literally kiss his ass, especially on downhills in a tuck. Heh. On long downhills when we are sailing fast I've been known to put my head down on his back and take a little nap. Comfy! o It's easier for me to reach the water bottle when tucked into his back jersey pocket than on the bike. Maybe after we both feel more confident on the thing, we can reach down for waterbottles, but we're not quite there yet. Well, okay, the above wouldn't work it I put water bottles in his back pocket. Don't worry, you'll be stable enough to grab water bottles from the cages in no time. This tandem thing might prove to be fun. It certainly has for us. Good luck! |
#3
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So we bought the tandem
Claire wrote:
.... o My husband's used to riding at a higher cadence than me. Maybe it's just as well I get used to that. Cadence=aerobics. Not all bad. o He'll eventually learn to warn me when he decides he's going to coast, or suddenly start pedaling again. Especially since the suddenly start pedaling again thing could have potentially damaging consequences to my crotch. As they say in day care centers, "use your words." A few times of shrieking in his ear will learn him right quick. Ditto on the bumps (if yours doesn't have a special trampoline seatpost). I've broken in several captains, and I am the world's best captain myself at notification of road surface and so forth. (I even say "bump" to my auto passengers!) o Our speed was totally kick ass. We were cruising along, at an effort that would have produced in our mutual estimations about 17 mph in him and 15 in me, but I know we were going probably 22 at a minimum. We rode past a couple of This Is Your Speed signs (speeding along the lake is a real problem), and were at 17 mph on an uphill stretch, and 25 on a flat. Maybe we'll eventually buy a computer for it. Two computers. The Rear Admiral position can get boring, and if you have your own buttons to push you can do mental calculations or announce the details to all the singles drafting you. On my tandems we each have a computer, and it's funny to see that the rear of the Counterpoint travels further than the front. o I'm close enough to him to *smell* him. And this was on only a 15 mile thing largely in the late afternoon shade. Makes me wonder if we'll really do the Flying Wheels Century together on that thing. He'll be pretty ripe on a summer's day after a hundred miles. Baby wipes, no beans. o Amusingly, I can literally kiss his ass, especially on downhills in a tuck. Heh. o It's easier for me to reach the water bottle when tucked into his back jersey pocket than on the bike. Maybe after we both feel more confident on the thing, we can reach down for waterbottles, but we're not quite there yet. Stuff the cue sheets in there too, or get a hunter's license holder for the back of his jersey. Captains are good for more than just driving. HTH --Karen M. so what kind is it? Photos??? |
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So we bought the tandem
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So we bought the tandem
In article ,
David Reuteler wrote: Karen M. wrote: no beans. uh-oh. any tips for a vegetarian captain? besides starving, i mean. Stoke. -- Ryan Cousineau, http://www.sfu.ca/~rcousine/wiredcola/ President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club |
#6
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So we bought the tandem
Karen M. wrote:
Two computers. The Rear Admiral position can get boring, and if you have your own buttons to push you can do mental calculations or announce the details to all the singles drafting you. On my tandems we each have a computer, and it's funny to see that the rear of the Counterpoint travels further than the front. Clearly, the stoker must be working harder. -- Benjamin Lewis Accordion, n.: A bagpipe with pleats. |
#7
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So we bought the tandem
Benjamin wrote:
Clearly, the stoker must be working harder. Please google for Counterpoint tandem to understand this bike's unique configuration. The stoker (on a 'Point known as the navigator) is in the front. Captain is in the rear. HTH --Karen M. |
#8
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So we bought the tandem
Karen M. wrote:
Benjamin wrote: Clearly, the stoker must be working harder. Please google for Counterpoint tandem to understand this bike's unique configuration. The stoker (on a 'Point known as the navigator) is in the front. Captain is in the rear. It's always fun to see ones assumptions blown out of the water -- Benjamin Lewis Anthony's Law of Force: Don't force it; get a larger hammer. |
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So we bought the tandem
"Karen M." wrote in message
om... Claire wrote: ... o My husband's used to riding at a higher cadence than me. Maybe it's just as well I get used to that. Cadence=aerobics. Not all bad. Yup, which is why I say, just as well. o He'll eventually learn to warn me when he decides he's going to coast, or suddenly start pedaling again. Especially since the suddenly start pedaling again thing could have potentially damaging consequences to my crotch. As they say in day care centers, "use your words." A few times of shrieking in his ear will learn him right quick. He also has a vested interest in the health of my crotch. o I'm close enough to him to *smell* him. And this was on only a 15 mile thing largely in the late afternoon shade. Makes me wonder if we'll really do the Flying Wheels Century together on that thing. He'll be pretty ripe on a summer's day after a hundred miles. Baby wipes, no beans. Oh girlfriend, you don't even begin to know. He is one of the windiest persons I've ever had the priviledge to spend major portions of time with. The joke is that it helps propel the bike, action and equal and opposite reaction, and all that, but I'm not so sure. Stuff the cue sheets in there too, or get a hunter's license holder for the back of his jersey. Captains are good for more than just driving. I"ve seen stokers with cameras, taking pictures as the team glides along. Maybe I should stuff a novel back there? so what kind is it? Photos??? It's an Erickson, custom-built, and pretty as all get-out. Maybe I should get a digital camera one day. -- Warm Regards, Claire Petersky Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com Home of the meditative cyclist: http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky |
#10
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So we bought the tandem
On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 02:11:58 GMT, "Claire Petersky"
wrote: He is one of the windiest persons I've ever had the priviledge to spend major portions of time with. The joke is that it helps propel the bike, action and equal and opposite reaction, and all that, but I'm not so sure. Actually, it causes a larger (unequal) reaction; in addition to direct propulsion, it causes the stoker to supply more power in hopes of riding more quickly away from the soiled air. -- Rick "Theory, anybody?" Onanian |
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