Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

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Date: 19 Jan 2006 19:28:33
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?

I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!

First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
naturally suggests the idea to me....

Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
prefer you take the lead or something?

Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.

Date: 24 Jan 2006 22:10:44
From: Brian Huntley
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Tom Keats wrote:
> Well, Bram Stoker then.

For half a second, I though we were back on topic. Then I noticed the
'r' was missing.

Date: 25 Jan 2006 06:24:35
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Brian Huntley" <brian_huntley@hotmail.com > wrote:

>Tom Keats wrote:
>> Well, Bram Stoker then.
>
>For half a second, I though we were back on topic. Then I noticed the
>'r' was missing.

Probably rides a tandem...

k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

Date: 24 Jan 2006 21:05:37
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

In article <6fpia3-e2g.ln1@zuvembi.homelinux.org >,
Dane Buson <dane@unseen.edu > writes:

>> I've only recently become acquainted with the delights
>> of Moro oranges. Where have these vampiric beauties
>> been all my life?! They're so champagne-&-strawberries;
>> they're so ... Anne Rice.
>
> I was with you right up until the Anne Rice.

Well, Bram Stoker then.

> As much as I enjoy wearing all
> black and thinking about stolen blood filling my veins, Anne Rice does not do
> it for me. YMMV, OVWP, etc.

To tell ya the truth, I'm not that much into Anne Rice either.
If I'm typical of males who've read her works, guys don't
actually buy an Anne Rice book. We just pick 'em up off
the coffee table and flip through 'em while waiting (and
waiting, and waiting) for our S.O.s getting ready for steppin'
out. If there was a Sporting News there we might opt for
that instead. Sometimes those books have pretty interesting
cover art, though.

Anyways, the first time I peeled a Moro orange and peeked
at that surprising colour inside, I initially feared I was
experiencing flashbacks. But it didn't start throbbing or
anything, so I ate it. I'm glad I did.

I bet it would make a good gelato flavour. I'm gonna
have to look for it.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Date: 23 Jan 2006 04:30:00
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

HarryB wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 04:09:42 -0600, A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org>
> wrote:
>
> >> NYC XYZ wrote:
> >>> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
> >>> I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
> >>> First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
> >>> also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
> >>> imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
> >>> naturally suggests the idea to me....
> >>> Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
> >>> prefer you take the lead or something?
> >>> Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.
> >
> >The Wogster wrote:
> >> I think seriously it's because the captain, gets on first, and holds the
> >> bike up, while the stoker gets on, and ready, and that requires extra
> >> strength to hold up the bike with stoker attached.
> >
> >That's not inherent. I can hold the bike up at stoplights
> >while my 85lb-lighter captain stays clipped in.
>
> That's interesting. Do you ride a recumbent or DF? I can see how that
> might work on a recumbent such as a Screamer since the stoker can
> reach the ground and still stay seated, but can't quite envision how
> one would be able to smoothly stop this way with a DF. Do you unclip
> both feet as you approach a stop?

I don't believe Andrew Muzi has succumbed to the Dark Side yet!

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Date: 22 Jan 2006 19:50:57
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

In article <T6NAf.1670$Dk.333@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net >,
"Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com > writes:
>
> Since I don't do well all day on wheat, I'd substitute a bowl of oatmeal for
> the lightly-toasted multigrain.

I've only recently become acquainted with the delights
of Moro oranges. Where have these vampiric beauties
been all my life?! They're so champagne-&-strawberries;
they're so ... Anne Rice.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Date: 24 Jan 2006 15:22:46
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Tom Keats <tkeats2005@hotmail.com > wrote:
> In article <T6NAf.1670$Dk.333@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
> "Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> writes:
>>
>> Since I don't do well all day on wheat, I'd substitute a bowl of oatmeal for
>> the lightly-toasted multigrain.
>
> I've only recently become acquainted with the delights
> of Moro oranges. Where have these vampiric beauties
> been all my life?! They're so champagne-&-strawberries;
> they're so ... Anne Rice.

I was with you right up until the Anne Rice. As much as I enjoy wearing all
black and thinking about stolen blood filling my veins, Anne Rice does not do
it for me. YMMV, OVWP, etc.

Musical Interlude: http://unixbigots.org/files/I_Want_To_Be_A_Vampire.mp3

--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
/earth: file system full.

Date: 24 Jan 2006 18:51:21
From: The Wogster
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Dane Buson wrote:
> Tom Keats <tkeats2005@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>In article <T6NAf.1670$Dk.333@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
>> "Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> writes:
>>
>>>Since I don't do well all day on wheat, I'd substitute a bowl of oatmeal for
>>>the lightly-toasted multigrain.
>>
>>I've only recently become acquainted with the delights
>>of Moro oranges. Where have these vampiric beauties
>>been all my life?! They're so champagne-&-strawberries;
>>they're so ... Anne Rice.
>
>
> I was with you right up until the Anne Rice. As much as I enjoy wearing all
> black and thinking about stolen blood filling my veins, Anne Rice does not do
> it for me. YMMV, OVWP, etc.
>
> Musical Interlude: http://unixbigots.org/files/I_Want_To_Be_A_Vampire.mp3
>

Check out Anne Rices' latest book, a little different from earlier
works.....

W

Date: 22 Jan 2006 03:53:24
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Edward Dolan wrote:
> "Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1137861670.740067.253950@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > Cathy Kearns wrote:
> >> "Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >> news:1137859454.736767.76460@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >> >
> >> > k Hickey wrote:
> >> > > ...
> >> > > >Ah, interesting tip! I hear tandems go faster, too...what you say
> >> > > >sounds even more dangerous down-hill!
> >> > >
> >> > > Tandems DO go faster. A LOT faster (except uphill, where they're no
> >> > > faster than the average of the two riders). And I was talking about
> >> > > climbing out of the saddle, not descending (or just riding along)....
> >> >
> >> > On downhill sections I coast by upright tandems. :)
> >>
> >> Wow! You must be really heavy!
> >
> > No. I ride a recumbent lowracer that has a much lower combined
> > rider/bicycle frontal area than an upright.
> >
> > --
> > Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)
>
> So why don't you just tell us what you weigh and we can make up our own
> minds.

Approximately one-half Chalo.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Date: 23 Jan 2006 16:17:33
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Johnny Sunset <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote:
>
> Edward Dolan wrote:
>>
>> So why don't you just tell us what you weigh and we can make up our own
>> minds.
>
> Approximately one-half Chalo.

Will that become the universal mass measure for rb.* ?

Wouldn't we need to create a standard Chalo first? I would hate
to have a variable Chalo as the standard measure.

Dane "0.5466 Chalos" Buson

--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
Bad Command Or File Name
Go Sit In The Corner Until U Learn Some Manners

Date: 22 Jan 2006 03:48:50
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <1137900907.009862.111130@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>,
> "Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com> writes:
>
> > Mr. Ed Dolan has bragged in the past about his lack of personal
> > hygiene:
>
> r.b.m doesn't need this kind of crap.

We at alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent have been trying to pass off St. Ed
the Grate on another newsgroup for years.

> The kind of crap we need is: what's a good breakfast to set-out
> for all day on[1], what tunes to load into Personal Music Playback
> systems[2], and confusing tyros by telling them they not only need
> a bike, but also a whole bunch of other ancillary stuff in order
> to enjoy cycling.
>
>
> cheers,
> Tom
>
> [1] a perfectly prepared soft-boiled egg with lightly toasted multigrain,
> accompanied with half a nice & squirty pink grapefruit and a couple
> of cups of tea. Or sub the grapefruit with a glass of fresh-squeezed
> Moro orange juice. mmmm ... Moro oranges ...

You prefer that crap to a Power Bar and a tube of Gu washed down with
Accelerade! What must Fabrizio think! ;)

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Date: 22 Jan 2006 06:06:19
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1137930529.972391.92140@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>
> Tom Keats wrote:
>> In article <1137900907.009862.111130@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>,
>> "Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com> writes:
>>
>> > Mr. Ed Dolan has bragged in the past about his lack of personal
>> > hygiene:
>>
>> r.b.m doesn't need this kind of crap.
>
> We at alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent have been trying to pass off St. Ed
> the Grate on another newsgroup for years.

I am only slumming on RBM with the idea of dragging some members (or at
least some threads) over to ARBR. Actually, I am not comfortable on RBM.
There are too many young whippersnappers on the group whereas ARBR is for
older folks who have at least a modicum of maturity, although we have more
than our fair share of idiots too.

But Mr. Sherman should talk. There were many folks on ARBR who were not
happy with him either, but they have mostly all left now for moderated
forums. Jeez! Some people just can't take a little combat.

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

Date: 21 Jan 2006 21:10:34
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

In article <1137900907.009862.111130@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com >,
"Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > writes:

> Mr. Ed Dolan has bragged in the past about his lack of personal
> hygiene:

r.b.m doesn't need this kind of crap.

The kind of crap we need is: what's a good breakfast to set-out
for all day on[1], what tunes to load into Personal Music Playback
systems[2], and confusing tyros by telling them they not only need
a bike, but also a whole bunch of other ancillary stuff in order
to enjoy cycling.

cheers,
Tom

[1] a perfectly prepared soft-boiled egg with lightly toasted multigrain,
accompanied with half a nice & squirty pink grapefruit and a couple
of cups of tea. Or sub the grapefruit with a glass of fresh-squeezed
Moro orange juice. mmmm ... Moro oranges ...

[2] That's up to you.

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Date: 22 Jan 2006 09:48:21
From: The Wogster
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <1137900907.009862.111130@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>,
> "Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com> writes:
>
>
>>Mr. Ed Dolan has bragged in the past about his lack of personal
>>hygiene:
>
>
> r.b.m doesn't need this kind of crap.
>
> The kind of crap we need is: what's a good breakfast to set-out
> for all day on[1], what tunes to load into Personal Music Playback
> systems[2], and confusing tyros by telling them they not only need
> a bike, but also a whole bunch of other ancillary stuff in order
> to enjoy cycling.

Let's see, what do I take:

Bike, waterbottle, mini-tool-kit (which is in a under seat bag), spare
tube, pump (attached to bike), helmet.

Food, hmmmm, usually have a good breakfast before, and the waterbottle
is full. Depends mostly on distance, if I'm trail riding under 20km,
then usually that's sufficient, if I'm going further, then maybe some
munchies, if it's further still, say 100km then usually plan a meal
en-route. If I am taking the camera, then definitely plan a meal
enroute, because I will be making multiple stops.

As for music, well, I usually don't for riding, I like to hear the
traffic, if there is some about. Otherwise, probably just take a
portable radio.

An important issue, is clothing, this time of year especially, usually
the polartec underwear, and then polyester fleece above that and a wind
cheater. One layer of fleece on the legs, two up top. I usually carry
a backpack, so I have somewhere to stuff the extra layers when not
needed. I wanna add a rear rack to the bike, so I can just bungie the
pack on top, for riding..... The ideal when standing around, is to run
a little on the cool side, layer wise, then use the bike speed, to
regulate temperature.

W

Date: 22 Jan 2006 15:01:07
From: Claire Petersky
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:a44vqd.ioi.ln@vcn.bc.ca...

> The kind of crap we need is: what's a good breakfast to set-out
> for all day on[1],

> [1] a perfectly prepared soft-boiled egg with lightly toasted multigrain,
> accompanied with half a nice & squirty pink grapefruit and a couple
> of cups of tea. Or sub the grapefruit with a glass of fresh-squeezed
> Moro orange juice. mmmm ... Moro oranges ...

Since I don't do well all day on wheat, I'd substitute a bowl of oatmeal for
the lightly-toasted multigrain.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Date: 24 Jan 2006 15:20:28
From: Dane Buson
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Claire Petersky <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> "Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:a44vqd.ioi.ln@vcn.bc.ca...
>
>> The kind of crap we need is: what's a good breakfast to set-out
>> for all day on[1],
>
>> [1] a perfectly prepared soft-boiled egg with lightly toasted multigrain,
>> accompanied with half a nice & squirty pink grapefruit and a couple
>> of cups of tea. Or sub the grapefruit with a glass of fresh-squeezed
>> Moro orange juice. mmmm ... Moro oranges ...
>
> Since I don't do well all day on wheat, I'd substitute a bowl of oatmeal for
> the lightly-toasted multigrain.

I go for large amounts of protein when I wake up personally. A cup of
scrambled yellow coloured egg white product on whole-grain bread. I was
doing cereal for breakfast and I was having huge problems with my blood
sugar in the mornings.

Copious amounts of coffee follow. Speaking of which, it's time to get
out of my chair and see about finding something caffeinated.

--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
"In the lives of children, pumpkins can turn into coaches, mice and rats into
human beings. When we grow up, we learn that it's far more common for human
beings to turn into rats." - Narrator in 'Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister'

Date: 21 Jan 2006 19:35:07
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

HarryB wrote:
> On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 00:57:48 -0600, "Edward Dolan" <edolan@iw.net>
> wrote:
> [snip]
> > ...
> >The only men who know anything about women are celibates like myself and
> >Catholic Priests of course. All others, most particularly those who have
> >been ried for 32 years, know absolutely nothing about women. They have
> >been brainwashed and bamboozled by their experience. Thus spake Zarathustra.
> >
> I don't claim to know much about *women.* But I do believe I know
> quite a bit about my *wife.* Your arrogant and bigoted view of women,
> however, reveals a serious personality disorder. You really should get
> some help.

I suggest <http://www.finalexit.org/ >. ;)

> >>>Many woman will not ride a tandem with their husbands because they do not
> >>>trust his judgment on what is safe and what is unsafe. From what I have
> >>>seen
> >>>of tandems, I would not be caught dead on one because I think that is how
> >>>I
> >>>would end up anyway. They are all about going fast. Anything else that is
> >>>told to you about them is just so much rubbish.
> >>>
> >> No, riding a tandem is not all about going fast. In my case it is
> >> about enjoying life with my wife. We can cruise along at 15 - 20mph
> >> for many hours enjoying the countryside and getting in some enjoyable
> >> exercise as well. Which is not to say we have never gone faster than
> >> we should have, but those are mistakes that I have made which my wife
> >> has forgiven me for.
> >
> >You make my point for me better that I could myself. You only have to crash
> >once to have permanent damage.
> >
> And I assume that since you have probably witnessed a serious
> automobile wreck you would never travel in one. And because a car/bike
> wreck usually results in much greater harm to the rider than the
> driver I assume you avoid riding anywhere near automobiles. And
> because people have been seriously hurt in the shower or bathtub I
> assume you avoid these dangerous places as well?...

Mr. Ed Dolan has bragged in the past about his lack of personal
hygiene:
<http://groups.google.com/group/alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent/msg/5b63c9780426b8b1?dmode=source >.

> Oh yes, and how about the terrible airplane and train crashes? Surely you avoid that
> form of transportation as well.

Mr. Ed thinks flying is crazy:
<http://groups.google.com/group/alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent/msg/5fd9320a670cdb6b?dmode=source >.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Date: 22 Jan 2006 02:56:28
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1137900907.009862.111130@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>
> HarryB wrote:
[...]

And
>> because people have been seriously hurt in the shower or bathtub I
>> assume you avoid these dangerous places as well?...
>
> Mr. Ed Dolan has bragged in the past about his lack of personal
> hygiene:
> <http://groups.google.com/group/alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent/msg/5b63c9780426b8b1?dmode=source>.

Yes, read the above and be enlightened. You only need to take a bath once a
week. Anymore than that and you are wasting water and removing valuable
skin oils. Also, when you are on a bike tour, such as RAGBRAI, you do not
need to take a complete shower each and every day. Only idiots do that. All
that constant blather about hot showers and getting something to eat ruins
bike tours. How did people ever get to be so stupid. Did you know the
Tibetans only bath once or twice a year and they cover themselves in yak fat
year around in order to ward off the extreme cold of the high plateau.
Cleanliness is next to stupidity, not Godliness.

>> Oh yes, and how about the terrible airplane and train crashes? Surely you
>> avoid that
>> form of transportation as well.
>
> Mr. Ed thinks flying is crazy:
> <http://groups.google.com/group/alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent/msg/5fd9320a670cdb6b?dmode=source>.

If God had meant humans to fly He would have given us wings. Also, never go
to sea either. Those damn ships can hit something (like an iceberg) and sink
you know. Trains are fairly safe unless the Islamic terrorists start blowing
them up of course. It might be safest to go by bus. However, it is best to
stay home and when things get dicey get under the bed. Not much can happen
to you there.

Be very, very fearful. It is a jungle out there and tigers are waiting to
pounce on you!

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

Date: 21 Jan 2006 08:41:10
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Cathy Kearns wrote:
> "Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1137859454.736767.76460@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > k Hickey wrote:
> > > ...
> > > >Ah, interesting tip! I hear tandems go faster, too...what you say
> > > >sounds even more dangerous down-hill!
> > >
> > > Tandems DO go faster. A LOT faster (except uphill, where they're no
> > > faster than the average of the two riders). And I was talking about
> > > climbing out of the saddle, not descending (or just riding along)....
> >
> > On downhill sections I coast by upright tandems. :)
>
> Wow! You must be really heavy!

No. I ride a recumbent lowracer that has a much lower combined
rider/bicycle frontal area than an upright.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Date: 22 Jan 2006 03:28:45
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1137861670.740067.253950@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Cathy Kearns wrote:
>> "Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1137859454.736767.76460@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> >
>> > k Hickey wrote:
>> > > ...
>> > > >Ah, interesting tip! I hear tandems go faster, too...what you say
>> > > >sounds even more dangerous down-hill!
>> > >
>> > > Tandems DO go faster. A LOT faster (except uphill, where they're no
>> > > faster than the average of the two riders). And I was talking about
>> > > climbing out of the saddle, not descending (or just riding along)....
>> >
>> > On downhill sections I coast by upright tandems. :)
>>
>> Wow! You must be really heavy!
>
> No. I ride a recumbent lowracer that has a much lower combined
> rider/bicycle frontal area than an upright.
>
> --
> Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

So why don't you just tell us what you weigh and we can make up our own
minds.

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

Date: 21 Jan 2006 08:07:43
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> ...
> Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends?...

I understand most wives disapprove of husbands riding tandems with
girlfriends.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Date: 22 Jan 2006 03:42:51
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1137859663.265747.215850@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>
> NYC XYZ wrote:
>> ...
>> Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends?...
>
> I understand most wives disapprove of husbands riding tandems with
> girlfriends.
>
> --
> Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Men should only ride tandems with men and women should only ride tandems
with women. The sexes should be segregated at all times except on those rare
occasions when procreation is at stake. Even then, there should be a
chaperone present, preferably a Catholic priest or a Great Saint like
myself. The hank-panky must be kept to an absolute minimum in order to
remain in a state of grace.

Women are happiest with other women, not men. But men are such ego maniacs
that they think women like to be with them - even on a tandem of all things!
Thus spake Zarathustra.

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

Date: 21 Jan 2006 08:04:14
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

k Hickey wrote:
> ...
> >Ah, interesting tip! I hear tandems go faster, too...what you say
> >sounds even more dangerous down-hill!
>
> Tandems DO go faster. A LOT faster (except uphill, where they're no
> faster than the average of the two riders). And I was talking about
> climbing out of the saddle, not descending (or just riding along)....

On downhill sections I coast by upright tandems. :)

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Date: 21 Jan 2006 16:18:54
From: Cathy Kearns
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Johnny Sunset" <sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1137859454.736767.76460@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> k Hickey wrote:
> > ...
> > >Ah, interesting tip! I hear tandems go faster, too...what you say
> > >sounds even more dangerous down-hill!
> >
> > Tandems DO go faster. A LOT faster (except uphill, where they're no
> > faster than the average of the two riders). And I was talking about
> > climbing out of the saddle, not descending (or just riding along)....
>
> On downhill sections I coast by upright tandems. :)

Wow! You must be really heavy!

Date: 21 Jan 2006 07:55:55
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

HarryB wrote:
> On Fri, 20 Jan 2006 02:57:59 -0600, "Edward Dolan" <edolan@iw.net>
> wrote:
> ...
> >The worst bike accidents I have ever seen have involved tandems. And it was
> >always due to just one thing - going too fast. The stokers usually came off
> >the worst and it was always a woman, poor dumb creatures that they are.
> >
> Since this last sentence doesn't appear to be tongue-in-cheek I assume
> that it accurately reflects your views. In that case you must be one
> sorry individual....

HOT DOG! WE HAVE A WEINER!

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

Date: 21 Jan 2006 09:34:18
From: The Wogster
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Date: 23 Jan 2006 04:09:42
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

> NYC XYZ wrote:
>> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
>> I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
>> First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
>> also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
>> imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
>> naturally suggests the idea to me....
>> Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
>> prefer you take the lead or something?
>> Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.

The Wogster wrote:
> I think seriously it's because the captain, gets on first, and holds the
> bike up, while the stoker gets on, and ready, and that requires extra
> strength to hold up the bike with stoker attached.

That's not inherent. I can hold the bike up at stoplights
while my 85lb-lighter captain stays clipped in.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Date: 23 Jan 2006 05:44:56
From: HarryB
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 04:09:42 -0600, A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org >
wrote:

>> NYC XYZ wrote:
>>> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
>>> I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
>>> First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
>>> also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
>>> imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
>>> naturally suggests the idea to me....
>>> Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
>>> prefer you take the lead or something?
>>> Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.
>
>The Wogster wrote:
>> I think seriously it's because the captain, gets on first, and holds the
>> bike up, while the stoker gets on, and ready, and that requires extra
>> strength to hold up the bike with stoker attached.
>
>That's not inherent. I can hold the bike up at stoplights
>while my 85lb-lighter captain stays clipped in.

That's interesting. Do you ride a recumbent or DF? I can see how that
might work on a recumbent such as a Screamer since the stoker can
reach the ground and still stay seated, but can't quite envision how
one would be able to smoothly stop this way with a DF. Do you unclip
both feet as you approach a stop?

Harry

Date: 23 Jan 2006 17:22:07
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

HarryB wrote:

> On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 04:09:42 -0600, A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org>
> wrote:
>
>
>>>NYC XYZ wrote:
>>>
>>>>Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
>>>>I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
>>>>First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
>>>>also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
>>>>imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
>>>>naturally suggests the idea to me....
>>>>Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
>>>>prefer you take the lead or something?
>>>>Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.
>>
>>The Wogster wrote:
>>
>>>I think seriously it's because the captain, gets on first, and holds the
>>>bike up, while the stoker gets on, and ready, and that requires extra
>>>strength to hold up the bike with stoker attached.
>>
>>That's not inherent. I can hold the bike up at stoplights
>>while my 85lb-lighter captain stays clipped in.
>
>
> That's interesting. Do you ride a recumbent or DF? I can see how that
> might work on a recumbent such as a Screamer since the stoker can
> reach the ground and still stay seated, but can't quite envision how
> one would be able to smoothly stop this way with a DF. Do you unclip
> both feet as you approach a stop?

We borrow a 1976 Rodriguez with Ergo. Normally just one foot
is enough to hold a bike up at a stop. I can snap out of a
Look in a split second when needed. Bikes pretty much stand
upright even with a captain in place. It is not any effort
at all.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Date: 21 Jan 2006 02:55:39
From: o-dawg
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

On 19 Jan 2006 19:28:33 -0800, "NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com >
wrote:

>
>Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?

So she can see if you check out the hotties as you ride by. Turn your
head to watch a nice POA and bam! Busted!

I partially solved the problem by always looking around for "traffic."
Still can't linger over a bit of tail too long, though.

If you were on the back you could leer and drool to your hearts
content.

>
>I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
>
>First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but

It's the same POA you always see. Some of us like variety.

>also, doesn't the stoker provide more power?

Who cares?

>Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
>prefer you take the lead or something?

I do. It is a well documented fact that guys don't get lost, too.
>
>Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.

Try it, you'll like it.

Date: 20 Jan 2006 11:22:54
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Claire Petersky wrote:
>
>
> The stoker stays in unless s/he is actually getting off the bike. You're
> used to putting a foot down at a red light, and it's hard sometimes to
> remember to stay clipped in.

Well, no wonder! Seems more reasonable that the stoker mimics the
captain's movements -- in tandem on and off the bike!

Why don't you get a Bilenky Viewpoint or -- sigh!!! -- a Hase
Titan-Pino?

> No, that would be my first choice, too. I was always a hiking-for-a-date
> type of gal, 'way back when, when I was dating.

Sigh...they just don't make you like they used to!

> --
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Petersky
> http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
> Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
> See the books I've set free at:
> http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Very cute picture! Oh yeah, nice sites, too. =)

Date: 20 Jan 2006 11:16:31
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Of course, that's only if you fail as a man and get lost! ;-)

Michael J. Klein wrote:
>
>
> because women frequently stop to ask directions.
>
> --
> Michael J. Klein & Asian Castings Consortium
> mklein@mousepotato.com
> Yangmei Jen (Hukou), Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan, ROC
> Please replace mousepotato with asiancastings
> Mozilla Thunderbird

Date: 20 Jan 2006 13:43:57
From: Sheldon Brown
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

NYC XYZ wrote:

> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
>
> I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
>
> First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...bu=
t
> also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
> imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
> naturally suggests the idea to me....
>
> Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
> prefer you take the lead or something?

It's generally better to have the larger, heavier rider in front. For a =

mixed couple this will most often be the man.

I've had the experience of piloting a tandem with a heavier rider in=20
back, and it's no picnic.

There is certainly a dimension of sexism in this as well, it must be=20
admitted. How often do you see a car with the woman driving and the man =

riding shotgun?

I wish my wife was able to pilot, but she's too short. Any conventional =

tandem she could pilot would not permit me to get a comfortable=20
handlebar height. Too bad, 'cause the rear is the more fun part of the=20
tandem.

http://sheldonbrown.com/picchio

In the early part of the 20th century, tandems were commonly built for=20
the lady in front, gentleman in back. These were not high-performance=20
machines. These bikes generally had dual steering, so they could be=20
steered from either set of handlebars.
This made sense for a several reasons:

=95The politeness of "ladies first."

=95The man usually being taller, he could see over the lady's head.

=95These bikes relied on a coaster brake, so it was beneficial to have th=
e=20
heavier rider in back for better braking traction.

=95The rear steering permitted the gentleman to ride solo so he could rid=
e=20
over to his sweetie's home to pick her up.

See also http://sheldonbrown.com/tandems

Sheldon "Ladies First" Brown
+-----------------------------------------------------------+

Date: 20 Jan 2006 00:35:39
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
> I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
> First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
> also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
> imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
> naturally suggests the idea to me....
> Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
> prefer you take the lead or something?
> Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.

I prefer to ride stoker and my captain says she wouldn't
have it any other way.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Date: 19 Jan 2006 21:56:00
From: peter
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> k Hickey wrote:
> > I've ridden with larger stokers a couple
> > times, and it's no fun. One that's my size is OK though.
>
> Ah, I dunno, I'm thinking of the set-up like it is on a tandem kayak
> for some reason, where the heavier person is aft.

On boats the steering (whether with a rudder or by paddling) is
priily, although not entirely, done at the rear whereas bicycles
are almost always steered from the front.
The Counterpoint tandem I mentioned is a bit of an exception with the
smaller front wheel underneath the stoker and steered by the captain at
the rear of the bike.
>
> > It takes a lot more upper body strength and control to captain the
> > bike - but I've found that the ability for tandemists to stand up
> > while climbing is priily due to the stoker's ability to keep their
> > cockpit level. If the stoker is even a little twitchy, there's
> > nothing the captain can do to make the bike stable enough to stay out
> > of the saddle.
>
> Ah, interesting tip! I hear tandems go faster, too...what you say
> sounds even more dangerous down-hill!

Except we tend not to get off the saddle when descending. I find the
tandem to feel very stable on fast descents. But I've sometimes had
stokers pull the 'emergency brake' cable. (Our bike has no brake levers
on the rear bars but one of the rear brake cables runs along the top
tube where the stoker can grab it.)

Date: 19 Jan 2006 21:45:59
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Claire Petersky wrote:
>
>
> There's two parts to it. One is that the pilot needs to have superior upper
> body strength. When I ride tandem with my daughter, it takes all the upper
> body strength I have to hold the bike upright while stopped, and she weighs
> about 60 lbs less than me.

Hmm! Would've thought that the team both dismounts.

> Second, there's the control issue. Just like guys like to have the remote in
> their hands, they like to be pilot. Tandems can amplify existing power
> struggles in a relationship, which is why they're sometimes known as
> "divorcycles". Since generally I get more miles in and in more varied
> weather than my husband, it's sometimes an interesting situation for me,
> sitting in the back, thinking about what I'd be doing different if I were
> steering. To what extent should I back-seat drive? Will he get annoyed by my
> advice or will he find it helpful? It's these sorts of things that make
> tandeming, mm, interesting, with one's partner.

Heh, I was wondering about that! Thanks for the confirmation. Though
I think I'd find it interesting to see how the other person
reacts...that's how you really get to know someone, to see how they are
in certain on-the-fly situations...that's why I prefer "activity dates"
-- which might sometimes give the impression that I'm cheap or boring,
I guess!

> At the same time, there is something like a tandeming groove, where you get
> it together and you really kick butt as you zip down the road. A "poetry in
> motion" feeling. That's what you're aiming for, if you can work it together.

And I was hoping for that! It really sounds like a wonderful thing.

I don't think I'm ready for it. =)

> --
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Petersky
> http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
> Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
> See the books I've set free at:
> http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Date: 20 Jan 2006 14:53:19
From: Claire Petersky
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1137735959.359074.128940@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>
> Claire Petersky wrote:
>>
>> There's two parts to it. One is that the pilot needs to have superior
>> upper
>> body strength. When I ride tandem with my daughter, it takes all the
>> upper
>> body strength I have to hold the bike upright while stopped, and she
>> weighs
>> about 60 lbs less than me.
>
> Hmm! Would've thought that the team both dismounts.

The stoker stays in unless s/he is actually getting off the bike. You're
used to putting a foot down at a red light, and it's hard sometimes to
remember to stay clipped in.

> I think I'd find it interesting to see how the other person
> reacts...that's how you really get to know someone, to see how they are
> in certain on-the-fly situations...that's why I prefer "activity dates"
> -- which might sometimes give the impression that I'm cheap or boring,
> I guess!

No, that would be my first choice, too. I was always a hiking-for-a-date
type of gal, 'way back when, when I was dating.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Date: 20 Jan 2006 16:01:16
From: Helmut Springer
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

In rec.bicycles.misc Claire Petersky <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> The stoker stays in unless s/he is actually getting off the bike.

Some do, some don't.

--
MfG/Best regards
helmut springer

Date: 19 Jan 2006 21:38:20
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

k Hickey wrote:
>
>
> Sure they do. After all, it's the man's job to lead, and the wimmin
> are s'posed to follow. Quietly.
>
> ;-) <----- NOTE

Hmm...how do I make the smileys nod and applaud?

> If you had some twofer time in, you'd realize that the bigger person
> really should be up front. I've ridden with larger stokers a couple
> times, and it's no fun. One that's my size is OK though.

Ah, I dunno, I'm thinking of the set-up like it is on a tandem kayak
for some reason, where the heavier person is aft.

> It takes a lot more upper body strength and control to captain the
> bike - but I've found that the ability for tandemists to stand up
> while climbing is priily due to the stoker's ability to keep their
> cockpit level. If the stoker is even a little twitchy, there's
> nothing the captain can do to make the bike stable enough to stay out
> of the saddle.

Ah, interesting tip! I hear tandems go faster, too...what you say
sounds even more dangerous down-hill!

> k Hickey
> Habanero Cycles
> http://www.habcycles.com
> Home of the $795 ti frame

Date: 20 Jan 2006 17:08:31
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote:

k Hickey wrote:

>> If you had some twofer time in, you'd realize that the bigger person
>> really should be up front. I've ridden with larger stokers a couple
>> times, and it's no fun. One that's my size is OK though.
>
>Ah, I dunno, I'm thinking of the set-up like it is on a tandem kayak
>for some reason, where the heavier person is aft.

It's just the same - only backwards. I once got in a canoe race with
a much heavier guy up front. Ooof, did that throw the balance off (it
was a very twisty river). On a tandem, the exact opposite occurs with
a much-heavier stoker (the bike feels unbalanced).

>> It takes a lot more upper body strength and control to captain the
>> bike - but I've found that the ability for tandemists to stand up
>> while climbing is priily due to the stoker's ability to keep their
>> cockpit level. If the stoker is even a little twitchy, there's
>> nothing the captain can do to make the bike stable enough to stay out
>> of the saddle.
>
>Ah, interesting tip! I hear tandems go faster, too...what you say
>sounds even more dangerous down-hill!

Tandems DO go faster. A LOT faster (except uphill, where they're no
faster than the average of the two riders). And I was talking about
climbing out of the saddle, not descending (or just riding along)....
not to worry.

k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

Date: 19 Jan 2006 21:34:18
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Oh wow...do you have any daughters?

Hehe...lovely post; thanks for sharing!

HarryB wrote:
> On 19 Jan 2006 19:28:33 -0800, "NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
> >
> Women are not always the stokers (The person in the back is the
> stoker, while the captain is normally up front.) We have ridden with
> tandem teams comprised of two women, two men, a mother and her young
> daughter, a father and his young son, a father and his older
> handicapped son, as well as a team that swapped captain and stokers at
> each rest stop.
> >
> >I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
> >
> >First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
> I captain our tandem and would certainly enjoy the view of my wife as
> captain! Since she has been my wife and sweetheart for over 30 years
> there is no more beautiful sight on earth than my honey.
>
> >also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
> >imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
> >naturally suggests the idea to me....
> >
> Each person on a tandem controls how much power they provide. However,
> since the pedals are connected together with the timing chain, their
> cadence is always the same (provided the sprockets are the same size.)
> There are a few tandems with an independent pedaling system which
> allows one person to coast while the other pedals, but normally, when
> one person pedals, the other person's feet also go around.
>
> In our case I am physically stronger than my wife, so I normally
> provide more horsepower. But, one of the wonders of the tandem is that
> regardless of how much power one provides, you both ride along
> together and arrive at the same place only milliseconds apart.
>
> >Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
> >prefer you take the lead or something?
> >
> My wife is totally uninterested in steering, shifting, braking, etc.
> She just wants to ride with me. As stoker, she can enjoy the scenery,
> give hand signals, wave at gawking passerbys, read the cue sheet, give
> me a back or shoulder rub, open up snacks, etc. If we didn't ride the
> tandem together she would not ride at all and I probably wouldn't ride
> my single very much.
> >
> >Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.
>
> If you love and respect your spouse, then riding a tandem together is
> arguably one of life's great pleasures. We purchased our tandem as a
> 30th wedding anniversary gift to each other 2 years ago. Neither of us
> had done any biking during our ried years. We are now approaching
> 7,000 miles on the bike and look forward to each ride. That is many,
> many wonderful hours spent in the company of my best friend!
>
> Harry

Date: 19 Jan 2006 22:19:08
From: Mark Hickey
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote:

>Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
>prefer you take the lead or something?

Sure they do. After all, it's the man's job to lead, and the wimmin
are s'posed to follow. Quietly.

;-) <----- NOTE

>Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.

If you had some twofer time in, you'd realize that the bigger person
really should be up front. I've ridden with larger stokers a couple
times, and it's no fun. One that's my size is OK though.

It takes a lot more upper body strength and control to captain the
bike - but I've found that the ability for tandemists to stand up
while climbing is priily due to the stoker's ability to keep their
cockpit level. If the stoker is even a little twitchy, there's
nothing the captain can do to make the bike stable enough to stay out
of the saddle.

k Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

Date: 21 Jan 2006 00:57:01
From: Mike Kruger
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"k Hickey" <k@habcycles.com > wrote in message
news:ofs0t15raht8jlt89n5pt0nkgq7r11bu75@4ax.com...
>
> If you had some twofer time in, you'd realize that the bigger person
> really should be up front. I've ridden with larger stokers a couple
> times, and it's no fun. One that's my size is OK though.
>
Wasn't there a RAAM mixed tandem team in recent years that swapped? They
were about the same size and took turns being captain.

Date: 19 Jan 2006 20:43:11
From: Violet Tigress
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

In article <1137727713.466741.305380@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com >,
"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote:

> Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.
**********
I used to ride on the back of a tandem. I thought It was great, since it
was the only actual bicycle I'd been on in years. Not counting my trike
here.

Date: 20 Jan 2006 04:36:39
From: Claire Petersky
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1137727713.466741.305380@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?

There's two parts to it. One is that the pilot needs to have superior upper
body strength. When I ride tandem with my daughter, it takes all the upper
body strength I have to hold the bike upright while stopped, and she weighs
about 60 lbs less than me.

Second, there's the control issue. Just like guys like to have the remote in
their hands, they like to be pilot. Tandems can amplify existing power
struggles in a relationship, which is why they're sometimes known as
"divorcycles". Since generally I get more miles in and in more varied
weather than my husband, it's sometimes an interesting situation for me,
sitting in the back, thinking about what I'd be doing different if I were
steering. To what extent should I back-seat drive? Will he get annoyed by my
advice or will he find it helpful? It's these sorts of things that make
tandeming, mm, interesting, with one's partner.

At the same time, there is something like a tandeming groove, where you get
it together and you really kick butt as you zip down the road. A "poetry in
motion" feeling. That's what you're aiming for, if you can work it together.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Date: 20 Jan 2006 11:55:10
From: Helmut Springer
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

In rec.bicycles.misc Claire Petersky <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
>> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?

Not always, I rode priily as stoker.

> There's two parts to it. One is that the pilot needs to have
> superior upper body strength.

Not necessarily. My captain had not, still as a stoker I can hold
myself off the ground while standing.

> Second, there's the control issue. Just like guys like to have the
> remote in their hands, they like to be pilot.

Not all guys 8)

Being the more experienced and more powerful rider I enjoyed riding
as stoker and with my girlfriend piloting work as a team. Being
stronger _and_ in total as captain control made the tandem a
somewhat boring heavy bicycle for me and for her...

--
MfG/Best regards
helmut springer

Date: 20 Jan 2006 03:12:53
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:rNZzf.6955$WY5.6001@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> "NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1137727713.466741.305380@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
>
> There's two parts to it. One is that the pilot needs to have superior
> upper body strength. When I ride tandem with my daughter, it takes all the
> upper body strength I have to hold the bike upright while stopped, and she
> weighs about 60 lbs less than me.
>
> Second, there's the control issue. Just like guys like to have the remote
> in their hands, they like to be pilot. Tandems can amplify existing power
> struggles in a relationship, which is why they're sometimes known as
> "divorcycles". Since generally I get more miles in and in more varied
> weather than my husband, it's sometimes an interesting situation for me,
> sitting in the back, thinking about what I'd be doing different if I were
> steering. To what extent should I back-seat drive? Will he get annoyed by
> my advice or will he find it helpful? It's these sorts of things that make
> tandeming, mm, interesting, with one's partner.
>
> At the same time, there is something like a tandeming groove, where you
> get it together and you really kick butt as you zip down the road. A
> "poetry in motion" feeling. That's what you're aiming for, if you can work
> it together.

Newsgroups trimmed.

Claire's first two paragraphs are full of sense, but her last paragraph
gives her away. Yes, it is all about going fast even if it kills you.

Claire should ride her own bike and leave the tandem nonsense to her
husband. Men are stupid that way. They think going fast is what it is all
about. Some women want to please their husbands even if it kills them. That
is the main reason women ride tandems in the first place. She should just
tell him to go to Hell. After all, a woman is too intelligent to think that
going fast means anything at all. The only butt she should ever want to kick
is her husband's butt.

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

Date: 21 Jan 2006 00:57:00
From: Mike Kruger
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Edward Dolan" <edolan@iw.net > wrote in message
news:VdudnYdmPYkGNE3eRVn-tw@prairiewave.com...

> Men are stupid that way.

> a woman, poor dumb creatures that they are.

So, men are stupid, women are dumb. You don't have a complicated world view,
do you?

Date: 21 Jan 2006 01:06:53
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

"Mike Kruger" <MikeKr@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:wFfAf.15440$Yu.12239@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
> "Edward Dolan" <edolan@iw.net> wrote in message
> news:VdudnYdmPYkGNE3eRVn-tw@prairiewave.com...
>
>> Men are stupid that way.
>
>> a woman, poor dumb creatures that they are.
>
> So, men are stupid, women are dumb. You don't have a complicated world
> view, do you?

Yes, only I am Great. No only that, but I am a Great Saint too. Sometimes I
am just overwhelmed by my own Greatness. But it is all relative of course.
If others weren't such idiots, then I would not be so Great. Elementary, my
dear Watson!

Women are dumb in the ways men are st and vice versa. This is why men and
women do not get along all that well. We are just too different from one
another. I sometimes think women have evolved into a separate species, but I
note that we are still able to mate, but for how much longer - that is the
question!

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

Date: 19 Jan 2006 22:33:39
From: HarryB
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

On 19 Jan 2006 19:28:33 -0800, "NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com >
wrote:
>
>Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
>
Women are not always the stokers (The person in the back is the
stoker, while the captain is normally up front.) We have ridden with
tandem teams comprised of two women, two men, a mother and her young
daughter, a father and his young son, a father and his older
handicapped son, as well as a team that swapped captain and stokers at
each rest stop.
>
>I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
>
>First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
I captain our tandem and would certainly enjoy the view of my wife as
captain! Since she has been my wife and sweetheart for over 30 years
there is no more beautiful sight on earth than my honey.

>also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
>imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
>naturally suggests the idea to me....
>
Each person on a tandem controls how much power they provide. However,
since the pedals are connected together with the timing chain, their
cadence is always the same (provided the sprockets are the same size.)
There are a few tandems with an independent pedaling system which
allows one person to coast while the other pedals, but normally, when
one person pedals, the other person's feet also go around.

In our case I am physically stronger than my wife, so I normally
provide more horsepower. But, one of the wonders of the tandem is that
regardless of how much power one provides, you both ride along
together and arrive at the same place only milliseconds apart.

>Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
>prefer you take the lead or something?
>
My wife is totally uninterested in steering, shifting, braking, etc.
She just wants to ride with me. As stoker, she can enjoy the scenery,
give hand signals, wave at gawking passerbys, read the cue sheet, give
me a back or shoulder rub, open up snacks, etc. If we didn't ride the
tandem together she would not ride at all and I probably wouldn't ride
my single very much.
>
>Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.

If you love and respect your spouse, then riding a tandem together is
arguably one of life's great pleasures. We purchased our tandem as a
30th wedding anniversary gift to each other 2 years ago. Neither of us
had done any biking during our ried years. We are now approaching
7,000 miles on the bike and look forward to each ride. That is many,
many wonderful hours spent in the company of my best friend!

Harry

Date: 19 Jan 2006 19:49:32
From: peter
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?

There are some tandem designs made for the smaller person to ride in
front. The Counterpoint tandem is one of example where the person in
back is in a normal upright bike configuration and does the steering
(plus pedaling) while the front rider is on a recumbent seat and just
pedals.

However, for conventional upright tandems it's generally a more
enjoyable experience if the heavier and stronger rider is the one in
front and takes care of the steering and braking. I have ridden our
tandem with heavier/stronger stokers on occasion, but it requires more
concentration to avoid having the motions of the stoker affect the
balance and steering.

Many regular upright tandems, including ours, are also designed with a
longer seat tube in front so it's a better fit if the taller rider sits
there.

>..but
> also, doesn't the stoker provide more power?

No, each rider puts out as much power as they wish although on most
tandems they must pedal at the same cadence. But the person in front
might be pushing really hard on the pedals while the one in back is
loafing or vice versa.

Date: 19 Jan 2006 19:37:00
From: innamaze
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

actually I have seen quite a number of women in front, the stoker in
the rear doesn't actually supply more power, it is a shared
stroke...however eithr of the 2 rider can stop for a rest and you can
still move forwards....the front person has to steer, brake and shift
as well as pedal, thee rear paerson pedals and gets to see a lot of the
back of the front person...But it is an excellant shared experience and
a really different way to cycle as a couple...it doesn't get as
competitive as single bikes sometimes get...

Date: 20 Jan 2006 11:39:03
From: Michael J. Klein
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Date: 20 Jan 2006 03:33:44
From: res09c5t
Subject: Re: Tandem Bike-Riding "Technique"?

Hi,
We ride with the man in the front. I think we would prefer the other but I
believe most tandems size for the taller rider on the front, which in most
cases will be the guy.
Lyle

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1137727713.466741.305380@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Say, why is the woman always in the back on a tandem?
>
> I've yet to see one photo of a guy in the back!
>
> First of all, I'd imagine that the guy would enjoy that view more...but
> also, doesn't the stoker provide more power? I don't know why I
> imagine this...maybe being closer to the rear wheel and its cassette
> naturally suggests the idea to me....
>
> Any of you ride tandem with your wives/girlfriends? Do they just
> prefer you take the lead or something?
>
> Just wondering. Never been on a tandem in my life.
>