| Tandem bicycling has long been a rare but enjoyable | | | | strength but also allows the riders to be comfortable |
| activity for two people to take part in. It allows people | | | | still. |
| the joys of bike riding but also allows them to go much | | | | On a tandem bike, when it is in use, the front rider is |
| faster than ordinary, single person bikes allow. This is | | | | known as the "captain." Captains need to have |
| mostly due to the fact that there are two people | | | | excellent bike handling skills as well as good judgment. |
| powering one bike. In addition to the speed benefit, it | | | | People who wish to be the captain need to make a |
| has been regarded as one of the best activities for | | | | personal assessment of their own cycling experience |
| couples to do in order to work out together. | | | | and abilities. |
| Tandem bikes are good as a couples' activity because | | | | For the first time out, the Captain will need to have |
| they equalize the abilities of people. Many couples who | | | | more upper body strength than that which is needed |
| attempt to work out together soon find that they are | | | | for a single bicycle. This is because the team doesn't |
| unable to do so well due to differences in ability, fitness, | | | | know how to work together yet so more strength is |
| strength, or any of a number of other issues. | | | | required to steer the bike. As the team works |
| Fortunately, the tandem bike only requires that both | | | | together more, the upper body strength requirement |
| people be able to ride a bike. | | | | will become less important. |
| The main benefits of tandem bikes are that: | | | | The captain has two key responsibilities. The first |
| 1. They convert an individualistic activity (cycling) into an | | | | responsibility is to control the bike. This includes |
| experience that can be shared with another person | | | | balancing the bike when it is stopped and in motion, |
| 2. They allow the joys of cycling to be shared and | | | | steering, shifting, and braking. The other key |
| experienced by physically handicapped people who | | | | responsibility is to keep the stoker, or teammate, |
| might otherwise not be able to enjoy cycling | | | | happy. A tandem bike is not a tandem bike without a |
| 3. They allow parents to share biking with their kids at | | | | stoker. The stoker needs to be able to trust the |
| an adult level as well as regulate the cycling habits of | | | | captain and, to help this, the captain must stop |
| their children | | | | whenever the stoker wants to stop or slow down. |
| 4. They allow people to experience the thrills of | | | | Another responsibility to the stoker is the requirement |
| high-speed cycling every time they go out | | | | that the captain warn the stoker of any upcoming |
| In general, tandem bicycles have oversized frames | | | | bumps, hills, curves, or anything else in the road. The |
| made of aluminum. This allows them to have the | | | | stoker cannot see the road ahead of the bike and so |
| increased stiffness and strength that is required to | | | | is completely at the captain's mercy. |
| support two riders. Aluminum is used as it allows the | | | | |