| A bicycle built for two. If you have never tried riding a | | | | riders is going to stop pedaling for some reason they |
| tandem bicycle you may be missing out. Tandem | | | | need to communicate this to the other rider because |
| cycling is one of those things you seem to either love | | | | your cranks are connected by a drive chain and fixed |
| or hate. Since it requires two cyclists you have to be | | | | gears. It is common courtesy for the captain to alert |
| able to play well with others. If you are very | | | | the stoker to large bumps that are coming up so they |
| independent and need to do things your way and your | | | | have time to prepare. The stoker doesn't have as |
| way only it might not be the thing for you. If you do | | | | clear a view of the road ahead and therefore has a |
| work well with others and have a partner that you | | | | harder time seeing upcoming bumps. |
| enjoy riding with it can be a great experience. | | | | As with other bicycles tandems come in various styles. |
| If you like to talk with your partner while riding it is much | | | | There are road tandems; cross tandems; and |
| easier to do on a tandem since you are closer | | | | mountain bike tandems. Which you choose will depend |
| together with out having to ride side by side which is | | | | on the type of riding you do. Tandems do tend to cost |
| not practical on most roads. | | | | more than a single bike but would be less than buying |
| A big benefit to riding a tandem is when there is a | | | | two individual bikes. The frames and wheels are built |
| difference in riding ability or strength of two cyclists. | | | | stronger than a typical single bike due to the extra |
| The tandem averages out the difference allowing the | | | | weight they carry with two passengers aboard. |
| stronger rider to work as hard as he or she wants | | | | Tandems do take some getting used to since they are |
| while at the same time allowing the other person to | | | | so different to drive than a single bike. I recommend |
| keep up with out being pushed to the point where it is | | | | borrowing or renting one to try it and see if it is |
| not enjoyable. Often if two cyclists are of different | | | | something you enjoy. The first time I rode a tandem I |
| ability the faster rider will have to stop and wait for the | | | | thought it felt like driving a tractor trailer. They have a |
| second rider to catch up and rest. The tandem | | | | much wider turning radius due to the longer wheel |
| eliminates this completely. Both riders do have to | | | | base. Starting and stopping can be a challenge since |
| peddle since the cranks are connected so there is no | | | | you both have to get your feet in the pedals and |
| sitting back coasting for either rider. For example if one | | | | moving together. You have much more weight on the |
| rider can go out and do a fifty mile ride and the other | | | | bike so down hills can be very fast. The down side of |
| can only do a twenty mile ride on their own you might | | | | that is it also takes more effort to get up hills. If you |
| well be able to do a thirty or forty mile ride as a team. | | | | are riding in a hilly area like Vermont you will probably |
| Riding a tandem can provide you both with a strong | | | | want to have a triple crank so you can gear down for |
| sense of accomplishment and team work. You really | | | | the larger climbs. On flat roads tandems can be faster |
| have to work together in order to get where you're | | | | than single bikes because the stoker is in affect |
| going and it requires a lot of communication to make it | | | | drafting the captain. You achieve twice the power with |
| come together. | | | | the wind resistance of one. |
| The person in the front of a tandem who steers; | | | | I highly recommend trying tandem riding. If it is |
| pedals and shifts is called the captain. The person in | | | | something that works for you and your partner it could |
| back has the job of peddling and has the benefit of | | | | be the beginning of many miles of riding a bicycle built |
| being able to enjoy the scenery with out constantly | | | | for two. |
| watching the road is called the stoker. If one of the | | | | |