Here's a first installment regarding RAGBRAI's history with tandems based on some feedback from my inquiries.
Apparently, there was a serious accident involving three tandems several years ago. The accident and subsequent court case hardend what was already a strong bias against tandems by the RAGBRAI organizers. At some point after that RAGBRAI apparently contemplated an outright ban on tandems at the event. Several tandem enthusiasts worked with the organizers and prevailed on them to soften their stance against tandems. While the folks who were running RAGBRAI at that time have moved on, the concern with tandems remains.
My only hope is to suggest a more positive message for their note to tandem teams and to get the word out regarding the spotlight the current organizers have placed on tandems at RAGBRAI and to reiterate in a positive way the need to be extra-courteous to their fellow riders.
Look to see some additional comments under the Editor's Column in the next issue of "DoubleTalk", the magazine of the Tandem Club of America. If you're not a member of TCA please consider becoming one -- more information is available at
http://www.tandemclub.org
More to follow....