Off-Road Tandems: Lots of Fun Even When You Crash

[TandemGeek]

Anatomy of a FDGB (Fall Down Go Boom):
Moved from another thread

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Step 1: Have what appears to be a pretty good and uneventful day riding off-road.



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Step 2: Do some "photo shoots" with friends

Step 3: Spend too much time socializing between loops
Step 4: Find obstacle that no else is willing to attempt near break spot.
Step 5: Decide to take it blind instead of pre-walking.
Step 6: Pick bad line such that tandem is not perpendicular to the obstacle when you enter it.
Step 7: Attempt steering correction 1/2 way into obstacle... bad idea on a tandem.

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Step 8: Recognize that front wheel is "flopping" and start to bail off the front end (note how easily my right foot releases from the right Speedplay Frog pedal)

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Step 9: Always make the best of a bad situation and laugh once you confirm your stoker is OK and laughing.

[Brian]

It's a fact that off-road tandems always crash in slow motion. In the rare instance of a stack, I used to try to convince my wife it was time for a rest stop.

[mudmouse]

Great pics - love the big smiles, especially in the last... :)

kari

[SugarHillGMC]

It's a fact that off-road tandems always crash in slow motion. In the rare instance of a stack, I used to try to convince my wife it was time for a rest stop.

Uh, well most times it's slow. We have had two really good FAST crashes. Once we endo'd (yeah the stoker is REALLY up there), next time during a race we had the fastest front end wash out while in a left hand corner- first lap out of three. Bloody legs, scraped arms, misc bruises- but we got back on and finished.
I try to avoid injuring the stoker- she remains fearless and is confident that I try very hard to bring her back in one piece.

John S & Cathy B
EFTA Series Champions- 2001, 2002 & 2003
Tandem Division

[stapfam]

I try to avoid injuring the stoker- she remains fearless and is confident that I try very hard to bring her back in one piece.

John S & Cathy B
EFTA Series Champions- 2001, 2002 & 2003
Tandem Division
As Stoker on a team that frequently falls off- I have got used to staying on the bike-Holding on to the bars, feet clipped in and not putting a foot or arm out to break, and pulling myself in tight when it goes pear shaped. It may be my slow reactions that means I do not have time to react, but so far my theory has proved right, and even my pilot is fast coming to the same conclusion. Luckily- most falls are at slow speed, but the Fast offs so far have only hurt the pride as they always seem to happen in front of a crowd of spectators.