[Thistle]

I'm going to try a tandem for the first time soon and I'm looking for any advice on what to do or what not to do on the first ride. The gal I'm going with is experienced, but I want to have an idea of what to expect on my first ride. It looks like a lot of fun!

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[ElRey]

Cannondale has a Tandem insert for their Owner's Manual posted online. It has a bit of good advice for first-timers. I'd suggest you print a copy and review it. A few simple things: start off in an easy gear, stick to the flats, use platform pedals, wear a helmet.

[Old Hammer Boy]

Good advice there from ELRey. It will probably seem really tippy at first. Don't let this discourage you. It's a funny thing, my stoker/wife and I were chuckling, as we were crusing along, about our first tandem ride and how unsettling it felt. Now, I can honestly say the tandem feels more stable than our half bikes. It takes time and communications at first, but after awhile it will become as natural as riding your half bike and twice as fun!

[zonatandem]

Ride the tandem 'solo' first to get acquainted with handling/length.
Communicate!!!
Discuss previously with stoker what you'll be doing on that first test ride.
Voice (out loud) when you want to coast, brake, shift, bumps etc. Heed the stoker input!
Now go out and haved fun . . . TWOgether!

Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

[galen_52657]

If you have a seasoned stoker, you are starting out on 3rd base. It's the first-time stokers wiggling around and trying to look over the captain's shoulder that tend to make for a wobbly ride.

As a new captain I started out with clip-in pedals which I did not find to be a hindrance. But, platforms of toe clips might suit you better.

Approaching climbs, it's best to keep your cadence high and get in the right chain ring before you hit the upgrade...and err on the side of being under-geared. On hills you would climb in a low gear on a single, best opt for a lower gear on the tandem.

Talk it up and have fun! It's a blast!

[Doggus]

My only advice would be to ride with the seat lower than normal so you can keep control of the bike when stopping. Getting going is one thing but stopping and staying upright was a whole other issue when I first jumped on one.

[just me]

Are you going to captain or stoke?

Jack

[gregm]

Bill McCready has a write-up of some suggestions of how to approach tandem riding:

http://www.gtgtandems.com/tech/propmethod.html

-Greg

[Thistle]

I'm going to Stoke. Sounds like if I don't wiggle around and listen to the Captain I should be OK. Anything else I should keep in mind?

[merlinextraligh]

Don't swing your leg over the seat getting on and off, bad form to kick your stoker in the face (particularly if you have designs on her).

[stapfam]

I'm going to Stoke. Sounds like if I don't wiggle around and listen to the Captain I should be OK. Anything else I should keep in mind?

First rule is the stoker is never wrong. May not be right either but that is another matter. Listen to the pilot and make certain the pilot listens to you. Cadence too high or low- say something. Then the other rule is- do not think that you have to keep pace with the pilot. Tandems are tiring. If you are putting in a lot of effort because the pilot is a "Girl" and you have to put in the power- then think again. First ride is for the pair of you to get to know each others strengths and weaknesses and believe me- there will be some. The other thing as mentioned- Don't wriggle about. Keep your nose in line with a point on the pilots back, and if you are going to move from that line- tell the pilot. Any movement you make will steer the Tandem, reaching for a bottle, taking one hand off the bars, looking over your shoulder. The final tip is Don't Scream. Those downhills are worrying when taken at speed when you have no brakes and the steering doesn't work.

[just me]

Pedal, communicate, and have fun. Listen to the captain do what is asked. Give lots of feedback. I would love to stoke one day. Oh yea, really don't wiggle, like everyone has pointed out you will steer the bike.

Jack