First Tandem Century

[thomson]

The tandem riding has been going well with my son and me. We have been chipping away at the miles with our longest ride being 24 miles. Today we bit the bullet with the intention of doing a century. We took off for the coast and head north until the computer read 53 miles. Turned around and made it home in great shape. Total time 6 ½ hours with ride time of 5 ½ hours. Off ride time was just a couple of short breaks and a lunch stop.

btw, I am experienced and do at least a century every Saturday. My son's longest ride on a traditional bike is 7 miles. But he is quite a runner and in good shape. I gave him a new pair of bicycling shorts to wear after convincing him he will want the wicking properties. He wore them but with a pair of his long running shorts over them so he wouldn't look like such a dork..<grin>

This tandem stuff is great!! But you probably already knew that!!

Thanks for listening
..Jim

[transam]

Congratulations on your first tandem century. It's great to hear of a father and son enjoying their time together. Hope this is the first of many centuries to come. You're right this tandem stuff is great!

[TandemGeek]

Well done to you and especially your son...

[TandemGeek]

Well done to you and especially your son...

[zonatandem]

That's a B-I-G jump from 24 miles to 106 . . . and 19+ mph for a 5 1/2 hour century! How old is the son?
Congrats to both of you!

[thomson]

That's a B-I-G jump from 24 miles to 106 . . . and 19+ mph for a 5 1/2 hour century! How old is the son?
Congrats to both of you!

Thanks Zona

He is 24 years old and he is in quite good shape. He has been into weight training and running for a while. The bicycling stuff is new. (although I did get him into a track program when he was 8. It didn’t take, his interests went elsewhere) When I first got the tandem a couple months ago, he was over visiting and wanted to go to the gym and then run. I offered to take him on the tandem the 7 miles and then he can run home. That worked out real well. So we have done that a few times. We have also gone on 60-90 minute rides as we both learn tandeming. So, just on a lark, I asked him if he wanted to do a century, he said sure he would be over about noon on Saturday and we can go. To my surprise he showed up Friday night and spent the night so we can get an earlier start. On our ride, I kept offering to turn back and he kept saying no lets press on until we get 50 miles then we can return home for our century.

We kept the pace going along pretty good. I rarely saw the speedometer go below 20 but obviously it did quite a bit. The cadence was fast (approx 90) and the pedaling was continuous. He didn't have a problem with either. When the ride was done his only complaint was his butt.

So, this week I bought a Brooks Champion Flyer (http://www.wallbike.com/championflyer.html ) because I can’t stand the padded saddle that is on the rear now and I thought the traditional B17 will be too hard. We will see how that goes.

I know we can easily bang out a sub 5 hour century. He does like to go faster than I do. My 5 hour century days are behind me, I like to stop and smell roses these days. But to maintain his interest, I think we will go for the speed.

I am a brand new tandemer and he makes it easy for me to learn my role as a captain. My goal is to become a very good captain and then get my wife on the tandem and go back to smelling the roses.

I realize this reeks of parental bragging but to be honest, I can't help it. I spent years not putting "my child is an honor student" bumper stickers on my car so I need a little release occasionally.

[zonatandem]

Rode with all 3 of our sons at one time or another on our tandem way back in the 70s.
Our youngest was 11 years old when he did his first century; did TOSRV (200+ miles in 2 days in Ohio) with middle son when he was about 16 and oldest son never went for the longer miles, but did ride.
Have ridden with several of the grandkids but they've discovered girls/boys/cars and biking is no longer of interest.
. . . and there is nothing wrong with a bit of parental braggin'!
Tandems are a great way to keep the family TWOgether!

[Nachoman]

That's really fantastic. I've got a twelve year old. We did 38 miles on Sunday, but a century feels a long way off. Congratulations!

[Machka]

Congratulations!! I think it is wonderful that you and your son could do that together.


My father and I did a century on his tandem about 10 years ago ... and it was all right, but I'm not sure I'd want to do that again. He and I are both avid cyclists, but not exactly compatable riders when placed on the same machine.

[thomson]

That's really fantastic. I've got a twelve year old. We did 38 miles on Sunday, but a century feels a long way off. Congratulations!

38 miles with a 12 year old seems more impressive than 106 with a 24 year old. Good job. I really wish I had a tandem when my son was 12.

[thomson]

Congratulations!! I think it is wonderful that you and your son could do that together.


My father and I did a century on his tandem about 10 years ago ... and it was all right, but I'm not sure I'd want to do that again. He and I are both avid cyclists, but not exactly compatable riders when placed on the same machine.
Thanks Machka
I may have an advantage as my son is not yet a "cyclist" so he hasn't developed his own style. We were very compatible. We seemed to communicate through the pedals. As an example, I can tell when he thought we were going too fast into a turn because I would feel resistance. I would immediately stop pedaling and even brake lightly to soothe his mind.
With all the miles under your belt, it can be hard to give up control. Perhaps you should captain?? Although one thing, a good stoker stays in the same plane as the bike. My son does lean a bit so I am getting a real arm workout. I am working with him on this. I know Caddy will be a perfect stoker. If not, it may be trouble staying upright.

[zonatandem]

Pilot/stoker compatability can be an issue.
When we rode TOSRV on our then Follis tandem in Ohio in 1975 (yipes, that's a long time ago!) my then 16year old son was a 'spinner' and pop was a big gear rider. Solution: we were the same approximate height and we would switch pilot-stoker position at each food stop (25 miles apart) and pilot would control shifting; so ended up spinning for 25 miles,then big gear mashing for the next 25, etc.
Broke seven spokes during that event (carried 10 spares) and still managed 19 1/2 mph for the 200+ mile ride.
At the end of TOSV son said: "Dad, it was a great 2-day ride but don't wan't to this again; don't like pushing them high gears."

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

[woog]

Hi all--

This is the most recent century thread I can find and rather than start a new one I thought I'd just bump this up. My stoker and I will be trying our first tandem century this weekend. She's done a couple on her single and I've done many, so I'm not too worried in general, but I do wonder if there's anything specific to the tandem that I should be thinking about. Butt breaks and reminding her to eat and drink are the only two I can think of off the top of my head. Anything else? Anything I should be carrying for the bike beyond the standard patch kit, spare tube, pump, and a multitool?

BTW, this will be the Sweet Onion Century in Vidalia, GA if anyone is interested. We'll be on an old blue Burley with yellow or celeste tape.

[thomson]

Hi all--

This is the most recent century thread I can find and rather than start a new one I thought I'd just bump this up. My stoker and I will be trying our first tandem century this weekend. She's done a couple on her single and I've done many, so I'm not too worried in general, but I do wonder if there's anything specific to the tandem that I should be thinking about. Butt breaks and reminding her to eat and drink are the only two I can think of off the top of my head. Anything else? Anything I should be carrying for the bike beyond the standard patch kit, spare tube, pump, and a multitool?

BTW, this will be the Sweet Onion Century in Vidalia, GA if anyone is interested. We'll be on an old blue Burley with yellow or celeste tape.

Have you guys done any tandem rides together? Maybe it is a little late but the more experience one gets riding together the better. But I don't really think you will have a problem.

As far as gear, I don't think there is anything special you need to bring except what is specific to your tandem. As an example I need to carry a 10mm wrench to unattach the drum mount just to remove the rear wheel.

The only other thing I would bring is a clothespin for my nose. (I hate onions)

Have a good time and please share your ride experience with us when done!!

[zonatandem]

thomson:
Get rid of the 10mm wrench for the drum brake,there is a quick release gizmo that'll detach cable instantly. Believe Mel at Tandems East carries that.
Special gear? On centuries we carried 2 tubes instead of one. On tours we'd pack one tandem length gear and one brake cable . . . just in case; and sometimes if we'd be out in the boonies, even a folding tire (which we ended up giving to someone that had tire trouble).
BTW: love those Vidalia s-w-e-e-t onions!

[woog]

Thanks for the replies. Got my 15mm stubby wrench for the back wheel, which is bolted on, and the drum cable is q/r like z-tandem says so that should be ok too. So I guess we're as ready as we're gonna get. :)

I'm thrilled to be doing this btw. We've had the bike for something liken 9 months now, but haven't been able to swing a free weekend for a full century, although that's always been the plan. I'll definitely report back next week.

[thomson]

thomson:
Get rid of the 10mm wrench for the drum brake,there is a quick release gizmo that'll detach cable instantly. Believe Mel at Tandems East carries that.

I have the quick release on the cable. The wrench is for is a lever that attaches from the drum to the frame. Looks like it works like a coaster brake.

[woog]

Just wanted to report back on a successful ride. We finished in just under 5.5 hours, both with smiles on our faces. Can't get much better than that I don't think. We'll definitely do it again at the earliest opportunity. :)

[AD-SLE]

Thomson, that is great. I recall your first post when you just picked up the bike about the same time I did. And you have already done a century! Great stuff. And with three kids, 14-12-8 I can relate. Oddly I have a competitive shooting habit and have tried to get my kids interested. They tried it but no thanks. I got my 14 year old to go on a new years ride to see them water-ski on the Mississippi. She bit. But I blew it. Thinking I would make life easier, I put her pedals on my wifes rode bike so it would be effortless vs. her slick tired MTB. She crashed mile 7 of 30. To her credit she picked herself up and rode the rest of the way to and back. But, sadly, she won't get on a bike again. :( :( :(

To anyone listening. Always let them ride what they know and don't change a darn thing trying to help. It is of course my fault that I made her ride Mom's bike. Now she wants the knobbies back on her MTB. I should have just left everything alone.

So, again, that your son is interested in doing something with you, AWESOME JOB! Parenting is darn hard work I have decided!! Keep up the great work!! No reason to appologize for bragging.

[thomson]

Thomson, that is great. I recall your first post when you just picked up the bike about the same time I did. And you have already done a century! Great stuff. And with three kids, 14-12-8 I can relate. Oddly I have a competitive shooting habit and have tried to get my kids interested. They tried it but no thanks. I got my 14 year old to go on a new years ride to see them water-ski on the Mississippi. She bit. But I blew it. Thinking I would make life easier, I put her pedals on my wifes rode bike so it would be effortless vs. her slick tired MTB. She crashed mile 7 of 30. To her credit she picked herself up and rode the rest of the way to and back. But, sadly, she won't get on a bike again. :( :( :(

To anyone listening. Always let them ride what they know and don't change a darn thing trying to help. It is of course my fault that I made her ride Mom's bike. Now she wants the knobbies back on her MTB. I should have just left everything alone.

So, again, that your son is interested in doing something with you, AWESOME JOB! Parenting is darn hard work I have decided!! Keep up the great work!! No reason to appologize for bragging.


Thanks for the comments. My son is 24 and that is a much different situation than yours. First of all, he is strong so banging out the century really wasn't much effort. Secondly, we have already made the transition from father/son to more like friends. The mistake I made was not getting him involved when he was 14, 12, or 8. (I wasn't into bicycling then). You have great quality time ahead of you.

And, there is progress on the another front for me. Yesterday my wife said she would like to ride the tandem up to the neighborhood stores. Maybe she is feeling left out??? In any case, that tandem is going to get a lot of use!!!

The best advice I heard on getting your kids comfortable is to remember that the stoker is always right. As an example, you feel through the timing chain if your cadence is too fast (you start to feel resistence). In fact you can read if they feel you are travelling too fast. My advice, slow down, they are always right. It will all smooth out over time.

[djembob02]

Congratulations, my father and I were boy scouts and we used to do a lot of backpacking together. It was great spending the entire day pushing our way up the trail.

Now that my daughter, wife, and I are tandeming, I spend lots of time with my family on the bike (triplet). The most the little one (4 years old) and I have done together is 45 miles, but we will come close to a century in a month on the bike across Kansas. All 3 of us will be together and the longest day is about 85 miles.

Good luck on future rides. While I love my wife and daughter very much, I also sometimes miss those times with my dad.

[kreed]

While I love my wife and daughter very much, I also sometimes miss those times with my dad.


That's cool. I hope my kids feel that way one day.