stapfam
I may be an idiot for riding a Tandem offroad but Yesterday I attempted a 100 mile offroad ride. This is a difficult ride in the best of conditions with only 15 hours of daylight to do the distance and 10,000ft of climbing. I have done it before and can boast the honour of being the First Tandem to complete the ride in 2003, although many had attempted this organised ride before, but none had completed it.
This ride is tough on a solo but Stuart and I are an accomplished team, but the conditions yesterday got the best of us and we pulled out at 65 miles. Just to give you an idea- High winds that increased over the ride that sent trees and branches down to block the trail, Standing water that covered the rear cassette, Mud that completely gummed up the drive train so that chain suck in granny locked up the pedals, and grip up the hills was almost non-existent in places.
Couple of points came out though of interest to Other Tandem riders. I have a Cane Creek Thudbuster suspension seat post - new since last years ride and this is superb. Even when the sudden shocks that hit a bike like holes in the trail and flint were hit, I just suddenly found the pedals a bit closer but no PAIN. Several of the Marshalls remarked on the fact that the Pilot was Clean. No mud over his front or his face and we were even asked us why we had cheated and gone by road. Reason for this is the Full front Mud guard that we use and No-- I repeat No mud hit the pilots face at all. One look at the bike though and they saw why we were not getting muddy up the front but one look at the bike confirmed that it was being used offroad.
For any of you that are finding Mud- or even road muck a problem on wet rides- I can definitely recommend this type of front Mud gaurd and all stokers realise the benefits of a Suspension post. This Thud buster must be the best that is available though. Pic was taken in 2004, and when I get the Pics from yesterday- I'll post them for you.
Edit
extra pics and you can see that the front fender works
This ride is tough on a solo but Stuart and I are an accomplished team, but the conditions yesterday got the best of us and we pulled out at 65 miles. Just to give you an idea- High winds that increased over the ride that sent trees and branches down to block the trail, Standing water that covered the rear cassette, Mud that completely gummed up the drive train so that chain suck in granny locked up the pedals, and grip up the hills was almost non-existent in places.
Couple of points came out though of interest to Other Tandem riders. I have a Cane Creek Thudbuster suspension seat post - new since last years ride and this is superb. Even when the sudden shocks that hit a bike like holes in the trail and flint were hit, I just suddenly found the pedals a bit closer but no PAIN. Several of the Marshalls remarked on the fact that the Pilot was Clean. No mud over his front or his face and we were even asked us why we had cheated and gone by road. Reason for this is the Full front Mud guard that we use and No-- I repeat No mud hit the pilots face at all. One look at the bike though and they saw why we were not getting muddy up the front but one look at the bike confirmed that it was being used offroad.
For any of you that are finding Mud- or even road muck a problem on wet rides- I can definitely recommend this type of front Mud gaurd and all stokers realise the benefits of a Suspension post. This Thud buster must be the best that is available though. Pic was taken in 2004, and when I get the Pics from yesterday- I'll post them for you.
Edit
extra pics and you can see that the front fender works