First TT on a Tandem

[Red Rider]

We let Hermes convince us that a time trial by tandem was very doable. We've done a number of centuries so we figured we'd expand our cycling horizons. Capt. Chris was in Europe 5/21-6/1, with nary a bike to be ridden, poor guy. So we rode our 1/2 bikes around the 34.7 km flat course on Sat., to get a feel for it and to loosen him up.

We were surprisingly nervous on Sun. morning. We rode to the event (about 10 mi. from our front door), met Hermes & Cranky Stoker, visited 3 of our club members also riding the event, and gawked at the amount of carbon fiber & aerodynamism present. Yeah, we were intimidated and definitely on the Fred side. Mostly we were determined to have fun & find out just how hard a couple of crazy 50-plus tandemistas could hammer.

Turns out we averaged 22 mph. & finished the course in 56 min. (unofficial; times aren't posted yet). What a rush! That more than made up for being passed by 4 tandems (we were third of 8 tandems; we think the last team no-showed). Those 10 mi. back home after our race were punctuated by growling stomachs. Cranky Stoker & Hermes came over for a hearty meal. Good fun & good company = good day.

We aren't too sore today but took the day off just 'cause. There's another TT in Sept.; maybe we'll actually train for that. :D

[Hermes]

Red Rider and cgallagh did very well for their first race. It was a great to meet them in person. When we got to the starting line both stokers got a warning from the starter for not complying with USCF rules. Red Rider for exposing her shoulders:eek: :eek: and Velodiva FKA Cranky-Stoker for attempting to use a Ipod Shuffle while stoking. :eek: The captains and the bicycles were in compliance.;)

[Velodiva]

Both Hermes and I (f/k/a cranky-stoker) had a great day at the Steve Dunlap Memorial regional championship time trial in Winters, CA. We were so excited to meet Red Rider and Captain Chris in person! Thanks for the great post-race hospitality. There was a great turn-out for the tandems. Hermes and I race for Alto Velo/WebCor - there were two other AV/WebCor tandem teams. We brought our trainer and felt that the warm-up really helped stoke the engines (no pun intended). The tandems didn't start until 12:17 and it was quite hot by then on the pavement - hot dry desert air with some significant winds. We surpassed our goal with an unofficial time of 53:11 over the 34 k course. I am still euphoric - TT'ing is addictive! This was our 5th TT this year on the tandem (a/k/a Magic Bus). We are looking foward to the state championship TT next week in Sattley.
P.S. - Yes, I was chastised by the starter for attempting to use my Ipod shuffle during the race but humbly put it away. There should be a carve out in the rules for stokers. Who knows what our time would have been if I had my power songs?!

[Shayne]

Great job everyone. Thanks for the write-ups. I really enjoy reading them.

Good luck in your next race.
Shayne