bschoen
All,
I don't post here much - at least I haven't so far. But I do appreciate all your thoughts and read regularly. So here goes my post.
My bride (of 28 years) and I picked up our first tandem last fall and didn't start riding until it warmed up enough for her this spring - her first significant amount of riding in probably 30 years. We've been on lots of "solo" rides and a couple of group rides to the extent that she is now comfortable with the pace line thing, though large groups still make her somewhat uncomfortable. Progress - I'm proud of her already.
This past Saturday we did the morning "pancake" ride to a small community nearby. It's about a 34 mile round trip - roughly 18 over and back. We decided that we didn't want to kill ourselves trying to keep up with the fast group which leaves a bit earlier than the slower group - but we were willing to ride with them as long as our lungs and legs would take us. The route over is flat. Coming back there are some rolling hills, but nothing significant.
To our suprise we managed to hang on with the "big boys" and had averaged 22.5 mph for the trip over. We even pulled for 4 or 5 miles (guessing here). We were both surprised and pleased. During breakfast before we headed back we elected to go at our own pace and let the "big boys" go. About half way home we picked up a straggler they dropped and finished our ride back to town. When we got there we had still averaged 21.8 for the entire trip.
My stoker (having a genuine appreciation for the male ego) credits my recent cross state tour for our uptick in speed. I know differently as I could feel her pushing us over the rollers on the way back. She had plenty of energy and really seemed to have enjoyed the ride when we finished. I'm telling you, there is considerable joy in accomplishing that which we both believed to be impossible only a few short months ago - hence the pride in my stoker. She's a great companion - on or off the bike!!!!!!
Brad
I don't post here much - at least I haven't so far. But I do appreciate all your thoughts and read regularly. So here goes my post.
My bride (of 28 years) and I picked up our first tandem last fall and didn't start riding until it warmed up enough for her this spring - her first significant amount of riding in probably 30 years. We've been on lots of "solo" rides and a couple of group rides to the extent that she is now comfortable with the pace line thing, though large groups still make her somewhat uncomfortable. Progress - I'm proud of her already.
This past Saturday we did the morning "pancake" ride to a small community nearby. It's about a 34 mile round trip - roughly 18 over and back. We decided that we didn't want to kill ourselves trying to keep up with the fast group which leaves a bit earlier than the slower group - but we were willing to ride with them as long as our lungs and legs would take us. The route over is flat. Coming back there are some rolling hills, but nothing significant.
To our suprise we managed to hang on with the "big boys" and had averaged 22.5 mph for the trip over. We even pulled for 4 or 5 miles (guessing here). We were both surprised and pleased. During breakfast before we headed back we elected to go at our own pace and let the "big boys" go. About half way home we picked up a straggler they dropped and finished our ride back to town. When we got there we had still averaged 21.8 for the entire trip.
My stoker (having a genuine appreciation for the male ego) credits my recent cross state tour for our uptick in speed. I know differently as I could feel her pushing us over the rollers on the way back. She had plenty of energy and really seemed to have enjoyed the ride when we finished. I'm telling you, there is considerable joy in accomplishing that which we both believed to be impossible only a few short months ago - hence the pride in my stoker. She's a great companion - on or off the bike!!!!!!
Brad