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07-01-07, 10:10 AM
Hey y'all, here's a follow-up to the thread I posted (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=307645) a few weeks ago.
Actually, contrary to the subject line, this is an update from the second tandem renting experience. The first led to a very upbeat and satisfying two rides (the earlier thread).
Today I'm happy to report that ride #1 of the 2nd tandem rental was ... GREAT!! Yesterday the Missus and I started in Los Gatos and went up and over the hill to Santa Cruz. For those familiar with the area, this involved climbing OSCH (Old Santa Cruz Highway) to Summit then taking Soquel-San Jose to Capitola then on to SC itself. I do this trip all the time but the Missus had never done it and always wanted to. It's a beautiful ride.
I was of course very worried about the Missus' ability to trudge up the moderate climb on OSCH. But she proved me wrong once more and, with virtually no training on her part, she was with me the entire way. This proves once again that the tandem is truly an effective way for her to get in rides she'd probably never do on her own. And she loves the fact that I'm left to worry about steering, avoiding potholes, traffic, and braking.
Going down Soquel-San Jose was challenging only in that my hands and shoulders hurt a bit. I find that it's difficult to let go of the bars for even a moment on a tandem where on a single you can do so at most any time. And b/c the rental KHS has no descent brake (drum brake?) I was squeezing the brakes the entire way. The Missus loved the speed and length of the descent, however. We certainly went faster than she'd ever do on her own!!
Going through Capitola on a busy day we attracted a lot of attention, as we did in Santa Cruz. We ended the adventure with a slow ride to the end of the pier in SC. I think we did a little over 30 miles in total.
All in all, a very upbeat test ride. I'm absolutely thrilled that we were able to take the hills as we did. OSCH is by no means the toughest climb in the area but it tells me that we can rather easily go to San Francisco from San Jose -- a ride I often do and the Missus is itching to do. This is a 70-mile ride so it'll take a few lengthier tandem rides to build to this level.
From a teamwork perspective, we were right on the mark again. Absolutely no issues with communications and such. We quickly found a climbing pace that worked. We were a solid team on busy Capitola/Santa Cruz streets.
Today is ride #2 of test rental #2. I'll fill you in later on how it goes. The Missus is itching to go.
Andy
Actually, contrary to the subject line, this is an update from the second tandem renting experience. The first led to a very upbeat and satisfying two rides (the earlier thread).
Today I'm happy to report that ride #1 of the 2nd tandem rental was ... GREAT!! Yesterday the Missus and I started in Los Gatos and went up and over the hill to Santa Cruz. For those familiar with the area, this involved climbing OSCH (Old Santa Cruz Highway) to Summit then taking Soquel-San Jose to Capitola then on to SC itself. I do this trip all the time but the Missus had never done it and always wanted to. It's a beautiful ride.
I was of course very worried about the Missus' ability to trudge up the moderate climb on OSCH. But she proved me wrong once more and, with virtually no training on her part, she was with me the entire way. This proves once again that the tandem is truly an effective way for her to get in rides she'd probably never do on her own. And she loves the fact that I'm left to worry about steering, avoiding potholes, traffic, and braking.
Going down Soquel-San Jose was challenging only in that my hands and shoulders hurt a bit. I find that it's difficult to let go of the bars for even a moment on a tandem where on a single you can do so at most any time. And b/c the rental KHS has no descent brake (drum brake?) I was squeezing the brakes the entire way. The Missus loved the speed and length of the descent, however. We certainly went faster than she'd ever do on her own!!
Going through Capitola on a busy day we attracted a lot of attention, as we did in Santa Cruz. We ended the adventure with a slow ride to the end of the pier in SC. I think we did a little over 30 miles in total.
All in all, a very upbeat test ride. I'm absolutely thrilled that we were able to take the hills as we did. OSCH is by no means the toughest climb in the area but it tells me that we can rather easily go to San Francisco from San Jose -- a ride I often do and the Missus is itching to do. This is a 70-mile ride so it'll take a few lengthier tandem rides to build to this level.
From a teamwork perspective, we were right on the mark again. Absolutely no issues with communications and such. We quickly found a climbing pace that worked. We were a solid team on busy Capitola/Santa Cruz streets.
Today is ride #2 of test rental #2. I'll fill you in later on how it goes. The Missus is itching to go.
Andy