[hr2510]

Since it only takes a couple of minutes to swap seats and height adjustments, Does anyone swap positions(If they are close to same size) between Captain & Stoker? I don't remember ever seeing a Woman Captain with Man Stoker. Is there some kind of unwritten "law" stating the Woman is supposed to be the Stoker? My Wife and I have been splitting up the ride about 50-50. Just wondering if anyone else does this.

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[zonatandem]

Due to size differences, we cannot swap stoker/pilot position.
Have seen very few female captains and even a couple all-female tandem duos.
If you two are able to swap responisibilites on the tandem, more power to you!

[malkin]

We could probably adjust the height for a switch, but in my brief and terrifying career as a stoker I couldn't manage DH's weight.

[qmsdc15]

I have a tandem but no stoker, so I usually just cruise around asking cute joggers if they wanna ride. When I let my friend try to drive, it was so scary, I had to jump off.

[qmsdc15]

We could probably adjust the height for a switch, but in my brief and terrifying career as a stoker I couldn't manage DH's weight. Wouldn't it be DH's job to manage your weight? I know what you mean though, stoking is scary as hell. I'm sure riding an ordinary downhill is cake compared to that.

[ken cummings]

I've seen women in front. As it can take added strength to handle a loaded tandem and to keep it upright at stops the male who is often stronger commonly is in front. Of the women I have seen in front, only a few dozen, almost all had juveniles on the back. There was also the time a woman who had won the Race Across AMerica got on my tandem with a male friend as stoker. They did fine.

[zonatandem]

Fitted a Co-Mo Periscope for a couple who wanted to 'switch positions' on new tandem. She 5'3" (former RAAM racer) he 6'2" newbie. She also wanted to pilot tandem with her kids.
Took a bit of finagling, but works just fine with either one on front perch.

[RickinFl]

My (then) stoker and I were on our way home from a ride in Eugene, Oregon one fine summer day when we happened to blunder into gay/lesbian pride type of thing (such counterculture/ alternate lifestyle events being not at all uncommon in that particular venue, and mostly highly regarded by the populace, myself included). A pair of burley women accosted us and loudly asked "why is the woman always on the back?".

I appreciate and respect all lifestyle choices involving sexual orientation, but I was frankly taken aback and found myself at a loss for an explanation of such a clearly egregious behavior. I also later reflected that they were acting in the spirit of the moment with feminist fervor, high ideals, good faith, and so forth. As I have said, I, who am sometimes known for snotty rejoinders to such challenges, was speechless, and in retrospect was glad that I was.

What I should have gently explained in a spirit of solidarity was that, on tandems, the heavier, stronger person usually is found on the front. In the case of myself and my (then) stoker, it was definitely the case that I should occupy the front position if going by those particular criteria. However, it may have been a questionable matter had I been riding with either of these two worthy women, perhaps needing to be settled by the toss of a coin or a trip to the scales.

Let me add that Eugene is one of my favorite places to cycle in and around, with a large and active tandem contingent. It also rains a bit more than half the year, but is still a marvellous place.

Rick

[waterrockets]

Swapping? You're talking about w/in the same tandem team, right? ;)