brad
07-31-03, 02:59 PM
Note to self: Dont go out on the tandem with the intent on doing hills when the stoker/wife is upset with you:( Yes, you'll get in shape quickly this way but it can be brutal;)
Tandem Cycling - attention captains
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Trsnrtr
07-31-03, 06:11 PM
I have to remind myself not to say at the top of a hill:
"Darn, Honey, don't you *ever* pedal?!?"
The welts on my back usually last at least three days. :)
"Darn, Honey, don't you *ever* pedal?!?"
The welts on my back usually last at least three days. :)
bikex10
08-01-03, 05:39 AM
You must have a devoted wife , if she will get on the bike with you when she is upset at you !
TandemGeek
08-01-03, 07:21 AM
Careful y'all... Any thoughts such as those are best kept to yourselves, even if your spouse doesn't happen to surf the net and read forums such as this. It's just bad Karma and I'll be darned if I know how they do it, but most spouses are quick to pick up on these supressed thoughts.
That said, the unwritten book of tandem science has a chapter that explains why it is normal to find that at the top of most epic climbs -- when captains find themselves in oxygen debt, gasping for air and oozing lactic acid from their leg, arm and back muscles -- stokers will have sufficient energy reserves to carry on a future ride planning discussion with fellow stokers.
Other unwritten chapters include:
1. Heart rate monitor anomalies
2. The timing ring reversed wear pattern phenomenon
3. Tandem or resistance trainer; you decide
4. Why captains should be thankful they're not stokers
5. Why happy captains always have happy stokers
The last two chapters mentioned are the most important ones. If you haven't done so, it is a humbling experience to climb onto the back of a tandem and assume the role of stoker. Morover, if you love tandeming, the benefits to be derived from just "sucking it up" far outweigh the alternative which is riding alone.
Just my .02. For an interesting, sarcastic but humorous account of what it's like to go from being a top notch triathlete to being a stoker, here's a link to Jim Riccitello's account of his experience stoking for Gord Frasier at the Tour de Tucson a few years back: http://www.active.com/print.cfm?category=cycling&story_id=8319
While written as a humor piece, it is quite revealing.
That said, the unwritten book of tandem science has a chapter that explains why it is normal to find that at the top of most epic climbs -- when captains find themselves in oxygen debt, gasping for air and oozing lactic acid from their leg, arm and back muscles -- stokers will have sufficient energy reserves to carry on a future ride planning discussion with fellow stokers.
Other unwritten chapters include:
1. Heart rate monitor anomalies
2. The timing ring reversed wear pattern phenomenon
3. Tandem or resistance trainer; you decide
4. Why captains should be thankful they're not stokers
5. Why happy captains always have happy stokers
The last two chapters mentioned are the most important ones. If you haven't done so, it is a humbling experience to climb onto the back of a tandem and assume the role of stoker. Morover, if you love tandeming, the benefits to be derived from just "sucking it up" far outweigh the alternative which is riding alone.
Just my .02. For an interesting, sarcastic but humorous account of what it's like to go from being a top notch triathlete to being a stoker, here's a link to Jim Riccitello's account of his experience stoking for Gord Frasier at the Tour de Tucson a few years back: http://www.active.com/print.cfm?category=cycling&story_id=8319
While written as a humor piece, it is quite revealing.
brad
08-01-03, 10:42 AM
"when captains find themselves in oxygen debt, gasping for air and oozing lactic acid from their leg, arm and back muscles -- stokers will have sufficient energy reserves to carry on a future ride planning discussion with fellow stokers".
That's pretty funny Mark. I'd always just admired how my stoker must be much more fit than I and able to recover so quickly on said climbs :)
That's pretty funny Mark. I'd always just admired how my stoker must be much more fit than I and able to recover so quickly on said climbs :)
brnigrl
08-01-03, 05:34 PM
This is the first sport I took on with my husband that I'm not the one gasping for breath! I have actually not been as tired as he is (awww!)
TandemGeek
08-01-03, 07:25 PM
Originally posted by brnigrl
This is the first sport I took on with my husband that I'm not the one gasping for breath! I have actually not been as tired as he is (awww!)
Damn straight! You go girl...
God and good Captains know the love of a stoker, but only the Captain can appreciate how fortunate they are when they've hit the wall and it's their stoker who pushes their worn-out butt home.
Warm Regards,
This is the first sport I took on with my husband that I'm not the one gasping for breath! I have actually not been as tired as he is (awww!)
Damn straight! You go girl...
God and good Captains know the love of a stoker, but only the Captain can appreciate how fortunate they are when they've hit the wall and it's their stoker who pushes their worn-out butt home.
Warm Regards,