Psychological Boosts A Stoker Can Give the Captain

[mooncricket]

(or Captain to Stoker)

We're new to tandem. It was funny to find out that if my stoker pressed her hands on my lower back, I had the sensation of being pushed and, hence, I felt as though I had "help" going a little faster :)

In any case, she started to over do it, and I had to tell her to do her share of pedaling :p

What boosts do you give your partner/captain/stoker?

[Carbonfiberboy]

Just doing a good job. Your partner will get cheek cramps from smiling. I'll sometimes "ask" my stoker. As we approach a short steep hill: "Afterburner please."

[Hobartlemagne]

Captains can always threaten to fart.

[mooncricket]

Nice one Cboy!

Yes, Hobart, I've done that, and she pinched me hard! :)

[zonatandem]

Tell her she's great at riding TWOgether!

[cgallagh]

When we are time trialing or hammering into a big headwind at the end of a century, one of us will inevitably start to loose energy. We tell each other what a great job they are doing and give each other that little boost needed to work through the pain. I am so lucky to have the stoker/partner I have. Without her, I doubt I would continue biking. The time we spend twogether on the bike is beyond value.

[Red Rider]

Captains can always threaten to fart.

:eek::eek:

Better hope the wind is blowing the right way, or the captain is subject to severe remediation.

[Red Rider]

When we are time trialing or hammering into a big headwind at the end of a century, one of us will inevitably start to loose energy. We tell each other what a great job they are doing and give each other that little boost needed to work through the pain. I am so lucky to have the stoker/partner I have. Without her, I doubt I would continue biking. The time we spend twogether on the bike is beyond value.

:love::love: Right back atcha.

Sometimes when my attention wanders I'll hear "C'mon, hon," and I'll know I've been slacking. :o

Other times we'll be tooling along and if I feel a little Captain fade I tell him how great he's doing, and how brief is the period he has to dial it up...and it works when it comes from him, too.

There's something about working together in such close quarters that encourages each partner to perform above what they'd do on a half-bike. I like that magic. :D

[malkin]

I tell the captain how fine his backside looks.

[JanMM]

If my stoker is doing a really good job, I give her permission to touch my backside.

[mooncricket]

I guess I must be spoiling mine as she has an open invitation to touch it, but she prefers poking me with her sharp nails to make me go faster.

[JanMM]

I guess I must be spoiling mine as she has an open invitation to touch it, but she prefers poking me with her sharp nails to make me go faster.
Are there any shorts on the market with Kevlar padding in the buttocks region?

[zonatandem]

. . . she could always pull the back of captain's short down over the rear of his saddle, just for fun!

[mooncricket]

please, don't give them any new ideas

[moleman76]

+1 for bib shorts in that case

[la2sei]

alt least on our recumbent tandem, my rear is safe from my stoker, however, I'm sure she'll save it for our other tandem.

[WheresWaldo]

My daughter is my stoker and all she has to tell me is that she is feeling fine and I know that we can pick up the pace. There was even a ride a few weeks ago where I felt terrible, ready to quit, and she told me that it was "OK" and that she could work harder, that was all the motivation I needed to keep going.

I mention this since the OP's stokers are his children and the thought of my stoker touching my backside just creeps me out!

[Niobium Rocket]

I just ask my stoker how she is feeling. Usually she increases her power output automatically.

[simsi]

I like it when my 4 year old stoker calls out "faster Daddy" on the way up the hill home!

[KidTruth]

I just snuck over here from the roadie forum to say that I really wish my fiance road bikes =p

[KidTruth]

I just snuck over here from the roadie forum to say that I really wish my fiance road bikes =p

Oy, my brain. I mean rode bikes. But if my fiance was a road bike, that would be pretty awesome too.

As it is, my mistress is a road bike.

[superunleaded]

get her on a tandem. just try it out on an easy ride around the park kind of ride. you might be surprised when she start asking you, when are we going to ride again :)

[gobsmacked]

I agree with SU. Get her on a tandem and enjoy it together. It doesn't matter whether your output is 50:50 or 70:30 - you'll always be together - and that's the great part about it.

[Shayne]

My daughter is my stoker and all she has to tell me is that she is feeling fine and I know that we can pick up the pace. There was even a ride a few weeks ago where I felt terrible, ready to quit, and she told me that it was "OK" and that she could work harder, that was all the motivation I needed to keep going.

I mention this since the OP's stokers are his children and the thought of my stoker touching my backside just creeps me out!

My daughter is my stoker too. Two things come to mind that will help give me a big boost of speed.

One, when she really has to pee and were miles from a bathroom. :rolleyes: She refuses to do the field thing. In the last 4 years we've stopped at no less than 20 different farm houses and begged to come in. Somehow, when she has to "go", we can fly.

Two, when she starts tapping me on the back and yelling,"Don't let these guys pass us!":D

[stapfam]

I tell the captain how fine his backside looks.

If I did that- I'd get thumped.

Biggest boost I get from the pilot is when He asks for power and we pass the Solo's. Luckily- he only asks- when he knows we can do it.