Training on a tandem

[merlinextraligh]

Ok this is going to come from a captain centric view of the world, and likely PO all stokers.

I have a couple of questions about training for a tandem event ( a race or a fast century for example).
Do you do all or most of your training on the tandem?

My theory is that the stoker doesn't always get as good of training stimulus, as doing the same work on a single bike. Particularly in our case where the stoker has not raced, and doesn't necessarily have a good feel for the effort that racing and intense training really requires.

However, I can see a specificity advantage of training on the Tandem.

Our plan is to mix it up, doing some training on the tandem for team work, coordination etc., and some on single bikes so that we're both hitting the right intensity for the specified workout.


Second question, what HRM's do you guys use. My wife has an entry level Polar. Unfortunately it tends to read off of my (Sigma) HR strap. (Irks me when I'm killing my self doing an interval, and she's chatting away telling me she's working because her HRM is reading 175, but in reality it's reading mine.)

So I'm looking for an inexpensive HRM that's coded.

[dvs cycles]

I got my wife the cheapest Polar there was with encoding. F6 I think for under $100. Problem solved for us.
I still use a non coded in the front and have no problems. I use mine just for a tachometer with no bells and whistles just R's.

[masiman]

Second question, what HRM's do you guys use. My wife has an entry level Polar. Unfortunately it tends to read off of my (Sigma) HR strap. (Irks me when I'm killing my self doing an interval, and she's chatting away telling me she's working because her HRM is reading 175, but in reality it's reading mine.)

Now that is funny. After she has an HRM that reads her heart rate she'll realize that 175 does not leave room to talk :roflmao:. I am not up on the latest HRM's.

I think your stoker is more capable and willing than mine so I don't have any insights on how to more effectively prepare as a team. However, I can say that if I were to train for a competitive event with my stoker I would go into it realizing that the competition was for my enjoyment. That she would be doing it with me because she enjoys riding and being with me but could care less about the competition. Any effort she puts in beyond showing up, pedaling and enjoying the race is gravy. I won't win a trinket but I will be a stronger rider :).

[merlinextraligh]

Any effort she puts in beyond showing up, pedaling and enjoying the race is gravy.

Point well taken, and I need to remember that. We do want to get the most out of the effort she does put in though.

[Hermes]

Velodiva, my stoker / spouse and I train primarily on singles but ride the tandem every week.

We both have a cycling coach who provides a detailed program designed to meet our event / racing schedule for both tandem and singles. We train on the rollers at the cycling gym and on the road under supervision. This is not internet coaching.