Tandem Cycling - Newbie finally takes first ride!

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Rancho5
06-22-08, 12:18 AM
We've been out of town for a reunion and we're back for a few days before we leave on business sooo...

We took our first ride today. A whopping 6 mile loop but we ran at 17 mph consistently, the biking shorts were heaven-sent, and I can see why gloves are worn. Since we are middle aged and plump, we didn't want to push it today. We'll do a few more 6's then slowly increase. It was tons of fun being together.

Now I just need to find a rack to replace the portable one on the back of my car. It "fits" but seems rickety. Any suggestions?

brewer45
06-22-08, 08:15 AM
Congrats on starting your tandeming career! Malkin and I reminisce fondly of our early 6-milers and laugh about the first 20--felt like we'd completed the Tour and took a day and a half to recover...

We use an Xport bar in the back of my Ford Ranger for most of our transport. We also have a Hollywood rack that goes on the back of our Yaris. Both work very well.

Cheers!
specbill
06-22-08, 10:40 AM
Congrats on the first ride....a big key to successful tandeming, particularly at the start, is keeping it big fun just as you are. You are smart to keep it short and build slowly. Early on it is important to insure you both get off the bike smiling and wishing you could ride somemore. This is critical for your stoker, absolutely critical! Can always pick up pace and distance later when you both want to and your bodies can accept it. Less is better to start as it natually fuels desire for more. Enjoy!

Regarding bike racks. We have an old Thule hitch mount that is pretty rickety as well. We rarely use it because I'm a clean freak and prefer to keep our bike inside a vehicle for transport when possible. However when we do use the bike rack I pad it really well and use a few extra bungee cords pulled from the rack to the vehicle to help stabilize it a bit more. Some flex and sway is fine.
Welcome to tandems and have fun.

Bill J.

Rancho5
06-23-08, 03:43 PM
We're going out tonight for the 2nd 6 miler but I've got to find a way to make the rack more secure. Bungee cords might be the answer.

Do they make a trunk rack for tandems? Something that doesn't fit into a hitch?