Tandem Cycling - Trying to get the significant other into cycling...

Hello Tandem Folks-
I'm trying to get my GF (soon to be fiancee) into cycling, with little to no luck so far. I was thinking that renting a tandem and going out for a nice ride would be a start, but I've never ridden one before. It would be nice for both of us to have an exercise related activity besides the Wii that we can do together! Anyone have tips, suggestions, similar stories? Thanks!

MD

I have had a tandem for about 6 months that i originally bought to ride with my 8 year old son. My wife & i road for the first time together this weekend. She loves it! Now its a fight between her & son on who gets to ride with me.
I say rent buy or borrow a tandem & give it a try!

I understand. We are going through this right now. Tandeming is not easy at first-especially starting and stopping. Your partner has to be committed to the learning process also. My lbs let me take a tandem to try for a week to see if it works for us. Honestly, I haven't sensed a lot of enthusiasm from my partner so far. I'm not sure how this will pan out for us, but I hope we can become a good tandeming team. The tandemers in my club are awesome

I have ridden a single for the past 30 years while my wife has not been involved in cycling at all. With the kids moving on we started to think that cycling vacations might be fun. We did a little riding in the neighborhood on some mtn bikes I had, it became obvious that the disparity in riding abilities and similarity in personalities was a disastrous combination. She suggested we try a tandem. We bought a used tandem 7 months ago and now ride minimum once a week and as often as 3 times a week. We bought a used tandem 7 months ago and now ride minimum once a week and as often as 3 times a week. We started with short rides in the 10 to 20 mile range; our weekend ride is now around 45 - 55 miles weeknight 15 - 20. I plan the rides to avoid congested areas and hills that we are not ready for (either on the way up or down), and with a nice bakery or food stop somewhere in the middle of the ride. Because I am not worried about getting home to a spouse that is upset because I have been out playing all day there is more time for socializing or a casual meal along the ride.
We did our first tandem century in May, have 2 cycling vacations planned for the next year and have ordered a new bike with S&S couplers so I guess this easy does it approach has worked.
I noticed your reference “soon to be triathlete”. You may be concerned that the time on the tandem will be empty miles. Our tandem miles have proven to be anything but empty, The century we did, which was pancake flat but very windy was one of the most exhausting I have ever done (6 Deathrides, Climb to Kaiser, 2 Davis doubles and a couple hundred others). I think the tandem riding has helped my single riding, it is somewhat like riding a fixed gear and when you get on the hill by yourself on a lightweight single you feel supercharged. (would like to hear others experience of how the tandem has affected their single riding). Bottom line take the plunge on a used tandem of reasonable quality, if it does not work out it looks like used tandems hold there value reasonably well.

I have ridden a single for the past 30 years while my wife has not been involved in cycling at all. With the kids moving on we started to think that cycling vacations might be fun. We did a little riding in the neighborhood on some mtn bikes I had, it became obvious that the disparity in riding abilities and similarity in personalities was a disastrous combination. She suggested we try a tandem. We bought a used tandem 7 months ago and now ride minimum once a week and as often as 3 times a week. We bought a used tandem 7 months ago and now ride minimum once a week and as often as 3 times a week. We started with short rides in the 10 to 20 mile range; our weekend ride is now around 45 - 55 miles weeknight 15 - 20. I plan the rides to avoid congested areas and hills that we are not ready for (either on the way up or down), and with a nice bakery or food stop somewhere in the middle of the ride. Because I am not worried about getting home to a spouse that is upset because I have been out playing all day there is more time for socializing or a casual meal along the ride.
We did our first tandem century in May, have 2 cycling vacations planned for the next year and have ordered a new bike with S&S couplers so I guess this easy does it approach has worked.
I noticed your reference “soon to be triathlete”. You may be concerned that the time on the tandem will be empty miles. Our tandem miles have proven to be anything but empty, The century we did, which was pancake flat but very windy was one of the most exhausting I have ever done (6 Deathrides, Climb to Kaiser, 2 Davis doubles and a couple hundred others). I think the tandem riding has helped my single riding, it is somewhat like riding a fixed gear and when you get on the hill by yourself on a lightweight single you feel supercharged. (would like to hear others experience of how the tandem has affected their single riding). Bottom line take the plunge on a used tandem of reasonable quality, if it does not work out it looks like used tandems hold there value reasonably well.

Give me another couple posts or so and I will figure out how this thing works!

Go ahead, try it. Don't just post. If you are confident enough on a bicycle, a tandem will be easier than it looks. Start with short rides, and listen to your stoker, don't push.

I have been trying to entice my wife onto a tandem for 1 year and have not been especially successful. I think it takes a lot to overcome the initial fear of falling. I am now used to using the tandem with my pre-teen and my teen daughters. However, the extra weight of having an adult makes me grip the handlebars in a death grip as I am so concerned each time the bike sways in an unexpected fashion. I don't think this improves the experience for either of us. Any thoughts about getting the rhythm right so there isn't a battle for the center of gravity?

I am now used to using the tandem with my pre-teen and my teen daughters. However, the extra weight of having an adult makes me grip the handlebars in a death grip as I am so concerned each time the bike sways in an unexpected fashion. I don't think this improves the experience for either of us. Any thoughts about getting the rhythm right so there isn't a battle for the center of gravity?

First, realize that the "death grip" isn't going to help and will more likely cause problems. You'll relax more if you just keep at it. The swaying is more likely caused by your wife not being comfortable on the tandem yet. When I started riding tandem with my father, it was very difficult navigating between tight spots because he'd get nervous if I even tried to slowly ride between two closely placed poles like you sometimes see at the end of bike paths. The first time I managed to ride between two without swaying all over I congratulated him on handling it so well. He told me that he figured it out. He just closes his eyes for that part.

You're probably leaning over to one side due to your wife wanting to see in front. Trying to correct this and keep the tandem completely upright might be causing some of the swaying. Although your daughters might be doing this too, they are lighter and would not cause the bike to lean over so much. If you just get accustomed to the bike being over to one side like this, it will eventually get better as your wife gets more comfortable and stops trying to watch the road when she doesn't really need to.

the extra weight of having an adult makes me grip the handlebars in a death grip a I am so concerned each time the bike sways in an unexpected fashion. I don't think this improves the experience for either of us. Any thoughts about getting the rhythm right so there isn't a battle for the center of gravity?
Tell and teach your stoker to concentrate on putting effort through the pedals and out through the rear wheel. Movement that involves swaying is mostly wasted energy going side to side that has no effect on propelling you forward. Stop wasting energy swaying the bike.

Tell and teach your stoker to .

Other than the basic signals you will be using.....Starting, stopping, coasting, right, left, etc. don’t try to tell or teach your stoker anything. Do the initial rides in areas of very little traffic and take responsibility for any problems that may occur. It is best to not mention any problems that may have occurred to the stoker. Later get some single riding buddies to come along for a ride and they may make suggestions to the stoker on riding technique (limit to 1 suggestion per ride for first 6 months). The process may take some time but it will be worth it in the long run.

All kidding aside do everything in your power to make ride the tandem a non confrontational and fun activity, if either of you get on the bike with a negative attitude combined with some legitimate fear or apprehension you are doomed to be selling the bike in 5 years on ebay with a note saying you have not ridden the bike in 4 years.

IMHO

If you have good bike riding skills and your stoker is new, it's up to you to make her feel confident. If both of you are new to riding, you might want to find a stoker who has experiance on a bike. Put some time on the tandem until you get confident, then put your wife or GF on. Tandems are like diesel rigs. They take more room to turn, more distance to stop, and tip over easly. Things that have helped me with new stokers, Stationary trainers, Put the tandem in a stationary trainer and set up the bike for your stoker. I have my stoker use clipless pedals right away (if you can afford them). They keep the stokers feet from flying off the pedals and help with cadence. Camelback for hydration works good too, the stoker can drink at will without reaching down for bottles. Teach your stoker to stand on the pedals with you while coasting, this way both of you can take pressure off your crotch. Crotch pain is one of the biggest complaints I get from new stokers. Stand often while coasting. Don't attempt to stand while pedaling until you have been riding awhile, It can be pretty scary. Take short breaks off the bike. Bottem line is this, you don't want to have anything negative happen on the bike, or have your wife suffer any pain. Make this a possitive bonding experiance. Show patience, don't panic or yell when your stoker moves around on the back of the bike.
I ride over 10,000 miles a year, 2000 of them are on a tandem. The tandem miles are by far the most fun...

If you don't like camelbacks, the captain's back pocket is a great place to keep your water bottle... Heck, I thought his back pockets were all mine. But if you are having balance problems I'd suggest stopping whenever one of you would like water. We tandemed for years and never did like the pedaling out of our seats or drinking while driving. :-) Now on my single I find I'm better powering up hills if I stay seated.

Oh, and the cardinal rule of tandeming, the stoker is NEVER wrong.

I can relate to that back pocket statement. My stoker found my back pockets a while back and now I wonder if she isn't running a portable convenience store back there. It's all good though.

Just take her for an easy spin until she is more comfortable...

Were a new tandem team, been riding regularly for maybe a month. My wife wanted the tandem because when we rode singles together, she either felt like she was holding me back when I want slow for her, or left behind when I went ahead. The only middle ground was for me to do laps around her which wasn't much fun for me. Bought a used tandem and are now having a blast. I had more anxiety initially than she did, because I don't think she understood how difficult a tandem can be to pilot. We started out riding around our quiet neighborhood streets, working out the stops, starts, and basic communication. Then we went a little longer on a mix of quiet streets and mup's. Next we tried some higher traffic streets on Sunday when traffic was lighter. Then we worked out a tandem commute route, which I rode for a couple of days by myself so I was confident of the route and could concentrate on the riding. It involves some fairly busy streets and lots of bike traffic. We also did a huge group event, the Portland Sunday Parkways, which was great practice being around other riders. Long story short (I know, too late!), just take it in steps and you'll gain confidence. My stoker has gradually learned about cadence and shifting, although I do have to compromise to keep her happy. Relax the death grip and let the bike go where it wants within safe parameters; if you fight it too much, it makes the wandering worse. My stoker tends to throw her weight around a little when she puts out effort when she's tired, but I haven't mentioned a thing. All in time. Have fun, we are!

Been tandeming together for 33+ years, over220,000 miles . . . (yup, right amount of zeros).
Have taught tandeming for decades and here are a couple tips . . .
Rent/borrow a tandem. Ride it solo . . . learn how it feels/handles. Slight bit of a learning curve . . . longer wheelbase, bit heavier but very do-able alone. Do some short neighborhood practice rides solo.
Starting up TWOGETHER on a tandem is a bit different than a single.
Pilot throws leg over the bike and stands with feet spread apart and feet flat on the ground. Apply both brakes. Then stoker gets on the back, gets seated and clips in with both feet.
If captains preferred start up pedal is not in the correct position, ask stoker to 'slowly' pedal backwards 'til your start-off pedal is where you want it.
Captain then clips in one foot; try not to lean the tandem too far over, but it will lean a bit; stoker should sit still and not panic. Countdown 3-2-1 and GO . . . and both push off.
After a couple pedal strokes captain clips in other foot.
COMMUNICATION is the key word when tandeming.
The captain has to tell the stoker everything he is planning to do: coast, pedal, shifting, braking, slowing, left/right/U-turn (suggest you wait a bit to do a U-ie!). Do call out the bumps as stoker has no idea what you are seeing; if she can slightly increase weight on hands and less on butt, bump will not feel too severe. Give her a second before you execute your commands/instructions.
Captain does NOT signal . . . at command left/right/slowing stoker does the signaling.
Stoker does not try to steer! That will affect the bike handling up front; stoker should not be looking over captains left/right shoulder to see what's happening up front, that will create steering/wobble issues.
If stoker/pilot want a butt break be sure to announce it. Heck, you can coast and both lift your butt a bit . . .a-a-a-a-h, feels good!. Got to keep the stoker happy.
Yes, she can sightsee back there looking left/right; she can peel a banana (stoker's have not trouble riding
no-hands!) and hand captain his half! Stoker seat is ideal place for taking photos on the move. Excessive/exagerated body movements by stoker are not appreciated by captain (no hula dancing back there).
When stopping at traffic light/stop sign, stoker stays clipped in; captain holds the bike up with either one or both feet on the ground and brakes applied.
Dismounting a tandem: captain applies brakes, holds them and puts both feet flat on the ground. Stoker dismounts and walks away from the bike and says 'off'. Now captain can dismount; this method avoids stoker getting a karate kick.
When both of you are dismounted make sure one of you has a hold of the tandem; have seen more than one tandem hit the ground when stoker/pilot thought the other had a hold of the bike (done that once decades ago)!
If partner is new to cycling, do not expect her/him to do a 50 miler for a first ride; keep it local, do the coffee/ice cream stop thing, keep it interesting. Gradually you'll extend the mileage.
After the ride discuss your feelings, both from stoker and pilot perspective. See what you can do to improve the ride. Try to be positive, tell stoker how good she is doing!
If captain gets a chance he should ride in stoker position. Why? To see what a stoker has to put up with! Stoker sees things from a different angle due to their limited view; you'll soon realize that if captain does not communicate, you, as the stoker, won't like it!
Practice makes perfect, and yes, have patience and FUN!
Hope this helps!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

the cardinal rule of tandeming, the stoker is NEVER wrong.

"The stoker makes no mistakes" Stokers are wrong all the time... it's just that the buck stops at the captain.

+100 on every word zonatandem said...that is how we learned....that is how we have ridden since 1990...it works! My wife had never ridden singles and was not the adventurous type and a bit apprehensive to say the least. Take it slow ...be patient...make it fun.
Finally, for the new stoker.. be overly considerate of the stoker's feeling on everything. You absolutely must build her confidence and insure her comfort from moment one...so lots of compliments and positive re-enforcement. Keep the initial rides short and make them fun with the coffee, or ice cream shop breaks as other have suggested...If you make it the best and most fun 'quality time together' for her, you will be riding together for a long time to come ..good luck and have fun.
Bill J.

Excellent advice for not only new tandem riders, but for the rest of us as well.
The coffee shop break or craft shop to look at suggestion is essential, make it not all about the riding....STEALTH is the key.


My wife, who is not a keen cyclist, usually insists on us riding solo, but lately when I've been getting the bikes out of the shed for a ride I drop the hint about taking the tandem, she grizzles at bit but then seems to enjoy it AND she will not stop playfully pinching my BUM and saying "It's a nice bum" :o