Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Riding with tandems

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Herbie53
04-18-09, 12:50 PM
Rode with some folks on a tandem today and discovered a whole new relm of downhill and flatland speed. I found myself looking forward to going up hills so we could slow a bit! Ended up with the fastest avg. speed I've had on that route since last fall (18.5 over 36 miles of rolling hills).

I guess there's something to this weight / power thing. Anybody in here ride one? Seems like fun, if a little frightening on some of the descents.

youcoming
04-18-09, 02:29 PM
I ride with a few couples on tandems and man those things move. All I can say is this. When riding with a Tandem make sure you get out in front on the ascent and make sure as soon as you crest to get in the big ring, catch on as they go by ramp down on the rear cog then repeat at next hill, suck wheel on flats.
Herbie53
04-19-09, 05:08 PM
I ride with a few couples on tandems and man those things move. All I can say is this. When riding with a Tandem make sure you get out in front on the ascent and make sure as soon as you crest to get in the big ring, catch on as they go by ramp down on the rear cog then repeat at next hill, suck wheel on flats.

yup!

Learned that one on the first climb/descent. Was feeling pretty powerful getting to the top well ahead and then missed the speeding wheel (sounded like a passing train) and suffered alone until the next climb!

My usual thing is to go hard on the hills and peddle high cadence and light on the descent / flat until to recover -- less recovery when riding with a tandem!