Tandem Cycling - We just seem to click...VI stoker and I

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stevegor
06-26-09, 07:16 AM
Have been taking a VI guy in his 20s for weekly rides for about six months now and from the start it's been a real blast. His fitness level is quite high so he took to the tandem very easily, no worries about fatigue or unsteadiness, he seems to have mastered sitting still and correct pedaling technique very quickly. I keep him informed about our surroundings, what type of vehicle just passed us, sheep or cows in the paddocks/meadows, but in general we chat about everything and anything. More often than not we're laughing our silly heads off!!

The most amazing thing is we have very quickly developed an uncanny sixth sense between us, as in, I will change the gears up or down as I feel necessary just as he is about to ask me to do that, he will ask to stop pedaling to raise his butt for a rest just as I'm about to suggest that, etc etc

Wish I had taken to tandeming years ago.

bikinggrrrl
06-26-09, 08:57 AM
you are my hero :love:
specbill
06-26-09, 10:03 AM
Very cool...some folks just have the gifts. I use to take a lot for granted, but as I've matured in years, I recognize and appreciate more than ever that young athletic people generally have exceptional senses of balance, timing and instinctual feel for the sports they apply themselves to. When you mix in a young person like your stoker, that regularly uses all his available senses more acutely than most, it must be super fun to get to ride with that kind of talent. Enjoy the ride.

Bill J.

stevegor
06-26-09, 02:22 PM
Not trying to be a hero, just got interested in this because of a cycling article in my local newspaper. The author described the different aspects of tandem riding then at the end of the report asked if anyone in the cycling community would help out with taking VI clients for some rides. I had to get a police check and sit a short course before I could start.
In the past I've been involved in Bike Ed at my children's school, so this was an easy choice to make.
Mr IGH
06-27-09, 04:45 PM
VI = Visually Impaired, took me a minute. Very cool and no matter what you say, it's a very nice gift you're giving!