Tandem Cycling - Cyclocross on a tandem?

Anyone out there ever do a cyclocross race on a tandem? I know its been done and would be interested to hear any stories, tips, advice from those who may have given it a try.

I think we're gonna give it a try next weekend. There's actually a tandem class in a local cyclocross race next weekend in Lakewood Colorado. :thumb:

We practiced today getting on and off the bike while moving and picking up over obstacles while running with the bike. I figure it will be entertaining if nothing else (at least for the spectators...)

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Send a note to Henry Abel: Henry@WebCyclery.com

He and Amy have done several epic events on their single-speed Vicious 29er, cyclocross and otherwise. http://www.webcyclery.com/pages.php?pageid=84

Thanks Tandemgeek! I have already corresponded with Henry (great guy by the way). He gave some good tips on getting on and off the bike. Also gave me a great idea to put padding on the captain's top tube (like the ones that you use to wrap all the tubes on your bike for S&S packing). When dismounting the captain will pull one leg over the bar while still clipped in and rolling (likely scuffing your top tube - brilliant idea!). The stoker can either do the same, or swing her leg aroud and step off as we're rolling to a stop. Like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCsQVAGQuXo

I just thought I'd throw it out to the bikeforums tandem community and see if anyone had anything else to add.

Pictures of Henry and Amy http://www.webcyclery.com/pages.php?pageid=79

One more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFixZXc9YtE

By the way - they rock! Single Speed World Championship - ON A TANDEM!!!????? :thumb:

I posted this link a few weeks ago of some locals doing a dismount/remount.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HHCbf6zuDc

They are riding an 07 Cannondale road frame converted to 26" wheels with disc brakes. They were able to fit a 26x 1.8 in the rear, and a 26x 2.0 in the front. The BB height is slightly lower, and they said thay have tanked a pedal a few times. The upside is the remount is lower. These 2 riders are national caliber, and in our local races they finish mid pack in the B's.

I may be able to fing some still pics, and maybe more video if you are interested.

They are racing in the southwest PA/ Northern WV area and there is another tandem team competing. I think they are racing again this weekend in Davis, WV.

CX on a tandem - very fun!!!
:thumb:

I think we need to figure out how to get more "tandem classes" at the local events. I suppose you could just race in an open class, but that might be frowned upon (and really painful). So we had 5 tandems come out and race (actually only 4 b/c 1 team was two teenagers that had never ridden a tandem and they did not finish).

We rode our DaVinci tandem with cx tires I think that a DaVinci is the perfect cx tandem set up (b/c of the independent coasting - my stoker could hop on while I was pedaling and she did not have to chase the pedals!). All said, I do prefer mountain bars to drop bars though for offroad.

If anyone gets the chance to ride tandem cyclocross - go for it!!

Hey, anybody have any tips on 700C cyclocross tires? They would only be for our local gravel bike path that has some sharp stones on it. So, I don't need an aggressive mud tire. Mostly thinking cx tire to get a wider tire with more cut resistance than our Ultra Gators.

The bike came with 28s and it appears to have about 6mm on either side of the tire to the chain stay. I guess I can fit a 35 if 35mm truly was the maximum width.

Most CX tires have low maximum air pressures of only 70psi or so. That makes me nervous. We're a 330lb team geared up.

While we have not done any real 'cross tandem riding we've had some 'cross-type experiences.

In the El Tour de Tucson there is a river crossing (usually water running) with lotsa wet/slippery rocks. We found it best with stoker running while pilot shouldered the bike.
Have done several crossings in the 1980s on the 5-day Grand Canyon to Mexico Tour; one rough spot was a 12 mile stretch of dirt/rocky road near Lake Roosevelt with mountain curves. We rode that then on 27" wheels with 1 1/4 tires. Very precarious with pilot loosing traction and nearly dumping many times, especially in the badly slanted curves.
Kept our toestraps x-tra loose for the near 2 hour crossing.
The second year we did it, we carried a spare rear cyclosross-type tire for the rear wheel which we mounted for that particular day. Excellent results; better traction and no near-dumping.
The third year we rode it, someone offered us a lift in the back of a pickup truck . . .
The year after that, the road was finally blacktopped!
Enjoy the ride TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Please check out the new website http://tandemcyclocross.com (http://tandemcyclocross.com/) and send in your own videos to tandemcyclocross@gmail.com

I may be able to fing some still pics, and maybe more video if you are interested.

I want to see a picture of a good tandem bunny-hop.