The manager of the place I work is going on an interesting ride this year(June) on a tandem bike. He is taking 3 boys(around 12 years old) from Africa across Canada. He is the only one pedalling the bike. It is set up in the rear with no pedals , uses a running boad for the feet to sit on. The bike also has a bar around the passenger area so the boys won't fall off. The boys will take turns riding for a few hours a day. The trip is from the west coast to east coast of Canada. The ride will be around 30 days from what info I got from coworkers. I have not talked to the manager yet. He will have a full support team going with him including a motor home and a vehicle or two. He is raising money for poor people in Africa. It sounds like a great challenge. I heard he rode from the Yukon to Winnipeg a year or two ago. When I get more info I will post again.

12 year olds make great stokers! What is the purpose of them not pedaling?

I agree 12 year olds do make great stokers. I would be curious to see what the reasoning is behind not having them pedal. That would be a lot of work.

If my 3 year old daughter can peddle . . .

12 year olds make great stokers! What is the purpose of them not pedaling?

I also agree. My son started stoking for me when he was 9 and I started calling him "Turbo" because whenever I asked, he could make the bike feel like it was going to jump out from under me. He was a workhorse on hills, but I think he slept on the flats. :D