Tandem Couples of NorCal: Complete
12-22-08, 05:37 AM
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Tandem Couples of NorCal: Complete
The Tandem Couples of NorCal
A solo's perspective:
Taxi777
Have you ever noticed that this unique breed of couples seem to be having all the fun at times? You can pretty much count on any long ride, or century that you'll be in your worst state of misery and one of these crews will zip past, or clip clop merrily by "good day my fine sir...Top O the day to ya! and a pip pip...goodbye!" That's about the time I'm completely broken and utter two words and they're not "Merry Christmas!"
Still my favorite line or cliche by now is "Whatever direction a relationship is going, will get there faster on a Tandem." I think in a way I'm a bit jealous. There are many times and moments you so much want to enjoy and share with another person that is right there with you. There is so a lot of responsibility for each other. You have to care for the other person and no matter what, from what I hear develop a deep wonderful relationship on a whole new level, even if you've been together 20 years.
Some questions go through my head every time I see one of those grand flagships of cycling go whizzing by me...I very rarely if at all pass them! I think every soloist or perspective Tandem couple would love to know the answer to some of these pertinent questions, so I'll let these unique couples answer those questions we always ask of them. Maybe It will inspire some significant others to consider taking this step into a whole new beautiful relationship and direction with someone they truly care for.
Maybe this should be one thing a couple in a troubled relationship should try before walking out that door. relationship counseling on wheels!
.................................................................................................... ................................................................
1. How long together riding a tandem?
Ray & Steph - We started riding tandems in 1986 after reading a review on the Kuwahara tandem in Bicycling magazine.
We used to ride quite a bit but laid off after starting a family. Did a few tandem rallies and centuries in the past. So fast forward to today, our rides are usually short 20 to 70 miles and at a recreational pace. We are definitely not hammerheads!
Rich & Mary Ellen - We purchased our first tandem in 1981 living in San Diego – 27 years. We have been riding off and on since then. Major rides and tours have been:
San Diego:
Tecate to Ensenada - San Diego, Tacate to Ensenado and back to San Diego (Self supported tour) and Monterey to Santa Monica.
San Mateo:
Solvang Centure - Sonoma tour – Tuscany Italy Tour -Mallorca Spain Tour
Dave & Lisa - 10 months
Jack & Wife - Approximately 3 years now.
Eric and Jen - We've been riding tandem since July 2008.
David & Felicia - My wife and I have been on the tandem for 1.5 years.
She decided that she wanted to join in on my cycling, as I have been racing and riding since 1979. (The racing is over by the way.)
Miguel & Andrea - We just started about 6 months ago. buildrunbike was kind enough to loan us his Cannondale tandem.
Brett & Lisa - Three Years
Chris & Deborah
We bought our first tandem on 10/21/06. It was her birthday and mine was just a month later so we decided it would be a mutual Bday present. Deborah got hooked on road bikes about a year before. After watching her complete her first century through rain, hail, sleet, and snow I was so impressed. I saw so many people having fun on tandems that day I thought it may be fun to give it a try. We tried so many things over the years in the attempt to find something we could play at together. My main sport was hang gliding and my lovely tried that in 1980 and decided that was not for her. We tried inline skates, kayaking, hiking, scuba, snorkeling, skiing and even tried cycling once before along with many other things. Life takes many twists and turns and the reality is that life is fragile and you never know when it will come to an end. October 28th, 2006 taught me that lesson hard and forced me to reassess. With that reassement came more and more miles on the bike together. I found more and more how much I love to spend time with my best friend. We have had so many adventures together and met so many new friends in this world of cycling. Last year we did a century a month, let Rich and Mary Ellen talk us into our first tandem TT, sold our first tandem and bought a second and grew stronger as a tandem team and as a life team. We have close to 10k miles on tandems in two years and plan on many more.
.................................................................................................... ...................................
2. Type/Brand of Tandem
Ray & Steph - after reading a review on the Kuwahara tandem in Bicycling magazine. We bought one and were instantly hooked! A year later we bought a Santana Arriva S, their racing model. In 1989, we purchased a Santana mountain tandem; the Picante.  We still have all 3 of our tandems and I'm thinking about buying a 4th one, a 2009 Cannondale RT2!
Rich & Mary Ellen - Santana Sovereign aluminum frame with a carbon fork
Dave & Lisa - Co-Motion Periscope 700
Jack & Wife - First tandem was a Schwinn beach cruiser and then an old Santana. Now we have a Raleigh bought from Red Rider.
Eric & Jen - 2. Co-motion periscope torpedo 26" from Crank2 - AKA the Yellow
Submarine
David & Felicia - We have a Santana Team Niobium.
Miguel & Andrea - Currently own a Co-Motion Periscope Hammerhead (the Alu frame model w/ Carbon fork)
Brett & Lisa - We ride a Trek ProjectOne tandem. The frame was found on Craiglist and I built it up from there. (We started riding together on a Cannondale tandem that we bought off of EBay.) It's black with flames. We're not types who are into flames, but it has grown on us.
Chris & Deborah
First bike was a Raleigh Coupe. We began thinking of a new bike. We knew we wanted a really good bike and were prepared to shop, test ride and save until fate threw a great deal in our laps. Second bike is a Co-Motion Roadster with carbon fork, rear disc, and Rolf Vigor wheelset. Three days after buying the Co-Mo I posted a ride report of our ride with Rich and Mary Ellen mentioning I would have to sell the Raleigh and lo and behold Jack scooped it up. I’m still looking forward to a ride with them.
.................................................................................................... .............................
3. Most difficult to date, ride together Physical/Mental/emotional (little story?)
Ray & Steph - Most difficult ride to date.......humm, I believe it would be one of our recent rides with lots of climbing in the heat. It doesn't help to be out of shape, overweight and much older! But back in our younger days, it had to be our rides up to the very top of Mt Tam via Fairfax from SF.
Rich & Mary Ellen -Mary Ellen and I discussed this and it is difficult to pick out any ride as “most difficult”.
We are very conservative and prepare to the max for tours and events. We agree that the most epic, inspiring and to a degree difficult was our climb to Cape Formento in Mallorca Spain.
We had both competed in the Mount Tam Hill Climb so we were ready for most anything that Mallorca had to offer. The climb to Cape Formentor started with a 9.5 mile flat section. We climbed our first ascent which is a slightly smaller Old La Honda with a similar grade. We stopped for pics and enjoyed a great view of the Mediterranean Sea in the background. We traveled through a totally dark tunnel only seeing the light at the end of the tunnel to guide our path and hoping the pavement below did not contain any potholes. After cresting the top of the first climb, we descended a series of challenging switchbacks into a valley and started our ascent to the light house. We went up a series of clmbs / false flats and then the road pitched up and narrowed. We were mostly climbing with some descending on a small two lane rode with no protection from falling down the side of the mountain on the rocks if you went off the side of the road. The views were spectacular. It required total concentration and confidence in our ability as a team - no mistakes. We came around a bend in the road and there was the lighthouse sitting on another rocky peninsula summit surrounded by blue water and sunny skies. We descended and made the final climb to the lighthouse.
It was a great feeling and the views were magnificent. The descent down the narrow road was exhilarating and required the same concentration and focus. The ride was truly an epic ride and like nothing we had done before.
Dave & Lisa - Most difficult to date, ride together Physical/Mental/emotional.
Sea Otter Classic Century 2008 (DNF). Thinking that since I (the captain) have been doing so well in longer rides (~80 miles), the SOC shouldn't be too difficult on the tandem. It turned out that after 2 flats and missing most of the group, we were in so much trouble that we could barely do the main climb. I bonked halfway up, and Lisa (the stoker) didn't know what was going on, so she kept complaining that I kept complaining. It was a nightmare of tandem proportions. At mile 86, we threw in the towel and Sagged it back.
We were two of about 11 people who DNF'd, out of a full field of more than 200 (I think). I swore revenge, and someday we will try it again, but this time it'll be different ... The lessons learned at SOC 2008 would stay with us to this day, while we are continually improving and fighting the early off-season problems such as the flu.
Jack & Wife - Most difficult to date, ride together Physical/Mental/emotional (little story?)
- The first time we hit the road. Timing was off, communication was 'ya know, screaming at each other LOL.
Eric & Jen - Most difficult was probably the first real ride we took after
bringing it home. I screwed up twice in a five mile ride and the
second time was really scary -- we were going on a wooden bridge
underpass and I started wobbling over the rough boards. The
oscillations got worse fast and I thought we were going over -- Jen
urges me just like Bryon (At the bike shop) said -- "PEDAL PEDAL!!" and
she cranked on it, got us moving faster and stable again. WHEW.
Everything since that has been cake.
David & Felicia - The most challenging rides so far have been metric century rides.
Miguel & Andrea - We did OLH on the loaner tandem (46lbs) in 34 minutes and just finished it on the new one (34lbs) in 32 minutes. So losing 10 lbs got us 2 minutes
Any sustained climbing really puts a hurt on quickly.
Brett & Lisa - We rode Seattle-to-Portland this past July. We crashed at mile 60 at a set of train tracks, but still managed to limp the remaining 140 miles into Portland, 15 hours after we left Seattle. Here's a picture of some of the carnage. (I had a similar contusion, but I don't photograph as well.) I also included a picture of Lisa with Elvis.
Chris & Deborah
Most difficult to date, ride together Physical/Mental/emotional (little story?)
I think the most difficult ride we have done was an unsupported century over to Napa and back from our house. The ride itself was not so hard but we learned a hard lesson on eating enough on a long ride. We hit a headwind at about mile 85 and bonked hard about 5 miles from home. We stopped and ate our last clif bar and limped home. It was still good. I’ll let Deborah tell her ride story.
.................................................................................................... ..................................
4. Relationship improved?
Ray & Steph - think our relation improved because riding tandems gave us one more activity to do as a couple.
Rich & Mary Ellen - Yes. Tandem riding is about working as a team. We love the teamwork and tandeming is ideal for tours and long event rides.
Dave & Lisa - Definitely!
Jack & Wife - Yes. Physical fitness too.
Eric & Jen - Yep definitely - We just need to find more time to take it out, we
have a 4 year old who's too little to stoke but too big to tow in the
trailer very easily.
David & Felicia - Our relationship has not changed, it is always good.
Miguel & Andrea - I'd say so. No more waiting for the other person to catch up to the other.
Brett & Lisa - We bought our first tandem when we were engaged. She still married me! And we're still married!
Chris & Deborah
I would not have guessed it could get better after 27 years together but it does.
.................................................................................................... ..................................
5. Would you ever want to change places ie. Stoker to Captain or reverse?
Ray & Steph - I definitely would not be a stoker today. Did a ride once and fought the captain all the way. It was a habit of trying to steer from the rear and his Italian made tandem was flexing like a wet noodle!
Rich & Mary Ellen - Mary Ellen said no way and Rich would stoke for another captain. However, due to our size differential and the sizing of our tandem, Rich must be the captain for our team.
Dave & Lisa - Can't, bike won't fit.
Jack & Wife - NOOOOOOOOOOOO
Eric & Jen - Sure. She's gotta learn to shift STI though. Little known fact:
Tandems are controlled from the back, they just happen to be steered
from the front
David & Felicia - We would not change positions as she has no interest in working so hard in the front.
Miguel & Andrea - We do it regularly. Typically I captain for about 90% of the ride. Thanks to our equal heights, we can switch places if desired. I just switched with her after descending 84. My hands were a little numb from gripping the bars and I was able to stretch out for about 20 minutes in back.
Brett & Lisa - Nope.
Chris & Deborah
Would you ever want to change places ie. Stoker to Captain or reverse?
I’ve offered but she wants no part of the front.
.................................................................................................... ..................................
6. What made you decide to purchase a tandem?
Ray & Steph - I bought the tandem in 1986 so that she would be able to do the group rides with the guys. Otherwise she'll be sitting home waiting for me. LOL It was our best investment at the time and our tandems have brought us many happy and fun adventures. In the past, we have done a few camping trips with our Kuwahara tandem too. Such romantic times!
Nowadays, we ride so we can simply do some exercise together. I've gain so much weight since starting a family and being lazy. I have been trying to lose a few pounds this past year and lost 25 lbs and hopefully another 30 for 09. We'll see.........
Rich & Mary Ellen - 1981...Mary Ellen and I were both running and she was focusing on marathons and I was focusing 10K. We were both cycling but I was more into cycling than running. When we would cycle together, I would want to go faster. I would either ride behind her or slow down and lead. I got the idea to get a tandem to equalize abilities. A friend of mine and I rented a tandem at Pacific Beach and tried it. It was terrible and when we applied power the frame twisted and the bike snaked along the PB boardwalk. A local bike shop arranged for us to try a real tandem and we test road another couples Santana. We bought the Santana and the idea of riding as a team was born.
Dave & Lisa - N/A
Jack & Wife - She can not ride a bike on her own.
Eric & Jen - Jen wanted to spend bike time with me and she's not up for road
riding on a solo bike (yet!). I started researching tandems and the
bug caught us.
David & Felicia - We bought the tandem to spend more time together.
Miguel & Andrea - Being able to cycle two-gether. You really can carry on a conversation in a more relaxed atmosphere of not having to worry about riding 2 abreast. Also, the model we purchased will allow our family to grow into the bike with us and hopefully ride as they get bigger. I have already hooked up my 7 year old in the stoker area and put my 3 year old on the trail-a-bike for one long train.
Brett & Lisa - N/A
Chris & Deborah
we decided it would be a mutual Bday present.
If you want anything changed or added let me know-pm me or email best, taxi777@pacbell.net
A solo's perspective:
Taxi777
Have you ever noticed that this unique breed of couples seem to be having all the fun at times? You can pretty much count on any long ride, or century that you'll be in your worst state of misery and one of these crews will zip past, or clip clop merrily by "good day my fine sir...Top O the day to ya! and a pip pip...goodbye!" That's about the time I'm completely broken and utter two words and they're not "Merry Christmas!"
Still my favorite line or cliche by now is "Whatever direction a relationship is going, will get there faster on a Tandem." I think in a way I'm a bit jealous. There are many times and moments you so much want to enjoy and share with another person that is right there with you. There is so a lot of responsibility for each other. You have to care for the other person and no matter what, from what I hear develop a deep wonderful relationship on a whole new level, even if you've been together 20 years.
Some questions go through my head every time I see one of those grand flagships of cycling go whizzing by me...I very rarely if at all pass them! I think every soloist or perspective Tandem couple would love to know the answer to some of these pertinent questions, so I'll let these unique couples answer those questions we always ask of them. Maybe It will inspire some significant others to consider taking this step into a whole new beautiful relationship and direction with someone they truly care for.
Maybe this should be one thing a couple in a troubled relationship should try before walking out that door. relationship counseling on wheels!
.................................................................................................... ................................................................
1. How long together riding a tandem?
Ray & Steph - We started riding tandems in 1986 after reading a review on the Kuwahara tandem in Bicycling magazine.
We used to ride quite a bit but laid off after starting a family. Did a few tandem rallies and centuries in the past. So fast forward to today, our rides are usually short 20 to 70 miles and at a recreational pace. We are definitely not hammerheads!
Rich & Mary Ellen - We purchased our first tandem in 1981 living in San Diego – 27 years. We have been riding off and on since then. Major rides and tours have been:
San Diego:
Tecate to Ensenada - San Diego, Tacate to Ensenado and back to San Diego (Self supported tour) and Monterey to Santa Monica.
San Mateo:
Solvang Centure - Sonoma tour – Tuscany Italy Tour -Mallorca Spain Tour
Dave & Lisa - 10 months
Jack & Wife - Approximately 3 years now.
Eric and Jen - We've been riding tandem since July 2008.
David & Felicia - My wife and I have been on the tandem for 1.5 years.
She decided that she wanted to join in on my cycling, as I have been racing and riding since 1979. (The racing is over by the way.)
Miguel & Andrea - We just started about 6 months ago. buildrunbike was kind enough to loan us his Cannondale tandem.
Brett & Lisa - Three Years
Chris & Deborah
We bought our first tandem on 10/21/06. It was her birthday and mine was just a month later so we decided it would be a mutual Bday present. Deborah got hooked on road bikes about a year before. After watching her complete her first century through rain, hail, sleet, and snow I was so impressed. I saw so many people having fun on tandems that day I thought it may be fun to give it a try. We tried so many things over the years in the attempt to find something we could play at together. My main sport was hang gliding and my lovely tried that in 1980 and decided that was not for her. We tried inline skates, kayaking, hiking, scuba, snorkeling, skiing and even tried cycling once before along with many other things. Life takes many twists and turns and the reality is that life is fragile and you never know when it will come to an end. October 28th, 2006 taught me that lesson hard and forced me to reassess. With that reassement came more and more miles on the bike together. I found more and more how much I love to spend time with my best friend. We have had so many adventures together and met so many new friends in this world of cycling. Last year we did a century a month, let Rich and Mary Ellen talk us into our first tandem TT, sold our first tandem and bought a second and grew stronger as a tandem team and as a life team. We have close to 10k miles on tandems in two years and plan on many more.
.................................................................................................... ...................................
2. Type/Brand of Tandem
Ray & Steph - after reading a review on the Kuwahara tandem in Bicycling magazine. We bought one and were instantly hooked! A year later we bought a Santana Arriva S, their racing model. In 1989, we purchased a Santana mountain tandem; the Picante.  We still have all 3 of our tandems and I'm thinking about buying a 4th one, a 2009 Cannondale RT2!
Rich & Mary Ellen - Santana Sovereign aluminum frame with a carbon fork
Dave & Lisa - Co-Motion Periscope 700
Jack & Wife - First tandem was a Schwinn beach cruiser and then an old Santana. Now we have a Raleigh bought from Red Rider.
Eric & Jen - 2. Co-motion periscope torpedo 26" from Crank2 - AKA the Yellow
Submarine
David & Felicia - We have a Santana Team Niobium.
Miguel & Andrea - Currently own a Co-Motion Periscope Hammerhead (the Alu frame model w/ Carbon fork)
Brett & Lisa - We ride a Trek ProjectOne tandem. The frame was found on Craiglist and I built it up from there. (We started riding together on a Cannondale tandem that we bought off of EBay.) It's black with flames. We're not types who are into flames, but it has grown on us.
Chris & Deborah
First bike was a Raleigh Coupe. We began thinking of a new bike. We knew we wanted a really good bike and were prepared to shop, test ride and save until fate threw a great deal in our laps. Second bike is a Co-Motion Roadster with carbon fork, rear disc, and Rolf Vigor wheelset. Three days after buying the Co-Mo I posted a ride report of our ride with Rich and Mary Ellen mentioning I would have to sell the Raleigh and lo and behold Jack scooped it up. I’m still looking forward to a ride with them.
.................................................................................................... .............................
3. Most difficult to date, ride together Physical/Mental/emotional (little story?)
Ray & Steph - Most difficult ride to date.......humm, I believe it would be one of our recent rides with lots of climbing in the heat. It doesn't help to be out of shape, overweight and much older! But back in our younger days, it had to be our rides up to the very top of Mt Tam via Fairfax from SF.
Rich & Mary Ellen -Mary Ellen and I discussed this and it is difficult to pick out any ride as “most difficult”.
We are very conservative and prepare to the max for tours and events. We agree that the most epic, inspiring and to a degree difficult was our climb to Cape Formento in Mallorca Spain.
We had both competed in the Mount Tam Hill Climb so we were ready for most anything that Mallorca had to offer. The climb to Cape Formentor started with a 9.5 mile flat section. We climbed our first ascent which is a slightly smaller Old La Honda with a similar grade. We stopped for pics and enjoyed a great view of the Mediterranean Sea in the background. We traveled through a totally dark tunnel only seeing the light at the end of the tunnel to guide our path and hoping the pavement below did not contain any potholes. After cresting the top of the first climb, we descended a series of challenging switchbacks into a valley and started our ascent to the light house. We went up a series of clmbs / false flats and then the road pitched up and narrowed. We were mostly climbing with some descending on a small two lane rode with no protection from falling down the side of the mountain on the rocks if you went off the side of the road. The views were spectacular. It required total concentration and confidence in our ability as a team - no mistakes. We came around a bend in the road and there was the lighthouse sitting on another rocky peninsula summit surrounded by blue water and sunny skies. We descended and made the final climb to the lighthouse.
It was a great feeling and the views were magnificent. The descent down the narrow road was exhilarating and required the same concentration and focus. The ride was truly an epic ride and like nothing we had done before.
Dave & Lisa - Most difficult to date, ride together Physical/Mental/emotional.
Sea Otter Classic Century 2008 (DNF). Thinking that since I (the captain) have been doing so well in longer rides (~80 miles), the SOC shouldn't be too difficult on the tandem. It turned out that after 2 flats and missing most of the group, we were in so much trouble that we could barely do the main climb. I bonked halfway up, and Lisa (the stoker) didn't know what was going on, so she kept complaining that I kept complaining. It was a nightmare of tandem proportions. At mile 86, we threw in the towel and Sagged it back.
We were two of about 11 people who DNF'd, out of a full field of more than 200 (I think). I swore revenge, and someday we will try it again, but this time it'll be different ... The lessons learned at SOC 2008 would stay with us to this day, while we are continually improving and fighting the early off-season problems such as the flu.
Jack & Wife - Most difficult to date, ride together Physical/Mental/emotional (little story?)
- The first time we hit the road. Timing was off, communication was 'ya know, screaming at each other LOL.
Eric & Jen - Most difficult was probably the first real ride we took after
bringing it home. I screwed up twice in a five mile ride and the
second time was really scary -- we were going on a wooden bridge
underpass and I started wobbling over the rough boards. The
oscillations got worse fast and I thought we were going over -- Jen
urges me just like Bryon (At the bike shop) said -- "PEDAL PEDAL!!" and
she cranked on it, got us moving faster and stable again. WHEW.
Everything since that has been cake.
David & Felicia - The most challenging rides so far have been metric century rides.
Miguel & Andrea - We did OLH on the loaner tandem (46lbs) in 34 minutes and just finished it on the new one (34lbs) in 32 minutes. So losing 10 lbs got us 2 minutes
Any sustained climbing really puts a hurt on quickly.
Brett & Lisa - We rode Seattle-to-Portland this past July. We crashed at mile 60 at a set of train tracks, but still managed to limp the remaining 140 miles into Portland, 15 hours after we left Seattle. Here's a picture of some of the carnage. (I had a similar contusion, but I don't photograph as well.) I also included a picture of Lisa with Elvis.
Chris & Deborah
Most difficult to date, ride together Physical/Mental/emotional (little story?)
I think the most difficult ride we have done was an unsupported century over to Napa and back from our house. The ride itself was not so hard but we learned a hard lesson on eating enough on a long ride. We hit a headwind at about mile 85 and bonked hard about 5 miles from home. We stopped and ate our last clif bar and limped home. It was still good. I’ll let Deborah tell her ride story.
.................................................................................................... ..................................
4. Relationship improved?
Ray & Steph - think our relation improved because riding tandems gave us one more activity to do as a couple.
Rich & Mary Ellen - Yes. Tandem riding is about working as a team. We love the teamwork and tandeming is ideal for tours and long event rides.
Dave & Lisa - Definitely!
Jack & Wife - Yes. Physical fitness too.
Eric & Jen - Yep definitely - We just need to find more time to take it out, we
have a 4 year old who's too little to stoke but too big to tow in the
trailer very easily.
David & Felicia - Our relationship has not changed, it is always good.
Miguel & Andrea - I'd say so. No more waiting for the other person to catch up to the other.
Brett & Lisa - We bought our first tandem when we were engaged. She still married me! And we're still married!
Chris & Deborah
I would not have guessed it could get better after 27 years together but it does.
.................................................................................................... ..................................
5. Would you ever want to change places ie. Stoker to Captain or reverse?
Ray & Steph - I definitely would not be a stoker today. Did a ride once and fought the captain all the way. It was a habit of trying to steer from the rear and his Italian made tandem was flexing like a wet noodle!
Rich & Mary Ellen - Mary Ellen said no way and Rich would stoke for another captain. However, due to our size differential and the sizing of our tandem, Rich must be the captain for our team.
Dave & Lisa - Can't, bike won't fit.
Jack & Wife - NOOOOOOOOOOOO
Eric & Jen - Sure. She's gotta learn to shift STI though. Little known fact:
Tandems are controlled from the back, they just happen to be steered
from the front
David & Felicia - We would not change positions as she has no interest in working so hard in the front.
Miguel & Andrea - We do it regularly. Typically I captain for about 90% of the ride. Thanks to our equal heights, we can switch places if desired. I just switched with her after descending 84. My hands were a little numb from gripping the bars and I was able to stretch out for about 20 minutes in back.
Brett & Lisa - Nope.
Chris & Deborah
Would you ever want to change places ie. Stoker to Captain or reverse?
I’ve offered but she wants no part of the front.
.................................................................................................... ..................................
6. What made you decide to purchase a tandem?
Ray & Steph - I bought the tandem in 1986 so that she would be able to do the group rides with the guys. Otherwise she'll be sitting home waiting for me. LOL It was our best investment at the time and our tandems have brought us many happy and fun adventures. In the past, we have done a few camping trips with our Kuwahara tandem too. Such romantic times!
Nowadays, we ride so we can simply do some exercise together. I've gain so much weight since starting a family and being lazy. I have been trying to lose a few pounds this past year and lost 25 lbs and hopefully another 30 for 09. We'll see.........
Rich & Mary Ellen - 1981...Mary Ellen and I were both running and she was focusing on marathons and I was focusing 10K. We were both cycling but I was more into cycling than running. When we would cycle together, I would want to go faster. I would either ride behind her or slow down and lead. I got the idea to get a tandem to equalize abilities. A friend of mine and I rented a tandem at Pacific Beach and tried it. It was terrible and when we applied power the frame twisted and the bike snaked along the PB boardwalk. A local bike shop arranged for us to try a real tandem and we test road another couples Santana. We bought the Santana and the idea of riding as a team was born.
Dave & Lisa - N/A
Jack & Wife - She can not ride a bike on her own.
Eric & Jen - Jen wanted to spend bike time with me and she's not up for road
riding on a solo bike (yet!). I started researching tandems and the
bug caught us.
David & Felicia - We bought the tandem to spend more time together.
Miguel & Andrea - Being able to cycle two-gether. You really can carry on a conversation in a more relaxed atmosphere of not having to worry about riding 2 abreast. Also, the model we purchased will allow our family to grow into the bike with us and hopefully ride as they get bigger. I have already hooked up my 7 year old in the stoker area and put my 3 year old on the trail-a-bike for one long train.
Brett & Lisa - N/A
Chris & Deborah
we decided it would be a mutual Bday present.
If you want anything changed or added let me know-pm me or email best, taxi777@pacbell.net
__________________
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Last edited by taxi777; 12-22-08 at 04:11 PM. Reason: add
12-22-08, 01:50 PM
#2
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Thanks for putting this together Pete and thanks to all the couples who contributed too. Each time I read things like this it solidifies the notion of a tandem in my future
12-22-08, 03:22 PM
#4
DoubleTrouble
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We were late. I sent info to Pete this am. Sorry 
12-22-08, 04:18 PM
#5
Wheres my snuggie?
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It was pretty cumbersome moving around info and formatting blah, blah...If you guys sent me stuff and It's not up here just resend to me
taxi777@pacbell.net and I'll take care of everything
I see a Tandem rally in the future!
taxi777@pacbell.net and I'll take care of everything
I see a Tandem rally in the future!
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12-22-08, 05:16 PM
#6
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Pete -
Thanks for putting this together. Nice job. Interesting to hear everyone's tandem stories.
Mary Ellen and Rich (aka Velodiva & Hermes)
Thanks for putting this together. Nice job. Interesting to hear everyone's tandem stories.
Mary Ellen and Rich (aka Velodiva & Hermes)
12-22-08, 05:18 PM
#7
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I have another question for the participating tandem couples - do you have a name for your tandem?
We named our Santana "Magic Bus." She even has her own song.
We named our Santana "Magic Bus." She even has her own song.
12-22-08, 05:54 PM
#8
Wheres my snuggie?
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How bout Picture by itself/ with name....maybe icon and or story?
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12-24-08, 11:38 AM
#11
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Excellent. I'm a bit jealous. Every time I mention a tandem my wife makes some comment about not wanting my big butt in her face all day! (It's not even big!) I'm not sure how much I want to tandem either, but it comes to mind after almost every ride we take together. We spend about half our time yelling, "What?" to each other.
12-24-08, 12:16 PM
#12
Wheres my snuggie?
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Me too!
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12-25-08, 02:28 PM
#13
DoubleTrouble
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Thanks for doing this Pete. It really brings it together. I enjoyed all the answers and your take on tandems is very interesting. Deborah and I look forward to riding with you and all the others again.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, and a bright and beautiful New Year to all.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, and a bright and beautiful New Year to all.
12-25-08, 03:40 PM
#14
Wheres my snuggie?
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Thanks for doing this Pete. It really brings it together. I enjoyed all the answers and your take on tandems is very interesting. Deborah and I look forward to riding with you and all the others again.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, and a bright and beautiful New Year to all.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, and a bright and beautiful New Year to all.
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Blame It On The Dog Blog
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