Originally Posted by
zonatandem
Congrats on getting a tandem!
Congrats on asking questions!!!
Been *happily* married for 57 years and been riding as a duo for 37 years.
First, as pilot, ride the tandem solo . . . get used to the different feel/handling.
Learn how to mount tandem properly.
Pilot mounts tandem first; stands with both feet FLAT on the ground and butt resting on top tub while holding/applying both brakes.
Then stoker mounts tandem; gets seated and gets both feet on the pedals.
Pilot clips in one foot.
On count of one/two/three both folks push off as captain releases brakes and pedal!
Sounds simple, but could a tad tricky/wobbly the first few times.
COMMUNICATE!
Captain must tell stoker (out loud) whatever he plans to do; like:
Coast, brake, slowing, pedal, shifting.
Captain alkso voices commands like left turn, right turn, slowing . . . but he keeps hands on the bars and the stoker gives appropriate hand signal.
As stoker cannot see what's up ahead too well, pilot must communicate bumps/rough road/hazards to give her adequate warning.
For bad bumps stoker can put a bit more weight on her handlebars and less on butt so as to minimize road shock to her anatomy.
Eventually, after a few rides, you'll really get the hang of it!
Stopping can be accomplished just as on a single, but pilot must hold brake(s) and wait for stoker to dismount first.
After stoker dismounts, she walks away from the bike and says "off". Then captain can dismount; this avoids an unintended karate kick by captain to the stoker!
Practice makes perfect and eventually you'll teach other folks how to enjoy riding TWOgether!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
Great summary I will add:
I second the method of stoker clipping in before captain and out after captain.
In addition to the stoker notifying captain when she is off ALWAYS check to make sure the stoker is on/off before getting on/off the tandem. Better safe than sorry.
Many captains exit the tandem by swinging their leg forward over the handle bars rather than behind over the stoker handle bars. This is actually easier as the front bars are narrower than the stoker bars and often lower than the captain's saddle.
Pay attention to the pedals, they will tell you a lot about what your stoker is doing and tell the stoker what the captain is doing.
When often discuss before each ride the type of ride we going on. Hard work out vs easy ride and long vs short. Sometimes we change in mid ride but it is a joint decision.
Have fun!
Wayne