Quiet is a great getaway.

If you need a suspension tandem, they often come up used and reasonably priced for nice machines.

For that matter, you may be in Ventanas neighborhood and can hook up with that crew for some off-road rides and test ride one.

For immediate low cost relief, pick up a thudbuster long travel for the stoker, and see if Alex @MTBTandems.com has a closeout 9mm axle fork that will fit.

PK