Thanks for the responses, guys. I think I'll have better luck getting Gala to start riding around with me on her own bike than the tandem thing. She's from Russia and does not like being out in the sunlight for very long, not being used to it and having rather delicate skin - it's definitely hard on her in that regard here in California. So rather than trying to take her out for long rides on a tandem where I'm doing most of the work, I think it will be easier to find some local rides and just try to make a routine out of that.

The work is indoors, and the commute would be about 45 minutes each way. The issue is that I cannot be late and the country roads can lead to flat tires, and I sometimes get out after dark, for which I am ill-equipped on a regular basis (and which this particular road, which lacks bike lanes, would be dangerous).

I like the idea of negotiating, but I feel like that's broken down already - we had already planned to let me get out once a month, but I think it is not reasonable while I work six days a week. When I get a new job after the summer I'll re-approach the issue. Cheers!

-Gregory