DBO

Is there a comprehensive list of the annual races that have classes for tandems? I have checked with the ASTRO group, but that listserv is apparently inactive. Other sites are not tandem-specific or have no detailed event info available. I am considering buying a racing tandem, but if there are no opportunities to race I may settle for something a little less pricey... Okay, probably not. But I'd still like to know if there are any opportunities to race.

TandemGeek

ASTRO Website - 2006 Calendar:
https://www.bicycletech.com/astro/calendar2006.htm

ASTRO Homepage:
https://www.bicycletech.com/astro/

ASTRO also goes by the name "TandemRacing" at YahooGroups:
https://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/tandemracing/

The calendar has stayed fairly current, but the Yahoo site is a bit sparse on message traffic, despite having nearly 100 subscribers. However, it's worth noting that the host of these sites, David H., is in the midst of transitioning to a new job and relocating from the Atlanta area to the Nashville, TN, area so his attention to these sites may be a bit frequent at the moment.

The "major" tandem events each year are the US National time trials and road events which have tandem classes and the Co-Motion Classic tandem stage race.

Dr.Deltron

You could opt for a Greenspeed tandem and the IHPVA will let you race in almost any of their events!
And then you can take the whole family for a nice Sunday ride on the same tandem!

Greenspeed; makers of fine recumbent tricycles - greenspeed.com.au
IHPVA; International Human Powered Vehicle Assn. - ihpva.org
Sunday ride; My 12 yr old stoker, my 6 yr old "cargo" (he has a seat on the rack w/footpegs) & the 3 yr old twins in the Burley trailer.

Pricey? Dollar wise; maybe. Cheaper than some, more expensive than others.
Worth it? Worth every penny!!!!!!!!!!!!

ken cummings

I was a low level USCF official back in Colorado. During training I ws told that recumbents and tandems were allowed in the State Time Trials by pre-registration so the senior officials could figure where to seed them. Both riders would need to be liceinsed racers.

djembob02

Just today/yesterday, someone posted on the Hobbes listing about his track tandem (fixed gear, no brakes, etc.) experience this last year. He wrote about racing their tandem in a velodrome against a number of other tandems. I have no idea how often they do these races, or if he also does regular road races. Check out tandem@hobbes and I'm sure he will give you more information.

TandemGeek

Sanctioned tandem track racing these days, with a few exceptions, e.g., Trexlertown, PA, tandem night, is limited to USA Cycling paralympic events where one member of the team is physically challenged such that they cannot ride without a partner.Please note that Ron B., who posted the note to which you refer, is a sight-impaired cyclist/tandem stoker. You will occasionally find where tracks are also opened up to the public who is invited to do laps, but they're not "tandem sprint" events, etc...

Ron is also an avid road racer who competes with various captains in non-paralympic cycling events.