More power Scotty!!!
 

It was a cool 49 degree morning, but we still got out for a brisk tandem ride. Rolling Central New York hills. The ride was going great until around the 15 mile mark. Man, I'm working way to hard just to maintain speed over these rollers. I yell "Scotty I need more power!" She responds "sorry captain. but the dilithium crystals are giving all they've got and there is no more"!:(

As her legs give out I struggle more and more until I'm totally whipped. Never happens on my single. Solution, ride more, slow down and enjoy the scenery.:)

Give her an A+ for attitude. Her answer has to at least make you laugh and feel good for a little while. Sounds like you got a great work out. You might want to check for wheel rotation and brakes binding while you are at it.

My oldest (12 yo) was lagging behind our 9 and 10 yo so I got behind him and saw the rear wheel wobbling back and forth and alternately touching the brake pad on each side. Just tonight, I straightened his rear rim and he should be good to go again. I think I may have told him a million times to stop going off curbs! He tells me I exaggerate!

We recently had a similar problem. Then I heard a swish noise and figured out the front brake was dragging. After 12 miles (yes 12 miles!) of hard labor, the rest of the ride was quite easy.

Make a habit of spinning both wheels before you go on a tandem ride . . . then grab the brakes and do it again.

I think this is a great idea (zonatandem's suggestion) for a tandem or a half-bike.

We get that a lot on the long steep hills here. Our solution: 30-39-52 cranks, and 11-36 rear. I still wish for more range. Perhaps swapping out the 30 to a 24 and hope the front derailleur won't cry over it.

I make this part of the ritual, check tire pressure / pump tires, slow spin looking for cuts or crap in the tires and then a faster spin looking at wheel true and brake drag.