Maiden Voyage

Before we tell you about today's ride, we have to say a huge THANK YOU to our friend Kay. Kay had a tandem in her garage that she wasn't using and offered it to us on loan. THANKS KAY!!!

When Kathy posted on Facebook that we were heading out for our first tandem ride today, her friend Jim responded with "Just remember, tandems are marriage breakers or marriage makers. I know you are not married but the same thing applies to boy friends."  Jim, you are so right!

We had an ambitious ride planned. 40 miles r/t an out and back from Redondo Beach to San Pedro.  The weather couldn't have been better! 

Riding a tandem is 90% communication and 10% perspiration! If you're communicating the perspiration just happens naturally. 

Lessons learned today;

1) Always, always ride with a sense of humor! 

2) If you are going to coast or stop, say so.

3) The world at large is very friendly to tandem riders. (Not sure if it's because they think the person on the back is not really riding or if they are so seldom seen people can't help but smile.) 

4) the Stoker is not just " a pretty face, along for the ride"

5) Did we mention the importance of communication?

There was only one casualty today and from the looks of the raccoon it had been "sleeping on the side of the road" for some time before we rode by.  At least we didn't have to watch it commit suicide. 

The ride went really well. A direct result of excellent communication and a sense of humor. 

Keith adjusted to the gears rather quickly. (this tandem has bar end shifters)  Kathy was so happy to be on a bike after two years of not having ridden that she didn't notice the crunching noises coming from the bike. 

Riding on Palos Verdes Drive is scenic to say the least.  There was an Air Show nearby so if the ocean got boring there was always the view above. :-) 

There were a couple of stops to make minor adjustments to the bike but otherwise a smooth ride. 

40 miles later we were home.  Happy to have made the ride, with a clear view forward of the rides to come. 

Special thanks to Keith. He could easily be out on his bike without me,  but instead chooses to Captain the ship so that I can ride too.  I'm so happy and so loved. What an amazing day! 

PS If you are wondering what the Stoker sees

The Beginning

Our first tandem ride (see picture below) was December of 2007 in Napa Valley on what was arguably one of the coldest days of our week there.  The bike shop where we rented the tandem admonished us that tandem riding is either loved or hated and there is no middle ground. Bundled up against the elements we headed out.  


Fast forward to May of 2010. 
After four shoulder surgeries, Kathy's orthopedist and her physical therapist thought it best if cycling was done as the stoker (the back seat) on a tandem. (It should be noted that two of the surgeries were extensive, so if you are headed toward surgery don't think that you will find yourself in the same predicament.)


Keith who has been cycling for 30+ years is a well qualified captain. 







This blog documents our endeavors in tandem cycling. 

Onward we roll!