Marten Hoffmann <
[email protected]> wrote
>
[email protected] schreef ...
> > And never hop on your solo straight after a long tandem ride - you'll fall off

>
> My beloved better half always has to adjust to riding her solo after a long ride in the back. All
> this steering and gearshifting and watching where you go at the same time - most confusing ;-)
Ha! I'm actually slightly more experienced on a bike than my captain, my hubby. I don't find
shifting, braking, etc at all confusing, but I must admit that it's nice just to look at the scenery
while he's taking care of it all.
But Guy's right, that if you get on a solo after riding a tandem, it suddenly seems all wobbly, and
you think there's something wrong with your wheels or something.
Here are some tips from the stoker's point of view: definitely call out "bump" -- even with a
suspension seat post (which I highly recommend) larger bumps, if I'm not prepared for them, are
quite a shock and can almost knock my hands off the bars (on the tandem I have a very loose grip on
the bars). Similarly, call out "coasting". With us, as I'm (at least when not pregnant) as strong as
hubby at pedalling, if Simon doens't do this, his knees get a shock as I keep pedalling. Also call
out "shifting". If I pedal while he's shifting, the gears make nasty noises. I need to ease off to
make the shift smooth. Also, warning "braking" is good too, as my grip on the bars is generally so
loose that if he brakes suddenly I can smash into his back.
Definitely read Sheldon's tips about stopping and starting the tandem. They are exactly the way to
do it, at least they work perfectly for us.
Hubby and I didn't have any problems just getting on the tandem and riding, mainly because I'm such
an experienced cyclist. I really understand balance, so I can help keep the bike upright on the
straight, or help it lean over on sharp turns.
-Myra