How to Ride a Tandem Bicycle
We have all been bored in most aspects of life at one point or another.
Bored making dinner.
Bored folding laundry.
Bored going to the movies.
Bored sweeping the floors.
Bored in our fitness routine.
And, unfortunately, bored in our relationships.
Well - I am here to offer up a new suggestion on how to add some fun and excitement into the last two of those - fitness and your relationships! These two are probably considered some of the most important aspects to leading a happy and healthy life, making them very important to devote time and energy to.
Yet, sometimes, it seems that we run out of ideas on how to change up what has become our standard routine in both areas.
Fitness: Go to gym.
Run on treadmill for 30 minutes.
Lift weights for 20 minutes.
Relationship: Go on a date once/month.
Find decent restaurant to eat at.
Find decent movie at theatre to sit and watch together.
Huh.
Not super exciting, but comfortable and what we know.
Think about changing that at least once/month.
Instead of going out to eat at a restaurant, pack up some sandwiches and a bottle of wine in a backpack and head out riding together on a tandem bicycle! It's healthier, incorporates fitness, promotes discussion, and FUN! What's that? You are a bit intimidated by buying a tandem bicycle? You aren't sure exactly how they work or how to ride them? That is where I step in.
I will take the mystery out of how to purchase and ride a tandem bicycle, as well as I will give you insight about how to ride.
Heck, getting on and off in itself can seem intimidating when there are two of you trying to do it at the same time! Tandem bicycles are bicycles built for TWO.
And that's why they are so great! You can ride along with someone you care about, talking and laughing as you go, and still get some good fresh air and exercise! The two portions of the bicycle include handlebars and pedals for each of you to operate.
The person in the front will do the majority of the steering (for obvious reasons...
they can SEE!), but both of you should try to put forth a good pedaling effort and make the ride comfortable yet exert yourself.
I would be sure to purchase a tandem bike with separate drive trains (gearing) so that you do not have to have your pedaling cadence in sync with that of your partner.
That is what gave tandems a bad rap to begin with - it was much too difficult for two different riders with varying ability levels to pedal exactly the same and it would cause problems.
Nowadays you can get separate gearing so that is not the case and you can pedal at your own pace.
Now, the tricky part: getting on the bike.
Only, the joke is that it actually is NOT tricky at all! Mounting a tandem bicycle is exactly the same as a regular single bike, only you do not pick your feet up to push off until you know that your partner is ready too! So, as surprising as it may seem, no worries in mounting a tandem bike.
Just do it.
The pushing off and getting going may actually be the trickier part in that you have to PAY ATTENTION to what your fellow rider is up to.
Please do not go without conferring with them.
It can lead to ugly scenes like dragging someone along...
and that is NOT a good start to your fun date night.
Once you are both up and start pedaling that separate drive train I recommended a few paragraphs ago makes riding a breeze! Each of you can get in your own groove with your ability level and you will not have to worry about "And left, right, left, right...
".
Those days are long behind us in the tandem biking world.
Stopping on your tandem bicycle does take some coordination, mostly in the name of communication.
The rider in front is the steering system and the primary eyes on the bicycle so they need to be a good communicator with the back rider who can not see as much (except the lead rider back?).
If you do have separate gearing systems then you also have your own separate brakes and so even if you do not apply the brakes at the exact same time and pressure, no one is going to get thrown or lose their balance! It really is smart to keep the riders separate for pedaling, so heed my advice there and spend the extra $50.
Also be sure to get a kickstand on your tandem, they are a bit big to always try and lean against some poor little tree.
Speaking of money, how much should a tandem bike cost? Well, a decent tandem will probably start around $350 and will have all of the extras I talked about above.
Aluminum weigh less for carrying them around and they are easier to get up hills, but they cost more.
Steel are the less expensive, heavier models that work just fine for all intents and purposes.
No matter what brand or color you decide on, make sure that you decide to get a tandem and start riding and having fun! It could be just what you and your significant other need to spark some laughter and great conversation on your next date night!
Bored making dinner.
Bored folding laundry.
Bored going to the movies.
Bored sweeping the floors.
Bored in our fitness routine.
And, unfortunately, bored in our relationships.
Well - I am here to offer up a new suggestion on how to add some fun and excitement into the last two of those - fitness and your relationships! These two are probably considered some of the most important aspects to leading a happy and healthy life, making them very important to devote time and energy to.
Yet, sometimes, it seems that we run out of ideas on how to change up what has become our standard routine in both areas.
Fitness: Go to gym.
Run on treadmill for 30 minutes.
Lift weights for 20 minutes.
Relationship: Go on a date once/month.
Find decent restaurant to eat at.
Find decent movie at theatre to sit and watch together.
Huh.
Not super exciting, but comfortable and what we know.
Think about changing that at least once/month.
Instead of going out to eat at a restaurant, pack up some sandwiches and a bottle of wine in a backpack and head out riding together on a tandem bicycle! It's healthier, incorporates fitness, promotes discussion, and FUN! What's that? You are a bit intimidated by buying a tandem bicycle? You aren't sure exactly how they work or how to ride them? That is where I step in.
I will take the mystery out of how to purchase and ride a tandem bicycle, as well as I will give you insight about how to ride.
Heck, getting on and off in itself can seem intimidating when there are two of you trying to do it at the same time! Tandem bicycles are bicycles built for TWO.
And that's why they are so great! You can ride along with someone you care about, talking and laughing as you go, and still get some good fresh air and exercise! The two portions of the bicycle include handlebars and pedals for each of you to operate.
The person in the front will do the majority of the steering (for obvious reasons...
they can SEE!), but both of you should try to put forth a good pedaling effort and make the ride comfortable yet exert yourself.
I would be sure to purchase a tandem bike with separate drive trains (gearing) so that you do not have to have your pedaling cadence in sync with that of your partner.
That is what gave tandems a bad rap to begin with - it was much too difficult for two different riders with varying ability levels to pedal exactly the same and it would cause problems.
Nowadays you can get separate gearing so that is not the case and you can pedal at your own pace.
Now, the tricky part: getting on the bike.
Only, the joke is that it actually is NOT tricky at all! Mounting a tandem bicycle is exactly the same as a regular single bike, only you do not pick your feet up to push off until you know that your partner is ready too! So, as surprising as it may seem, no worries in mounting a tandem bike.
Just do it.
The pushing off and getting going may actually be the trickier part in that you have to PAY ATTENTION to what your fellow rider is up to.
Please do not go without conferring with them.
It can lead to ugly scenes like dragging someone along...
and that is NOT a good start to your fun date night.
Once you are both up and start pedaling that separate drive train I recommended a few paragraphs ago makes riding a breeze! Each of you can get in your own groove with your ability level and you will not have to worry about "And left, right, left, right...
".
Those days are long behind us in the tandem biking world.
Stopping on your tandem bicycle does take some coordination, mostly in the name of communication.
The rider in front is the steering system and the primary eyes on the bicycle so they need to be a good communicator with the back rider who can not see as much (except the lead rider back?).
If you do have separate gearing systems then you also have your own separate brakes and so even if you do not apply the brakes at the exact same time and pressure, no one is going to get thrown or lose their balance! It really is smart to keep the riders separate for pedaling, so heed my advice there and spend the extra $50.
Also be sure to get a kickstand on your tandem, they are a bit big to always try and lean against some poor little tree.
Speaking of money, how much should a tandem bike cost? Well, a decent tandem will probably start around $350 and will have all of the extras I talked about above.
Aluminum weigh less for carrying them around and they are easier to get up hills, but they cost more.
Steel are the less expensive, heavier models that work just fine for all intents and purposes.
No matter what brand or color you decide on, make sure that you decide to get a tandem and start riding and having fun! It could be just what you and your significant other need to spark some laughter and great conversation on your next date night!