I’ve only been stoking for a year but my Captain has been cycling for 30 years and he tells me that amongst a stokers duties are:
1. The purchasing and fetching of beer
2. The purchasing and fetching of cafe grub
3. Lifting the tandem off the bike rack, and back on again at end of ride
4. Cleaning the bike after the ride
5. Mending puntures / broken spokes etc.
6. Laundry services for cycling gear
7. Writing postcards when on holiday
8. Massaging Captain’s legs
9. Cake making
10. Washing up
11. Putting in at least 75% of effort as Captains have gear changing and steering to do and can’t be expected to do everything!
12. Accepting the blame for all navigational errors (any hills that need re-climbing need 100% effort from the stoker as a penatly)
Could any of you experienced stokers tell me if this is correct? or have I been had?
Well Mathilda, I think you’ve been had. Big Time.
You are 50% of a team. So duties are split 50/50, thats the way it works on our tandem/rig
(rig=tandem+trailer). Ask Stokes I’m sure she will back me up.
Yes Mathilda, you’ve been had! I like to think I’m quite experienced now as stoker. Since I am the owner of the tandem I do the maintenance and I wash it after Pedlar has got it dirty! As for all those other things, oh no, don’t be pampering your captain. Pedlar is right, you are 50% of a team. The pedalling effort should definately be 50/50 otherwise you aint going to make very good progress going up hill, you can’t be pushing him around all day!
Pedlar is pretty good really, he did get his hands dirty once when the chain came off!!
If he tries to blame you for going the wrong way, you were just following him!
Well thank you Stokes, “Pretty goods” not to bad I suppose for me.
As its your tandem, and your pride and joy I don’t want tread on your toes and be accused of taking over. I did hold the wheel while you repaired the puncture which was my fault.
Navigation, do I not ask you your opinion? Whether I take heed of your advice, is another matter.
If we had gone my way we would still be riding the Devon coast to coast weeks after we should have returned.
Still I can’t wait for the next tandem ride, check out “is this how it happens” I am begin to think it is.
Yes, well Stokes I thought I was right.
Rule 8:- Massaging the captains legs. I thought that was the ruling.
So now we know.
I think next time You will have to walk the plank. Mutiny will not be tolorated.
Duties of the stoker?
Look good on the back of that tandem!
Bail out the captain when he messes up (again?)
and . . . if you wish . . . to peel that banana while riding, handing him his share (1/2 if he is any good at all) and stuff the peel back in his jersey pocket!
Truly, stokers are sometimes underappriciated!
Pedal on TWOgether!
REudy and Kay/zonatandem/USA
Well Mathilda, I think you’ve been had. 
I did hold the wheel while you repaired the puncture which was my fault. 
Yes, well Stokes I thought I was right.