Tandems.co.uk

This is my last resort before putting the ‘once ridden’ tandem up for sale, creating the most expensive 5 mile cycle ride ever!! It terrifies me - on the back I try to steer, constantly worried about speed and stopping and the bike seems to wobble, shudder, lean and be really unstable. So I thought I’d go on the front - we cannot even get 10 feet - the bike again seems to be uncontrollable. We just can’t get going without me thinking I am going to fall off as the bike seems, again, to be out of control in direction and stability. I end up in tears and shaking!!! I would descibe myself as an average/good single bike rider on normal roads or in traffic - pretty confident although not a risk taker!  I have had the great (I think) idea of putting stabilisers on the wheels - what does anyone think? Alternatively are there lessons anywhere in Somerset?

Thank you for any feedback!

Hi Kat, I take it that you trying to ride the tandem by yourself then, as there is no mention off any other on the tandem with you   No really this is an experience that we all have gone through.
Percy is who you are looking for Percy Verance, just find somewhere quite to practice. You have to build up trust between you and your partner. Try both positions find out where you like it best.
Talking/communication is very important from both of you, its the only way you can become a team.
It dosn’t take that long to get profficent at handling a tandem, and before you know it, you will wonder what all the fuss is all about.
Look at it as an adventure with very good company, very social, perhaps I am biased as we have had alot of adventures/FUN on HMT Skylark, Stokes and I.
If you have read any of the other posts you will find that Stokes and I can even bunny hop over speed bumps Now that is a skill.
Don’t give up, don’t add stabilizers they look silly. Don’t sell the tandem.
Its all good learning fun. Keep Practising!
Pedlar

Kat,

We purchased a Landescape from JD’s last September.On our first trip out we fell off it ( due to a poorly consructed cycle path ) which dented our confidence somewhat,particularly the Stokers as she banged her head ( see another posting ).

Apart from a short local trip,today has been our first lengthy ( well, 23 miles ) trip since then.I know what you mean about the thing wobbling around.it was suggested on the Tandem Club site ( well worth joining by the way http://www.tandem-club.org.uk/ ) that this can be caused by the stoker trying to steer and unstabilising the bike,a way round this is for the stoker to hold the Captains waist instead of the bars for a while.It works by the way.

We had a great day.

Where did you buy your tandem? Could they not give you a few pointers about how to go about it ? We had this from JD’s. Is there some spare ground nearby you could practice on away from traffic? I also read that a short trip by The Captain on his/her own for a few miles helps to get used to the handling,also the biggest/tallest rider should be on the front.It seems you are starting out with no assistance at all,we certainly needed it ( and still do ) !!

Pedlar is right it does come from a bit of perseverance by the end of today we felt a lot more confident,and yes keep talking to each other, the Stoker needs to feel confident or he/she will hang on like grim death and destabilise the machine.If there are bumps coming up tell the Stoker,if a hill is approaching,tell the Stoker.KEEP THE STOKER HAPPY OR YOU ARE DOOMED.

Tandemists seem to be in the main a friendly bunch who will help you with your difficulties.There is also a forum on the Tandem Club site which is VERY informative.You don’t have to join to read and post on it.

Have a look here for some helpful tips from The Master ( Sheldon Brown ).

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tandem.html

Hope this helps,

Ian

Hi Kat,
Don’t give up on the tandem, it’ll take more than five miles to get confident, the first time I rode a tandem I was still trying to steer long after five miles.  Try to relax your arms and let the bike go where it wants!

And don’t forget to scream as loud as you can in the Captains ear,
when you feel the need. The other thing that Rear Admiral Stokes also
doe’s is go Rigid whilst cornering and peddling at speed around roundabouts.
Screaming “Watch the pedal its going to hit the ground”
There is always a big smile on my face when all of this happens on a ride.
The thing I says is “If I’m screaming then you know we are in TROUBLE”
On with Lifejacket and bail out pronto.