Riding a tandem

[Houthakker]

Have just hired a tandem for a month in an attempt to get the good Mrs H out riding. Mrs H has never ridden a bike, and whilst I cycle a fair bit, its never been with a passenger on the back, let alone one with no experience of being on a bike. Any tips for keeping it safe and making it enjoyable for the both of us?
TIA

 

[Racing roadkill]

Keep shouting at her to pedal harder, then kick back and enjoy the ride.

 

[srw]

You're in charge, and it will be tough going for you. Find a flat piece of ground without traffic. Get yourself astride the bike, and keep it firm and still. Get her to mount and put both feet on the pedals - make sure the saddle is a bit lower than you'd ideally have it, for her confidence. She will wobble. A lot. Eventually she'll get it.Then push off and ride slowly but steadily - be prepared to pedal for both of you. Don't overpush her - make sure she's comfortable all the time.

To be honest, I wouldn't start an absolute beginner on a tandem, but on a balance bike or near offer - find a bike of roughly the right size, lower the saddle a lot and remove the pedals and get her to scoot along the ground. When she's got the hang of that, progress to pedalling.

 

[Trembler49]

I agree with srw, tandems are hard work at the best of times.

 

[derrick]

It's going to feel very different to your normal bike, Get it wrong and you will never get her back on it, I would practice with someone who can ride first, Good luck they are fun when you get the hang of it.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

I echo the above. The first time I rode a tandem it felt as if it was hinged in the middle, and both me and my wife were experienced solo riders. Slight movements on the back are magnified at the front. We soon got the hang of it, but for a beginner I think it would be very off putting. Piloting the tandem can be hard, you have to look ahead more and keeping it steady when stopped takes a modicum of strength. Make sure, when you stop the stoker leaves their feet on the pedals and helps you by putting the pedals in the right position to go off.
Get it right though and tandems are great fun and bring a new dimension to your cycling.

 

[mark c]

Me and my youngest Daughter (10) hired one on holiday, it took us a while to get used to it, but once we had a system for stops and starts it was great fun and now she wants us to get one !. and its nice being able to chat to each other as you go along also she soon had the camera out and was taking pics as we went along.

 

[Globalti]

As with motorcycle pillion riding the stoker has to resist the instinct to try to lean the bike and instead, sit passively like a sack of spuds and let the driver do the handling. Otherwise, as described above, mayhem ensues as the two fight each other.

Starting and stopping require cooperation and the only other advice I would give to the driver is.... it's impolite to break wind!

 

[Dirk]

Having ridden a tandem a few times with an experienced solo rider on the back (my missus), I would baulk at the idea of trying it with a complete novice.

 

[Ian H]

It's actually easier with a stoker who doesn't cycle. All she has to do is sit still and pedal. Don't fight the bike. Remember a hire tandem might not stop all that well.

 

[biking_fox]

Communication is KEY. You have to let your stoker know what you are doing, braking, changing gear, cornering. It is not at all intuitive as a solo rider, to shout back every time before you brake etc. But otherwise they're still peddling hard when you're stopping.

Other than that it's great fun, and you soon get used to it.

Probably also worth posting in the 'Special Interests' section where the regular tandemers hang out.

 

[Globalti]

A couple were cycling past a kennels on their tandem when an Alsatian came out and threw a bucket of water over them.

I'll get my coat....

 

[ColinJ]

As with motorcycle pillion riding the stoker has to resist the instinct to try to lean the bike and instead, sit passively like a sack of spuds and let the driver do the handling. Otherwise, as described above, mayhem ensues as the two fight each other.

I've only been on the back of motorbike once and I got scared going round a fast bend and started to lean the other way! The bike twitched alarmingly and almost threw us off. The rider screamed at me to just let the bike do its thing and lean with him round the bends. It was ok once I did what I was told, but it scared me so much that I have not been on a motorbike since! I wouldn't fancy being on the back of a tandem either ...

 

[derrick]

My Granddaughter and i, One of many trial rides.

 

[Houthakker]

Thanks for all the pointers. I'm hoping that Mrs H will realise that cycling is good and want to get a bike of her own.
I've got a nice quiet traffic free (and short) route planned for the first couple of times out, hoping to break her in gently. I'll let you know how it goes.