[Sportsandrec] finding guides

[Ron & the bears]

Hi again Ashley,

You ask great questions!

First of all, whether one rides competitively or casually, or somewhere in 
between,  it does not really matter. I do prefer riding with racers for fast 
rides, but will even ride with non-cyclist co-workers for casual rides. I 
like to get them and myself out on a bike. Most Americans are sedentary, so 
I like to sneak in some opportunities for exercise for them. I like to do 
this with my O&M students as well. It is great to watch their attitudes 
change as they get fitter.

I do have my own tandems, but it was my first one that got me into the 
clubs. Once there, I was able to network and find people with their own 
tandems. Sometimes, weeks will go by without me riding any of my bikes. My 
previous post tells you how to get connected without your own bike. I 
sometimes just call tandems, "bikes". Tandem riders often refer to their 
single bikes as, "Half Bikes". This tells you just how much people love 
riding their tandems with people.

To stay in sync is pretty easy because there is a chain that connects the 
two riders. Just ride at whatever pace suits you for starters. You can feel 
it in the pedals when your pilot speeds up or slows down. He/she may ask for 
more power on a hill, or ask you to back off if they hear you breathing too 
hard. This is all normal conversation that becomes more intuitive as you get 
used to riding outdoors. I have one experienced pilot who forgets to ask me 
for more power, because he is used to riding with weaker riders who don't 
ride at his level. When I hear him breathing hard, I may remind him to 
communicate with me, but usually, I will just kick up the power. For me, I 
want to be the one who pulls more than half the work. This is because 
without them, I would not be riding. Plus, it helps me get stronger. To be 
stronger or weaker is not bad, it is just where people are in their fitness. 
You can be a stronger rider, but out of shape at any time of the season.

I think I covered everything you asked about.

Regards,

Ron & the gotta go get the bike ready for tonight's practice ride with 
Patricia bears

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:09 PM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] finding guides


: Ron,
:
: Thanks.  Youre competetive; if I end up riding outdoors its for recreation
: purposes; I don't have a desire for competition.
:
: >From your story it seems like you're the right place at the right time; 
you
: were lucky.  I can be assertive but something inside me hesitates to ask 
as
: I don't want to seem like I'm begging or asking and giving nothing in
: return.  I'd be happy to treat someone to dinner or something as a thank 
you
: instead of money.
: Still I wonder.  So far I asked at my gym and no one has tandems.  The
: ladies riding outdoors all do so alone.
: I can certainly ask but I have a feeling its easier said than done.  Heck 
i
: had a difficult time finding readers and I was even paying a good hourly
: wage!
: I asked in many places and had flyers and it did not pay off.
:
: Are you the one owning the tandem?  How is it transported to the place 
where
: you ride?  Those things are big.  You say you pedal at the same speed
: together.  How do you know their pace?  I suppose you sense it or 
something
: and it comes with practice; its been years since I was on a tandem.
:
: Ashley 



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