[Sportsandrec] my first ten miles

Sun Jul 12 15:59:39 UTC 2009

Hi. I'll tackle the ones about pedaling and hand positions. Congratulations 
on your new bike, by the way. As far as your knees, I'd strongly suggest 
getting a clipless pedal system where you have cleats on your shoes that 
lock into the pedals. The advantage to this is that you can have more power 
in your stroke with the pushing down and the pulling up. I think it feels 
like amore fluid  motion and would think that would be easier on your knees.

As far as hand positions, I don't think there is a "best" position. I think 
it's good to change your hand positions from time to time. Also, keep in 
mind this is your first ride on the tandem and the more you ride, the more 
you will figure out what is comfortable for you.

With the gearing, you and your pilot need to work that out. I have one pilot 
where I generally tell him how to gear. I just say "Gear up" or "Gear down." 
Some people find it helpful when their pilot says "Shifting" or something 
like that. That way, they can ease up on their stroke for a second. I don't 
think that's really necessary, once the two of you figure out what type of 
cadence is comfortable for you. It does take some time to develop that 
partnership on the bike, though. There are people where you just get on and 
are able to figure it out pretty quickly, but with others, it takes time. 
The big thing is to talk about it. Don't let irritations grow because then 
it ends up not being fun.

Another thing you may want to do is read "The Tandem Book." This book is a 
part of NLS and you can download it with WebBraille. It gives some tips and 
a good overall introduction to tandem biking.

Hope that helps. I'm sure Ron will chime in and give you a more experienced 
perspective, but these are my thoughts.

Kathy McGillivray
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lisamaria Martinez, NOMC" <lmartinez217 at gmail.com>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 10:50 AM
Subject: [Sportsandrec] my first ten miles

> Hello,
>
> As some of you on this list know, my husband and I just purchased a super 
> cool tandem bike. Our lovely red and black Da Vinci was delivered while I 
> was at convention. So, last Friday evening, my husband (Joe), and I, went 
> to the tandem bike shop to get fitted. We arrived at 7:15 PM and did not 
> leave until 11:45 PM.
>
> We browsed around for some new bike clothes, including some very comfy 
> bike shorts. And, then we purchased all the necessary tools needed to fix 
> our bike if we get stranded with a flat in the middle of no where. Best of 
> all, we got fitted for our bike. The bike owner put our bike up on rollers 
> and Joe and I got to pedal for 20 minutes in order to adjust our seat, 
> handles, etc. It was fantastic. By the end of the four and a half hours I 
> was totally exhausted.
>
> Yesterday, Saturday, we went on our first ride. We are super fortunate to 
> live near the Alameda Creek Trail. I am told that this trail goes around 
> the entire Bay Area. We biked over to the trail and did an easy ten mile 
> ride. So, after riding, I have a few questions for those tandem experts on 
> this list.
>
> When going around a pretty hefty curve, I've read you lean a certain way. 
> You think after all Ron has written on this list, I'd know, but it never 
> really applied until now. Do you lean into the curve?
>
> Also, any pedaling tips for people with bad knees? I've got a bum knee and 
> the last 3 miles were getting kind of tough on my knees. Any stretching 
> before and after to help eliminate the strain?
>
> Also, how about hand position? I've got a bum shoulder and keep changing 
> my hand position to alliviate the ache I get in my clavical and shoulder. 
> Should I keep my hands a certain way?
>
> Also, as a stoker, what should I say or do when the captan is shifting 
> gears without really knowing what gear is best? I have to admit that my 
> husband is newer to bike riding than I am, but I also never shifted a gear 
> in my life. He keeps shifting the gears all around and it totally sucks 
> for me in the back. I'm thinking I need to learn how to clip in soon 
> because my feet go all wild on me when he shifts gears sometimes. But 
> then, he doesn't always hold the bike steady, so I am afraid of clipping 
> in and risking an ankle injury or something.
>
> On a tandem, when is a good time to use the front derailer versus the rear 
> derailer?
>
> Also, how do you tandem enthusiasts clean your bikes?
>
> I think those are all the questions for now.
>
> Thanks to anyone who responds.
>
> Peace out,
> LM
>
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