[Sportsandrec] my first ten miles

Sun Jul 12 16:28:35 UTC 2009

Hi, Kathy,

         I have been biking (I am also an active spinner) for about a 
year, and I would not even attempt to either spin or ride outside 
without pedal clips! I need that power to feel productive while on the bike.
Carly, Berkeley, Cali At 08:59 AM 7/12/2009, you wrote:
>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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>
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