[Sportsandrec] my first ten miles

Sun Jul 12 17:26:20 UTC 2009

LM,

Lighter gears with less pressure will probably be better on your knee. This 
means your leg speed or spin will probably be faster, but it won't be as 
hard on your knee.

Also, if the repeative shifted and be reduced it will help. Do you know if 
it is Campi or Shimono to help with knowing what info might be helpful about 
shifting?

Clipless pedals are fairly easy to get out of and as you feel the bike reach 
a point, you'll know to clip out and put a foot down if that is the case. 
Some stokers like to stay clipped in and let the pilot hold the bike up at 
stops. Then the stoker can add some power when starting. However, this may 
not be good for your knee. Make sure if stopping that your pilot has shifted 
to an easy gear to start in, other wise you'll be pushing a big gear and 
that's not fun to get off the line. Some times I stay clipped in while other 
times I clip out and put one foot down to help the pilot plus it isn't so 
hard on my knees and I can get a good powerstroke in this way.

Do you have the straight bullhorn style stoker bar or are they drops like on 
the front. The latter kind offer more hand positions and also allow you to 
change your position over all.

Maybe you could connect with some of the advanced riders at the BORP program 
for more tips for both of you.

Out of time.

Lori

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kathy McGillivray" <kjm at usfamily.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 11:59 AM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] my first ten miles

> 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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