[Sportsandrec] my first ten miles

Sun Jul 12 19:00:27 UTC 2009

Hey thanks.
We have Campi gears and I have the bullhorn handles.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lori M. Miller" <lori at asmodean.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] my first ten miles

> 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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>>
>>
>>
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