[SportsandRec] monthly social hour about tandem biking follow up

[Ron Burzese]

> Hello Ashley,

The shorts used for cycling have a pad in the saddle area. It is called a chamois, pronounced, shammy. It’s primary purpose is to keep you dry, though the padding is helpful for comfort. I generally wear cycling shorts and jerseys on most of my road rides, but they are not necessary if you are just starting out. If we are going out for a neighborhood cruise, I’ll just wear shorts and a t-shirt. Helmets are always a good idea.

For better comfort, saddle adjustment is critical. Most novice riders have their saddles too low. This puts more pressure on your tailbone. When the saddle is higher, your hips rotate and place more of your undercarriage in contact with the saddle. More common surface area means less pressure and more comfort. You want your saddle high enough to have a slight bend in your knee, when the ball of your foot is on the axle of the pedal, when  is furthest from you. When your saddle is too low, you are not getting full power from your leg muscles. When your saddle is up where it should be, you will also feel more stable and in tune with the bike.

The websites for finding local tandem pilots are:

bicycling blind.org

and

blindstokersclub.org

The first lets you find your own pilots, using your zip code. You set up your profile, then you can look at others for the front of the bike. Your contact info is kept private until you are ready to set up a meeting place.

The latter, takes your information and connects you with others in your area as well. Both are helpful and free. Many, if not most people on these sites already have a tandem to share.

I rode 64 miles on Saturday morning with Joe, who I found on bicyclingblind.org, I posted a report on blind-cycling at groups.io

I can post it here, but not sure if people want to hear it. It was the first time in about five years since I’ve ridden that long.

Back to your questions, you can rent a tandem, but it will be more expensive than you might think. I paid $40, for four hours, back in the late 90’s. In Chicago, 2011, I paid $80, for the day. The bike was in terrible mechanical tune, so I took it back and asked them to make it right. Now, I imagine $100 for the day is not uncommon. You can buy a used tandem for around $200, use it for a few years and get most of your money back out of it, if you take care of it. I like to buy them, clean and tune them up, then re-sell them.. If you want to go this route, I can help, if you send me ads from your area on sites like craigslist, marketplace, or offer up. I’ve had success with all three.

If you or anyone else have questions, I’m always happy to assist. I have been riding tandems for over 27 years and have about nine of them. It keeps me healthy in so many ways.

Be blessed,

New Smyrna Beach Ron

> On Sep 4, 2024, at 4:56 PM, Ashley Bramlett via SportsandRec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Is there going to be another sports and rec social hour and if so when? I
> know the number of people attending was sparce sometimes so I was not sure
> if you continued that.
> 
> 
> 
> I attended the March social hour about tandem cycling.
> 
> It was very informative! Ron, thanks for sharing your expertise and
> information and what was supposed to be an hour turned out to be much
> longer! At least an hour and a half, I'd say.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Can someone supply the link for the zoom recording?
> 
> 
> 
> Also, Ron, and anyone else who knows, 
> 
> What were the bike shorts you recommended for outside cycling? You said they
> had some sort of padding in them.
> 
> I'm wondering if its possible to rent a tandem bike? Anyone done it? Here in
> my area, we have a bike shop near by as well as a sports store called Dicks
> Sports but I'm not sure if they rent bikes or tandem bikes.
> 
> 
> 
> Also, what were the websites for finding a captain?
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Ashley
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
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