[SportsandRec] discussion about tandem biking follow up

[dandrews920 at comcast.net]

The link for the cycling list does not seem to be right. I can not get it to work?

Dave



-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec <sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ron Burzese via SportsandRec
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 7:07 AM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ron Burzese <rrburzese at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [SportsandRec] discussion about tandem biking follow up



> Hi everyone,

My reply is in Ashley’s note.

Thanks,

Ron, near Daytona

> On Sep 16, 2024, at 1:38 AM, Ashley Bramlett via SportsandRec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> Months ago we had a good and long zoom discussion about tandem biking. 
> Ron was the speaker and was generous and answered tons of questions.
> 
> 
> 
> Can someone share that recording? I'd like to listen again.

RB: I heard the recording was not filed soon enough and timed out. So, let’s do another one. We can focus more on the basics and questions.

> 
> 
> 
> 
> Ron, thanks for answering my questions on this list about attire for biking.
> 
> 
> 
> In recent years, I've exercised alone on indoor bikes if I use a bike. 
> I had experience with tandems when I was younger growing up.
> 
> 
> 
> I am not sure I would like tandem cycling; I would think you'd have to 
> match your driver's speed and rhythm. I do not know how much control you have as a stoker.

RB: There is a chain that keeps both riders in synch with each other. You can pedal faster or slower to control the speed of the bike. Though you are both at the same rpm, or cadence, one person can be working hard, while the other, not so much.


> 
> 
> 
> I have some stable vision and have thought that maybe riding a adult 
> trike with a guide in front of me might be a better fit because I 
> would be controlling the pace and I also think it would be easier to 
> get on a trike and with three wheels the trike is just more stable as I mount it.

RB: If you need that stability, trikes are available. I saw a tandem trike for sale on Marketplace last week for a reasonable price. They take up more room and might not be very efficient, if you want to get in a workout. So it depends on what you want to do. The captain balances the bike, but the stoker should be able to stay centered over the frame of the bike.


> 
> 
> 
> The guide could be riding in front of me or even beside me on a bike 
> trail if there is room for both of us and give me verbal cues and 
> directions for things I do not see since I have just central vision.

RB: One of the main things I like about the tandem is being directly connected. If there is an emergency maneuver that should arise, there is no delay. I think it is the safest way to ride. In a perfect world, having a guide might work, but with too many variables, outside of our control, I’ll take the tandem.


> 
> 
> 
> It might be worth trying tandeming though if I can find an experienced 
> rider willing to volunteer and share their tandem.

RB: They are out there, for sure, depending on the density of your community. Should you have your own tandem, it opens opportunities to those in your immediate circle. Both ways can work. I’ve known blind stokers who did not own a tandem.

> 
> 
> 
> A few other questions.
> 
> If you go tandem cycling, do  you have a way to track things like your 
> distance and speed you are going? I think the word I mean is cadence.
> 
> I know there are gadgets out there to clip on to the bike, but they do 
> not have speech output.

RB: I use two apps to track my rides. Both work well with VoiceOver. Either indoors or outdoors, I mainly workout, then check my stats after the ride. However, the apps can be set to call out your speed, power level, or other stats. It’s nice to see my stats after a ride. It helps me to know how tired I should feel after a ride. Yesterday, I rode for two hours and 15 minutes. I rode 32 miles at 14.6 mph and burned 1200 calories.


> 
> Do you carry items with you and if so, is that in some sort of basket 
> attached to your bike? If riding outside, it seems to me you would 
> need some things for the ride especially if its longer than say 30 minutes.

RB: I carry my wallet, keys, phone, and comb, in my jersey pockets. I have an extra pocket in my jersey for a jacket or snack bar. I also use pockets on regular shorts for short rides, if I’m wearing a t-shirt.


> 
> A water supply is the first thing that comes to mind. Also, maybe 
> snack food and an extra jacket might be needed if cooler weather or if 
> changing temperatures are expected.

RB: For longer rides, most tandems can hold two quarts of water per rider. They use cages and bottles that are specific to cycling. For rides over three hours, I’ll use a hydration pack on my back. It holds about three quarts. I put it in the freezer to give me long lasting cold water that lasts for about three hours. The pack also has additional pockets for clothing, etc.


> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Ashley

RB: You are welcome. Let’s do another chat. You can also subscribe to blind-cycling at groups.io . It’s a robust community of blind tandem riders.
> 
> _______________________________________________