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Introduction: Bicycle Design
Why Upright Bikes?
Why Recumbents Cost More
Types of Recumbents
Seat Height
Handlebars
How Much To Spend?
The Importance of Wheels
Types of Wheels
The Importance of Weight
Frame Materials
Frame Alignment
Parts, Derailleurs etc
Brakes
Suspension
Are Recumbents Invisible?
Acclimatizing to a Recumbent
Hills on a Recumbent
Clip-On Pedals
Racks & Mudguards
Bicycle Trailers
Trikes
How to Ride a Tandem
Credit Card Touring
Information Sources
Vancouver, British Columbia
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How to Ride a Tandem

The person on the back of a tandem is called the stoker. The stoker is all-important and must be treated as Royalty. The person on the front of the tandem is called the driver. The purpose of the driver is to please the stoker.

The driver is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the “Captain” (usually by the alleged “Captain” themselves). The rank of “Captain” can only be bestowed by the stoker, at the pleasure of the stoker.

It is the duty of the driver to inform the stoker of all upcoming events including turns, decelerations, stops, evasive maneuvers and bumps. Especially grievous is the failure of the driver to inform the stoker of upcoming bumps. The driver must be astute and eagle-eyed to unfailingly forewarn the stoker of upcoming inconsistencies and undulations in the surface of the road.

At the hands of a skilled driver, the stokers compartment can be pure pleasure. The stoker sits protected from the wind and rain and the stoker is free to enjoy the scenery, take pictures or prepare snacks.

A protocol for starting and stopping must also be developed. For starting, the stoker usually clips both feet in first, the driver clips in one foot and both cyclists simultaneously push-off then the driver clips in their other foot. For stop-lights the captain can just put one foot down while the stoker remains clipped in. The choreography should be developed on a soft grassy area before venturing into traffic.

The driver must make sure that the bike is in a low gear for starting. This is not just a matter of proper etiquette. It may be impossible to go from a standing start in a gear that is too high. A tandem and its occupants can weigh 350 lbs or more. The experience of starting in the wrong gear will be as much fun as doing 350 lb leg-presses at the gym.

Usually the heavier person is the driver because bicycles are steered with subtle shifts in weight and a heavier person is able to send stronger steering messages.

On a new bike, the driver should first practice riding the bike without a stoker.