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Club Member Spotlight So Happy Together
Tim and Robin have been married 33 years. In those years they have owned four tandem bikes. They purchased their first one in 1992 and just bought their fourth one December, after putting over 30,00 miles on their third bike. They’ve ridden on many tandem tours all over the US, Europe, and even New Zealand last year. For them it was an easy transition since Robin enjoyed being a passenger on Tim’s motorcycle. Their favorite local ride is Monterey. Robin's favorite tour was riding along the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans, with a paddleboat as a SAG vehicle! Tim’s favorite was riding down the Danube from Prague to Budapest with a cruise ship as SAG. Best advice, keep the rubber side down and try and borrow one or rent one before going out and spending big bucks. Tim says, “They aren't for everybody, but we love ours.”
Neil and Molly were married in 1997. Molly hadn’t ridden a bike in 50 years so they bought her a Specialized cross bike, which she rode for about two years. Two falls and many stitches later, they decided a tandem would be best for them. Neil built their first tandem out of two old heavy steel bikes, which they rode for seven years. In 2004 they purchased a beautiful red, Santana Aviva tandem. This is the best of both worlds for Molly. Her responsibilities are to pedal hard, check her rear view mirror for traffic, and look at the scenery. Neil does the hard work (steering, braking, watching out for glass, squirrels, etc.) Neil is a great captain and Molly enjoys being the stoker. They ride to most doctor appointments, shopping, coffee/lunch outings, and club rides. Their true accomplishments were three, six day rides down south-Malibu, Santa Barbara, and San Diego: and one trip North-from Brookings, Oregon to Fort Bragg. The actual destination for the northern trip was San Francisco, but the trip was cut short due to a rainstorm that lasted three days. Molly’s son was their SAG on these rides. Molly shares, “A tandem isn’t for everyone, but for ladies who love to ride, but can’t keep up with the group on their single bikes, and love togetherness, this is the answer!”
Dan and Susan met and started dating after a FFBC ride led by Molly and Neil Michelfelder. They bought their tandem four months after they were engaged to get married and have now been married nine years. They have had their tandem for ten years now. Susan states that sometimes it is hard to be the stoker, since you release control to the captain!” As for Dan: "Keep pedaling!" He always knows when Susan slacks off. Their rides through the Napa and Dry Creek area are always pleasant and relaxing as they sip a glass of wine here and there along the trip. The hardest ride for them was The Sierra metric century ride starting out of Plymouth, the first year we were married. Susan has very fond memories of their trip to Oregon with several members from the club for the Northwest Tandem Rally. Susan and Dan suggest renting a tandem in order to try it out first. They were hooked the first ride on one. They also bought a used one.
Timothy and Linda purchased their first tandem in May of 2013. It was something they had wanted their entire 33 years of marriage and decided that now, with retirement rapidly approaching, was the time to make that dream, a reality. Timothy had been riding with the club for a while, but Linda had been on a bike for more than 25 years. Linda is happy to be back on the bike seat, and better still, not worry about steering or braking.
This is Daryl and Laura’s first tandem and they've had it for almost 4 years. When they were purchasing their tandem, Brian at Crank2 asked us what we intended to use it for. Laura responded, "touring" while Daryl replied simultaneously, "racing". They have yet to race it, but their favorite time on it was at the Lighthouse Century this past year when they were flying down Highway 1 and providing an awesome draft to whomever could stay on their wheel! Daryl and Laura have been married for 25 years and will be celebrating their anniversary by taking their first Santana tandem tour in February to Hawaii. They hope to celebrate next year's wedding anniversary by purchasing a custom tandem! Laura says, “My reason for getting a tandem? So Daryl couldn't "drop" me! And because I was tired of Daryl lecturing me on how it was more beneficial for me to ride closer to his wheel and then speeding away, leaving me to squeak "gap" with my oxygen deprived lungs! Daryl's reason for getting a tandem? Because he loves me and wants to be with me!”
Andy and Carrie have been tandem riding for about 10 years when they bought their first tandem. They have ridden our tandem to Yosemite two times since owning it. What wonderful rides they were to do with friends. In June of 2013 they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary by purchasing a custom made Macchiato full disc tandem. As a captain of the tandem you are responsible for yourself as well as the stoker. Steering, shifting and communicating with your stoker are the keys to riding the tandem. As for the stoker you need to communicate to the captain if you need to move or shift on the bike, as any movement you make can cause steering issues for the captain.
Louis and Sydney have been married for 32 years & have been riding with the club for almost 20 years. They bought their first & only tandem in spring of 2002. Once getting used to the tandem, riding it is easy, except for steeper hills which are more challenging. We've attended many tandem events such as multiple Santana Tandem Rallies & Northwestern Tandem Rallies. Our favorites rides are in the Colorado Rockies & San Juan Islands. Our advice for others interested in purchasing a tandem bike is to first borrow or rent one for test riding. The stoker needs to be able to read every move the captain makes, and most important not be a controller.
David and Julia Walker have been married 33 years. This is their first tandem bicycle. They’ve been riding on a vintage 1987 Santa Arriva that they purchased used in February of 2013. Some of David’s favorite rides are on the tandem because he says, “there is never a lonely mile!” |
