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Post by chiban3 on Aug 3, 2014 12:55:53 GMT
Set out on my ride this morning, and quite early in I noted a mature couple, age estimate 65-75, cross a junction ahead of me on a tandem. I soon caught them up as we had to cross a railway footbridge en route which was far easier for me to navigate than them. Anyway, continuing on the ride they set out again at a reasonable pace and I sat behind a couple of car lengths as there was traffic around and didn't want to create a passing challenge. Thinking that bike weight would limit their progress, once out on quieter roads, I caught up and exchanged polite conversation as I passed them, wishing them a good ride as I pushed on up to spin at say 28-30kph. About 1 mile or 2 further down the road I felt this presence around me like a car approaching behind, which turned out to be this couple, who had clearly been behind me since I'd passed but not drafting closely, and I just had to invite them past and watch admiringly how they effortlessly steered this ship-like tandem alongside me and on down the road.
Now whilst I appreciate I'm not the most svelte or speedy guy out on the road, nonetheless I'm seeking some alternative scientific explanation as to how they made me look such a ******! Or should I just give up now?
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Post by ChrisD on Aug 3, 2014 13:22:16 GMT
Could it be 2 engines but only one and a half the bike perhaps? Also I would have thought the second rider would get at least some of the benefits you get with drafting.
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Post by ChrisD on Aug 3, 2014 15:49:44 GMT
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Post by robertsims on Aug 3, 2014 16:55:38 GMT
never ridden one but drafted one on a sportive last year for about 15 miles. Was a dream! They fly along!
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Post by jondxxx on Aug 3, 2014 18:24:19 GMT
I believe mult irider bikes being intrisically faster have been used as pacemakers in historical speed record attempts. I remember following the restoration of a quint by apprentices at Fort Dunlop in the in-house magazine. Must have mid 1960s. link
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Post by robertsims on Aug 3, 2014 19:39:52 GMT
basically on the flat then most energy is overcoming drag so a tandem has double the power but not far off one person drag for aerodynamics so much faster
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Post by chiban3 on Aug 3, 2014 20:22:07 GMT
Thanks guys, that certainly seems to align with my experiences today. I bet that couple were chuckling to themselves while ambling along in my slipstream, before putting me out of my misery.
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Post by cosybike on Aug 5, 2014 20:44:41 GMT
They are quick on the flat and downhill, not so good on climbs. A minimum speed and difficulty setting off means cycle paths can be interesting especially interacting with other users. Mine can do about 50mph down hill. You get a good view and can pass cars!
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andyb
Peloton Rider
Posts: 39
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Post by andyb on Aug 9, 2014 15:07:34 GMT
Hired one for an afternoon many years ago in Spain. It was great fun. Would love to have another go.
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Post by chiban3 on Aug 9, 2014 15:38:05 GMT
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Post by captslog on Aug 9, 2014 17:37:15 GMT
My late father had one when he was a youngster/late teens(?) and he used to ride it with his elder brother (George) to get to work and back.
George being the eldest and would never give an inch insisted that he was the pilot, and this meant my dad who was a good head shorter was always on the back. However, this had its advantages. When it rained they wore those huge cycling capes, and my dad would tuck himself under George's and stay completely dry. He would also pick his feet off the pedals if it was really wet and arrive at home bone dry!. George could never see this as his cape completely obscured his view down and backwards to the rear pedals.
They used to get a fair speed on. He told tales of drafting behind a car and they could see through the rear window to the speedo of the car (mounted centre on the dash in those days) and they were managing 35mph. Another time they were the unofficial pacers for a group of racing cyclists, dad had to turn around in the saddle and tell them that they were about to stop to avoid a pile-up.
It all came to an end one rainy Friday on the way home from work when the tandem got a flat. George jumped off the bike and ran for a departing bus. Dad shouted out "What about the tandem?" to which George replied from the bus's platform "It's yours!, you can have it!".
Dad took him at his word and walked the tandem to the nearest bike shop where he traded it in for a Claud Butler. When he got home he was asked where the tandem was and explained that it had been "his" so he decided to sell it etc.
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Post by ukdaws on Aug 9, 2014 18:49:45 GMT
Were they on this?
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Post by chiban3 on Aug 9, 2014 19:30:55 GMT
Ha ha, I'd like to say that was the case ukdaws and they were in skinsuits but no. The guy actually had a formal shirt with sleeves rolled up and trousers on, as if they were just leisurely heading for church.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 14:31:03 GMT
We've got a tandem and we love it. L isn't as strong as me and "Magnus-Olaf" as we call him equalises our efforts so we can go further together. I probably put about 2/3rds of the effort in and equalising cadence to be acceptable for both parties is the hardest thing to achieve - I'm happiest at 90 ish and L likes 60rpm. As the drive pedals are sync'd and a happy stoker is the key to tandeming success we compromise and go at 60 rpm Another major improvement was a suspension seat post for L as she cant' see the bumps a-coming and her posterior is preserved as a result of this modification. Our longest ride to date was 60 miles to go and watch Le Tour come past up in the Dales. On the flats we manage an OK pace. On the ups we are slow. On the downs it picks up speed quickly and we can coast past people who are spinning out in top gear. We then enjoy this until they catch us up at the next hill. Being able to chat easily is a major bonus and L likes to take lots of photos from the back seat, not all of which are of the back of my head. Downsides: slow up hill, L has a restricted view, you aren't allowed tandems on trains and they are a bit of a bugger to transport without a dedicated rack. Also, keep a count of everyone who says "she's not pedalling!" and reply "...and you are number 10, you have to buy me a pint" or similar Minor gripes really.
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