Advice on Learning the Basic Techniques of Twin Tandem Cycling
Learning to ride a tandem bicycle is not as simple as many people believe. Twin tandem cycling demands teamwork and good technique to make the most of a two-seater bike.
Many people think that buying a tandem is the easy way to ride a bike; just put the stronger, fitter and more experienced cyclist at the front and take a breather, whenever required, at the back.
While most ordinary bike riders get to grips with riding a tandem quite quickly, making the most out of riding a twin-seater bicycle requires good teamwork and practice to learn some basic techniques. This article looks at learning tandem riding basics including starting and stopping.
Learning to Start on a Tandem Cycle
Starting is one of the trickiest techniques to master on a tandem for both the lead rider, commonly known as the pilot or captain, and the person riding behind, otherwise known as the stoker.
First time pilots should practice riding solo on the tandem for a short while to get a feel for what is a much longer and heavier bike. He/she will also have to support the weight of the stoker while starting so strength and stability are key.
- The pilot should first stand over the frame with feet wide apart (to stop the stoker’s pedals hitting the shins), holding the tandem straight and supporting the frame against one leg.
- Pull on the brakes while the stoker gets on.
- The stoker then mounts by stepping on one pedal in its bottom position to lift up into the saddle and puts the second foot on the other pedal.
- The tandem stoker should get comfortable in the saddle then rotate the pedals according to the pilot’s preferred starting position, for example, left foot down and right foot up; the two riders must start downward pressure with the same foot.
- Finally, once both riders are ready, the pilot should press down hard on the preferred uppermost pedal, lift up onto the saddle and both riders should pedal hard, simultaneously, to gather speed.
Riding at Tandem Speed
Once starting has been mastered, riding at tandem speed requires teamwork to ride at the correct cadence. The set up on a standard tandem means both riders must pedal together or coast together. Invariably, one rider will prefer to pedal harder than the other so a compromise must be reached when learning so that the slower rider does not fatigue too quickly if pedaling too hard.
Experienced tandem riders find that they switch between coasting and pedaling intuitively but beginners need to use signals to indicate gear changing and pedal cadence increase or decrease. The idea is for both riders to pedal with equal force to enjoy the full tandem riding experience.
How to Stop on a Tandem Bicycle
When it’s time to get off a tandem, the reverse procedure for starting should be followed with the pilot stopping first to put his/her feet on the ground to support the weight of the stoker. Tips for stopping include:
- Don’t lean the bike too far to one side or the weight of two people may be too much to hold.
- If riding clipped in, make sure both feet are unclipped before leaning the bike over to stop.
- The stoker must stay perfectly centered; do not lean over when the pilot is stopping or both riders could end up on the floor. Keep both feet on the pedals until the pilot’s feet are firmly on the ground, ready to support the stoker’s dismount.
Learn to Ride a Double Tandem
Riding a double tandem can be fun and is a great way for couples to go out riding together. It is important, however, to master basic stopping and starting tandem cycling techniques before the whole tandem experience becomes as easy as riding a bicycle.