Tandem Bicycling – What You Should Know Before You Tour
Tandem Bike
A bicycle built for two is reminiscent of bygone days of couples taking a leisurely ride through a park. But modern tandems are more sophisticated and can be used to take trips of any length. More mileage is possible when two people are doing the work. Touring on a tandem is a great way to see the countryside but there are some things to consider before hitting the trail or the road.
The first problem to address is finding a way to transport the tandem. It is considerably longer than a single bike and does not fit on standard bike racks. It must be transported on a rack made specifically for a tandem or placed in a truck or van. For one way trips, you will have to solve the issue of transporting the bike back to your vehicle or home. That is, unless you are doing a round trip tour.
If you are planning to tour over several days, you will need pannier bags for your clothing and gear. You can attach bags onto the rear of the bike, but you will be limited to one bag per rider. There are front pannier bags that attach to the front forks of the bike and can provide extra storage. A trunk bag is worth the expense for general items such as spare tubes, tools, snacks, bike lock and more. However, you must keep weight in mind at all times. When the weight of two riders, the bike, plus all the gear are added, it can make for a tiring ride.
It will take some planning to decide what to pack. Think small. Put toiletries in small containers or buy sample sizes. It can be helpful to pack clothes in individual Ziploc bags. If you are caught in a rainstorm and your bags get wet, your clothing will remain dry. If you use biking shoes, lightweight sandals attached to your bags come in handy if you take a break or stop for lunch at a restaurant. However, if you are riding on a limestone trail, they will get very dusty and it may be better to place them in your bags.
There are many different ideas about carrying water. Although everyone knows that keeping hydrated is important for distance rides, you will have to decide how you will carry it. Some riders prefer water bottles and make stops along the way to refill them. Others prefer hydration packs worn on the back. The decision is yours to make and will depend on the availability of water along your route. Hydration packs holds more water, but adds weight. If you cannot find suitable water along the way, you will risk dehydration. Do your research before you leave.
Maps are a must for touring. Along the way, you may need to find an alternative route. And when you know where you are going you have peace of mind and can concentrate on pedaling. It is helpful to know the stops along the way for food, water or supplies. Maps will also help you decide on the distance you will be traveling by indicating lodging or campgrounds along the way. Sometimes availability of lodging will be the determining factor in your distance for any given day.
Speaking of rest, you need to be prepared for rest stops along the way. If you plan on using trails, often there are bathrooms or portable toilets along the route. You can find rest areas with picnic tables so be prepared for your daily ride with snacks and plenty of water. You can pack fruit such as an apple or orange, granola bars and nuts are lightweight and easy to carry. For long distance rides, keeping your energy levels up are important. Bonking before you reach your destination at the end of the day will certainly ruin your experience.
Decide ahead of time where you will sleep. On many trails, towns along the way cater to bicyclists. Bed and breakfasts, hostels and motels can be found that are not too far off the trail. Campgrounds are often easy to find, too. Just remember you will be packing much more gear while camping. After a long day riding, it is best to know there is a place to take a warm shower and rest your head and weary muscles.
Before you head onto the trail, you need practice runs with all of your gear. The weight difference can be considerable. Make sure you pack evenly so you ride more comfortably. If you pack one bag with heavier gear, both riders will fight throughout the day to keep the bike level. Your hands will feel it the most and will tire as you continually put pressure on one side of your handlebars.
The best advice is planning. Find out everything you can about your route to reduce the surprises that you may encounter on your trip. Sometimes things are out of your control, such as a flat tire or a rainstorm. But planning and preparing ahead will go a long way toward a successful tour. In the end you will have an enjoyable time, share the ride with a friend and have a story to tell when you reach the end of the trail.
By Vicki Hoskin