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Community => Tandem Talk => Topic started by: Danneaux on March 07, 2012, 06:19:50 pm

Title: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Danneaux on March 07, 2012, 06:19:50 pm
Hi All,

I'm looking for a tandem stoker, which means I am looking for ways to find one, and open to any suggestions.

Backing up a bit, I purchased my tandem with the idea of sharing my joy of cycling with others at a level they might enjoy and for the usual benefits of a tandem:
- Couples of mis-matched ability can ride together pretty easily.
- You arrive at the top and bottom of a hill at the same time.
- Shared effort, shared joy, shared fun.
- (generally) faster speeds or further distance for about the same effort (barring uphills, and evenso you make it up on the downhills...).
- Easy conversation compared to riding two singles.

And, too, I kinda thought it would be a nice way to meet and share riding with a female cyclist.  ;)/ :) initially, hopefully leading to a pleasant cycling association ;D or even someday in the distant future, a good friendship beyond cycling :-* Who am I kidding? Just finding a suitable stoker would be nice (back to  :) ).

So far, my efforts have come to naught, and I find myself riding the tandem by myself-- even on longer 250km day rides.  :P

Here's what I've tried over the years (guessing I'll use the full range of emoticons in the description):
- Declining/ill health has prevented family members (father, sister) from riding with me.  :'(
- A visiting friend came from overseas and we used the tandem for touring and a short camping trip while he was here. :D Then he went home. :-\
- I took some non-cyclist family friends around the block once or twice so they could say they rode the Big Red Bike and take cellphone-photos of the activity to prove it to disbelieving friends. Once seemed enough, as they aren't cyclists. They do like the photos, however.  :-\
- I have used the bike to introduce the (generally female) half of several married couples to the idea of tandeming so they could decide whether or not to buy one (they did). I also used it to teach the (generally male) captain what good captaining is all about (i.e. it is poor form to a] remove the stoker's knees on path-entry bollards  :o, b] fail to call "post!" before bumps if they can't be avoided and/or exceed the damping range of a suspension seatpost  :-X, and c] fail to realize while they might be Captain, the stoker outranks them as Rear Admiral and is Always right. Always. If stoker ain't happy  >:(, no one is happy  :(). Success on both counts, but success meant they got their own Big Bike and didn't keep riding with me on mine.
- Took initially reluctant friends and acquaintances for rides, after which they decided they loved tandeming, but loved the autonomy of their single bikes more.  :-X Hearing, "I wouldn't mind a tandem, but I'd have to captain 'cos I'm *such* a control freak" was not what I had in mind  ::), especially as it would have also required me to buy a custom-made tandem and sell mine. I also found it is possible for a stoker to steer the bike using their own handlebars and sufficient body English. :o I also discovered some stokers remove their feet from the pedals and recline in the rear compartment in classic if somewhat cliche' poses. I knew it felt like a hill.... :-\
- Placed ads at local bike shops and alerted personnel I was looking for stokers. No luck there.
- Offered to partner with blind cyclists. 8)
- Contacted a local cycling club or two. Or three. Same for the YMCA/YWCA and a variety of outdoors clubs.
- Offered references and a resume as past professional tour leader.
- No one I know knows anyone who is interested in trying even a temporary stint as stoker...even if it means a gentle 5-mile ride along the riverside paths and a includes a decent picnic lunch.
- Certainly, no one is up for a 200-400km day ride on the Big Bike.
- I really don't want to loan-out the entire bike as some have suggested, 'cos then I wouldn't be riding it.  :-\
- Despite what may seem obvious  ;), I have been reassured the problem is not "me" but the concept of tandeming itself lacking appeal. Goes back to that autonomy thing, or lack of it for potential stokers. Those who have ridden with me reported they felt relaxed and comfortable with my captaining, but would have preferred it had been them driving instead of anyone else. Or remembered why they hadn't been cycling in years and commenting on how much work even tandeming is compared to other sports like, well, there were no other sports mentioned.

We're still having the occasional flurry of snow, but that can't last much longer and spring is on the way. It would be nice to get out on the tandem with someone occasionally. Someone pleasant and enthused who also wants to would be even better!

Suggestions for finding same?

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: JimK on March 07, 2012, 08:31:55 pm
I have yet to ride a tandem!

Years back I knew a guy who had an incredible collection of bikes stuffed in his basement. Penny-farthings of every description. But also two 5-man bikes! I know the Smithsonian made inquiries after this fellow passed away - I'm not sure what happened to the bikes... ah, here is an obituary...

http://articles.philly.com/1989-09-26/news/26100548_1_bicycle-lanes-national-group-westinghouse (http://articles.philly.com/1989-09-26/news/26100548_1_bicycle-lanes-national-group-westinghouse)

Seems to me that the easiest way to find stokers is just to go on group rides to meet people who like to ride bikes. Maybe then join a few such friends for smaller informal rides of three or four people. Then it'll be an easy step to a real tandem ride, not just around the block.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Danneaux on March 07, 2012, 09:01:03 pm
Quote
I have yet to ride a tandem!
I can fix that!
Quote
Years back I knew a guy...
Oh, how sad to hear of the passing of such a remarkable fellow as Mr. McNair. Thanks for the obituary; it made a fascinating read. You don't run into people like that everyday, and their loss is surely that -- a loss.
Quote
...go on group rides to meet people who like to ride bikes. Maybe then join a few such friends for smaller informal rides of three or four people. Then it'll be an easy step to a real tandem ride...
Good idea, Jim; I like the progression, and it looks like a good way to "prequalify" the candidates. I'll surely keep it in mind. We have a first-ever (for around here) "Gran Fondo" coming up in Cottage Grove this June: http://dark30sports.com/events/the-oregon-gran-fondo-june-2-3-2012-3/ Opportunity knocks!

Any other suggestions, fellow Thornies? Thornites? Thornicians? Forum Members?

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: jags on March 07, 2012, 09:47:21 pm
Dan  buying a tandem you realise of course that would be the end to your solo touring carrear ;D ;D
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Danneaux on March 07, 2012, 10:01:35 pm
Quote
Dan  buying a tandem you realise of course that would be the end to your solo touring carrear
jags! Where were you two posts ago?!?  ;D Hadn't thought of that. Next post: "Tandem for Sale" (just kidding...). On the other hand, if the Long-Term Stoker Recruitment Scheme works as planned, she'll go with me! Hey! It worked for the "Blayleys": http://www.blayleys.com/ (John Bayley's an Irishman, too! http://www.blayleys.com/about/john.htm , while Pamela Blalock is 'Merkin http://www.blayleys.com/about/pamela.htm ).

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: JimK on March 07, 2012, 10:24:27 pm
You don't run into people like that everyday

His daughter was one of my housemates for a year or two when I was studying physics in graduate school and she was a veterinary student. One time I was up at their family farm in Vermont where they had a barn full of old horse-drawn sleighs and also an ice boat. It was winter and we took the ice boat out. WOW, a bit of wind and the thing takes off like a rocket! Ain't no brakes neither!

Bob was legally blind at that time but still rode his bike to work every day - of course he didn't have a license to drive! He worked with steam turbines. He carried a harmonica and would tune up the turbines by playing the harmonica, matching the pitch of the turbine to figure out the speed at which it was spinning!

Some of his children were national class white water kayak racers. The older daughter taught at Outward Bound. Her boyfriend was out cross country skiing in northern Quebec and discovered the radioactive Russian satellite that crashed up there, some time 1980ish.

Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: jags on March 07, 2012, 10:57:29 pm
its a small world indeed , those guys cycled in my neck of the woods some of my regular routes around newgrange .hang on i'll see if i can post some photos of the exact route they were on.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/antokelly/newcamera001-1.jpg)
ah can't find any more at present but its a lovely cycling route pity i didn't meet them i could have shown them loads more.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Danneaux on March 07, 2012, 11:35:59 pm
Man! What a fantastic shot and some more gorgeous Irish scenery, jags; exactly why I love this list.  Small world, indeed!

Say...I didn't know you owned two airplanes...!  Three, if you count that lovely Sherpa of yours in the foreground. It looks as if it could take off for the skies any moment. I can see as many of your photos as you'd ever care to post.

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: jags on March 07, 2012, 11:52:52 pm
Thanks Dan that photo is on the exact same route that guy took lovely cycling but not great road surface.newgrange is just up the road the boyne valley runs all along that route .ok lets see if i can post another one (http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/antokelly/DSCF0193-1.jpg).
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/antokelly/DSCF0211.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/antokelly/newcamera052.jpg)
it will be a mirical if i got this right but if i did.
well i love old grave yards for my coffee break, the guy on the horse wasn't to pleased i took his photo it was a big show jumping show i came across great days cycling. and the last is yours truly  getting ready for a tour up to northen ireland.
now if only i could find the lead for my camera i coud post loads more  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Danneaux on March 07, 2012, 11:58:01 pm
Absolutely fabulous, jags, and you got it right in "one"!  Great job! Boy, what beautiful country, and it touches a special chord for me 'cos it is where my own relatives lived before they left Ireland long ago. I don't mean "generally" where they lived, but right spot on the money. You can bet I'll be showing these to my Dad as well. At 94, he's deep into the family genealogy, so your pics couldn't have been more timely.  "Well done" from me and him as well.

Please, will you start a gallery page, jags? Or expand the one you already have? These are too good to leave in the camera. The graveyard pic reminds me of a Frank Patterson sketch from back in the day, and that horse-jumping shot would take a prize.

Best (and thanks!),

Dan.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: jags on March 08, 2012, 12:06:00 am
Dan the guy on the horse gave me a very stern look  just as he landed  but man he was brilliant such control over the horse. ah where i live on the north east coast is full of history if ever you get over her i'll take you all over it you would love it i'm sure.
say hi to your dad for me and find out what part of ireland he came from.
i will be touring the south to the north (mizen to malin ) come may never been to that part of the country i'm ashamed to say but will give you loads of photos when it all happens. ;)
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: JimK on March 08, 2012, 12:27:25 am
I'm still catching up on the exploits of the McNair family. Here is the sister of my house mate:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matty_McNair (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matty_McNair)
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: jags on March 08, 2012, 12:33:02 am
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/antokelly/newcamera095.jpg)
dan this is something you see all over ireland these days bunglow bliss this is what the celtic tiger did for ireland houses popping  up everywhere you look spoiling the view of the cooley mountains in the distance.yet another great place to cycle.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/antokelly/cycle%20touring/chloesortingthingsout003.jpg) my beautiful granddaughter sorting my packing out for me ;D
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/antokelly/cycle%20touring/chloesortingthingsout006.jpg)
that is a feel club member  Rich, he came over last summer and we toured the Mourn Mountains  nice trip.
well thats all Dan the rest is just family shots.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Danneaux on March 08, 2012, 01:47:19 am
Quote
I'm still catching up on the exploits of the McNair family. Here is the sister of my house mate
Eye-popping exploits, Jim! "World-Class" does not do her efforts justice. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought we'd found the perfect back-seat occupant for the tandem...till I read about the two kids, meaning she's probably got a tandem partner already.  ;) Keep looking!  :D She has more siblings, right? ;D Dog-sledding, skiing, and an association with anyone from TopGear puts her near the top of the stack, nevermind her incredible exploratory/athletic feats.  What an individual!  Her Dad was sure a neat guy. All kidding aside, thanks so much for bringing these amazing people to light, Jim. For someone like me who appreciates intelligence, self-sufficiency and the Romance of Adventure, they harken back to the Glory Days of exploration and classic innovation. I'd begun to fear such feats of athleticism and intellect/innovation were a thing of the past. There's hope for the future -- the kids are in it, too. Man, that's neat! Made the hair on my arms stand up reading about what they've done and the lives they've led.

jags, those photos make me want to ride cross-country, then swim to Ireland towing Sherpa with a rope in my teeth, before riding over to the northeast corner to pay you a visit for a ride. These will keep me busy for awhile, coming back for yet another look-see!  :D

jags, I'll PM you off-forum with a brief summary of the family history so we don't bore everyone else to tears. Given how small the world is, we're prob'ly related.

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Mike Ayling on November 26, 2012, 10:19:08 am
Dan,

How seriously did you explore the vision impaired stoker situation?

Here in Melbourne Australia there are always vision impaired riders looking for sighted pilots and I am sure the same would apply in your country unless you live in a very small town.

I started tandem riding following an appeal for front riders from Vision Australia and enjoyed a great friendship and lots of riding with Dave, the bloke I was introduced to by Vision Australia. Dave has now moved to Queensland but I still ride at the Come and Try days organised by Vision Australia.

If I had not had this experience I would never have started tandem riding with my wife of 40 years who had never ridden a half bike in her life (our 40th anniversary present to each other was a pre owned entry level tandem) and our new Thorn is now in transit to Australia. 

Mike
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Mike Ayling on November 28, 2012, 01:08:48 am
An interesting cross posting from a visually impaired rider.

Mike


Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:49:53 -0500
From: Ron Burzese <rrburzese@gmail.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <tandem@hobbes.ucsd.edu>
Subject: Thanks for Thinking of Me
Message-ID: <FDE10644-A0A6-4474-A1F6-73961C304B1F@gmail.com>

It is a constant effort to find opportunities to ride outdoors when you are blind. So visiting Largo, FL has been no different. In years gone by, I've linked up with old and new friends, who owned tandems and shared rides with me. This time around, none have been available. That's okay, since I've brought along my Bike Friday. I'm, to some degree, a self-contained blind guy. I've been on four rides in the past two weeks, three of them, on my bike.

The fourth ride came as a surprise. I received an email invitation from Jordan, a longtime lurker on T@H. He lives in Tampa and was willing to make the drive out my way for a ride. He brought along his wife, Catalina, and son, Little Jordan, to be my pilot.

Jordan, is 24, 5'11", and about 180 pounds. I was curious to see how he'd fit the Friday, a medium, an equivalent to  56 cm. With the saddle at the same height as the bars, it was a good fit. In no time, the four of us were on our way up to Tarpon Springs, on the Pinellas Trail.

As we rode, I could feel the youthful enthusiasm and power from my young, strong motor. Blind tandem racers humorously compare our pilots to just another bicycle component. We want them newer, stronger, and lighter! Yet, since I saw this as more of a social ride, I did not tach it up. After the fact, I realize that Little Jordan probably would have enjoyed it. It would have been fun to show him the performance side of riding a tandem. Still, 42 miles was a long way, not knowing my first-time captain's endurance limits. In addition, years of experience have taught me that a multi-use trail is not the ideal place for excessive horse-power.

We stayed together, mostly, cruising at maybe 12-14 mph, in a big gear. I enjoyed getting to know my new friends. Little Jordan is in medical school and mature for his age. His parents, Jordan and Catalina, rode a Trek hybrid, with noseless saddles, originating from Oldsmar, just north of this area. Notable features from this ride were passing by the orangoutang preserve and hearing a solo, by a one-armed drummer, at a commons area, in Dunedin. I was also treated to a wonderfully leisure, Greek lunch, across from the sponge docks. Big Jordan noticed that the tandems, locked up nearby were drawing a lot of attention. I really enjoy being a spokesman for our niche of cycling, but this time, it was a silent witness.

Next thing we know, the sun is beginning to set. The temp had dropped and it was time to focus on the return trip. Thankfully, we had a tailwind. It was a little chilly in short sleeves, but manageable, with the motors at operating temperature. We needed lights for the last two miles.

I mentioned to Little Jordan how his newly acquired skill could contribute to a delightful source of entertainment while on a date. He seemed to be on the same page. He did very well, for his first time as captain.

So, to Big Jordan, the lurker, thanks for thinking of me and sharing your family and a bike ride with me. It was an honor to meet you.
Ron Burzese, NOMC
Sacramento, CA, via Largo, FL
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Danneaux on November 28, 2012, 03:53:28 am
Hi Mike!

Thanks very much for your suggestion and for your cross-posting. As it happens, I was a member of tandem@hobbes waaaaay back in the listerv days, but have not been around more than a handful of times since. Seeing the address again brought back some pleasant memories from the days when I was selecting my own tandem, was deeply involved with the i-BOB list, and loved reading about the latest tandem adventures of the "Blayleys" (John Bayley and Pamela Blalock: http://blayleys.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html ). Good stuff.

I think your suggestion is an interesting one, and worth pursuing in time. Some years ago, I met a young vision-impaired woman who expressed a real interest in tandeming with me, but in the end she lost her nerve. I offered to do the usual quiet parking lot test rides as suggested by the US Blind Tandem Cycling Connection at http://bicyclingblind.org , but no-go and I respected her reluctance; even the test ride required too much trust for her to put into a stranger, especially as it would have been her first ride on a bike since losing her sight (she was sighted in childhood, and her condition caused a progressive loss over time; in adulthood, she could just make out text a letter at a time with the help of a large monitor). It didn't work out that time, but might well on another occasion with someone else and is well worth considering.

There is another thing to keep in mind...it isn't a stopper by any means, but does bear pondering even if people are sometimes uncomfortable talking about it. When one engages in activities with someone who is other-abled -- and their participation is dependent on you in whole or part -- it can lead to social complications. One of several examples come to mind: For a number of years, a tandem-owning friend (we'll call him "Tom") met "Sandy", a girl friend (as opposed to "girlfriend") who was blind. They had a grand time riding together, and she became more engaged in life and grew enormously as a result. It opened up a new world to her that became her world to a very large degree and she fell in love with the bike and cycling. Things changed as they do, and Life intervened. Tom met someone he was romantically attracted to, they rode the tandem together, and it didn't work for Sandy to go. When Tom moved on, so did the tandem, and a good chunk of Sandy's world crumbled. He used to call me and tell me how bad he felt about how things turned out, but there wasn't much he could do about the circumstances, and often opined he wished he hadn't gotten involved tandem-partnering with someone who was so dependent on him in that way. While the outcome isn't that different than it might have been if Sandy was a former girlfriend and sighted, the impact was greater because there was no handy means for Sandy to ride even singly.

That caveat aside, I think ("know") it is a worthwhile way to go riding with someone who really wishes to, and I may well give it a try. Even if it was a one-shot thing, it could be a fun experience (as it was for Ron and Little Jordan) and if the personalities were compatible, might make for enjoyable future riding as well. Thanks for the suggestion, Mike; it's been years since that last attempt, and I kind of forgot about the possibility.

All the best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Znook on May 30, 2013, 10:41:04 am
Dan, just wondering what's the latest re your hunt for a stoker? Did you eventually find one, end up selling the tandem, or is the quest still ongoing?

My best,
Robbie.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: Danneaux on May 30, 2013, 04:27:13 pm
Hi Robbie!

The search for a stoker continues here in Danneauxville, with no immediate prospects on the horizon. The tandem remains well (but not so happy) and in a good state of repair, awaiting the day. I was reminded of this just the other day when I inspected the tires and found they are succumbing to ozone degradation/time. I received a new pair from my LBS order a week ago, and will soon mount them on the Big Red Bike (I simply have to come up with better names for my bikes than "The" <descriptive whatever>).

As soon as the new tires are on, I'll take the bike out for another spin, as it is tremendous fun with partner or alone. I've ridden it a half-dozen times to the State Capitol and back -- a 260km/160mi round-trip with hills on my route - and found it to be a pretty passable solo touring bike so long as I respect the uneven weight distribution that comes from riding it alone (with road slicks, it is pretty easy to spin-out the waaaay-back-there rear tire when accelerating hard on loose surfaces).

Yes, I wish I could find a tandem partner and a touring partner, but I have concluded it is better to seize the opportunity to take trips and have fun than defer and miss out on some wonderful experiences even if they might be better shared with a companion. I do miss being able to point to new eagle hatchlings and say, "Oh!", for example.

With summer approaching, I have put up a fresh set of adverts at the LBS offering "fun rides" to tandem beginners, figuring I might be able to introduce riding double in a nice way for those who might not have tried it. Low-intensity, short-duration riverside bike path rides might appeal to those who would otherwise feel intimidated or reluctant to jump in on a longer ride experience.

Thanks for asking, Robbie! Suggestions always welcome.

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Wanted: Tandem stoker recruitment suggestions
Post by: NZPeterG on June 12, 2013, 07:16:41 am
Hi All,
Have you all looked at being a Volunteer/ Captain with your local Foundation of the Blind?

They are always looking for someone to Help out? As its hard work riding solo when your Blind! I do know of two Blind Solo Cyclists in the World.

One rides Bike Trials! and The second on the road!

I hope this may be off help, I asked the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind if they was a need for Captain's and got a big Yes! But there is only one Blind Cyclist in Taupo and She has a Captain to ride with.

Pete...  8)

Note: this is a Bike Trials Bicycle

(http://www.biketrial.co.nz/ECHO-2011-BIKE-26-MK2-TI-REAR-RIGHT.JPG)