Tandem touring
2004-05-03 03:38:31.119187+00 by Dan Lyke 4 comments
This morning we decided we wanted to do something out of the norm. Trying out a tandem bicycle won out, so we searched a bit, called one place in the city that promised us a reserved bike, but just as we were running out the door called us to say they didn't have one. So we searched a bit more, got warm fuzzies from Blazing Saddles right down in the tourist district.
The tandem was a hell of a lot of fun, and a great way for the two of us to share exercise, since we're mismatched in that category. Despite still working on the communication issues ("Okay, I'm going to stop pedaling now..." versus "ow, what the hell?"), and me leaving Charlene in Golden Gate Park to go get the car 'cause her knee was bothering her, we've spent the past hour and a half scouring the web for tandem info.
The idea of a recumbent appeals, we're going to have to look for various options. So far the "whoah, that sounds really cool" awards go to the DoubleDay from Bike Friday and the Bilenky Viewpoint, with us also interested in taking the RANS Screamer and the "Double Vision" tandem which I can't find a product page on right now.
Of note: When I took off to go get the car, I looked at the map, saw a big detour through the Presidio, and thought I'd just cut over to Divisadero, not remembering that where I ended up meeting Divisadero was the highest point on it. I have never been so happy to have more steel out behind me as I was descending those hills towards the Marina. However, turning up the hill by the Cowell Theater, I hit some dirt and couldn't get that long rear-end to stick for anything. The huge wheelbase made it forgiving, so I stayed up, but I spun a lot on the way up the hill.