Our annual fall colors ride was pretty as usual this year. We try and do this ride, starting in Viola, in late October – early Nov, to view the colors on the Cumberland plateau. Continue reading
Author Archives: Admin
1997 Elk River Valley 100
The ERV 100 was held Sept 13th. Ninety-nine folks participated. Routes of 100, 65, 35 and 17 miles were available. I hear that the people who chose the 17 mile route just couldn’t stand being separated from the 35 milers at the split, Continue reading
Tandem Riding
The popularity of tandems has increased in the last few years. My wife Jeanie and I have had one for about a year and a half now and we enjoy riding it very much. I guess we ride it about 80% of the time. We went to the ‘92 Gear in the Bluegrass ride in Lexington KY where many tandem riders were present. If you sat down across from a tandem couple at breakfast or dinner and asked how they like riding their tandem, you got a big grin and a half hour story. It is tough to take the plunge because you don’t get a chance at a meaningful trial run ( days) and the cost is significant, but if you do decide to buy one, we think you will be pleased.
Getting Started
We have seen tandem riders start off from a stop, both with a foot down, and then they both push and paddle to get going. This looks awkward to me since they usually are not in sync. We were taught to let the captain get on the bike and hold it stable by putting both feet on ground , hold the brakes, sit on the top tube or back into the nose of the saddle. Then the stoker gets on the bike and gets both feet off the ground , snaps into the pedals, and back pedals to bring one 
of the pedals upright to about 10 o’clock as viewed from the side. Then when ready, the captain says go , steps on the upright pedal, and the stoker pedals and just keeps pedaling. This provides good power right from the start. Actually the captain straddles the bike favoring the supporting foot side, so that he ( or she) can better support the weight at starts or red-light pauses. Use the other foot for the 10 o’clock pedal. You need to discuss stopping, because the captain will snap one foot out and will be looking to backpedal to put the other foot down and the stoker may resist the backpedal, causing the captain’s heart to skip a beat ! After awhile the two of you will get in tune and this will become second nature. The captain will have difficulty getting one leg over the bike because of the rear saddle, and if he put his foot over the top tube, then he will likely hit it with the gravel impregnated sole, scratching that new tandem. Stand beside the bike, grab the handlebars, lean it toward you just a little, and do a Rockettes kick with the inside leg to get over the handlebar. Watch out that you clear the bar and not hook it, falling over on the opposite side. By the way, this kick can be difficult at mile 90 of a century ride. Continue reading