When two become one……………

Having a right old laugh at this. Emotional blackmail and pussy footing around.

Years ago, I went to Gotland, Sweden for an holiday with my then French girlfriend. The island is car restricted - so bike is the way to go and visit the island. Girlfriend not at all a cyclist, I think the best way is a tandem. I find a bloke willing to hire a tandem. It's heavy as hell and something from the birth of the Swedish Industrial Revolution. 40 mins later we get her (the stoker) position tip and my position as the captain still way off the mark. No pain no gain I think. Between captain and stoker we agree one key word - "Turbo" - which means dig deep and get on the rivet to get this hunk over the crest of any hill.

We ride around for 6 hours on this. On road and off road. Up hills, down hills. I'm glad we are both alive at the end of day; I'm exhausted.

My arms feel like I went through three boxing matches with Mike Tyson and my legs feel I went ten sprints trying to hold the wheel of Sir Chris Hoy. The back pain was horrific, so bad I had to ask for a low stool at the bar to sit on and enjoy a beer.

I asked my girlfriend what she thought of the whole tandem experience and if she enjoyed. I get the reply "It's great, it's like cycling, but not cycling" 🤦‍♂️ She was so busy soft pedalling / not pedalling, taking her hands of the bars taking photographs, waving to people, putting make up on, reading tourist literature, having her own pic-nic I couldn't fcuking believe what I was hearing.

Never, ever, ever, again.
That is the best argument though, isn't it?

"You can do your make up as we go along, darling"
 
Frankly it’s a huge expense and risk considering the amount I ride let alone the possibility of us both going out.
 
I’m pretty sure JD tandems in Yorkshire do a try before you buy scheme where you could have a go on an e-tandem.
 
Sat in shed contemplating front end. Cable disc with shock 29 or 26, or rigid cable disc 29 or rigid v 26. Wouldn’t feel safe with just cantis on front. I could run V plus disc bouncy front?
 
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