Re: The "Porkies" Trip Report

On Thu, 19 Sep 2024 18:01:29 -0500,
  sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:

 On 9/18/2024 1:02 PM, Ted Heise wrote:

On Tue, 17 Sep 2024 21:03:09 -0500,
   sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:

  On 9/17/2024 7:52 PM, Ted Heise wrote:

 

The Mrs. and I ride a tandem, and it has S&S couplers so it
can be taken apart and packed into two airline legal cases.
For travel with the trailer I can split three cables (two
shifter one brake), undo half of the couplers, drop off the
timing chain, and then have two halves that stack one on top
of the other (with quilt between) in the back part of our
Acadia.

>
  Nice system.  We could just throw them in the RV, but I
  think I'll just get a hitch rack.

 
One advantage of inside the SUV is it's out of the weather and
road grime.  It also feels (maybe deceivingly so) more secure.
Both good things for a $12k bike.

 
 Yikes!  That must be one heck of a ride.  Would like to see
 that if you can post a pic somewhere.

Yeah, it was quite the investment.  The couplers were essential
because I wanted the ability to travel with it by air without any
oversize luggage handling or fees--or being unable to fly on small
regional jets.  I chose titanium not for weight savings, rather
because it seemed most resistant to damage (e.g., paint chipping).

Here's a picture...

https://ridewithgps.com/more#photos/15978261

There's a boatload of info on the Santana website.  We picked
Santana after visiting a friend who had a tandem dealership and
many (from several makers) that we were able to test ride.

As it turns out, we've only flown with it a few times, but I'm
still happy with the bike.  Being able to do a quick partial
breakdown and put it into the SUV has been big--we've used that a
*lot*.  We've gotten a huge amount of fun and time together from
it.  This year we're closing in on 3000 miles together.

       ...The idea is interesting to me because we we're out
 somewhere and I get older, I can use the younger bride to do
 most of the work peddling.  :-0

LOL.  Brilliant!

Just so you know, the most frequently heard callout when riding
tandem as a couple is "She's not pedaling."  Believe me, it's not
well received.

You should also know that the most common advice on the tandem
listserv to those considering a tandem is: Whichever way your
relationship is headed, a tandem will get you there faster.

  BTW, when old people say, "Enjoy them while they are young"
  they are talking about your hips, knees, and ankles.  Not
  your kids.

 
Okay, that made me laugh.

 
 I forgot to add shoulders.  When you're young and you fall off
 the bike, you just get back up and move on.  You start getting
 fake joints, you really don't want to do that anymore.

Indeed.  On the other hand, I did a topside crash in my late 40s,
and the shoulder I landed on has never been the same.  So soon
old, so late wise.  :-0


--
Ted Heise      <theise@panix.com>       West Lafayette, IN, USA