Tandem Test Ride

We took a ride to New Hampshire over the weekend to follow a dream. It's a dream of a new tandem... in spite of the fact that we don't yet have enough money to buy one.

We met up with a really nice couple about our age who own two Co-Motion bicycles. They had taken two touring vacations with their sons in recent years, with the Mom serving as Captain on one bicycle, and the Dad on the other. (One very cool thing to note is that now that they are again riding with each other, rather than each of them pairing with a son, the mom has become the Captain of their couple team! We have yet to meet another couple where the female takes the lead ~ Yay to her!!) They had quite an adventure flying their two tandems to Montana and cycling with their sons.

Now that their boys are growing older, they no longer have a desire to ride bicycles with Mom and Dad, so the couple has one of their tandems up for sale.

The decor in their home reflects their great affection for all kinds of cycling -- in fact, this couple had met through a bike club (20 years ago!) and incorporated a tandem bicycle ride into their wedding day, just like we did for our wedding!! There were many mementoes on display around the house and photos of their family adventure trips on display in the hallways. They also have a bathroom complete with bicycle wallpaper and towels, Bicycle Ride Framed Wall Art and a whole cycling theme going on with the decor, including a Park Tool toilet paper holder!

We enjoyed a 25 mile tandem test ride with the Dad, and Dave and I really enjoyed the feel of the Co-Motion. It's lighter and more responsive compared to our Burley. Who knows... with keeping a careful rein on our finances, we could possibly turn out to be smiling proud owners of one pretty blue tandem!

Dreaming of a New Bicycle Built for Two!

I have a new job! That's why I haven't been posting updates so frequently in recent weeks. I've been happily busy.

With the new job has come an adjustment period. New responsibilities. A new schedule. Juggling parental obligations. More demands on my time... but my work is interesting and challenging, and I love it!

Thankfully, with the change of seasons and daylight savings time, David and I have been able to walk together early in the mornings and sometimes squeeze in a quick tandem ride after the workday. The exercise absolutely makes a positive difference in my focus and energy level. And although I am getting less sleep, I am sleeping well.

The financial security of having a job means a regular income we can depend upon, and it has given us hope that we might soon be able to afford a new -- well, more likely, a used... tandem bicycle! We've been dreaming of trading-up for well over a year, and previously, we just couldn't justify the expense.

These bicycles built for two are not inexpensive. A pre-owned tandem bicycle in decent shape will start out at least $1500.

Our Burley Duet

Our current tandem is a 10 year old red Burley Duet. Burley doesn't make tandems anymore. The company is most popular now for their child bicycle trailers. Our bike has been good to us. But at 48 pounds loaded with four filled water bottles, we would like something newer and lighter ~ Although, I have told David that I think it would be a lot cheaper for us to loose 10 pounds vs. buying a lighter bicycle!

We've been browsing through the online classifieds and telling our cyclist friends of our desire for something newer, just in case anyone has a deal for us on a well cared for, not-too-old, previously loved tandem in fantastic condition. As we search out avenues of possibilities in pursuit of a tandem dream, I'll be sure to post about our progress.

Our current tandem would offer good stability and solid structure for a couple just starting out cycling together. We'll be wanting to sell it soon, as the possibility of us buying an upgrade comes closer to reality.