Tour Divide Race: Back to School Tandem-Onium

July 11, 2009

Tour Divide Race: Back to School Tandem-Onium

By Guest Blogger
Jul 11, 2009

Stuff We Noticed On Our Summer Vacation While Pedaling 3,000 Miles Between Canada and Mexico On A (Mountain) Bicycle Built For Two

By Jay and Tracey “T-Race” Petervary

So, tandem, it’s not easier like so many people I have come across think. There is not an equal increase in horsepower from a two-engine perspective.

We are 350-plus pounds still on two wheels. Our mass is much larger for the wind to really grab and slow down. We sink much more in the softer conditions like we had, more resistance in all conditions.

Riding in the mud requires patience and smarts. Patience and knowing when your spouse lashes out in the moment it's mostly a reaction. The negative words aren’t meant.

You have to be able to distinguish between the different types of mud as well. The clay will ruin your day and there’s plenty of it out there.

If you can, don’t even stick your front tire in it.

Go around the brush if you can.

Breakfast = Be Fast

Sometimes waiting is a good option. An hour of sunshine after an afternoon shower will do wonders.

Once the tandem discipline is learned you must understand that things are still not going to be perfect.

I tried not to be a backseat driver so Jay could concentrate while doing 30-40 mph downhill, but it took a lot of getting used to, and definitely a lot of self-control.

Canada is really rugged, but bring it on, might as well start big.

I cried a bit in Canada ‘cause I was so scared, but once I got used to the uncontrollable speed I just held on, ducked behind Jay, tried to be still. I trusted him.

There is a certain attitude and job for each, the stoker and the captain. You have to want to make it work and be stoked about it!

There is no energy to spare on squabbles.

I don’t understand the marriage counseling thing. Maybe it’s a misconception of the tandem or we are just lucky it doesn’t apply to us.

NOTE: In June the Petervarys became the first team to pilot a tandem bicycle down the 2,745 mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Banff, Alberta, to the Mexican border. They set a new record of 18 days, 13 hours and 44 minutes for the "tandem" class in the self-supported Tour Divide race, reaching the finish in Antelope Wells, New Mexico in third place overall.