Tandem Category for TD?
"Demonstration Sports" were officially introduced in the 1912 Summer Olympics when host country Sweden included Glima, traditional Scandinavian wrestling, in the Olympic program. Many a successful demo sport--like Badminton--has gone on to full Olympic status.
2009 marks the inclusion of Tandem as an official demonstration category in Tour Divide. Though racing tandem is not a solo enterprise per se, it does satisfy the important "no-drafting" rule, and they are certainly no easier to navigate than a solo bike--so why not extend the challenge? Self-support is still the guiding principle, however, sharing gear between captain and stoker is permitted. Some say Divide racing is 75% mental. That would make Tandem 150% mental? TD would have to agree.
Mountain tandems are known for catching big air when stoking the flats
There have been successful attempts to Tandem the GDMBR but at this time we have no data on a benchmark for elapsed time. Two questions we hope to answer from this demonstration category are: Who decides when it's time to get off and push, and, is it possible for the stoker to get some shut-eye on the fly?
Comments
Oh Boy!
There used to be a T-shirt sold at bike shops in the 80's that said, "Everything is better in tandem". I wonder if TTT (tandem time trialists) will still be able to say that come Antelope Wells!
Having someone else to talk
Having someone else to talk with and to share your pain should lower the mental percentage to about 45%. Let's see what they say at the end... Good Luck to everyone.
Go for it! Set the
Go for it! Set the benchmark!
Update:
Tracey and Jay Petervary of Victor, Idaho went on to successfully set a crushing tandem record during a very 'soft' (muddy) year on course in `09. 18days, 13hrs 50min.
Update:
Tracey and Jay Petervary of Victor, Idaho went on to successfully set a crushing tandem record during a very 'soft' (muddy) year on course in `09. 18days, 13hrs 50min.
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