Three on a tandem

Sunday was sunny and warm, borderline hot. What better time to take Racer the tandem out for a spin (assuming I could shanghai a stoker). Daniel was uninterested at best, but a mix of cajoling and commanding got him to finally don his helmet (mom has to put it on him, all because of a slight miscalculation on my part years ago that resulted in a bit of a pinch) and sit on the bike. One step at a time. Mei did say that he smiled broadly when I moved Racer a few feet down the driveway. But then he insisted on dismounting, on his own.

Anna actually got on board as a willing victim. We took some back roads down to the bike trail by Shorewood Hills and got onto the Lake Mendota trail, which we followed to the Union, where we stopped and watched the ducks and talked. Still got a lot of looks and comments while riding, and I think I'm getting the hang of it -- balance is a lot firmer than I had suspected, and hills are somewhat less challenging than on Rocinante. Still, I found myself breathing heavily on the first hill, to the extent that Anna asked if I were okay. I was. I was fine. Nice to be out again. And things got easier again when I got into rhythm.

Nice to see things through Anna's fresh eyes, too. We got caught in a bit of rain on the way back, and Anna commented that it was "cool" -- in the slang sense, since at 80 degrees the water was blood warm. She said it was her first time in the rain on a bike. She also confided in me that she's uncomfortable on her solo bike -- "Pedals", a pretty nice Trek hybrid, because her legs aren't strong, and she seems to spend all her time in misery and the wrong gear. I'm hoping this exposure to the joys of the road -- we went about 15 miles -- and the sensation of actual speed and accomplishment of our tandem experiences will encourage her to eventually head out again on her own, and with stronger legs.

We got home feeling rather exhilerated, though Daniel's only concern was that I might try again to get him on board. Not yet, Bucko, though your time is coming. I first need to get the bike rack and take Racer back to Budget to get adjusted to his legs, and, probably, to have a notch or two taken up on the chain.

And, judging by the photos, I too, need to have a notch or two -- or three -- taken in on my own chain. Amazing how easy it is to fall so far from the wagon.