Riding a tandem

Above the Loire.

Compared to a more usual bike set, where each traveller ride it's personnal bike, the tandem formula has, from our point of vue, several advantages (some are linked to it's recumbent position) :

• Ease to talk : Except in downtown at rush hour, we hear each other quite easily (at least Vincent hears Vinciane, the opposite is'nt always true)
• Physicaly together : Each one can manage it's effort, even if crancksets are linked by the same chain ! Therefore, the tired can rely on the other one to keep going on (a bit slower, of course). Interestingly, there is no wait upside the hill.

No kickstand, unfortunately.

But the tandem formula also has some drawbacks :

• Bulk : it is a long and uneasy bike to manoever on foot. Taking it on a train may also be quite difficult. Although the turn raduis is very large, it's not an issue.
• Hauling stuff : less frame means less anchor points for paniers. While we were limiting weight with our two bikes, we now try to limit volume, and look for very compact gear.
• Very visible : You can't go through town without letting a trail of cautious (or less cautious sometimes) attention.
• Can't swap : chain lengths have to be set to the rider's heigth (leg length more precisely) and having to learn how to ride make our positions fixed: Vincent in front, Vinciane behind. 

To sum up, it is very nice for a long trip. The more other means of transport are required, the more a pair of bikes becomes preferable to this big vehicle.