From: theise@panix.com   
      
   On Thu, 19 Sep 2024 18:01:29 -0500,   
     sticks  wrote:   
   >  On 9/18/2024 1:02 PM, Ted Heise wrote:   
   > > On Tue, 17 Sep 2024 21:03:09 -0500,   
   > >    sticks  wrote:   
   > >>   On 9/17/2024 7:52 PM, Ted Heise wrote:   
   > >   
   > >>> The Mrs. and I ride a tandem, and it has S&S couplers so it   
   > >>> can be taken apart and packed into two airline legal cases.   
   > >>> For travel with the trailer I can split three cables (two   
   > >>> shifter one brake), undo half of the couplers, drop off the   
   > >>> timing chain, and then have two halves that stack one on top   
   > >>> of the other (with quilt between) in the back part of our   
   > >>> Acadia.   
   > >>   
   > >>   Nice system.  We could just throw them in the RV, but I   
   > >>   think I'll just get a hitch rack.   
   > >   
   > > One advantage of inside the SUV is it's out of the weather and   
   > > road grime.  It also feels (maybe deceivingly so) more secure.   
   > > Both good things for a $12k bike.   
   >   
   >  Yikes!  That must be one heck of a ride.  Would like to see   
   >  that if you can post a pic somewhere.   
      
   Yeah, it was quite the investment.  The couplers were essential   
   because I wanted the ability to travel with it by air without any   
   oversize luggage handling or fees--or being unable to fly on small   
   regional jets.  I chose titanium not for weight savings, rather   
   because it seemed most resistant to damage (e.g., paint chipping).   
      
   Here's a picture...   
      
   https://ridewithgps.com/more#photos/15978261   
      
   There's a boatload of info on the Santana website.  We picked   
   Santana after visiting a friend who had a tandem dealership and   
   many (from several makers) that we were able to test ride.   
      
   As it turns out, we've only flown with it a few times, but I'm   
   still happy with the bike.  Being able to do a quick partial   
   breakdown and put it into the SUV has been big--we've used that a   
   *lot*.  We've gotten a huge amount of fun and time together from   
   it.  This year we're closing in on 3000 miles together.   
      
      
   >        ...The idea is interesting to me because we we're out   
   >  somewhere and I get older, I can use the younger bride to do   
   >  most of the work peddling.  :-0   
      
   LOL.  Brilliant!   
      
   Just so you know, the most frequently heard callout when riding   
   tandem as a couple is "She's not pedaling."  Believe me, it's not   
   well received.   
      
   You should also know that the most common advice on the tandem   
   listserv to those considering a tandem is: Whichever way your   
   relationship is headed, a tandem will get you there faster.   
      
      
   > >>   BTW, when old people say, "Enjoy them while they are young"   
   > >>   they are talking about your hips, knees, and ankles.  Not   
   > >>   your kids.   
   > >   
   > > Okay, that made me laugh.   
   >   
   >  I forgot to add shoulders.  When you're young and you fall off   
   >  the bike, you just get back up and move on.  You start getting   
   >  fake joints, you really don't want to do that anymore.   
      
   Indeed.  On the other hand, I did a topside crash in my late 40s,   
   and the shoulder I landed on has never been the same.  So soon   
   old, so late wise.  :-0   
      
      
   --   
   Ted Heise             West Lafayette, IN, USA   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)