Our tandem team at the look out after the "big climb" finish
Am I alone in being conscience of my form on the bike, when teaching a class?
In any given time there maybe 20 - 40 people in front of me and a few, I'm convinced, are continuously critiquing my form. So I always want to demonstrate a nice smooth pedal stroke, head up, relaxed upper-body and a nice flat back indicative of someone with more than just a few miles on a bike. "In here you are a cyclist." I'll tell my class while I encourage them to "look" the part.
I haven't shared this with Amy, but about 5 miles into filming Epic Red Wing, a future Epic Ride Indoor Cycling DVD this past weekend it hit me; there will be thousands of cyclists, instructors and students who will be watching this video.
That was all it took for me to stay singularly focused on my form, for most of the entire 50 mile ride.
Except for when we crashed... OK, it wasn't really a crash, we tipped over. Well actually just Amy fell off when I couldn't make a very tight turn, on a very steep hill. I got my foot down but unfortunately by the time she realized we weren't going to make it, it was too late. I'm not sure if Allen Jones caught it on film... hopefully he doesn't plan to make a "Funny Epic Rides Bloopers" DVD 🙁
Getting beyond my personal insecurities, being part of the filming was very fun. I need to thank our Tandem friends Jean and Tony for riding with us.
As he spend most of his time behind the camera, I thought it would be fun for you to meet the producer of Epic Rides, Allen Jones.
Do you have an idea for an Epic Ride location? Allen welcomes your suggestions and you can contact him at his website epicplanet.tv
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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John….as you know, I’m seriously interested in this tandem riding thing. However, are you saying that if the stoker falls off, it’s not actually the captain’s fault in some way shape or form?? Seeing as I’m sure I’ll be playing stoker, I fancy that I’d like someone to blame!!!
Thus far, my husband’s impression of riding tandem is that a rogue driver will be able to take out the two of us instead of just the one.
I’m starting to feel a bit less confidant
Vivienne
It was one of my “we’ve got this easy” attempts at bike handling skills that shouldn’t have been attempted. Allen had followed us up to a flat section on a switchback on the long finishing climb and asked us to stop there, ride back down a ways and ride back up to him. The road is ~ 8% and narrow. Amy and I road down and I insisted on trying to turn “The Bus” around on the hill. We ran out of room and I popped out of my pedal to put my foot down. But we were leaned over already because of the hill and Amy could do nothing but fall…
Hey John,
It was awesome working with you guys on Epic Red Wing. You got some really good riding country up you way!
Ride on.
Allen