12 Apr - Longbikes Looks To ReEngage - Greg Peek of Longbikes has been quietly building some of the nicest short and long-wheelbase recumbent singles and tandems for several years now, with the occasional customer upright tandem order. For trivia buffs, Longbikes acquired Ryan Recumbents several years back and has been working to refine those orginal models ever since. However, what many folks may not realize is that for a short time Longbikes was also building some exceptionally well-engineered upright steel and aluminum tandems, ranging in size from childrens models all the way up to sextuplets. It was unfortunate that Greg's entry into the market was made with the help of a self-professed tandem industry expert who used some questionable marketing techniques that didn't serve the best interests of his enterprise. With any luck, that will be water under the bridge and this re-engagement and re-emphasis on upright tandems will allow his products to be measured on their merits as tandems. More details will be made available as things develop.

06 Apr - Lynskey Performance Gearing Up For Titanium Tandems (Update) - As mentioned back on Feb 23, after about a year of being lobbied by a local tandem enthusiast, the Lynskey family is getting back in the tandem business. We have now seen some photos of the very first custom Lyskey tandem. The attention to detail and workmanship is perhaps some of the finest I've ever seen on a titanium tandem. Well endeavor to make photos available as soon as we can. However, to give you a sense of where Lynskey is headed with their high-end bikes and tandems you need to look to the custom motorcycle builders who have elevated fabrication and finish to an art form.

04 Apr - Tandems East Expo Report- TandemsEast's annual spring Tandem Expo was held on Saturday & Sunday, March 29 & 30. We were fortunate enough to be in the area for a family visit which afforded us the opportunity to attend the Expo on Saturday, the 29th. A detailed account of our day with Tandems East can be found in our Calfee Journal which you can access by clicking HERE.

15 Mar - TanDemo returns to Mt Airy, Maryland March 30, 2008 - Fuel costs are soaring, waistlines are bulging, the climate is changing...... Experts agree: those that get regular exercise and those that enjoy quality time with a soulmate lead longer, happier lives. Tandem bicycling does it all!

Join hundreds of enthusiasts and wannabees for the special 17th annual day of bicycle rides, food, displays, demos, and fun. Rides from the Family-friendly (and New-to-tandem-friendly) 6.8 miler to the 'two-for-a-challenge' 38-mile roller coaster will treat participants to some of the area's finest scenery and smooth, low-traffic country roads.

Those interested in trying out tandems as well as seasoned tandemists looking for an upgrade can try out dozens of classic and cutting-edge tandems,including recumbent and trike tandems, tandems that go into suitcases, and bicycles built for three, four....up to SEVEN!

Special needs equipment, accessories and apparel will be on display. Tandems through the ages will include a rare 1903 triplet. Representatives from the local tandem clubs will help the newbies get in gear.

Hosts Larry and Linda black will provide a complimentary luncheon from the legendary Viets Aroma, famous for their healthy vegan, fowl, and Vietnamese dishes; regular attendees usually bring pot luck desserts , snacks, and beverages to share.

Volunteers arrive at 7am to get previews of the new goodies and first picks of the fresh coffee, baked goods, fresh fruits, and juices. Rides head out at 10:00 am and demos start at 11.

Also featured will be a selection of recumbents, special Needs bikes, folders, and sporty trikes - both tandem and single.

Swap meet/flea market space is free for any individuals.

Bikes and donations will be collected for Bikes for the World, a Washington Area NonProfit helping get bikes to developing countries and impoverished persons the world over.

Caterers arrive at noon and attendees hang out 'til they've had enough food and fill of bikes and bikefolk

Location: Mt Airy Bicycles, 4540 Old National Pike, Mt Airy, Md 21771
301-831-5151, www.bike123.com

22 Feb - Tandems East Expo, 29 & 30 March @ Pittsgrove, NJ - TandemsEast's annual spring Tandem Expo will be held on Saturday & Sunday, March 29 & 30. The party begins at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 29 and will feature five hours of seminars with special guest speakers you won't want to miss...

Gary Formanof Co-Motion Cycles

 

Craig Calfee of Calfee Design: Manufacturer and inventor of carbon tandems and single bikes. Craig is the leading expert on bamboo bicycles.

Brian Davis of daVinci Design: Brian traveled the world as a Class One Status skilled mechanic for the USCF (United States Cycling Federation) before his partnership as an independent pedaling tandem expert and manufacturer.

Mel Kornbluh ofTandems East: Mel will stir your interest in tandems with his talk entitled "Tandeming 101", a primer in starting out with fit and riding techniques.

Rafe Schlanger of Topolino Technology: Rafe has worked for several bicycle companies as a mechanical engineer and inventor before creating his well known Topolino wheels. Attend this seminar to learn about this leading new technology

For more details visit their Website: who knows, WE may even be there.

David built the jig from 3/4" plate steel welded to 2x4 square tube frame, then ground flat on a 5' wet grinding wheel by a vendor. The once fully assembled the jig holds the frame in suspension using an easel-like design with bearings on each end so that it can spin 360 degrees. It's balanced so that it can be stopped at any angle to facilitate access for welding. The welder can weld the entire frame without moving the frame. The new tandem jig will move on casters so that each tandem frame will move through the mitering shop and then into welding without being removed from the jig fixture to preclude any alignment issues throughout the fabrication process: pretty cool. The jig will support various custom geometry configurations and the first frame (a coupled model) will be delivered to some very good friends up in the Knoxville area within a few weeks. Look for it at the Tennessee Tandem Rally in June.

As Tim notes, David is one of those brilliant people who can make just about anything. He's a very down to earth humble guy wh truly has a feel for the way bikes are built and how tube shapes work. The rest of his team at Lynskey are also great folks.

For anyone not familiar with the Lynskey name, this is the family who owned Southeast Machine near Chattanooga that started building titanium bicycles as a side-line in the early 80's. The side-line eventually grew into Litespeed back in 1986, and then became the American Bicycle Group (Litespeed, Merlin, Qunitanna Roo, and Real Designs brands). The Lynskey's sold a majority stake in ABG to JHK Investments of Westport, Connecticut, in 1999 and subsequently left the bicycle biz as ABG installed its own management structure. In 2006, the Lynskey family decided it was time to start a new company using the family name and has reestablished itself back in Chattanooga, TN, with an entirely new line of titanium, hand-made in the USA bikes. Anyone who'd like to know more should contact Tim directly: (865) 809-2476 or by email: tim@cycologybicycles.com

15 Feb - 2008 Tandem Club of America - Membership At A Glance - I received my '08 TCA Membership Roster and, as I have done for the last five years, I thought I'd share a quick look at the Tandem Club of America's (TCA) demographics as a way of getting a feeling about how US States stacked-up against each other with respect to TCA
membership.

In summary, and based on what was published in this year's '08 Membership List, TCA membership at approx 1,006 is down about 8% (net change -91 members) compared to '07: a little less erosion than last year's 9% drop (net change -109 members).

Looking back and comparing membership to '02 when I first started following the data, overall TCA membership is down 31% (-451), with no much indication that this trend will be reversed any time soon. States like Ohio have dropped dramatically from 74 members in 2002 to just 47 this year. California has gone from 111 members in 2002 to 72 members this year. Pennsylvania is another state along with Florida that have also seen quite a drop-off in membership.

Instead of re-keying the data into an Email, I have opted to simply cut and paste the data from my spreadsheets into a Web page that you can find HERE.

Like my surveys, consider this unscientific. I "collect" the data by hand count from my membership list so there is certainly room for some errors. However, I believe the overall trends are what they are, which is to say consistent with previous years findings.

04 Feb - Cannondale Acquired By Doral, Parent Company of Pacific Bicycle - Dorel Industries, based in Montreal and parent company of Pacific Cycle, bought Cannondale Bicycle Corporation today in an all-cash deal that is estimated to be valued at between $190 - $200 million. Pacific Cycle is better known by some of the more famous brands it had acquired before it was acquired by Dorel: Schwinn, GT and Mongoose. Connecticut-based Cannondale along with it's apparel company, Sugoi, was previously acquired by Pegasus Capital Advisors in 2003 for about $80 million ($25m in invested capital before it went bankrupt + $55m for the final acquisition). A pretty tidy profit for Pegasus, to say the least. According to VeloNews and other sources, Dorel's recreational/leisure segment will be split into two separate divisions. The Cannondale Sports Group (C'dale, GT, Sugoi, & perhaps Schwinn & Mongoose) will target the independent bicycle dealers and be separate from the mass-market line, Pacific Cycle, InStep, Playsafe and Roadmaster. Read the VeloNews story HERE.

03 Feb - Registration Now Open For Eastern Tandem Rally - Susan & David Hollinger wrote to let us know that registration is now open for the 2008 Eastern Tandem Rally. ETR will be held on August 1-3 at Durham, New Hampshire and is described as, " a great  gathering of tandem riders of all levels: experienced hard cores, fitness fans, happy tour pedalers; this rally has something for everyone. Each of three days has rides of varied length with great food, companionship, and scenery." More information and registration information can be found by going to the official Eastern Tandem Rally website by clicking HERE.

03 Feb - 2008 Tandem Owners Survey Analysis - Having noted that responses to my 2008 surveys had falled to zero for nearly a week, I opted to go ahead and conduct an initial analysis of the data as it stood on 27 January. If you'd like to read my impressions, you'll find them linked off of the Survey Central Page or you can go directly to them via THIS LINK.

30 Jan - The Canadian Tandem Rally's Website is Up And Going - David & Brenda Vandevelde of MBS Tandems wrote to invite everyone to, "come and join them for 2 or 3 days of tandem riding May 23-26 in beautiful Gananoque, at the centre of the 1000 Islands, in the UNESCO Frontenac Biosphere Reserve." Going further, "We have a great weekend planned to show off this great cycling region. Ride the 1000 island parkway with it's paved bikeway, lunch at the locks on the Rideau Canal, and top everything off with a Dinner Cruise on the Gananoque Boatlines as we cruise the 1000 Islands. Sign up on line and we look forward to seeing you there." You can find more information at their Website by clicking HERE.

27 Jan - Alabama Tandem Weekend, April 18 ­ 20, 2008 - This year's Alabama Tandem Weekend heads to Anniston, Alabama for a low-cost, low key introduction to the riding season with Saturday & Sunday spent riding on the Chief Ladiga Trail from Anniston, Alabama to Georgia's Silver Comet in Cedartown, and then back. Friday's ride will be a more traditional loop on rural roads of a 50ish mile route or a shorter 30ish mile route before checking in to the bicycle-friendly Victoria Inn and socialize by the pool. There will be an optional dinner at The Classic on Noble Street. Saturday enjoy your country breakfast and shuttle your car to Anniston's Tucker Park. Unload your bike, load your gear into the sag vehicle and prepare to ride the Chief Ladiga Trail to Cedartown, Georgia. Those who want more than the 40ish miles that will be logged between Anniston & Cedartown can continue riding East on the Silver Comet before doubling back to spend the night in Cedartown. More information is available in their flyer which you can download by clicking here.

26 Jan- Dancing Bear Bicycle Bash April 4-6 @ Townsend, TN - Recently featured in Bicycleing Magainze, Matt Alexander's Dancing Bear Lodge in Townsend, TN, wwill host their annual Spring-time version of the Black Bear Bicycle Bash on April 4-6. The event is expected to once again attract a wide range of riders, from beginners and families to avid racers. There will be scheduled road and mountain bike ride, games, prizes, and demonstrations of equipment and accessories. Matt has teamed up with Tim and Sharon Patterson, directors of the Tennessee Tandem Rally, to create another exciting cycling weekend experience that offers some of the same great riding that draw rave reviews from tandem teams who attend the annual TTR event each June. For complete information or to register visit their Website.

01 Jan - Tandem Owners Survey Archive Now Up. Probably long overdue, I've created a Tandem Survey Archive to provide a consolidate set of links to this and the past 5 years Annual Tandem Owner Survey results to make doing research a bit easier. You can find the archive HERE.

18 Dec - Tandem Sales in Decline - Follow-up. Having poked on this a bit , interestingly enough it turns out none of the US tandem speciality builders like Santana, Co-Motion, Rodriguez, Bilenky, or builders like Calfee, Ventana, etc... belong to the Bicycle Products Suppliers Association. Therefore, it is unlikely that their production numbers have been taken into consideration in the BPSA's reports: I'd ask to confirm but I'm not a member either and BPSA appears to exist to generate revenue from members and non-members alike. In checking their membership rolls, Cannondale and Trek belong, as does KHS and Pacific. For a complete list go here. Ignoring BPSA's reported state of the market, feedback from various sources suggests that premium / enthusiast-level tandem production is at least stable on units, in some cases growing on a dollar basis, and growing in volume + dollars in a few others. There is also a very strong secondary / used market being fueled by existing owners who sell and/or trade-up to S&S or higher-end models that is off-setting some of the entry-level new market. There are only a few reports of fall-offs in tandem sales from economically, very-hard hit regions.

11 Dec - Tandem Sales in Decline?. Apparently the December hard copy edition of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) included some information pertaining to trends in bicycle sales. It was reported that tandem sales were purportedly down some 24% this year. Having been in contact with some of the major US builders who are reporting strong sales volume, I'm not sure what to believe. Is this simply the by-product of inflated sales numbers for the various "Tandem Shaped Objects" sold on Ebay and the like falling off, or are even the premium US builders struggling behind optimistic production bravado? If you have some hard data on the subject we'd love to hear from you.

ETR Off-Road Rally (ETR's Homepage)

Apr 4-6, Batsto, NJ

 

Sebring Tandem Weekend

Ap 5-6, Sebring, FL

 

ETR Off-Road Rally (ETR's Homepage)

Apr 4-6, Batsto, NJ

 

2008 Sea Otter Classic

April 17-20, Montery, CA

 

Alabama Tandem Weekend

Chief Ladiga / Silver Comet Trail Tour

Apr 18-20, Anniston, AL (Email for Info)

 

Southwest Tandem Rally

Apr 25-27, Tulsa, OK

 

Georgia Tandem Rally

May 16-18, Albany, GA

 

COWs Spring Gathering

May 16-18, Ellison Bay, WI

 

Canadian Tandem Rally

May 23-26, Gananoque, Ontario

 

International Tandem Rally

May 24-31, Loches, Indre-et Loire, France

 

 

More Rally Dates Here

Elsewhere On Our Web Site

Clubs The location, contact information and links to Web sites (if they have one) for every tandem cycling club in the World, to include all of the Clubs that make up Tandem Club UK and all of the Clubs in the United States of America.

Events Locator maps and calendar listings of all the major tandem rallies and events throughout the world, including links to Web sites with additional information and registration forms.

Links What is perhaps the most comprehensive collection of links to tandem related information on the Internet. This is the heart of TheTandemLink.com.

Learning A huge collection of links for the beginner looking to learn more about tandems and tandeming as well as a plethora of links to information on bicycle fitting, bicycle sciences, safety & advocacy, how-to Web sites and discussion forums where you can learn more or interact with other enthusiasts,

Tandems The basics for beginners who are just starting their search for a first tandem, links to many of the tandem dealers who cater to tandem shoppers, links to all tandem builders in the World, as well as Web sites where you can find classified ads for used tandems to meet your needs. This page also features links to our exclusive Used Tandem Tandem Price Estimating Tool

Traveling Links to Web sites of tour operators who cater to tandem enthusiasts, links to other very large tour operator indices, travel logs, information on S&S couplers -- perhaps the greatest innovation in bicycle travel technology to date --, and links to resources for transporting your tandems such as car racks, trailers and shipping cases.

Tandem Magazines Links to a few of the publications currently in print that cater to the tandem enthusiast. There aren't many links here because tandems are such a small niche market; however, for the publications that are available we'd encourage you to consider subscribing to that these few survivors can continue to serve our needs.

Tandem@Hobbes Information and subscription information for what is the largest Web-based Mailing List dedicated to the discussion of tandems and tandeming. If you yearn to know what's happening in the Tandem world, have tandem-specific questions, or just want to get to know hundreds of other tandem enthusiasts who share your interests this is the list you'll want to subscribe to.

Double Forte Information and subscription information to a discussion forum for an even smaller collection of tandem enthusiasts who ride off-road tandems. There are approximately 240 members of this list and the discussions cover the range of topics that you'd expect to hear at the trail head -- everything from hard-core technical talk to recommendations for a great micro-brew.

Captain Bike Everything you could ever want to know about cycling.... Sheldon Brown, before his passing in 2008, WAS Captain Bike and his Web site contains information and links to information that will answer 95% of the questions you could conceive of regarding all things bicycle: and in several different languages (French, Russian & English). My own thoughts on Sheldon's passing were are as follows: It's an unfortunate truth that the most valuable and non-renewable resource we all have is time... As each of us pass on -- which will indeed happen at some point-- it's how we used our time and to what effect for which we will be remembered. I believe it is fair to say that Sheldon Brown made good use of his time as evidenced by the pride he had in his family that he freely shared, their love of him, and the outpouring of kind words that have always accompanied the mention of his name to anyone whom he or his knowledge ever touched. I'm thankful that Sheldon touched my life: he was and remains my inspiration.