A Bicycle Made for Two
@pgiblett (6524)
Canada
February 21, 2016 1:17pm CST
I remember as a child my dad buying a tandem, a bicycle for two people, I remember us taking many journeys on that bike, before I got my own one and my brother graduated to the back of the tandem. I remember us cycling around the New Forest in southern England on many bridle paths and almost empty roads.
When I was young we would not see many cyclists riding tandems, but I saw a couple riding up Bathurst Street the last time I was in Toronto, but they were much different from the one we had as a kid, for one thing they were much lighter.
The picture that I have included is of a model tandem I found while clearing out my mothers house in England last year.
16 people like this
15 responses
@JudyEv (344527)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Feb 16
@pgiblett We met an elderly pair (late 70s) in Roscoff with a tandem bike. They had done thousands of kilometres over the years all over the UK and the continent. We asked if they had individual bikes as well and the lady said she couldn't ride a bike on her own! They only use the tandem. So that was interesting.
2 people like this
@rebelann (113171)
• El Paso, Texas
21 Feb 16
I think I saw one back in either 1957 or 1958 when dad was stationed in Butsbach Germany, they had a museum somewhere around there and they had all kinds of bikes, including those big wheeled jobbers that had that little wheel at the back, it was amazing to see. I think I was 8 years old at the time.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73513)
• United States
23 Feb 16
That is so neat that you were able to find the one you had when you were young. It doesn't look like there are any pedals on that bike. When it was new were there? I cannot imagine how it would be ridden the way it is without them. I am not very coordinated I do not think I would be able to ride a bike like that with someone else. It would be really fun to try though.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73513)
• United States
23 Feb 16
@pgiblett Ohhh okay lol That was a very air headed moment I had. I see now that it is simply a model in a window. I had one of these when I was young on my dresser but it was pink. I thought when I looked at your photo originally that it was one parked in a garage by a sliding glass door.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
23 Feb 16
The one in my picture is a model that sits on the mantle piece. To ride on the back you have to place your confidence on the front rider, lean when they do, etc. My dad had a very different riding style to me which is why I hated being on the back.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
22 Feb 16
Actually , i have never seen a tandem bike here . But , looking at it , it would be enjoyable to ride in one since you have a companion . Although , we have bikes where another can ride at the back because there's a small seat beside the driver .
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
21 Feb 16
Lovely memories Peter. The New Forest is lovely as I recall.
I bet that was a job and half RIP clearing our your Mums house.
Do you miss it there too? Is your brother with you in Canada?
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
21 Feb 16
My brother lives in yet another part of the world (South East Asia) Clearing out my mum's house was tough. I will be honest the lovely countryside is about the only thing I miss about the UK, that said there is plenty of lovely sights to see here in North America.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
21 Feb 16
@TiarasOceanView But I could also tell you that the I-5 traveling down from Vancouver to Seattle is one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the world.
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
21 Feb 16
@pgiblett Oh he is way far away from you then Peter. Of course, I know there are lovely places everywhere Peter. Honestly, I think the English countryside unique though.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
23 Feb 16
I have never ridden on one but I have seen them around. The New Forest is a wonderful place to see on a bike.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
24 Feb 16
@BelleStarr That can be great because the inclines are gentle.
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@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
24 Feb 16
@pgiblett We have an old railroad bed that has been turned into miles of walking biking trails.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100985)
• India
23 Feb 16
@pgiblett ..oh...but then height may be a problem...I was also wondering about the chain. :)
I saw it in this song for the first and only time..lol
As you can see the height is enough...
Song : Saanwle salone aaye din bahaar ke .. Movie : Ek Hi raasta (1956) Singers : Hemant Kumar, L,ata mangeshkar, Lyrics : Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Director...
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
21 Feb 16
It isn't very common here, but I am always amused to see these bikes. It would probably take me awhile to get adjusting to.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
21 Feb 16
In some respects it was, but on the back you are subject to the temperament of the rider up front and my dad took too many risks for my liking.
@LadyDuck (472427)
• Switzerland
22 Feb 16
@pgiblett Your title reminded me an old song, I thought to post here a link to a very old version of the song.
Skip navigation UploadSign inSearch Loading... Close Yeah, keep it Undo Close Watch QueueQueueWatch QueueQueue Loading... Watch Queue Queue __count__/__total__ Loading... Find out whyClose waterpololegends SubscribeSubscribedUnsubscribe527527 Loading... L
1 person likes this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
24 Feb 16
That sounds like it was fun. I have never owned one but have seen them here in the United States.
1 person likes this
