We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share a contribution from Jackie Winter, tandem enthusiast, member of the Tandem Club UK, and author of “Life In Tandem: Tales of cycling travels.”
I live in the UK and I’ve written a book about the 40 years I’ve spent riding a tandem with my husband, Allan. I’ve never learned to ride a bike but on the back of the tandem I’ve pedalled more than 100,000 miles.
This is my cycling life, seasoned with chunks of Real Life, such as marriage, children, work, friends and serious illness. Throughout all the good years and a few inevitably difficult ones, the tandem remains a constant thread.
I once cycled 124 miles in one day and can still be seen hurtling downhill at 40 mph, sometimes even with my eyes open!
“Life In Tandem” incorporates traveller’s tales gleaned from a lifetime of cycle touring holidays in the UK, plus observations on people and places encountered en route. There are numerous anecdotes from eventful, amusing and sometimes downright painful years as a stoker.
Top Tandem Tips and Trivia include essential insider advice to help couples remain on speaking terms, plus little known tandem related facts, such as which Royal couple were given a bicycle made for two as a wedding present.
I loved reading Jackie Winter’s book. We are anxious to take our tandem and try some of the trips she described. Reading a book written in British English was fun.
My stoker and I just finished reading Jackie Winter’s “Life In Tandem” and found the book to be quite entertaining, and laughed at the traits that we found we shared with other tandem riders — even those “across the pond”.
I have enjoyed reading this book. I am newer to tandem riding and enjoy other people’s experiences.