Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQ's
FAQ's for Stokers
FAQ's for Captains
General FAQ's
Q. How does tandem riding work?
A.Tandem riding involves two people; the Captain, who rides at the front and operates the steering, brakes and gears, as well as providing half of the team's pedal power; and the Stoker, who sits at the back and provides the other half of the power. The bikes used by TBUG Townsville Tandems are synchronised tandems, meaning that both riders pedal together (no slacking off on the back!) Because the Stoker doesn't need to worry about things like steering and brakes, this position is ideal for people who can't see, or who don't have the motor skills to handle a bike safely.
A.Tandem riding involves two people; the Captain, who rides at the front and operates the steering, brakes and gears, as well as providing half of the team's pedal power; and the Stoker, who sits at the back and provides the other half of the power. The bikes used by TBUG Townsville Tandems are synchronised tandems, meaning that both riders pedal together (no slacking off on the back!) Because the Stoker doesn't need to worry about things like steering and brakes, this position is ideal for people who can't see, or who don't have the motor skills to handle a bike safely.
Q. Does it cost to join TBUG Townsville Tandems?
A. Riding with TBUG Townsville Tandems, riders have to become a member of Townsville Bicycle Users Group - link ( cam.bicyclenetwork.com.au/shop/71/ ) to be covered by insurance through the Bicycle Network when riding.
A. Riding with TBUG Townsville Tandems, riders have to become a member of Townsville Bicycle Users Group - link ( cam.bicyclenetwork.com.au/shop/71/ ) to be covered by insurance through the Bicycle Network when riding.
Q. When will rides happen?
A. Rides will be organised via email on a week-by-week basis (If you are unable to use email, we can make other arrangements). Once we know how many Stokers are available to ride, we will then organise Captain's for each of the bikes. Due to the limited number of bikes, spots on each ride will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
A. Rides will be organised via email on a week-by-week basis (If you are unable to use email, we can make other arrangements). Once we know how many Stokers are available to ride, we will then organise Captain's for each of the bikes. Due to the limited number of bikes, spots on each ride will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Q. Where will the rides start and finish?
A. TBUG Townsville Tandems is based from Paul's house in McKillop Street, Belgian Gardens (click to see map) or from Mundingburra to cycle along the River. Most rides will start and finish from here unless an alternative location is agreed upon.
A. TBUG Townsville Tandems is based from Paul's house in McKillop Street, Belgian Gardens (click to see map) or from Mundingburra to cycle along the River. Most rides will start and finish from here unless an alternative location is agreed upon.
Q. How often can I ride?
A. You can ride as often as you like, provided that there is both a Captain and a Stoker willing to ride. Rides will be predominantly organised on weekends, but the bikes will be made available at other times during the week.
A. You can ride as often as you like, provided that there is both a Captain and a Stoker willing to ride. Rides will be predominantly organised on weekends, but the bikes will be made available at other times during the week.
Q. How long are the rides?
A. Rides will be tailored to the level of experience and confidence of the riders. For new riders, we will ride only on dedicated cycle paths and rides would be approximately 1 hour. For more experienced and adventurous riders, the sky's the limit!
A. Rides will be tailored to the level of experience and confidence of the riders. For new riders, we will ride only on dedicated cycle paths and rides would be approximately 1 hour. For more experienced and adventurous riders, the sky's the limit!
Q. What do I need to wear and bring?
A. Wear comfortable clothing suitable for exercise, sturdy flat-soled shoes, and your own helmet. You will need to bring sunscreen and a water bottle (bikes are fitted with a water bottle cage for both riders).
A. Wear comfortable clothing suitable for exercise, sturdy flat-soled shoes, and your own helmet. You will need to bring sunscreen and a water bottle (bikes are fitted with a water bottle cage for both riders).
FAQ's for Stokers
Q. What are the requirements for being a Stoker?
A. The only requirement for being a Stoker is that you are over the age of 18 and that you are able to sit safely on the back of a tandem. The Stoker position is ideal for people who are blind or vision-impaired, as well as for people with some other disabilities.
A. The only requirement for being a Stoker is that you are over the age of 18 and that you are able to sit safely on the back of a tandem. The Stoker position is ideal for people who are blind or vision-impaired, as well as for people with some other disabilities.
Q. I've never ridden a bike before. Does that matter?
A. It's never too late to start! We would love for you to come along and have a go, and we will tailor rides to suit the level of experience and confidence of our riders.
A. It's never too late to start! We would love for you to come along and have a go, and we will tailor rides to suit the level of experience and confidence of our riders.
Q. Will we ride on the road?
A. Rides will be mostly on dedicated cycle paths, but the ride from where the bikes are stored to where the cycle path starts is approximately 1 km of suburban back streets. If you're not comfortable riding on the road, then you don't have to. We'll arrange to meet you for the start of the ride on a dedicated cycle path. Experienced cyclists will ride on the road especially on training rides. Our social rides have opportunities to ride on either as a cycle path is next to a road with well defined cycle lanes.
A. Rides will be mostly on dedicated cycle paths, but the ride from where the bikes are stored to where the cycle path starts is approximately 1 km of suburban back streets. If you're not comfortable riding on the road, then you don't have to. We'll arrange to meet you for the start of the ride on a dedicated cycle path. Experienced cyclists will ride on the road especially on training rides. Our social rides have opportunities to ride on either as a cycle path is next to a road with well defined cycle lanes.
Q. Is tandem riding safe?
A. As with any physical activity, tandem cycling involves a certain level of risk. However, we want you to have fun and therefore we want to make sure you're safe. Our Captains are experienced cyclists and will do their best to keep you safe, however we must stress that TBUG Townsville Tandems and the individual Captains are not liable if you do injure yourself while riding.
A. As with any physical activity, tandem cycling involves a certain level of risk. However, we want you to have fun and therefore we want to make sure you're safe. Our Captains are experienced cyclists and will do their best to keep you safe, however we must stress that TBUG Townsville Tandems and the individual Captains are not liable if you do injure yourself while riding.
FAQ's for Captains
Q. What are the requirements for being a Captain?
A. To be a Captain, you must be over the age of 18 and a competent cyclist. You don't need to be a professional, but if you haven't touched your bike in the last decade, maybe dust that off before joining our Captain roster. You will be given information and training riding a tandem as both a captain and a stoker.
A. To be a Captain, you must be over the age of 18 and a competent cyclist. You don't need to be a professional, but if you haven't touched your bike in the last decade, maybe dust that off before joining our Captain roster. You will be given information and training riding a tandem as both a captain and a stoker.
Q. How often will I have to ride as a Captain?
A. You can ride as often or as little as you want. There is no obligation to come every week, but we're confident you will have that much fun that we won't be able to keep you away!
A. You can ride as often or as little as you want. There is no obligation to come every week, but we're confident you will have that much fun that we won't be able to keep you away!
Q. I've never ridden a tandem before. Does that matter?
A. Not at all. We'll get you to have a bit of a practice run on the tandem without a passenger so you can get used to the different feel of the bike. We find that most riders get a feel for the bike very quickly and have no trouble adjusting.
A. Not at all. We'll get you to have a bit of a practice run on the tandem without a passenger so you can get used to the different feel of the bike. We find that most riders get a feel for the bike very quickly and have no trouble adjusting.