(Local) ‘co’motion

At least three times a week, Bob and Jan Thompson test their 40-plus year marriage by suiting up and hitting the roads of The Villages on their bicycle built for two.

“However your marriage is going, tandem riding will get you there faster,” Bob says with a laugh. “Some call it the divorce machine, but for some couples, this style of riding works. We encourage all couples who like riding together to try tandem.”

The coordinated effort in action may look overly complicated; however, Bob promises tandem riding is easy to learn and with practice, becomes second nature once you get into the habit of constant communication.

“It’s not difficult. It just requires more communication than if you’re a couple that rides single bikes,” Bob explains. “The captain, who holds the first position on the bike, is in charge of steering, gear shifting, and pedaling. The person in the second position, or the stoker, is in charge of pedaling. As long as you have that understanding, tandem riding can be great fun.” while still being affordable. These sandals have a slightly elevated heel for an extra lift and a pivoting strap that can be worn behind the heel for a snug fi t or forward to make it an easy slip-on. They are also made with Croslite™ material for maximum cushioning and support. www.crocs.com

After discovering a dedicated group of other tandem riders in and around The Villages, the Thompsons helped organize the Southern Tandem Rally in The Villages in 2009. Since then, they have helped form the Florida Panthers Tandem Club, the only active tandem club in the state of Florida. And each year during the last weekend in October, Bob says they organize the Florida Tandem Rally at the Waterfront Inn in The Villages. This year, everything is slated for Oct. 25–27.

Aside from making their marriage stronger, Bob says he and Jan have found tandem cycling also has done wonders for their health and the health of others with whom they ride.

“At our last rally, the average age for a captain was 63 and a stoker was 61. As for the oldest couple we have riding with us every week, the husband is 80 and his wife is 78,” he says.

For more information about the Florida Panthers Tandem Club and the upcoming Florida Tandem Rally in The Villages, visit www.floridatandemclub.org.