A new feeling

It's funny to be out riding the tandem and noticing that people are actually paying attention. We ride by a park and one kid says to the other, "Hey! Check it out!" Surely "Stoker Jack" adds immensely to the whole cute factor. We grin and ride on. Later a car pulls up alongside as we are riding and the passenger asks if we know where they can find Desert Hills Drive. "Right up ahead." I respond. "Thanks. Nice bike." comes the reply. Later as we smartly round a corner in Anthem, a pedestrian simply says, "Nice!" We smile.

Our longest ride so far is over 12 miles and we are currently averaging about 12 mph. I think our confidence level continues to climb as our distances get more ambitious and our average speed increases. I've stood in the pedals for brief periods. Kasidy (aka S.J.) now sports a harness with a two point connection to the bike and her basket attachment has been beefed up for increased stability. Even when passing whole flocks of bunny rabbits grazing on the green lawns of Anthem she yearns to be turned loose but she knows her team is depending on her and so she resists the temptation to indulge her inner Terrier. Of all the dogs I've ever bicycled with, Kasidy is my favorite.

Kristi (aka Stoker Babe) is like a sponge soaking up cycling knowledge like nobody's business. Her new (used from eBay) pedals and cleats have arrived but her new shoes (really new) from

Bike Nashbar are still inbound and expected any day.