The Importance of Being Earnest

There have been articles upon articles regarding the correlation between riding a tandem and being in a relationship. On this trip we've met many riders who are intrigued with the tandem, but would not consider it as an option; too much to ask in a marriage.  Today, we might consider their hesitation as sound.

To ride a tandem, the key component is communication. Clearly we began this journey with a solid set of comunication skills in place. However, to be honest, each day offers another opportunity to work on those skills.

Are you buying this?

The truth is, we're always working on it.

We left New York as we continued our walk/bike across America. In Troy, they were tearing apart the ancient sections of roads in town. As we passed by old buildings that displayed faded, painted walls which told of selling crackers for 5 cents, or textiles warehouses which were ghosts of fabrics past, we had to dismount and walk ourselves and the bike. There's a lot that happens prior the dismount.

The communication begins way before the walking, with me reading the cue sheet, passing along the information I had written from the previous night, and sharing whats going on behind us.
In the meantime, Jeff is assessing the conditions ahead of us, and determining if what I'm suggesting is even possible. Simultaneously, traffic is presenting it's own moment by moment challenge.

We got through that bit, just to enter a dark, bumpy tunnel, where we had to do the same thing.  Cars and trucks are whizzing by, decisions have to be "splitly" executed, and don't forget to look and appreciate the scenery.

Tension can be high.

There have been bits and pieces of the ride when silence was the better option.
This is fun?

But the brilliant part is, after some time, the conversation starts again, and the bridge of communication has another link in it.
We have to be clear and honest in these exchanges, because the next day we have to get back in the saddle and problem solve all day together...again.
We've been building this bridge for a very long time.
It is the most important, and sometimes the hardest work is -
to be earnest in tandem.

Bennington Monument...ask Jeff for a fun fact when you see him

Tracy said, "Look up"' so I did.  Big...huge...

signs of the rebuilding after last year's devastating floods all over ...

Green mountain state indeed.

No - I didn't jump ship...just thought about it...

See?  Still married...happy...and a little tuckered out after a 7 mile climb...