SEAN PATRICK FARRELL AND J. DAVID GOODMAN, 9 February 2010, The New York Times - City Room

For some, the tandem bicycle is as close as it gets to love on a bike.  The machines with two seats and one pair of wheels have often conjured thoughts of everlasting bliss and pedaling in union.

For others, like Edward Pino and Liz Baum of Forest Hills, Queens, who own two tandems that they take on rides of up to 70 miles, the bike is somewhat less exalted; it’s just a way to stay connected when both partners enjoy riding, but not necessarily at the same speed.

It can also offer a kind of mirror onto the relationship. “What I always say to people is if you really want to see how your marriage is doing, go on a tandem,” Mr. Pino, 60, said. “Because you gotta work together.”

He added, “As my wife will tell you, I don’t listen.”

“He goes off on his own little world on the bike,” said Ms. Baum, 56, who sits in the rear, or stoker, seat when they ride together. “When he doesn’t listen, I have to hit him!”

“I don’t hurt him,” she added. “The reality is if you hurt the person who is in charge of the bike, you both go down!”

Juan Garcia
Erin and Chad Graf turned a mutual love of bicycles into a mutual love for each other.

Read more . . .