TERRIFIC TANDEM BAKE

Recipe:
1 couple
1 tandem bicycle (custom Litespeed optional)
Equal parts trust and communication
Equal parts humility and humor
Blend regularly. Expose to extreme temperatures, altitude, weather and distance.
Yield: One very talented team and one strong relationship. (Your results may vary.)

After 18 years of marriage, Doug and Laurie Wainwright have perfected the recipe both on and off the bike. This is not to claim that their results are consistent. There are days when Doug’s communication is stale and Laurie is short on trust; when the humility and humor must be fresh and plentiful. Negotiating the physics of tandem riding took only six months. Navigating the emotional aspects, however, is an on-going commitment – a tribute to their love for each other, and the sport.

Natives of Fresno County, the Wainwrights met while wine tasting in a hot tub. “So California, it is embarrassing,” laughs Laurie. They tried cycling together, on separate bikes, early in the marriage. Unless it was a wine and cheese ride to the local park, Laurie felt frustrated, either by Doug’s aggressive speed (he is known to bunny-hop cattle guards) or her own slow pace. Doug is quick to point out that she is not that slow, and usually arrives with the main group – having established her tempo early.

She is slow, however, when it comes to changing a tire. Most of us loathe fixing a flat. It interrupts ones rhythm, timing and enjoyment of a ride. And, like most of us, Laurie knows who to ask for help. One day she sought out Ken Bell, who very patiently and carefully demonstrated the technique. Just as he was ready to inflate the new tube, he disassembled the whole thing and handed it back to her. “Now YOU do it”, he said with a grin. It took her so long that Jim Kromer fell asleep.

Laurie had long given up hope that Doug would actually use a gardening tool on Saturday mornings and so, for his 40th birthday, bought a used Santana. She hoped it would be fun to ride tandem occasionally on the bike trail, but it has become the gift that keeps on giving – to each of them. Now, on their custom Litespeed, the Wainwrights rock!

This spring they will enter the qualifying rides for Paris-Brest-Paris, held August 18-22. For those of you, like me, who have only minimal knowledge of this event, the following is a brief outline. There are four qualifying timed events, called brevets, at 200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometers. If a rider finishes each within the maximum time allowed, he or she is qualified to enter the P-B-P, a 1200 kilometer monster, also timed. Depending on the type of riding one does (racing, tandem, etc.), there are three time limits from which to choose. The Wainwrights have selected the 84-hour limit, with a morning start. This will allow them to maintain a somewhat normal sleep schedule. (Obviously, “normal” is a relative term.) Paris-Brest-Paris would test the very limits of most relationships. Doug and Laurie are going to celebrate it as the honeymoon they never had. Now, THAT is what I call a marriage of bodies and souls! They also hope to make the final cut for Neal Bos’ European tour, which concludes a few days before P-B-P.

In the above recipe, I neglected to mention that the Wainwright’s Terrific Tandem Bake serves the entire cycling community. Their humor, joie de vivre and genuine regard for each other nourish everyone they encounter. Members of the Sacramento Wheelmen are lucky to have this exclusive recipe. If you haven’t sampled it yet, I suggest you saddle up and ride with Doug and Laurie. You’ll love it!

>> back to Sacramento Wheelmen home
>> back to WheelNews page