tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845638656629719845.post4322740924765016050..comments2021-08-04T09:54:40.104+01:00Comments on David and Carole's LeJog: Mobile PostingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12894329554058535764noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845638656629719845.post-77201242988438538802013-08-06T15:57:11.868+01:002013-08-06T15:57:11.868+01:00And how about a poem on the pleasures of tandem bi...And how about a poem on the pleasures of tandem bikes? <br /><br />Um... for the "captain" up front, that is! The "stoker" in the rear has a much different experience, to hear Tony Pranses tell it! And what does a "stoker" do? Why, he keeps the engine's fire burning by...<br /><br />SHOVELIN' COAL<br /><br />There are those who think the tandem is the instrument sublime<br />For the serious cycle-tourist, and the man concerned with time.<br />It has drive and rolls much faster as it gobbles up the track,<br />But it's quite another matter to the guy who sits in back...shovelin'<br />coal.<br /><br />But just look at the advantages with twice the power at hand,<br />And half the wind resistance as it travels o'er the land.<br />The weight is less than double. This alone gives peace of mind.<br />But it's still another matter to the guy who sits behind...shovelin'<br />coal.<br /><br />Yes, the man up front is master. It is he who shifts the gears.<br />He decides when brakes are needed, and on top of this he steers.<br />He can go the wrong direction and wind up in Timbuktu;<br />But refuses any protest from the guy who's number two...shovelin' coal.<br /><br />It's just like a locomotive, with the front man engineer,<br />He sits back and shouts instructions to the fireman in the rear.<br />It's the way to run a railroad. With a bike it's not so sweet<br />To the sweating, swearing fellow on the secondary seat...shovelin' coal.<br /><br />True, the pilots work the throttles while their partners work the flaps.<br />They are barely more than slaves -- a society of saps.<br />Co-pilots do the labor. They are not supposed to feel.<br />It's likewise with the suckers above the rearward wheel...shovelin'<br />coal.<br /><br />His view ahead is blank and to peek would be a sin;<br />So he can't see where he's going -- only places where he's been.<br />He would love to lean to starboard when to port they make a turn,<br />But such pleasure is verboten to the fellow in the stern...shovelin'<br />coal.<br /><br />Yet there will be retribution on some future day in hell,<br />When all tandem frames have melted, and the tandem leaders yell.<br />In agony they writhe, and some mercy they request;<br />But the back men just keep doing the thing they've done the<br />best...shovelin' coal.<br /><br />Tony Pranses<br /><br />(Reprinted from the Greater Boston Council, AYH, "Spokesman", in<br />"Bicycling", August 1976Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181890019488939021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845638656629719845.post-53427816198642856312013-08-05T16:55:41.638+01:002013-08-05T16:55:41.638+01:00Just remember to watch the road ahead David whilst...Just remember to watch the road ahead David whilst typing!! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13091575730900011243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-845638656629719845.post-46699281901571752322013-08-05T14:57:22.228+01:002013-08-05T14:57:22.228+01:00Oooo, you don't want to get stuck in the '...Oooo, you don't want to get stuck in the 'granny ring', it might hurt your entrantlements!!!!!!<br /><br />Enjoy the new bike. xxxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181890019488939021noreply@blogger.com