Hi, my name's James, and I joined Bury Tandem Club as a front rider in 2005. I had known about the club for a year or so before I joined, since they ride out from a place very close to where I live, but I couldn't get involved at the time because of back trouble, which was keeping me off my own bike at the time. I decided that when my back was sorted out and I was able to start riding again, I would join the club.
Why did I decide to join? Well, a number of reasons I guess. Firstly, I really enjoy cycling; it's by far the most enjoyable way of getting or keeping fit that I know of. I thought that if I joined the club, it would encourage me to keep cycling myself as well, especially in the winter months (I've always been a bit of a fair weather cyclist, but the club goes out all year round). I also thought that the club was doing something very worthwhile, and that it would be good to give up some of my time to help it.
One year or so in, I can say that I really have enjoyed being a tandem rider so far. It takes a bit of getting used to after a solo bike; but there are a lot of experienced people around to help; and you don't have to be a Tour de France level cyclist to do it - the club organisers are very good at matching up the stronger rear riders with the less strong front riders, and vice versa.
Getting up on a cold, wet Sunday morning in January to go cycling isn't always the most appealling option, but once you're out it's normally fine, and it means that I can enjoy a sausage and bacon barm at lunchtime without any of the usual guilty feelings!