In tandem parlance, the person at the front is called the Pilot and the person behind is called the Stoker.

Graham: If I was not available to cycle on the tandem then who would you choose as your tandem partner?

Chris point blank refused to answer this question and instead burst into a rendition of “It had to be you”.

I moved on to the next question …

Graham: What are the important characteristics of the tandem pilot?

Chris: The Pilot must be fast but safe, see all the road signs, and choose high gears when appropriate.

Graham: What are the important characteristics of the tandem stoker?

Chris: No back seat driving and pedal hard!

Graham: All other things being equal, would you rather be the pilot or the stoker?

Chris: I would like to be sometimes one and sometimes the other.

Graham: What are the advantages of being the stoker?

Chris: You don’t have responsibility for staying on the path and you can look around more.

Graham: In my role as pilot I would like to add a disadvantage of this role is that I have swallowed a lot of flying insects.