It was our 33rd wedding anniversary, and although we had envisioned a romantic evening away and a nice dinner out, life had other plans. I needed to leave early the next morning due to some unexpected circumstances, so we pivoted—our evening plans turned into a mid-day lunch date.
But I wanted to make it memorable.
A neighbor had once offered us the use of his tandem bike, and I figured this was the perfect occasion to take him up on it. I wheeled it into our driveway, called out, “Your chariot awaits!” and off we went.
Sort of.
We quickly realized that riding a tandem bike is very different from riding solo. Though we had done it before, we needed a refresher:
-
How to lean together on turns
-
When to start and stop pedaling
-
How to stay balanced as a team
We weren’t just sharing a bike—we were sharing control. On a tandem, you can’t simply do your own thing. You must be in sync, communicate constantly, and be quick to forgive if one person lags or missteps.
It’s more dangerous than riding alone. But also, more exhilarating.
As we pedaled through our neighborhood—correcting, laughing, leaning, and adjusting—I couldn’t help but think about how riding a tandem bike mirrors a long-term relationship. After 33 years of marriage, it was a fitting metaphor:
-
It takes clear communication.
-
It demands trust and forgiveness.
-
It works best when you’re pulling together—not apart.
At one point, the back tire started rubbing against the fender. I called a friend, a former bike shop owner, and we headed his way for a fix. It was a reminder that relationships—whether romantic or professional—need regular maintenance. You have to keep adjusting, fine-tuning, and working on what’s not quite aligned.
Business Parallel: Your Team Is a Tandem Bike
In business, we often act like we’re riding solo—but we’re not. Every team project, leadership pairing, or collaborative effort is a kind of tandem ride. One person’s misstep affects everyone.
Consider:
-
When communication breaks down, performance wobbles.
-
When one person stops pedaling, the whole team slows down.
-
When there’s misalignment, frustration builds and progress stalls.
If you lead a team, here’s a challenge: rent a few tandem bikes. Give basic instructions, send people out in pairs, and debrief afterward. Ask:
-
What worked?
-
What didn’t?
-
How did you communicate?
-
What would you change next time?
Sometimes the best leadership lessons come from doing something unexpected. Like riding a bike with one seat too many.
****
Related past blog posts:
My thought for the day (4/6/2026) was the importance of balance and the problem of being off balanced.
We haven’t had a chance to start riding our new tandem bike together, so I went searching for tips.
I found your little story.
Many thanks to God for your words of wisdom.