Nutts' in Georgia!

Thanks to our friends back home, George and Mary Mitchell, we have a developing interest in mountain bike tandems. They pointed us to www.mtbtandems.com an on-line store, shop and information site based out of Canton, GA. The owners, Alex and Kim Nutt along with their kids Stephanie, AJ and Trace are all very passionate about tandems. They have turned their passion into a nice little business!

We met with Alex and the boys on Saturday at local gravel walking path/trail to try out a couple of different sizes of bikes. We are looking at a Ventana El Conquistador dual suspension tandem (www.ventanausa.com ). After a five or so mile spin around a gravel two track, we headed over to their shop/house to take a look at some different frames and forks. Alex was great, answering our many questions and spending a good part of the day with us. He mentioned that his friend Mike and his wife from Asheville were coming down to pick up some parts and they were going to do a ride. They have a Grinch Green Ventana, which is a color we are considering. Deb and Mark who run a tandem enthusiasts site called Double_Forte, which can be found in Yahoo groups, and live locally were also joining the ride. Alex invited us to join all of them on one of his demo tandems. We could not pass up a chance to take one of these on some single track!

We met everyone over at the shop at 11am put our pedals and saddles on the tandem and headed out. The Blanket Creek trailhead was only a few miles from their home/shop. Alex is actually responsible for much of the design and building of the trail. For the riding folks back home in MI, the trailhead parking lot is similar to Island Lake on the weekends, it was packed! It was quite a sight to see 4 tandems, myself and Laura, Alex and Kim, Mark and Deb and Mike with Alex’s son stoking(Mikes wife was not able to make the trip down) head down the trail. We caused quite a stir in the parking lot as well!

The best way to describe the trail, in Michigan terms, is Yankee springs, without the sand, more rocks and more climbing! It proved to be a true ‘trial by fire’ for our first single track adventure on a tandem! The first few miles were a little nerve racking, getting used to the handling of the bike, the hills, and combination of rocks and roots. It only took a few miles to realize that 2 people on 40# bike with 6” of travel will go over just about anything! The only thing that slows you down is your own fear. By mile 3, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face! It gives a whole new dimension to trail riding. It put Laura and me on more level playing field (we can actually ride together now). Laura seems to be a natural ‘stoker’, we communicated well, pedaled efficiently and moved around the trail as one! I would say tandems are like golf, you either get it, or you don’t! (Golf, we definitely don’t!)

After lunch with everyone, (don’t worry Steph, I’m sure your dad will let you date BEFORE you’re 30!) Laura and I headed back out to the trail. I wanted to try the advanced South loop on my Racer X. The best way to describe it, in terms of Michigan trails, is a combination of Maybury, Poto and Highland! Continuous twisty ups and downs alongside Lake Allatoona., many rock gardens, and roots and a couple of small creek crossings thrown in. The trail was short (4.1mi), but an absolute BLAST! My climbing has definitely improved since leaving Michigan!

A HUGE thank-you to the entire Nutt family for your generous hospitality this weekend! People who tandem really are a ‘special’ group ;) It was also great meeting Mike, Mark and Deb. We look forward to being able to ride with you all again, next time on our very own tandem!

I think Laura and I agree that we enjoyed it enough to get one. We both really liked the ‘electric blue metallic’ color. After talking with Alex, I have a pretty good idea of how I want the parts spec to look. Sizing is still an issue as I had standover issues and Laura had top tube length issues with the stock 17/16 we demo’d (we will probably go custom if/when we do this). The biggest challenge we face is how to pay for it. I think for now, we have to wait until the first of the year to see how our budgeting for this trip is working out before we can take the plunge!

The goal, 2006 Ore to Shore, tandem class (look out Mitchells’ here we come)!

Rich