Follow goRides process for preparing for your first ride with the Tow Frame Have a safe and successful experience riding with your child. 

You have just recently attached the Tow Frame – Follow Me Tandem to your and your child,s bike. Before your first ride please check that all the connections are tight and secure.

What to look for…

• on the adult/lead bike the tow frame is attached to the rear wheel hub at the axel. Is this attachment point secure?
• on the childs/trailing bike the tow frame is attached at two points
  1. At the front wheel hub, again at the axel. Is the attachment secure?
  2. Along the tow frame arm… are the black screws tight and is the tow arm securely placed into the frame receiving clamp?

When you feel confident the Tow Frame is securely connected you can attempt your first practice ride. 

Note: goRide recommends that you check the connection of the Bike Tow Frame before every ride.

We recommend that you test the feel of the Bike Tow Frame in a quiet place without a passenger. Practice riding your new bike set up away from road traffic. 

What to practise… 

• connecting/disconnecting the tow frame.  You want to be satisfied that your bike to bike connection is secure and you also want to be confident in using the tow frame
• riding with the tow frame
  1. Get some understanding of the change in weight/balance, practice braking (does it take longer to come to a stop?) and practice starting (a heavier bike is harder to get moving)
  2. Get some understanding of the change in length, practice cornering & turning

When you feel confident riding with the Tow Frame with out a passenger you can begin to prepare your child and plan for your first ride together!

Make it clear to the trailing rider (your child) that to be safe they must remain seated on their bike and not suddenly dismount. This is very important for when you start to ride in traffic.

Communication

When towing a child on a bike to be safe communication is key. Always communicate in a loud voice. Work through clear communication – that you have talked about and both understand.

Starting – Choose instructions that suit your family for starting – either ready, steady, GO or count 1, 2, 3 GO.  The trailing rider can make this starting call so you know they are ready.

Stopping – The adult rider will be making this call. Make sure the trailing person/child is aware when you are stopping or any slowing down.

You need to let your child know it is OK to ask you to stop and that they need to remain on their seat until the bikes are completely stopped. How will they communicate this to you?

Note: Kids with rear pedal brakes will still be able to engage their brakes while you are riding.  You may need to remind them not to do this.

Choose a safe place that is quiet and ideally has no traffic.  School playgrounds, empty carparks, off road bike paths/cycleways.

This is a new experience for everyone so start small and be very patient.  Choose an area with a long clear path in front of you so you don’t need to turn immediately.

Process

Straddle your bike first and hold your tandem set up steady.  Let your child know they can mount their bike.

Child gets on their bike and sits on seat.  For younger kids encourage them to place both their feet onto the pedals.  You need to be prepared to take and balance this weight.  For older children, if they can reach the ground from their seat, encourage a start position with one foot on pedal, one foot on the ground.

Your child needs to let you know they are ready.  Then use their “start communication words” so you can do some riding.  We recommend starting and stopping a few times so get used to the feel and communication sequence.  You can also repeat what you practiced with out them (see section 2 above) – braking, cornering and turning.

As your child sits in behind you it is not always easy to see what they are doing, keep chatting to them as they get used to the feeling of being towed.  Also talk to them about when it is safe to dismount and how they let you know they would like to stop.

When you both feel confident…

Your first ride to a destination should ideally be short and fairly simple.  Think about your route or the trails you could use for this. Ideally you do not want them dismounting until you reach your destination/a safe area especially if you are riding in traffic. The tow frame will open up a whole new type of riding for your family so enjoy and make the most of this new journey your family is on.

• Super Stable!! This makes it easier to learn to ride together as there is no lean created when riding with the Tow Frame
• Its stability means you can ride with your child early. They do not have to be a competent independent rider to enjoy the Tow Frame
• Your child can choose to pedal or not
• Easy to attach when out and about encouraging independent as well as tandem riding 
• Can be used with front/mid or rear seats for riding with multiple children

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