EZ Tandem by Easy Racers Inc Provided by Magda Schijff & Doug Zabor 513 Red Bud Rd. Chapel Hill, NC, 27514

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1 EZ Tandem by Easy Racers Inc Provided by Magda Schijff & Doug Zabor 513 Red Bud Rd. Chapel Hill, NC, With special thanks to Peter Stull, Owner of Bicycleman, for facilitating anonymous donation of the bike. INTRODUCTION: Magda Schijff (PD 21 years) is the stoker behind husband (captain) Doug Zabor on their EZ Tandem bike. We road across Iowa in 2010 with Pedaling for Parkinson's group. During the 1,000 mile of training and after the 7 day, 475 mile ride across Iowa with about 15,000 bikers (called RAGBRAI), Magda attested to the benefits of forced exercise at a high cadence and elevated heart rate. Notably she was able to reduce frequency of medication, improve mood, sleep, energy, and benefit throughout the day with increased physical function and balance. Upon our return home, we decided that we would find a way to bring this therapy to people in the Chapel Hill area who could benefit but who may not have a spouse/partner who is willing or able to provide the brisk pace as captain. We also wanted to a find a Parkinson's friendly bike. While the traditional upright tandem has been used in many programs, the recumbent tandem was the only choice for Magda due to past surgeries. To verify that the EZ Tandem would work well for people with a range of Parkinson's disabilities, we set up demonstrates for Parkinson's groups throughout the Triangle and invited individuals to sit as the stoker to try it out. After sometimes expressing initial worries about balance issues, we would get one after another trying the bike with all of them ending up feeling comfortable and safe. Since these demonstrations indicated an interest among the local Parkinson's community and the numerous demonstrations convinced us the recumbent tandem was the right choice, Magda and Doug sought a second EZ Tandem to donate to a local wellness center who could provide access to those in need as well as access to potential captains or trainers/supervisors and even training session. Our hopes are that a wellness center can not only use this bike to serve a current population of individuals with Parkinson's but that with it in place, the facility might use the bike to grow membership among those who have can clinically benefit from vigorous exercise but can not do it without assistance. We are glad that we can now offer this bike, at no cost, to the wellness center willing to find floor space and to incorporate it into biking options offered to members. The Bike - Nicknamed Artie (R-T for recumbent tandem)

The Sun EZ Tandem is a recumbent, tandem bicycle that is ideal for use within an assisted cycling program that provides expertise from the captain's (front) position to the stoker (rear) position.

back, with hands on both sides, so that it feels more stable than sitting on an upright bike; it is more comfortable with 2 inches of seating foam and large expansive seat and doesn't require bending

Mesh seat back covers are supportive and allow air to circulate to keep the riders cooler and are easy to clean. The buckles allow quick removal of the seat back.

2 The Sun EZ Tandem is a recumbent, tandem bicycle that is ideal for use within an assisted cycling program that provides expertise from the captain's (front) position to the stoker (rear) position. We believe the recumbent tandem is more ideal than an upright tandem because: it is easier to get on and off, with assistance of a long handled stool; it feels safe to the person in back, as they sit back, with hands on both sides, so that it feels more stable than sitting on an upright bike; it is more comfortable with 2 inches of seating foam and large expansive seat and doesn't require bending the neck or putting pressure on the arm or wrists. The EZ Tandem is 119" long, weigh ~63 pounds. A number of other features make this bike ideal for a wellness center. Mesh seat back covers are supportive and allow air to circulate to keep the riders cooler and are easy to clean. The buckles allow quick removal of the seat back. We do it all the time for travel when we put the bike on top of our car. This is how we'd transport the bike to your facility. Handle grips on both sides provide the stoker with stability or the stoker can also hold on to metal bars on the back of captain's seat. The seat provides such stability that stoker can use both hands to drink from a water bottle.

Seat adjustment is quick and easy Two toggles below each seats are opened by hand.

position based on leg length to pedals. A note about length to pedals.

A measuring tape can be used front of the frame for the front seat or from the rear end to the back of the

We have used permanent markers to "re-adjust" every half year or so on our own bike.

This can be quickly adjusted using the cotter pins with pull ring, two on the stoker seat back, one on the

4 Seat adjustment is quick and easy Two toggles below each seats are opened by hand. This loosens the aluminum frame allowing the captain or stoker or both to move the seat to pre determined position based on leg length to pedals. A note about length to pedals. For stand-up bikes this can require a high level of precision. On a recumbent, this is not as critical. A measuring tape can be used front of the frame for the front seat or from the rear end to the back of the back seat for rapid adjustment. We have used permanent markers to "re-adjust" every half year or so on our own bike. Seat tilt adjustment When the seat is moved, the position of the seat back will straighten or tilt. This can be quickly adjusted using the cotter pins with pull ring, two on the stoker seat back, one on the captain. If the seat back needs further adjustment, a bike Allen wrench can be used to loosen and move the seat back brace. Due to comfort of seat and back, fine adjustments aren't as precisely necessary. Captain's seat - back tilt Stoker's seat - back tilt Back tilt support

Pedals The captain's pedals are normal non-clip

For the stoker, we purchased special pedals with

people can use the bike without requiring purchase

Although it requires someone to assist the stoker

The bike stand is is a Cycle-Ops Wind Trainer with

The tires are Kenda but don't need to be.

5 Pedals The captain's pedals are normal non-clip pedals to accommodate any shoe. For the stoker, we purchased special pedals with hook/loop (velcro) toe and ankle straps so that people can use the bike without requiring purchase of bike shoes with clips. Although it requires someone to assist the stoker to get feet strapped in, there is need for clip/unclip training. Gears and Stand The bike offers 27 gears. The bike stand is is a Cycle-Ops Wind Trainer with a front wheel stabilizer. Other The de-railler is Shimano Deore. The chain and gears are in good condition. The tires are Kenda but don't need to be. We've provided a replacement rear tire. The front won't need replacing as it will not wear. Performance Bicycle out of East Gate shopping center has provided service as well as Back Alley Bikes in Carrboro.

7 About Peter Stull, Owner of Bicycleman Phone: State Route 21 Alfred Station, NY Peter Stull specializes in selling recumbent bikes. He builds his own. Peter has known about our interest in finding a tandem bike for people with Parkinson's for two years. When the wife of a former customer who had recently died, asked Peter what he could do with her husband's EZ Tandem bike Peter suggested she donate it to us. He knew we would find a home for it in NC at a wellness center that could make it available to people with Parkinson's. Magda and Doug drove to Alfred Station, NY and picked up the bike, bought special pedals, a stationary stand and a cadence monitor and had Performance Bike mechanics in Chapel Hill ensure it is in good working condition. Partners Pedaling in Tandem Manual Magda and Doug have written a manual for use of the tandem bike in a program. The manual covers the clinical literature that supports the high cadence of RPM and raised heart rate (60-70 maximum HR) for 40 minutes with 10 minute warm up and 10 minute cool down, three days a week. The manual is intended as a supplement to materials used by the wellness center and not a replacement. It is aimed at educating both the stoker and the captain about the benefits of the program and it offers helpful tips in setting expectations for both the captain and stoker as well as communication tips. This manual will be supplied. as a resource. Content has been written to the best of our ability and do not claim expertise. The manual is based on publicly available clinical evidence and our personal experience. We have also represented the Partners Pedaling in Tandem (PPIT) concept to the Tarwheels, a local bike group and a number of them are willing to ride as captains. We'd be happy get in touch through the newsletter if a program were to get started and the need for captains existed. Thanks for considering our offer. Magda and Doug To contact Doug or Magda Home: Doug- jdzabor@aol.com Magda - mschijff@aol.com Address 513 Redbud Rd. Chapel Hill, NC July, 2012

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