I have a new found respect for you and your captain, want a good lesson in staying seated on climbs, ride a tandem. Oof.
We kept (well, I guess that would really be "I kept") it in the big ring for all but 3 climbs, one of those was accidental as the chain decided to drop, but I was able to get the chain back without having to stop (and only taking out minimal leeches).
We need some spray, those tandems really gather a cluster of leeches.
We were able to take Dwight and Nancy (aka "the crusher") on the big climb, but once it leveled out, "the crusher" let the hammer down. Poor Dwight, not sure how he could keep up, though there is a rumor that he was spotted with his legs over the front bar and Nancy powering them past the lead group and 6 semi's.