Thanks for the detailed report! I had done some research but it sounded like everyone rents hybrids and I just sold my old hybrid. We won't be climbing Cadillac mountain-- at least not on the bikes.
I have climbing gears but it looks like they'll be put to the test. I'm sure I'll be glad for my disk brakes. I think I will get some tires. 32 seems to be the limit for my bike. Hubby has a hybrid with disk brakes and 35s so he doesn't have to change anything. Maybe he'll be able to keep up with me for once.
I admire you for riding a tandem. Whenever we see couples out on tandems we joke that they must really like each other. We would kill each other. Totally different riding styles. He likes to use the biggest gear he can handle and mash it. I use my gears and spin at a steady cadence. Guess who has more stamina?