01-06-2005, 06:13 PM
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#63 (permalink)
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| | Dating advice, was: Good sporty hybrid for women
On 5 Jan 2005 10:13:02 -0800, markalroberts@hotmail.com (Mark Roberts)
wrote:
>
>I'm trying to help my girlfriend find a bike so we can ride togther. I
>ride a fair bit and have three bikes: an alu commuter hybrid, steel
>tourer and titanium/carbon road bike.
>
>I'm thinking a hybrid will be the best option for her, as we're
>probably not going to cycle hundreds of miles with panniers or go for
>maximum speed. But having said that, we will be cycling for 3-4hours
>at a time and pretty hard if I get my way 
One problem with asking for opinions is that you're likely to get
some. From your description, it sounds like your girlfriend is not a
cyclist, and you want to get her to ride along with your for 3-4
hours, hammering pretty hard. Right?
I think Rich's tandem is a reasonable approach. However, I have this
feeling this gal won't be your girlfriend for very long. She doesn't
ride a bike now, and you're going to drag her for way too long, way
too soon. I'd guess she'll leave you within three months. Buy a used
hybrid. It won't hurt as much after the breakup. Then go find a
ready-made cycling girlfriend in your local cycling club who already
has her own bike. (Good luck, I hear they're hard to find!)
Further advice? First, relax. You'll be lucky if she's ready to ride
3-4 hours at a time by the summer of 2006, if she hasn't started.
You've got to get her addicted, and to do that, you have to arrange
things so she associates cycling with having fun with you.
Next, get her that used hybrid. Make sure it's a nice bike. Get
yourself a gas pipe mountain bike, used or even Huffy. She'll
naturally be slower than you, so you take the heavier bike to
compensate.
Now DO NOT go for a long ride yet! Find a nice, quiet route where you
two can ride along for 2-3 miles while you talk. No more than half a
block of moderate traffic allowed -- you don't want to scare her off.
It's best if it starts near either your place or hers, and ends up at
a coffee shop, bakery, ice cream parlor, etc. Ride down there with
her 2-3 times a week. You may race her no more than once every 10
rides, for no more than one block. If she challenges you, then go for
it; just don't push it, and make sure she wins at least one time out
of every three.
You should probably go hammer once a week with your bike buddies to
burn off excess testosterone at this stage. You've got a year to go
yet.
After two-three months of this, find a longer ride -- say 5-7 miles
each way. Make sure the endpoint is someplace she likes to go with
you. Ride beside her and talk with her for significant parts of each
ride. If she's still with you, a little more traffic may be
acceptable, as long as she's not too uncomfortable with it. If
there's a couple of places or routes that fit this description, so
much the better. Same rules on racing as before. After a few more
months, try planning a special outing, out in the country for a
picnic, for example, 10-15 miles away, or to a nice park. Make it
special! Don't wear her out!
Remember, you're still wooing this girl on two fronts: you're a person
she wants to spend more time with, and biking is something she wants
to do more of.
Keep at it. If you've succeeded by this time next year, and this
girlfriend is still with you, then you can start training with her for
those longer rides you want to do.
Good luck!
(Let the flames begin!)
Pat
Email address works as is.
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