Road Cycling - My cycling buddy might be slowing me down.

I have finally found a reliable cycling buddy. We have been out a half a dozen times; each time covering 35 or more miles. When we first started riding together I set the pace. I would lead with a great distance between us. There were many times on each ride when I would have to slow to a crawl in order for my buddy to catch up with me.

Reasons for his slow riding include having a Wally World bike with 26 inch wheels, lack of experience, and having trouble remembering to eat in the morning before we went for a ride. I told him every time that he was in danger of experiencing a bonk. When he finally did bonk, he barely made it home.

Last time we rode, however, I decided to change my style of riding in order for our trip to be more enjoyable. For most of the ride, with the exception of when we were on the busy roads, we rode beside each other. This actually benefits us both. He is learning better English conversational skills (he's from Brazil), and I'm learning Portugese and as much as I can about Brazilian culture. When I got home I looked at my cyling computer and found that our ride took a bit longer in time than past rides. I don't want to go back to riding in front of my friend, but I also want to encourage him to ride a bit faster. He is considering the purchase of a hybrid bike similar to mine, but I'm also considering buying a road bike that would blow us both off the road.

How can I fix this situation? I don't want to harm our friendship by pushing my agenda. One time when we passed a pedestrian crossing, the sign read--PED Xing. He smiled at me and said, "It took me a long time to figure out what PED CHING meant." I get a lot out of our rides; much more than he knows. :)

Keep riding with him AF. I do almost all of my riding solo, and it is fun when there is someone else there to share with. For your part, you can just grab a lower gear, and keep spinning, and get a good workout. And, as your friend keeps riding, his speed will increase, too. And you could probalby ride just a little faster than he is, too, to kind of urge him along!

It's not everyday you make such a rewarding friendship, so to me it would be important not to jeopardize it.

How about meeting for breakfast before your ride? That way your friend wouldn't bonk. (What's "bonk" in Portuguese?)

AF,

If he is serious about dumping his current bike and buying a hybrid, have you considered selling your hybrid to him? Or do you want to keep it? At least you'd know he was getting a good bike.

Ron

I don't think I could sell my hybrid to anyone. When I finally buy my dream road bike I'll use my hybrid for commuting only. When riding on the weekends, I'll be on the glory bike. :D Besides, I know how much money I've invested in my hybrid to make it run as far as I've ridden it. My friend could buy two very nice hybrid bikes for the amount of money I put into my bike. I may not be very sensible when it comes to business, but even I know that that would be a bad deal.

Originally posted by A F Baker
I have finally found a reliable cycling buddy...I don't want to go back to riding in front of my friend, but I also want to encourage him to ride a bit faster...How can I fix this situation?

...I get a lot out of our rides; much more than he knows. :)
Try getting in a more intense workout on a previous day. That way, you can use this 35 mile ride with your friend as a "easy cycling" day (even though it is 35 miles.)

I get a pretty good workout during the week when I take my son for a ride almost every evening. With 35 pounds + bike seat strapped to my back rack, I get a really good workout. My son likes to sing, so riding with my son is like riding with a radio that plays Barney songs that only I understand. :)

When I was telling a lady at work about getting my new road bike, and how much it was going to cost, she asked if I was going to trade in my hybrid! I just gave her a questioning look, and she started laughing, and then appologized, she said she didn't know what came over her! Of course I wouldn't get rid of my trusty Sagres!! Women can be so funny sometimes!

Originally posted by nebill
Of course I wouldn't get rid of my trusty Sagres!! Women can be so funny sometimes!

Go figure! ;)

I love women, :love: (with four girls and my wife... I'd better!)
but, I'll never understand them! :confused: Sometimes it makes me wonder why God made us soooo different, but then
Viva la difference! ;)

As Nebill said, gear down and spin faster is a good option. That is what I do when I ride with a friend of mine who is slower. I also take the lead going into the wind. You can still chat some, though you do have to talk louder.

I went in to work today to do a report that only I know how to do (I'm right now on vacation). When I rode into the parking lot, I noticed another bicycle at the door of the office. Come to find out, someone else from my office is now commuting!! I've been trying to talk other people in my office to cycle to work since I started commuting in January. Another guy I work with rode his bike to work on Monday, but didn't today. I think I'm starting to become a good influence to these people.

When I got inside, my Brazilian friend with whom I ride every weekend told me that he may be buying the new hybrid tonight. If he does buy the bike, he and I will go farther this weekend in mileage than we've ever gone. I'm so excited!!

ATTENTION, NON-CYCLISTS!

YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED!

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

Shhhhhhh Rainman, we don't want them to know of our evil plans to get them on two wheels!

AF, sounds like things are going to work out okay with your friend! Excellent! Before you know it, you will both be shopping for road bikes!

Originally posted by nebill
Before you know it, you will both be shopping for road bikes!
Before you know it, you'll both be looking for second jobs to finance your road bikes! :D

Just kidding (I hope). Here's to a lasting friendship and some really good cycling.

My friend bought the bike (Giant Cypress), and we rode this morning (Saturday) for 57 miles. The speed was greatly increased. I think I've created a monster though. He is really in to this sport. He said now that he has his new bike, he'd like to do some real cycling to some major cities that are quite a distance from our town. I'm so excited! ;)

Outstanding AF!! That is really great news! Next thing you know, you will be posting "My cycling buddy rides too fast..!!" That is really cool that you have someone to share your rides with. When is he going to start posting?? We might all like to throw a Portugese word in now and then!