then do something about it.

Think about it, would you let your young son or daughter ride without a helmet? Would you teach them to cross the street without looking both ways? Would you allow them to ride in the car without seat belts? Just how I look at it.

Per to OP's request, and to keep this from having to be moved to A&S, let's not revisit the entire helmet thing. OP knows we care about his safety. Well, actually, I think we just don't want to see his pretty wife's face damaged! ;) But he has acknowledged that most feel it mandatory to wear a helmet.

OP, congrats. My wife recently started riding with me. We are slower than I'd like and don't go as far as I would like.....and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love every minute of it! Looking forward to more ride reports.

Well, like what?

I've already said I'm planning on hooking up w/ a helmet now that I've got some way to handle all the sweat.

That Sweat Gutr is one heckuva product.

It's not like I can make my wife do something she doesn't want to do.

Thanks. I'm sure there'll be more.

My wife has expressed an interest in taking day trips. Load the bikes onto the car rack on the odd Friday night, drive to some other town (Corpus, Galveston, New Orleans, Austin, etc), get a hotel room for the night and then spend Saturday riding around other towns checking out the sights.

That sounds like a great idea to me.

I agree. Sounds like great fun....and great memories.

Education usually works. Maybe she will start wearing one when you do .

I am not trying to harp or be a dick but just concerned friend.

I know. No blood, no foul.

I hope I didn't come off as being too annoyed. I was just a bit concerned this might get locked or shipped off to A&S.

That's what I'm hoping. Like I said, I'd like to keep her around for a while. I like hanging around w/ her. ;)

I ate at a place called papasito's it was darn good, and a bar about a half mile past kirby had a superb burger. Also a place downtown had some awesome good BBQ, I will have to pull the expense report to get the name of that place.

A cute waitress was telling me that you guys get some air quality or smog action days where its pretty rough. you able to ride on those days?

Papasito's is part of a chain of restaurants started by the Pappas Bros years ago. All of their restaurants have great food at a high end of reasonable price.

I've not run into problems w/ air quality when it comes to riding. I know that the SE part of town has issues pretty regularly (refineries). I live on the north side and work on the west side. I can't say it's ever bothered me.

I just care about you and everyone who rides. I really do. I know the helmets are not a save all and protector of all but it is another tool in the toolbox.

Keep up the great work. Find a farmers market to ride to. I recently did that with my wife and it was great. I love riding out in farm land but commuting, in traffic, requires a different set of skills. Both are nice!

That's cool. I appreciate the concern.

The only farmer's market I know of in this area is in a REALLY congested part of town. One rides there at his own risk.

Today should be interesting. I have to do a 20 mile commute home, change shirts, put the bike rack on the car, load both bikes, drive to a MUP/city park, and then do another 6-10 miles w/ my wife.

I suspect I'll sleep well tonight.

I love sleeping well due to biking like that. he he he .

I hate it when, after doing a long and hard Saturday hill climbing ride I come home and my wife wants to go walking or go get weekly groceries. What the he1111!

At least by riding some, see she starting to appreciate how tired one can get from riding. I mean heck, she did 10 miles one day and took a five hour nap.

LOL

Well, the good part about it is that on our ride together, she's the pace setter. That means a nice easy spin for me. It'll be like a cool-down ride after the commute.

She wants to go riding every other day. She's hoping to make an impact on some of her health issues. The doc said "1/2 hour, three times a week should give some progress on her numbers (blood work)". I'll be tired when I get home, but not too tired to help her make at least that half hour.

I might be a bit wobbly at the end of the ride, though. ;)

Skippy, One thing to consider on the helmets is that a helmet with good ventilation is often cooler for your head, temperature wise, than going without a helmet. That might help with the sweating in the hot weather.

I'd be surprised if it made much difference regarding the amount I sweat. 100 degree days are not at all uncommon around here (Houston) during the summer months.

I think I've got the sweat thing knocked though. I picked up a Sweat Gutr the other day. That does such a good job I was able to wear sunglasses for my ride home last night and my ride in this morning. According to what I've read the Sweat Gutr doesn't intefere w/ wearing a helmet. A helmet is definitely my next bicycling purchase. Next payday.

The story and pictures are what bike riding should be all about. Great job all around!

Yum!!! Sounds like my kind of place!!!