Bought my wife a bicycle for her birthday...
 

My wife has been riding with me, following on her hybrid, and generally finding that she really enjoys cycling--as a family activity, for pure recreation, and then some sport (she trys to drop me now... wow... and she almost succeeds! lol!!). She's been eyeballing road bikes when we pedal around puddingstone, and commenting on how sleek they look...

Fast forward to my reading of the GMR ride posts aloud to her last week, and her getting a look on her face; she then uttered the magic words: "I wonder if I could do that..." She was moved by the femme's and the couples (Beach05Grad, iTrek and his wife, etc.). Yes! She's on board! So I picked up a very nice used Jamis Xernith Comp (carbon, Shimano 105, etc.) at a great price in her size (I had to sell my FS MTB, but I still have the hard tail :). I am so stoked! Finally something other than dining out that we can do as a family! LOL!!

Here's a picture:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ps351dd1c7.jpg

She's significantly fitter than I am, so I suspect she'll take to the climbs much better than I have, but following her on a road bike will be inspirational!

Very nice! You might need to get her a gurl saddle though, that looks pretty skinny.

Oh yeah--on the maiden ride to the Burger joint before her birthday party last night (to get a Greek salad, not burgers! LOL!) revelead that... We're going to swap over the Terry Fly Girl saddle from her hybrid over to this bike. It may not be as sleek, but she's comfy on it.

Hope your ankle heals soon so we can finally meet you guys!

Congrats. PhotoJoanne and I ride together A LOT, and we love it. She has yet to express an interest in doing GMR, but her day will come!

That's a nice looking bike. Can't wait to meet you both on our next climb.

Thanks PJ! Same here! I can't wait to hear the braggin', though, about how she kicked my butt up the hill! :notamused:

Note-a saddle that works comfort wise on hybrid may not be comfortable on a road bike. Not sure where you live but Vntgdrms shop The Unlikely Cyclist has a test saddle program.

ismyour wife wearing padded cycling shorts too?

If she can almost drop you on a hybrid, good luck trying to keep up with her on the road bike. Nice bike by the way.

BG, thanks--that's a great idea, rather than trying to guesstimate what works for her. I'll bring it up to the boss ;) ; and I thnk she can now see the value in padded proper cycling shorts. Even that short ride to the burger joint on that new saddle brought some discomfort :eek:

Oh, and Psalm, I said "almost..." Gotta'... try... to...maintain... my.. tenuous... lead... LOL!!!

Ha ha, Beachgrad beat me to it as I was typing :D



Yeah Baby! :thumb:

You know that calls for another C&A ride too! :D

The new roadie will prolly be the best investment you can make, after the bike. Gina rode with me some years ago. Got the roadie and now she rides with me 98% of the time. Has been since 2006! Consistent 40 milers, some 50, some 60, 80 and a century. You made a wise choice!

As far as the saddle, we picked up a Terry Butterfly at nashbar for about $60 (cromo rails) if you consider another. But Gina's favorite is the Lady Specialized Dolce gel (app $50). Some advise against gel but Gina even bought a second as she liked it so much. But Gina has some junk in the trunk so he preference may be different from other wimmins.:D

Also I will say ( AND NO I DON'T GET PAID OR GET ANY STORE CREDIT FOR SAYING THIS BUT) the best place to buy woman shorts is at "The Unlikely Cyclist". Yes it is owned by a forum member but again, I get nothing other than satisfaction of a good variety and choice of shorts, and availability.

Just some suggestions if you don't have any favorites yet.:D

Our experience with The Unlikely Cyclist

http://mrbeanzandhisbikerides.blogsp...1/httpwww.html

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_3371.jpg

Every guy here knows what you really mean ;)

And congrats! I am going to get my wife something soon. She knows I love riding, and she used to when she was younger, but hasn't in years. But next year my son will be old enough, and big enough, to ride in a trailer.

Anyone do a century with a trailer ?!

Yup. I am Christian, so please take this only for what its worth, but I fell in love with that view a long time ago.... :thumb:

Mike, DO it! I can't say I ride anything close to a century, but I do tow my 5 year old around on a trail-a-bike, and it makes for some mighty interesting hill climbs!

Here's what that rig looks like:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...pse67e28ba.jpg

And the fam up in Puddingstone after a particularly "tough" climb:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ps01ba00a9.jpg

Christian here as well, my wife sometimes doesn't understand why I want to get her a bike, but that's a good reason!

And my little guy is 8 months so it will be a bit before he can sit on a trailer like that, so we might just get a cart style one that he can sit in. Although a 18 month old sitting for 7 hours may not be his thing.....

Sorry,I'm not getting this! If you're a Christian you're not supposed to like a good view of your own wife's arse? Thank God I'm Catholic. :D

Hell, I tricked her into going to check out that Mazda just so I could get a pic of her from behind.:D

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...me/063012A.jpg

LOL!! I am/was catholic, her protestant, same God, so we agreed on a non-denominational church--it works! But, yeah, we share similar tastes in the views of our wives we appreciate. :thumb:

P.S. - Ok, Mr. Beanz, time to post that new C&A ride...

I'll be gone for a week in early May (10th-19 'ish) so I would have to wait to post a ride when I return.

Unless somebody else wants to organize one. :innocent: :D

I will echo this. I stopped by her shop on a business trip to the area. Well, I was on my way home from San Diego, but close enough. I DESCRIBED my wife. That's all it took. I bought a pair of knicker shorts and a jersey. They become my wife's favorite cycling clothes. It's worth the drive or even a call. Lisa knows what she's doing!

Sounds like a shopping trip is in order (like she would be opposed... :rolleyes: ).

We'll wait for you, Beanz. I'm sure we'd want to meet the (in)famous Mr. Beanz!

How about cinco de mayo.

Celebrate the mexicans kicking some french butt by doing what the french do best - ride a bike up a mountain.

Then celebrate by eating some Liberty Fries?! :roflmao2:


I could do it on the SUNDAY the 5th of May but Gina might not ride (not been on bike) We do have plans for the 4th, more guitar jammin' with Herb and Alyce. :D

I think that the Italians, the Spanish and the Basque are pretty good at that climbing thing. Let's celebrate more holidays! :thumb:

and I thought it was make wine!

Sundays are out for us, it's my busiest work day. LOL But I'm already practicing for my next shot at that mountain. :) So if it ends up being on a different day you can count us in.

I'm down for a Cinco De Mayo ride... or any other day, really. TH, will your ankle be good to go by then? Or will you drive the chase truck?

I think that is before his surgery. He might give it one last hurrah before going under the knife and into traction.