going mountain biking for a date
 

im thinking of taking this girl moutain biking for a date. Anyone here done this? I enjoy mountain biking so i thought she should see some of the stuff i really love to do in my spare time. Of course i wouldnt take her on any tracks that would probably end up with her wiping out and hurting that pretty body ;). She is incredibly athletic and loves to hike so she would be at home on the trails. Any input? Im sorry if this isnt related to the forum.

Ive done it, its a great date plan. I would suggest a long flat trail where you can cycle and talk at the same time easily. Not to mention hiking a trail is slow and safe compared to biking that same trail.

And the last thing you want to do is try to impress her on your bike.

ahhhhh. Thanks, good input. So i should avoid riping through any trails/any jumps/etc and waiting for her at the bottom? I guess that would sort of ruin the moment.

Yes, avoid that type of behaviour at all costs. All you would be doing is showing off and leaving her by herself. You are on a date with her, if you want to go ripping through the trails do that by yourself or at least until she is ready to do this type of riding with you. And don't believe her if she says something like, "It's okay, you go ahead." Be the gentleman and say, "No, I want to stay with you" or something like that.

Pack a picnic!

if she's never riden a mtb on trails before this is a bad idea. Unless you are talking dirt roads.

yeah, what santiago said.. girls want a date to be about them, not about you. maybe at the end of the ride you can "accidently" crash into her and fall on top of her..

I disagree. You should do something you love.. show them you love it.. and have confidence in yourself. Girls love that. If she's into you, and sticks around.. then she can take you to do the things she loves.

Totally take her mountain biking.. easy easy easy WIDE trails.. bring a picnic in a backpack if you can (make the food yourself) and bike to a nice location..

Nobody is saying not to go riding with her. All we are saying is to stay with her during the ride. The picnic is a great idea.

is this thread for real? do you want me to pass a note to her as well...

might want to plan that picnic near a swimming hole. Nothing more romantic than eu de biker!

It sounds like a great idea.

Take her out for some hill intervals and then a nice 30 mile slog.

Seriously though, me and my wife go riding all the time together (and did before we were married too). If she is a novice, stick to flatter easier trails. If you are of age, bring a nice bottle of wine in a backpack and have a toast somewhere scenic.

One thing to keep in mind (especially if you ride a lot) is that 5 miles is a warmup for someone who rides alot but even if she is in shape, 5 miles for someone who does not ride might be more than enough.

If you talk while you ride you can ascertain how difficult the ride is for her by seeing if she can hold a coversation or if she is laboring breathing.

Better than another thread about which cool component everyone just got

It's a refreshing change to....Which bike should I buy??? threads.

Search button folks, search button!

Search has been disabled. Have to use Google or BikeForums.com.

thanks for all the input guys :D. Never thought i would recieve this much info and help from a forum. The area im choosing has everything from nice flat easy trails to 30 ft drops. Its on a mountain but there are gentle trails that loop around and you barely know you are climbing. There are also some nice viewpoints. This is a 2nd date so im trying really hard not to make it stressfull.

Good luck - let us know how it went.

Take some bug screen ...
 

Put some bug screen in the Camelbak just in case there is a brakedown. Walking back to the trailhead and being attacked by skeeters probably would not be fun. Stopping for a "secondary recreational activity" and being attacked by skeeters would likely end that activity.

everyone is different, some girls will like some things, others will like others.

that said, if she likes it, does she have a sister???

does she ride regularly? i'd say this is a huge consideration. if she's not acustomed to riding, this may backfire in the form of saddle sores that dampen her mood for further physical activity after the bike ride. :D

Here is my point of view of this from a real, live girl....ASK HER IF SHE WANTS TO GO ON A RIDE FOR YOUR DATE....duh...
Does she have her own bike? Riding a bike that is set up for someone else sucks, wrong size, uncomfortable to girly anatomy. Maybe she doesn't want to get dirty and sweaty from riding. Don't bring alcohol unless she's a drinker and can handle it, it's not good to be tipsy on a bike and she will think you are a drunk or stupid for not knowing that.

If she is for it, DONT LEAVE HER AT ALL. On the otherhand, if she is like me, she won't like holding you back so even if she IS holding you back, don't let her know it. Don't act bored or whatever and DONT SHOW OFF. Act like you are loving every minute of being with her, the ride is secondary.

IF she is new to riding, pay very close attention to see if you pick up any hints that she is not enjoying herself. She may be hating every second but may not say it. Pay attention and if you pick up a negative vibe, listen to it and cut the ride short (this may be a good time for the picnic).

Good luck,
Michelle

I wish I could go on a mtb ride for a date, none of the girls I've been with are in to anything with two wheels and without a motor...

you say this now, sounding apparently like you've never had a lasting relationship. Biking becomes your "escape", and guess what? If shes there it sucks.:D

Last one was a year and 2 months, tell me that's not long for 13-14 years old :P

It only sucks if they can't keep up, and that's true of whoever your riding with if you feel like bombing the trails.

I'm going to give you the most important piece of advice:
If she walks, you walk with her.
I'd recommend always riding behind her (but no close enough to cause problems) so as not to get too far ahead, unless its blind single track, in which case, its better to ahve a more experneced rider in front (Better to just avoid this type at first).