Wifes First Ride!
04-28-12 | 12:21 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 4
From: cherry hill, nj
Wifes First Ride!
My wife and I had our first ride together today. After picking up her bike last night, she really wanted to go out and ride today so I took her to the Schuylkill River Trail. When we were driving, I asked her how many miles she wanted to ride and she said about 30 miles and I said OK. That would be a 15 mile out and a 15 mile back. I explained to her that if she was getting tired, to let me know sooner then later as we would have to ride back. I did know in the back of my mind that 30 miles was a lot to bite off first but I did not say anything.
We got there and she loved the park. We started up at Phoenizville and was the same place that I met Neil B at when he took me on my first ride.
We got geared up and I taught her a lot about riding etiquette and etiquette on a MUP. Told her about hand signs, how to use the gears and how to shift. We practiced clipping in and out a lot. Then we were off.
She had to stop for a second and she took a fall due to not uclipping at the right time. I felt bad for her as I too took a fall when I first started riding when I was 16 and using clippless.
She had a tough time doing the "unclipping, slow down and dismount" the bike thing. I agree that there is a learning curve for sure. But I showed her in slow motion a few times on how to do it. She is doing much better.
What really killed her was the stock saddle. I can relate big time!
All in all, we did 7.75 miles round trip. I was so happy we went riding together and that she liked it. She did great!
We got there and she loved the park. We started up at Phoenizville and was the same place that I met Neil B at when he took me on my first ride.
We got geared up and I taught her a lot about riding etiquette and etiquette on a MUP. Told her about hand signs, how to use the gears and how to shift. We practiced clipping in and out a lot. Then we were off.
She had to stop for a second and she took a fall due to not uclipping at the right time. I felt bad for her as I too took a fall when I first started riding when I was 16 and using clippless.
She had a tough time doing the "unclipping, slow down and dismount" the bike thing. I agree that there is a learning curve for sure. But I showed her in slow motion a few times on how to do it. She is doing much better.
What really killed her was the stock saddle. I can relate big time!
All in all, we did 7.75 miles round trip. I was so happy we went riding together and that she liked it. She did great!
04-28-12 | 03:07 PM
#3
Starting over
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 4
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1500; 2006 Gary Fisher Marlin; 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105; 2012 Catrike Trail
Way to go on the support and encouragement, Isaac. Good work.
And I bet she has a whole different perspective now on what a 30-mile ride really is.
And I bet she has a whole different perspective now on what a 30-mile ride really is.
04-28-12 | 03:15 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 26
From: Western Maryland - Appalachian Mountains
Bikes: Motobecane Fantom Cross; Cannondale Supersix replaced the Giant TCR which came to an untimely death by truck
Good on her...
and you as well. Maybe she'll go with us tomorrow eh?
and you as well. Maybe she'll go with us tomorrow eh?
04-28-12 | 04:51 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 4
From: cherry hill, nj
Rik: Yeah.... no. 
I asked her, when on our way home, if she wanted to go take a walk and she said no and that riding tired her out. She slept for three hours when we got home and said she did not know how I ride so much. I told her I feel exhausted after a long ride and then ore tired when she bigs me to go for a 5 mile walk or grocery shopping. She now understands!
I asked her, when on our way home, if she wanted to go take a walk and she said no and that riding tired her out. She slept for three hours when we got home and said she did not know how I ride so much. I told her I feel exhausted after a long ride and then ore tired when she bigs me to go for a 5 mile walk or grocery shopping. She now understands!
04-28-12 | 05:54 PM
#6
SuperGimp
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 13,346
Likes: 65
From: Whittier, CA
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Ah, that's great. My wife's hit the ground a few times with her pedals (She has 105 SPDs) so I have her back in toe clips for now. She just can't get one foot out (hip trouble). Sigh.
05-02-12 | 01:45 PM
#10
Mrs. Hop-along
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Seville, FL
Bikes: Ladies Schwinn Super Sport and Gateway
Congratulations to her! 7 miles is a lot for a first ride, wow. I went maybe 3, but then I was by myself. And clipless too! I am too chicken to try that out, personally. yay for her! You sound very patient and encouraging 
05-02-12 | 02:15 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 2
Rik: Yeah.... no.
I asked her, when on our way home, if she wanted to go take a walk and she said no and that riding tired her out. She slept for three hours when we got home and said she did not know how I ride so much. I told her I feel exhausted after a long ride and then ore tired when she bigs me to go for a 5 mile walk or grocery shopping. She now understands!
I asked her, when on our way home, if she wanted to go take a walk and she said no and that riding tired her out. She slept for three hours when we got home and said she did not know how I ride so much. I told her I feel exhausted after a long ride and then ore tired when she bigs me to go for a 5 mile walk or grocery shopping. She now understands!
there is her motivation- go shopping! get some carriers and racks and awaaaaaaaaaay she'll go! woo hoo!
