wooljersey

I have been a pretty serious cyclist for about 30 years. I have a mountain, road, tandem and fixed gear bicycles. With 8 children we have a garage full of bikes of every size.

What I have been unable to do over the years is get my wife into cycling. Last year we were in a bike shop and I explained to her that a new trend in cycling was bicycles designed specifically for women. She has always ridden my old bikes and they never quite fit. I showed her a 2008 Specialized Dolce in yellow, white and baby blue. She commented that it looked nice but at $850 she didn't want to test ride it.

This spring I was in another shop and I saw a new leftover 2008 in her size on sale for $550. I called her on her cell and she came right over. She test rode the bike and it was love at first sight!

Since then she has been on a business trip with me to Minneapolis and she WANTED to ride every single night! She really enjoyed the Chain of Lakes trail and we spent each evening at the Lake Harriet bandshell.

This week we are in Chicago and three of our kids are with us. Last night we rode the Busse Woods trail and a great time was had by all.

Because my wife was reluctant to ride I never considered investing in a mid-high end bike for her. My thinking was all wrong - I should have invested in a bike that fit her and looks good to her from the start.

SonataInFSharp

Good to hear! My wife and I have hybrids, but I want us to get matching cruisers so she will ride more, too.

(Also good to hear about the Minneapolis riding, as you rode right through my 'hood and didn't even know it. We frequent the bandshell most nights, too, since getting the kiddy trailer.)

wooljersey

Actually the Dolce is a skinny tire road bike

You live near the lakes - I'm jealous.

SonataInFSharp

Don't be jealous. It's extremely busy and people are so rude/clueless that we don't go actually enjoy riding around there; we just do it because we feel obligated for some reason.

I know the Dolce is a road bike, but my wife is the cruiser type. Although, she does have 28 gears now and she knows how to use them!