Could use some advice....

[plhnw]

K... I like to bike a lot, especially on trails: Hart Montague, Kal Haven, etc., but I would rather go alone, even though they say it's better to go with a buddy. However, my girlfriend wants to come with me and she doesn't really bike, if you get my drift. I want to rip through the trails and work off my tensions and she wants to ride and talk. ARGH!!!

We do a lot together, but I'm not sure I want to share this with her, too. It's kind of my down time. What can I say that won't make me look like a shmuck?

solo biker

Check out the great bike website!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com

[MSUICEMAN]

ewph, i don't know, but i wish you luck my friend!

Edit: if you find out something that works, let us all know, it might save us someday....

[Ron L]

Well I could offer a couple suggestions. I can say that one of the reasons I took up cycling so heavily back when I got started was because there was NO kidseat on the back. And of course, riding trails is single file, so there's not a lot of talking, is there? ;)

That having been said, one suggestion I would make is to seperate your riding into "MY" time and "OUR" time. Whenever I get ready to ride and one of the kids wants to tag along, I tell them that I'll be back shortly, then ride hard, and when I get home, I use those few blocks with them as a cool-down ride with the slower riders. They've tried to keep up when I ride hard and only my oldest can hang with me for a while, but him I don't mind going along, he finds a quiet ride therapeutic as well. (We've ridden a dozen miles without a word exchanged before.)

Another suggestion would be a tandem. At least you'd be able to ride hard and the slower rider would help, but if they can't pedal as hard as you, you won't drop them.

Finally, I'd say look at the bright side, she wants to find something to do with you, a common interest, and it looks like she's looking for a happy medium. Consider a compromise. Explain that you want a few days per week to ride by yourself and a few days with her. And give her time too, once she gets some miles in, she'll get quicker anyway and who knows, you may have a racer on your hands before you know it.

Of course, you could also just come right out and tell her that one of the reasons you ride is to get away :hide:

[Michigan Birdhunter]

This is what I do. My wife doesn't like to ride hard and fast so when we ride togeather there is no training effect or real exercise for me so I ride by myself and then go riding with her after. That way I enjoy the slow meandering ride with the talking and looking and stopping and she has a good time. Never discourage her from wanting to do something with you that you enjoy. She may see the benefits and really get into it and she may not but at the very least you'll have fun togeather doing something that you like. Works for me and I've been married to the same gal for overy 40 yrs. Good luck.