A small present for a 56 year old beginner. Any suggestions?

[slowmotion]

I meet a wonderful, highly qualified nurse several times a year for routine medical appointments. She mentioned today that she had recently started learning to ride a bike and was having lessons. She said that she was still pretty wobbly and a bit nervous. Can you think of a small cycling item that I could give her as a gift that might encourage her to persevere? I think she's more at the Pashley end of the spectrum at the moment, rather than Pinarello.

Thanks.

 

[Oldhippy]

A nice bell for the bike perhaps.

 

[vickster]

Basket?

 

[All uphill]

Offer to accompany her on a short ride helping her feel confident turning right, taking her space?

If that feels a bit creepy could you offer her a 1/2 hour confidence building session from a local qualified trainer?

Oops just reread and see she is having lessons. Brain not engaged.

 

[Specialeyes]

I just posed this question to the resident nearly-56-y/o here and she said "what about a nice Lion Bellworks brass bell"?
As ever, Mrs Spesh has a point - they're very satisfying things

 

[slowmotion]

A nice bell for the bike perhaps.

Excellent! One of those big retro ones might go down well. I've always wanted one myself

Edit: Actually, some people might think it patronising, stereotyping etc. It's a minefield.

 

[Cathryn]

I think it sounds like a lovely gesture. Jools Walker's book Back in the Frame is about a woman getting into cycling via a Pashley. Lovely easy read. That might work too?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

If she's riding a Pashley or similar, she might not want to wear Hi-Viz or a cycling jacket.
I know I didn't like the look when I started.
What I found useful on dull days, easy to put away in my panniers or handbag, was a Sam Browne belt.
I still wear mine all through winter, even though nowadays I wouldn't be without my Altura jackets.
Edit: I started cycling at 48.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

How about a book on women and cycling?

https://www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-press/publications/bikes-and-bloomers/

 

[Hebe]

Multi tool, saddle bag, jelly babies, nice notebook to log her rides in, Anne Mustoe book (retired headmistress who cycles around the world)? Or Felicity Cloake One More Croissant for the Road (food writer who rides a Pashley in London but who did a gastro Tour de France (on a different bike).

 

[slowmotion]

It's a difficult one. If I was learning to ride, the last thing I would want is a guide about how to ride the TdF. It would be a major turn off. I think that what's needed is something very mildly encouraging and with not too much of a hint that "hardcore lycra" should be her obvious goal. For the vast majority of the world's cyclists, it's just a handy way of nipping to the shops etc.

 

[Hebe]

It's a difficult one. If I was learning to ride, the last thing I would want is a guide about how to ride the TdF. It would be a major turn off. I think that what's needed it something very mildly encouraging and with not too much of a hint that "hardcore lycra" should be her obvious goal.

Good point. I should clarify, it was a tour, not The Tour. She picked the homes of her favourite French dishes and travelled between them, sometimes by bike, sometimes on the train. There are recipes too. I’ve been a beginner for about ten years now and still enjoy the book.

 

[Reynard]

Hmmmm, surely there's a chocolatier who makes chocolate bicycles...

Or a nice bicycling mug filled with nice choccy truffles.

 

[vickster]

Have a look at velovixen, see what accessories or kit they have? Maybe a nice buff?
https://www.velovixen.com/collectio...ction?gf_357753=Type_Accessories_Neck Warmers
If she’s on Facebook, the Velovixen group is great too

 

[Chislenko]

Strava subscription ......


(ducks for cover)