How to break her in gently?

[XmisterIS]

My GF has a bicycle, she wants to get back in shape, and naturally, I suggested that she start cycling regularly again.

She lives all of 5 miles from the University where she works, yet she drives in, often through rush hour traffic and leaves the bike in the shed!!

She has taken up the suggestion and is now doing about 30 miles per week (10 mile round trip, three times per week).

This weekend, I'm taking her out for a spin in the New Forest and this presents a problem!

I am used to riding my MTB for 40 miles straight, usually fast, with perhaps a five minute break at the 20 mile point to eat a flapjack.

Now, if I try doing this with her on Saturday, I will be calling for an air ambulance before the day is out ...

I've told her that if she gets so far and can't ride any more, we'll make our way to the nearest road, I'll ride back and get the car and come and pick her up.

So, what do you recommend is a good way of pacing oneself for riding with an off-road novice? And how far should I take her? I try to pace myself, but I end up just getting faster - and I don't notice it because the difference for me in exertion between say 10 and 12 mph is barely noticeable, whereas for her it is a lot!

 

[BentMikey]

That's going to be hard! Just remember, it's not a ride for you, it's for her. If you make sure she's happy, then you'll also be happy. Go slow, shorter distances, and make sure there are tea/pub stops.

 

[addictfreak]

That's going to be hard! Just remember, it's not a ride for you, it's for her. If you make sure she's happy, then you'll also be happy. Go slow, shorter distances, and make sure there are tea/pub stops.

Agree totally with BM. If you sicken her on the first ride, you may not get her out again. Just take it gently at first on a fairly flat route, build her confidence and self esteem.

 

[XmisterIS]

Ah! Yes. The pub stop sounds like a great idea - there's a really nice pub right in the middle of the New Forest ... I'm thinking "carrot on a stick" ...

 

[yashicamat]

The other thing to do is let her take the lead. Takes the pressure off her. You could always ride alongside occasionally where possible and just ease the pace up a touch if you feel it has slowed down more than it should have. As has been said though, go easy or else you'll put her off.

 

[JamesAC]

Make sure she's usually in front, setting the pace.

 

[Arch]

Is this offroad? Is it possible to ride side by side, or is it single track? If you can ride side by side, then do so, and chat. You'll be using up breath talking, and if she's struggling, you'll be able to tell, as her half of the conversation gets out of breath or tails off....

Just chill. Stick a gear or so lower than normal. Just enjoy it.

Do this right, and soon you'll have a riding companion to match you. Do it wrong, and she'll hate it.

 

[andyfromotley]

stay in a low gear and spin...................... or

take the first 10 15 miles or so really easy then when you are miles away from the road/help start cranking up the pace relentlessly, welcome to my world HONEY!!!!!

 

[upsidedown]

Ride next to her on the climbs, a gentle hand on the back works wonders, don't know how but it does.

 

[BrumJim]

Just one word of warning. If you ride off ahead, then have to stop for her to catch up, under NO circumstances set off just as she arrives. She will need the breather more than you.

Wife agrees with the advice above (others, not mine), and she is in very similar circumstances most of the time.

 

[davidg]

cadence work out for you!

 

[BentMikey]

Oh, and don't forget there's a good chance you'll need to remind her to slow down and enjoy herself. Many new to exercise go too hard. Make sure she can easily chat to you without sounding out of breath, and that should be the right sort of intensity.

 

[Debian]

My GF has a bicycle, she wants to get back in shape, and naturally, I suggested that she start cycling regularly again.

She lives all of 5 miles from the University where she works, yet she drives in, often through rush hour traffic and leaves the bike in the shed!!

She has taken up the suggestion and is now doing about 30 miles per week (10 mile round trip, three times per week).

This weekend, I'm taking her out for a spin in the New Forest and this presents a problem!

I am used to riding my MTB for 40 miles straight, usually fast, with perhaps a five minute break at the 20 mile point to eat a flapjack.

Now, if I try doing this with her on Saturday, I will be calling for an air ambulance before the day is out ...

I've told her that if she gets so far and can't ride any more, we'll make our way to the nearest road, I'll ride back and get the car and come and pick her up.

So, what do you recommend is a good way of pacing oneself for riding with an off-road novice? And how far should I take her? I try to pace myself, but I end up just getting faster - and I don't notice it because the difference for me in exertion between say 10 and 12 mph is barely noticeable, whereas for her it is a lot!

This whole post seems vaguely wrong to me, it smacks of "look at me, look how fit and amazing I am, I can ride 20 miles XC without taking a break"!

It has a condescending tone when you say "I've told her that if she gets so far and can't ride any more, we'll make our way to the nearest road, I'll ride back and get the car and come and pick her up". You shouldn't even be thinking like this, you should be planning a gentle, five - ten mile or so, cross country jaunt, relaxing and taking in the scenery with your girlfriend and her capabilities totally in mind; it's for her, not for you to show off. If you do it your way a) you're just showing off and it'll more than likely just put her off for life.

Plan a simple gentle ride. If she laps it up then you can start extending it next time.

 

[Debian]

I don't think he's showing off. I think he's being considerate, and thinking about the issues beforehand so that it makes for a good day for her.

Far better than him charging off into the woods.

Well, yes, maybe. But it's the bit where he says that if they go too far then he'll leave her all alone somewhere and cycle off into the sunset to fetch help. In this situation he should be planning with the GF in mind from the off and planning a shortish easy ride to start off with. Not, as he seems to be saying - lets see how far I can push her before she gets knackered and passes out!

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Carry a tow-rope