What does your significant other think of your cycling hobby?

[Sharky]

My OH is very supportive. Almost every day she says, "you can go out on your bike tomorrow".

 

[BoldonLad]

In many years to come I hope to crack the 'multiple bike' argument with the other half. Its only been 22 years so far.

Wife = multiple pairs of shoes, handbags etc, wardrobes (note the plural) full of clothes

Husband = multiple bicycles, 1 small wardrobe, one suit, one pair. shoes, 1 pair trainers, etc



Please note, no responsibility is implied or accepted for anyone trying to use this justification good luck

 

[AuroraSaab]

My OH was a keen cyclist in his youth (Dawes Galaxy still in the garage). He was chuffed for me when I bought a bargain road bike and a very cheap mtb on ebay. I persuaded him to get a decent hybrid, and although we only ride locally for a few miles a time, we now have another hobby we can share. I could do without his Cannondale living in the kitchen, but then he doesn't moan about me filling the garage with Saab parts.

I think it would only be a problem if one of us was off on all day rides every Sat or Sun or if we were spending money we didn't have on bike gear.

 

[RichardB]

But when you're a wrinkled prune and sitting in an armchair all day- who are you going to talk to? I don't think you'll be on the phone talking to people all day to keep you company.

I really think you should wind your neck in.

 

[RichardB]

I find it funny when people seem to crave company and can’t settle on their own, but I am very introverted and prefer my own company 99% of the time. I can chat to some of the people I meet on my local walks and find that plenty.

That's me too. Have you read "Quiet" by Susan Cain?

 

[HarryTheDog]

When I met my now significant other 3 years ago I was a keen CX racer, occasional mtber and commuter so she knew what she was taking on . Instead of fighting it she joined in and has a very decent Liv Obsesse, Specialised Crux expert, and my daughters old Kuota Kom evo sitting on a turbo ( damaged frame, wil get it repaired someday) We share a rather ancient Pashley prestige tandem.
She thinks I over do it for a man of my age but I explain she is comparing me to past men she has known who were mere mortals.
She joins me on the turbo once a week ( to my around 3) or so and we try to get out on the tandem on a weekend, she is convalasing from a SCAD heart attack so means tandem is a good choice , I can work hard and she does not have to compete, and once she gets the all clear she is keen to get back out on the Crux expert or Obsesse for some green lane bashing.
She wont go out on a bike without me though and has a fear of being attacked when being alone on a bike. She never has been, but I just accept thats the way she is, I am not going to force her out on her own.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

When I met my now significant other 3 years ago I was a keen CX racer, occasional mtber and commuter so she knew what she was taking on . Instead of fighting it she joined in and has a very decent Liv Obsesse, Specialised Crux expert, and my daughters old Kuota Kom evo sitting on a turbo ( damaged frame, wil get it repaired someday) We share a rather ancient Pashley prestige tandem.
She thinks I over do it for a man of my age but I explain she is comparing me to past men she has known who were mere mortals.
She joins me on the turbo once a week ( to my around 3) or so and we try to get out on the tandem on a weekend, she is convalasing from a SCAD heart attack so means tandem is a good choice , I can work hard and she does not have to compete, and once she gets the all clear she is keen to get back out on the Crux expert or Obsesse for some green lane bashing.
She wont go out on a bike without me though and has a fear of being attacked when being alone on a bike. She never has been, but I just accept thats the way she is, I am not going to force her out on her own.

SCAD is what?

 

[flake99please]

My wife is happy that I spend my free time (and money) enjoying bike rides and exercising for health benefits. As she says... You could be wasting your money in a pub or the local bookies (like my neighbours). She knows where I am (to a some extent) and what I am ‘up to’ when on a bike.

 

[Sterlo]

Mrs Sterlo is fine with me, no issues that I'm aware of, in fact when I'm looking at something cycling related and not sure whether to buy it, she normally convinces me to go for it (even a bike upgrade when mine got stolen was enthused over). I've tried to get her involved but she sees it purely as a mode of transport.

 

[oreo_muncher]

so you’re not in a relationship but judging others?!

Im not judging others! Im just interested in other people's stories and perspectives! Trying to gain insight on what could lie ahead for me!

 

[oreo_muncher]

I think how your other half feels is very dependent upon how you are when you are around. It’s healthy in even the longest committed relationships for each person to have time apart for their own hobbies , interests and space. It’s healthy to maintain different friendships outside the relationship. But when you are together do you do things such that when you are out cycling, there’s no come back or resentment in any way?

If you are referring to audax riders when you are referring to excessive amounts of time. You have to remember that the mega rides are not every weekend or even every month or even close to that for many of us. Most weekends it’s often no more than a morning or afternoon out on the bike. Longer rides can be fitted in the week if you aren’t tied to 9-5 and so you can be out whilst they are out working. A 100km ride can be be done in 4-5 hours elapsed , so if you get going at 6am you’ll be back 10-11am.

Any relationship where one partner tries to control the other or insists they do everything together or insists they don’t see their friends would raise a few red flags. It’s about partnership, and yes compromise, to make relationships work. But it’s very definitely not about one partner dictating to the other, this is how it’s going to be.

As to my wife she’s not a keen cyclist. But with lockdown forcing her out the gym she’s been cycling more. We have done at least one ride together every week since March. She’s also going out in her own now and again. For instance when I got back from my long overnight ride Sunday morning. She went out for a ride on her own whilst I slept. She enjoys it when there is no pressure. She said she goes faster when I’m not with her. Maybe I’m slowing her down !

Very insightful answer. Yes, I was referring to audax riders there I don't think I'll ever be a morning person though, to go on a bike ride starting at 6am! What about those 300km+ bike rides where you'll gone all day or 2 days even!?

 

[Saluki]

If you mean my dogs, they are fine with it.

 

[HarryTheDog]

@YukonBoy SCAD is spontaneous Cardiac Arterial Dissection, basically means there are 3 layers to arteries, the inner layer splits letting blood between the layers making a balloon type scenario blocking the artery. It is not assocciated with a bad lifestyle or un-fit. It is mainly seen in women 80% of total. Seen in women who have either just had a baby or gone through the menapause in conjunction with stress ie a perfect storm. My missus's workload tripled with Covid and her eldest son has severe weight and a fair amount of mental problems plus just been through the change. In the other 20% its men who have just done a mental amount of physical activity think run a ultra marathon etc.
Modern medicine has only just become fully aware of it in the last few years and in the past these have gone un-noticed. The cardiac nurse said she has been a cardiac nurse for 25 years an seen more SCADS in women the last year than the rest of her service. They think it is due to hormone changes in women but not completely sure, 20% or so of people who get them , get them again so my missus is going to have to be careful with excercise. Thats why we always wire her up to a heart rate monitor and power meter if possible. NB the cure is lots of pills statins, beta blockers until the tear heals. She has had the 3 month scan and we are waiting for a cardiac specialist to look at it to get the all clear .

 

[oreo_muncher]

My wife tolerates it but doesn't really "get" it.She believes I spend far too much money on it but I don't tell her exactly how much
My son(13) also rides with me so she does encourage it.She is not at all keen in Winter when I bring them in the kitchen to tinker with them so I've developed selective deafness

Haha, I don't think I would reveal my bike spending either.... it's getting dangerously excessive lately! My Mum supports it thought, she buys me those big boxes of SiS energy gels or sometimes some cycling clothes as a gift, but I buy the majority of my bike stuff. But no one knows the exact amount I spend! What's your bike spending like?

 

[All uphill]

Did you not see them, older people who are lonely?

@oreo_muncher I don't think you are getting it!

For many people, me included, being alone is just fine.

Alone is not the same as lonely.
Lonely is not the same as solitude.

Please, please, please tell all your mates to let us quiet people be!