introducing the girlfriend...
Random Vince
Posts: 11,374
my girlfriend has just gotten herself a second hand trek 7000, she's done bits of biking before, mainly just mucking about in the woods / fire roads and old railway lines
should I just take her to cannock chase and see how she gets on or build up into things a little more gradually?
should I just take her to cannock chase and see how she gets on or build up into things a little more gradually?
My signature was stolen by a moose
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
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VOODOO CANZO
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Always ride behind. The last thing she needs to see is you skipping effortlessly over the unrideable rock garden she sees before her.
Always be positive, what's she doing right, before picking up on the wrong.
Sell it for the phenomenal exercise it is!
If she's not ridden a geared bike with rapid fire shifters, consider the fact that they don't make any sense whatsoever! Pick a route with terrain where she can stay on the middle ring and work with the rear shifter first.
The bike fit is so, so critical. My wife has got on very well with her Specialized. A Women's specific bike is not critical only for small women as is often perceived but more when they have long legs compared to upper body length. Yes a gents might be suitable but don't put it purely down to marketing. I'm 4" taller than my wife yet we have the same inside leg - she needs a 17" frame like me but needs a significantly shorter top tube than a gents bike would have, consider that when buying.
Clothing is key, like us guys, she's going to get saddle sore the first few times, only a hell of a lot worse. A good set of leggings with a decent pad (don't scrimp on this!) will work wonders, get her some funky baggies (some quick drying women's O'Neill boardshorts from my shop did the job) to go over the top as well! Don't underestimate style, my wife doesn't feel like a dorky cyclist and actually likes getting all her trendy gear on - a sleek lilac helmet, a funky jersey and some bubble gum blue sombrio gloves go a long way to improving that cycling image!
Also, saddles, don't be cheap and softer isn't always better. The women's Charge saddle is supposed to be good and my Wife really appreciates her Specialized one after originally trying a different budget female saddle.
If she's not done much exercise prior to this, get her out on the road or forest tracks and include a few undulating hills (no lung busting climbs just yet). Proper offroad riding is a killer and you'll probably take it for granted how fit you personally are.
Good luck! I'm having a lot of success getting my wife involved and she's very proud of the fact that she's learning to mountain bike! It's a lot of fun if you succeed and it's nice to share all this fun you're having!
Keep her to flat roads till shes ready to venture further
or on the other extreme i could pause for breath at the top of a huge climb and propose
both being daft ideas
[normal service]
i think she'd prefer me to go first through sections, 1) to see the route i take, 2) i'll only hear her fall off, not see her fall off
she's used to heaving a heavy supermarket full sus bike to and from the local town allong a hilly railway line at her parents house, so this is more of a change of terrain.
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
save the childish name calling for the playground please
If you had nothing useful to add why bother?
If you read my first post you would realise that she's done a fair bit of biking on cycle trails and has chosen to give proper biking a go and as such bought a bike that's up to the job
thus we're past the "would it be better to leave her behind?"
and as such your comment was as needed as a spare wheel on a snowmobile.
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
oops soz rant over :oops:
Ditto.... :evil:
All fur coat and no knickers....
the fact that my mtb is singlespeed might assist her in keeping up :P
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
the gearing is set for climbing in the lake district
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
Beccalily posted photos of her tattoos & dress when requested..........
might regret this...
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trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
Thought I had stopped all discussion cos thread went very quiet!!!!!
Was expecting to see a bit of flesh tho...... from knees down of course!!
ooohhh the girls have arrived in force.
and yeah just take it easy on a gentle ride on a lovely sunny day, somewhere with nice views. thats what i'd do. and personally i'd let her go first as i'd ride away and leave her behind completely accidentally
Is there a skills area anywhere to play about on to show her some basic skills?
I quite like others going ahead of me - then I am not seen making a fool of myself!! As long as you don't completely leave her behind.....
Why not ask her what she would prefer to do - everyone is different in the way they learn best!
ah, you didn't state that.
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
thats like asking for a hire car and complaining when it's too small.
that will be all
trying to get GT James banned since tuesday
Carbon 456
456 lefty
Pompino
White Inbred
All fur coat and no knickers....