Getting your other half into cycling!

CyclingBantam

Has anyone managed to convert their significant other?

I am trying to coax my girlfriend in to cycling but struggling a little. I think the biggest problem is her lack of confidence on a bike (she has only really ridden one as a child). The aim to counteract that is to get her confident on a local traffic free greenway.

The second issue is she doesn't have a bike! The intention here is to get her a sit up and beg style bike which I think she would be happier with but I wouldn't want one that was too heavy (like a pashley) or too expensive (ideally within the £400 mark). I wouldn't want junk either! Anyone have any reccomendations?

Also, has anyone got any advice on supporting a beginner who is low on confidence riding again?

Thanks

Ben

clarkey cat

got my missus into it and got her a second hand carrera vanquish - i put BMX brakes on the tops so she could gradually get into the habit of riding with drops. Unfortunately it got nicked though - on her first 'solo' ride (visiting me in hospital incidentally). She then bought a specialised dolce elite which is lovely but only got out on it a handful of times before she fell preggers. It just sits there now. Trying to convince her to flog it but she wont.

walkingbootweather

Bought the Missus a folder, partly because I thought she might get on with it and partly because I thought I might use it on occassion even if she didn't.

It works quite well because it fits in the boot with the kids bikes without needing to faff about with cycle carriers. It is adjustable so pretty much anyone from 5' to 6'3" could ride it and it is fine for pootling about. I'd have no quarms about travelling 5 miles or so, but couldn't imagine it taking the place of a proper bike for longer distances. There is no cross bar to step over and she is more than happy to ride it around the park, along the sea front, or to the pub.

sc999cs

CyclingBantam wrote:

The intention here is to get her a sit up and beg style bike which I think she would be happier with

Maybe it is better to think about the type of riding you would like to do together. Sit up and beg bikes tend to be designed for using on tarmac. If you intend to build her confidence by getting her to ride mainly off road to start then maybe you should consider a hybrid or mountain bike?

The other advantage is that you might have to buy yourself another (similar) bike so you can keep her company.

Stu07

I bought the other half a mountain bike, she used it twice and now its gathering dust.

She said she'd like an old fashioned bike with a basket on the front and then she would cycle to the shops all the time.

I think that one has been used once when we rode to the pub.

In summary I can't answer the question and I would take my hat off to the man who has managed this task

unixnerd

I think a better idea might be to let her choose the bike herself. Take her to a few bike shops and see what she likes and feels comfy on. By all means advise her, but she'll feel more comfortable with something she's picked out.

I'd also make her aware that this is just a first bike to get her into cycling. Later she can choose something that suits her growing abilities.

Another wee tip, ask her to wear cycling gloves. There's a decent chance she'll have a fall and gloves will prevent any nasty injuries that put her off.

CyclingBantam

sc999cs wrote:

CyclingBantam wrote:

The intention here is to get her a sit up and beg style bike which I think she would be happier with

Maybe it is better to think about the type of riding you would like to do together. Sit up and beg bikes tend to be designed for using on tarmac. If you intend to build her confidence by getting her to ride mainly off road to start then maybe you should consider a hybrid or mountain bike?

The other advantage is that you might have to buy yourself another (similar) bike so you can keep her company.

Apologies, I should have been clearer. The traffic free greenway is tarmac. Certainly don't want a mountain bike so a hybrid is the other option but the more upright the better I think.

CyclingBantam

unixnerd wrote:

I think a better idea might be to let her choose the bike herself. Take her to a few bike shops and see what she likes and feels comfy on. By all means advise her, but she'll feel more comfortable with something she's picked out.

I'd also make her aware that this is just a first bike to get her into cycling. Later she can choose something that suits her growing abilities.

Another wee tip, ask her to wear cycling gloves. There's a decent chance she'll have a fall and gloves will prevent any nasty injuries that put her off.

Thanks unixnerd, Yeah I will be letting her choose (how good am I!) I just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions of bikes or other tips to help encourage nervous cyclists. The gloves tip is just the sort of thing I was after.

Applespider

If you offered her the choice of a bike or a new pair of shoes, which would she go for? I mean, does she really want to give it a go - or is she just going along with you desire? If it's the latter, you might struggle to get real enthusiasm for it so might be worth seeing if you could borrow a bike or go somewhere (a park?) where you can hire them so she can see if this is something she wants to persevere with?

I have a friend who recently learned how to cycle as an adult having only messed about as a kid. She said that the thing that gave her most confidence was her instructor pointing out two things before she actually pedalled anywhere. The first was exactly how to use the brake and put her feet down so that she knew she was in control. The second was how long a bike actually takes to fall over from stationery so that she realised she would generally be able to put her feet down.

Good luck!

RufusA

unixnerd wrote:

I think a better idea might be to let her choose the bike herself. Take her to a few bike shops and see what she likes and feels comfy on. By all means advise her, but she'll feel more comfortable with something she's picked out.

+1

Better still point her in the direction of the right type of bike shops and let her go alone. That way she can take her time, ask stupid questions etc. without feeling any pressure.

FWIW my wife after visiting 3 LBS and trying a number of bikes chose a Specialized Carmel:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec016926

Sit up and beg riding style, and works equally well both on roads, towpaths, woods etc.

She loves it, even takes herself off during the week for little jaunts to get fresh air on it. It's not necessarily what I'd have chosen for her though!

HTH - Rufus.

EKE_38BPM

Get her some carbon bling in your size, that way if she doesn't like it, you have a great bike for yourself!

The Rookie

I got the wife into cycling, built up a shitty old universal ladies frame (she has a hip problem so can't swing a leg over, needs a step through) which I upgraded enough to make it rideable (better forks off anothet scrapper, tourney rear mech, V-brakes all of which I had laying around) and she enjoyed it enough that I thn built her a 'new' bike using a new ladies specific frame with new headset and forks (suspension as we use roughish tracks) and most the bits off an old GT chucker I bought as a donor, she enjoys going our for family 'pootles'.

Simon

phillipjohnson

My missus is getting more into cycling.

We have gone walking for longer, which she really enjoys but it can take a whole day by the time you drive somewhere, do an 8 mile walk, have something to eat then drive back.

Cycling is something we can just jump on the bikes at home and go out for an hour or two then enjoy the rest of the day. We try to mix it up now and go walking one weekend and out on the bike the next.

I'm lucky that we live almost on the C2C route so we only need to go half a mile on roads before we can go on cycle paths for several hours without having to touch roads.

Initialy the missus hated the road bits but enjoyed the cycle paths and bridleways, but she is getting much more confident the more she gets out. The last time out she even suggested going on the quicker A road to get the half mile to the cycle paths rather than the longer back roads.

I would suggest picking a really nice day and going at a really slow pace. If the other half wants to get off and walk up a hill then get off and walk with them. It won't be long before your other half is starting to push up the pace a bit.

antikythera

I tried getting the minister for finance and war into cycling. Started with

a real bike...no,
tandem....definitely no
recumbent trike...(why are you trying?) no
stationary bike .... (your on thin ground) no
my final option... needless to say the reception was somewhat frosty!

At least I don't need to share my cycling stuff

keyser__soze

The 'missus' got me back into cycling, after she started commuting by bike last year just before moving in with me. I used to have a road bike during my teenage years/at uni but never got round to getting a replacement when I moved to the Big Smoke. Ended up getting a reasonable second-hand road bike from eBay, which meant the girlfriend then had to upgrade her hybrid to a Spec Allez Sport. Did our first 100 mile sportive in the Surrey hills last weekend and are both now considering even more bling bikes on C2W and keeping the existing ones as commuters/winter hacks, although this may necessitate a move to a bigger flat/one with a shed!

maharg22

My Significant and myself go out most Sundays for a run from Carlisle to Gretna going this way and that way but never direct. Almost always our route is not far off 30 miles.

She has an old mountain bike from Halfords, when I say old I reckon its got to be 12 years or there abouts. Where as my nice 2010 Bianchi Camaleonte Cross does me just fine, I do keep offering to buy her a new one but she is happy with the one she has. That may change soon as were both 40 this year (June & August) so I may buy her a new one, but what do I get her as we only do road and the odd cycle path we dont do mountain biking....

Ands

CyclingBantam wrote:

Also, has anyone got any advice on supporting a beginner who is low on confidence riding again?

Thanks

Ben

Give give her heaps of encouragement and positive comments. I started off riding with my husband and although he was encouraging in the early days, sometimes his idea of encouraging me was to tell me to try harder, put more effort in, and yell constantly to get on his wheel, etc. (I think really he was frustrated at having to go so slow). We would always end up arguing and there were days I vowed I would never ride again. That was about 8 years ago. Just bear in mind that your girlfriend may never be as fit, or strong or as fast as you and you might find initially that cycling with her is like cycling with a small child (i.e. very slow and you get very cold!) but be patient and be positive. It's good to push someone that bit harder but not so far that they want to quit.

Blue Meanie

+1 what Ands said

Rule #1 Never drop your girlfriend
We fell out so many times, 'just dig in' and 'stay on the wheel' and 'ffs sweat some'
Thing is, i've got years on the wheel when she had months and basically (no offense) boys are stronger.
There were times where I was told to f**k off, and to keep it fair I had to just go, similarly she's dumped me on few cheaky sprints where I thought the game was off, but a win's a win and I lost.
Fair dues to any girl who competes with the boys, and let's face it they look much better in lycra.
Rule #2 You fix her punctures!
If she won't draft the most you can do is get nice and dirty for her. You carry the tools, extra gear and do the mechanicals. Nothing worse than a chipped nail (Ooh she'll kill me if she reads this)
Rule #3 Be magnanimous in defeat (or even victory)
A win's a win's win. Mrs Meanie's pretty fast now and I've been caught out a few times, but I wasn't really 'caught out'. It was my stupid male attitude that gave the SCR game away and if you wanna play then play. Don't ever think a girl is not gonna try or can't be smart on the wheel. They climb well, just not sprinters...

Ands

Had a little smile reading this blue meanie . I've patiently waited for my revenge and it finally came this year when Mr Ands has been recovering from long-term illness. He has been riding with me and as he has to keep his heart rate low, I've had great fun passing him on the climbs and yelling at HIM to get on MY wheel. . I also shocked him last year by going up Alpe d'Huez 20 mins faster than he reckoned I could do it (but I do have him to thank for pushing me hard in training).

Blue Meanie

@Ands
He He He
You pushed yourself with training, he never turned a pedal for you. Bien a Vous le chapeau

Mike Healey

Depending on whether you're under Bradford or Kirklees councils you could do worse than treat her to a Bikeability course. She'll get pretty good instruction on road riding for when/f she wants to take it up and good general background information/skills practice as well.

In the meantime, keep on going on the Spen Valley Greenway - it's a nice litle route - but then, you know that already

stevie_90210

Well this is a sore note for me.

I tried to get my fiancee into cycling and I've finally given up. Our tandem is now going up for sale after covering only 105 miles. What a waste of money.

http://www.eleanorandstephen.com/tandem/

Vivica

This thread is very relevant to my interests.

My girlfriend lives in London, i live in Guernsey.
Whenever she comes over we go for a ride, and she uses my Dads girlfriend's electric bike.
I ride a 10 mile round trip commute daily, and love riding (when my bike is in one piece!!), but she's not really that interested.

I'm on a real mission to get her excited about cycling!

CyclingBantam

Mike Healey wrote:

Depending on whether you're under Bradford or Kirklees councils you could do worse than treat her to a Bikeability course. She'll get pretty good instruction on road riding for when/f she wants to take it up and good general background information/skills practice as well.

In the meantime, keep on going on the Spen Valley Greenway - it's a nice litle route - but then, you know that already

I'm in Kirklees (Cleckheaton) but that is a great peice of advice Mike, thanks. I will look in to the courses.

dilemna

Keyser__Soze wrote:

The 'missus' got me back into cycling, after she started commuting by bike last year just before moving in with me. I used to have a road bike during my teenage years/at uni but never got round to getting a replacement when I moved to the Big Smoke. Ended up getting a reasonable second-hand road bike from eBay, which meant the girlfriend then had to upgrade her hybrid to a Spec Allez Sport. Did our first 100 mile sportive in the Surrey hills last weekend and are both now considering even more bling bikes on C2W and keeping the existing ones as commuters/winter hacks, although this may necessitate a move to a bigger flat/one with a shed!

C2W fraud. The whole point of the scheme is that you actually ride the bikes to and from work. If you do not do this then the bling bikes should be treated as a benefit in kind and taxed accordingly. Why should I subsidise your abuse of the scheme?

stevie_90210

dilemna wrote:

Keyser__Soze wrote:

The 'missus' got me back into cycling, after she started commuting by bike last year just before moving in with me. I used to have a road bike during my teenage years/at uni but never got round to getting a replacement when I moved to the Big Smoke. Ended up getting a reasonable second-hand road bike from eBay, which meant the girlfriend then had to upgrade her hybrid to a Spec Allez Sport. Did our first 100 mile sportive in the Surrey hills last weekend and are both now considering even more bling bikes on C2W and keeping the existing ones as commuters/winter hacks, although this may necessitate a move to a bigger flat/one with a shed!

C2W fraud. The whole point of the scheme is that you actually ride the bikes to and from work. If you do not do this then the bling bikes should be treated as a benefit in kind and taxed accordingly. Why should I subsidise your abuse of the scheme?

As they are commuting, reducing congestion, probably getting fitter and costing the NHS less... personally I'm happy to subsidise their spare bike seeing as they paid for the one they are actually using for commuting.

I also believe that the more people who commute, the safer it is for us all. :-)

buy_my_cookies

i am currently building a sheldon brown style homemade tandem to try and get my girlfriend cycling with me.

stevie_90210

buy_my_cookies wrote:

i am currently building a sheldon brown style homemade tandem to try and get my girlfriend cycling with me.

You'll have a great time. They are terrific fun.

I'm still hoping that my fiancee might change her mind, which is why I haven't really been advertising our tandem too much at the moment. I've only mentioned it in this topic on this forum.