crash help

blazin396

My girlfreind has started riding with me and while it has been going great so far she has experianced her first real crash, causing alot of bruising and soreness. in the short time of her biking i have learned as a guy my point of view is alot different when it comes to the problems of mountainbiking, and i know telling her to suck it up wont work for her. how can i convince her to realize this is a a small obstical and that it happens from time to time. she was so enthusiastic now cause of this wreck she seems to want to sell her bike and stick to road riding. i have been riding for years and gone through my fair share of crashing and i am smart enough to know that what works for me wont work for her also does anyone know anyway to help her with her skills and training for mountainbiking i have read alot that has said that what works for men wont work for women, and that most camps are way out of my budget and time frame. thank you for your help!

miss notax

Well, your light years ahead of other blokes by realising that men and women react very differently when it comes to riding bikes and crashing!!

It does really throw your confidence when you have a bad off for the first time- more so I think if your a girl and you don't have the whole testosterone GGGRRRRR-ness to fall back on. Give her time.... Are there any other girlies that she can go biking with, to get back into mtbing in a less manic environment? If you're anywhere near the New Forest she's welcome to join me for a blast! Perhaps suggest a ride of her favourite trail to get back into the groove (nothing too scary, something she'll enjoy)?

If i'm reading your post right, she got into mtbing because of you? That can also change it slightly long the lines of 'you %&^%*&^* - it's your stupid hobby that cause my black eye / bruised leg / cracked ribs etc' I'm never sure the whole learning to ride from your OH is a good plan anyway, much like learning to drive. We all did it though!

As for training, there are lots of great guys out there. Where abouts are you in the country?

oodboo

I bet she'd get straight back on a horse without thinking twice about it.

blazin396

Thanks Miss! unfortunatly there arnt many women mountain bikers in my area, we are near the KC area on the missouri side and based on the races we got to there are only roughly about 5 to 10 women at the races. i wish there were more cause i just want more people to ride! but she did start riding cause of me, she actually has only ridden a bike once before we met and once she realized how much of my life is consumed by biking she wanted to try so i am trying to ease her into the sport and she is someone who likes to go do things 100% all the way!. right now she is at the point where she doesnt hate the sport but not looking forward to trying again, she is also running into the depressing part of being a new rider. she sees all of us who have been doing it for years and levels above where she is at and she is getting discouraged. Myself and somefriends are trying to let her know its ok to be slower cause we have all been there i am just ttrying to be supportive and not be that a**hole boyfriend pushing her to do this stuff.

miss notax

Ah, ok, so you're not even on the same continent as me then - that's a non-starter!

I genuinely DO remember those days so well, of always being last, and just finally reaching everyone else completely exhausted and needing a rest, and then someone immediately says 'right, lets go again!'

It is pants learning to mtb when everyone is so much better. I learnt (also with my ex) in this environment and to be honest it was sheer bloody mindedness that kept me going more than actual enjoyment. I didn't really start to enjoy it until I got better, but until I got to that point it was more of a battle. Perhaps your GF could view it a bit more like that? This is just a necessary evil before getting to the really fun stuff? Is there a nice flowy descent she can do to have some fun? Nothing too techy, but just fun?

Alternatively get on here or on another forum and talking to other girlies who have been though it - it's always good to know that you're not the only one ans that there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!! 8)

Levi_501

I got my wife to have SPD shoes/pedals when I rebuilt her bike.

On our third or fourth ride she had her first SPD crash, you all know,come up to stop forget you have them and fall over.

I was expect tears and everything; but bless her the first thing she said, OMG, have I damaged my bike!

I was very proud!