Any advice for my GF?
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Any advice for my GF?
Postby lump_a_charcoal » Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:50 am
Do you have any advice for my GF, who has just started riding with me?
I bought her a Giant flat bar commuter thingo (not sure of the model), and got her a really comfy seat. Also grabbed her some nicely padded nicks...
What advice can you give her, seeing as she is quite unfit, and new to cycling?
Thanks,
Linc
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby rkelsen » Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:00 am
For you: Be understanding with her. Don't mock her or try to force her into it.
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Any advice for my GF?
Postby gabrielle260 » Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:37 am
Anyway, my experience with Gabby made me as a cycling coach passionate about bike fit for women. 17 years later, bike fit for women is better but still has a long way to go.
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby lump_a_charcoal » Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:48 am
For sure! I am lucky in that she has my mate's GF to ride with, who is also a n00b.rkelsen wrote:For her: Don't give up. Keep at it. The more you do it, the better it becomes.
For you: Be understanding with her. Don't mock her or try to force her into it.
Luckily, she is really motivated, despite having baboon arse today.
We are both really proud of the 7kms she did yesterday (would have been 10kms but my mate's GF had a puncture).
I had the bike fitted by my local shop (Panther Cycles), who seem to know their stuff.gabrielle260 wrote:Hi Linc, my experience with my wife Gabrielle was a real eye opener for me. She had been doing some serious riding with me on an Apollo so we upgraded to a custom frame. The saddle didn't change but after her first ride she came back and exclaimed "I didn't realize cycling doesn't need to hurt!". It was only then that she told me how painfully uncomfortable cycling had been on a bike that was poorly fitted. The saddle matters a lot but poor fit can make for pain in the soft tissue, great reluctance to descend (due to bad weight distribution), sore neck and shoulders, and ultimately reluctance to ride.
Anyway, my experience with Gabby made me as a cycling coach passionate about bike fit for women. 17 years later, bike fit for women is better but still has a long way to go.
Would I be wrong in thinking that proper fit gets more important when you progress to a road bike?
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Any advice for my GF?
Postby gabrielle260 » Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:16 am
Changing the subject slightly, I always laugh when blokes go riding with their girlfriends... With the bloke on a really light road bike and the woman on a heavy hybrid or mountain bike. And they wonder why the woman is slow! Just think of the total weight of rider and bike... That's what each cyclist has to get up each hill or slight rise. For most women who are lighter and slighter than most men, the weight of the bike represents a much higher proportion of the total... And yes, there is more to it than that - issues of confidence etc that would make this post even longer.
Anyway - hope you are showing your GF these posts....
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby lump_a_charcoal » Sun Feb 05, 2012 1:21 pm
I agree about the her heavy bike compared to my 9kg jobbie, it isn't fair.
However, I told her that I will buy her an excellent bike once I am sure she will stick with it. I can't afford to buy her a nice roadie to be used 7 times.
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby Mulger bill » Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:05 pm
Pack a picnic lunch and rug into a backpack (which you carry) and trundle off to the nicest spot you can find within a comfortable distance for her. Sit back and enjoy the lunch and the half bottle of something red or white (her taste) that you slipped into the bag without her noticing Pick a different route home and stop by a cafe for a refreshing latte and biscotti. When you get home, take her bike off her and let her relax. Suggest a hot bath and a massage to work out any knots she might have earned because "You did a great job today, I hope you had as much fun as I did."
Repeat with variations a few times until her bum and legs get used to the idea then see how things go from there.
It didn't work for me, my GLW is still a horsey type but she did enjoy the first time.
London Boy 29/12/2011
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby lump_a_charcoal » Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:28 pm
Mulger bill wrote:Make the ride the means to an end, not the end itself.
Pack a picnic lunch and rug into a backpack (which you carry) and trundle off to the nicest spot you can find within a comfortable distance for her. Sit back and enjoy the lunch and the half bottle of something red or white (her taste) that you slipped into the bag without her noticing Pick a different route home and stop by a cafe for a refreshing latte and biscotti. When you get home, take her bike off her and let her relax. Suggest a hot bath and a massage to work out any knots she might have earned because "You did a great job today, I hope you had as much fun as I did."
Repeat with variations a few times until her bum and legs get used to the idea then see how things go from there.
It didn't work for me, my GLW is still a horsey type but she did enjoy the first time.
Well I'm not showing her now!
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby Comedian » Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:57 pm
SLAP... Wakey wakey...hands off snakey!Mulger bill wrote:Make the ride the means to an end, not the end itself.
Pack a picnic lunch and rug into a backpack (which you carry) and trundle off to the nicest spot you can find within a comfortable distance for her. Sit back and enjoy the lunch and the half bottle of something red or white (her taste) that you slipped into the bag without her noticing Pick a different route home and stop by a cafe for a refreshing latte and biscotti. When you get home, take her bike off her and let her relax. Suggest a hot bath and a massage to work out any knots she might have earned because "You did a great job today, I hope you had as much fun as I did."
Repeat with variations a few times until her bum and legs get used to the idea then see how things go from there.
It didn't work for me, my GLW is still a horsey type but she did enjoy the first time.
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby Mulger bill » Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:13 pm
London Boy 29/12/2011
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby markusm » Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:19 pm
Parker wrote:HTFU
Very positive answer, i bet they're happy you replied.
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby lump_a_charcoal » Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:24 pm
I just sorta skipped over it...markusm wrote:Parker wrote:HTFU
Very positive answer, i bet they're happy you replied.
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby markusm » Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:30 pm
If i can give you some intelligent/helpful/useful advice, unlike the HTFU one i'd just say be patient. I made the mistake of buying my wife two bikes and all the gear hoping she would get into it but at the end of the day she just isn't really interested. I have to come to terms with that.lump_a_charcoal wrote:I just sorta skipped over it...markusm wrote:Parker wrote:HTFU
Very positive answer, i bet they're happy you replied.
As i said, be patient, and if its in her, she will eventually love it like we do
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby Parker » Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:42 am
Seriously, as a women (yes I am), I can see that some women are 'soft' and they like to find 'excuses' and reasons not to do things.markusm wrote:Parker wrote:HTFU
Very positive answer, i bet they're happy you replied.
Some women need a lesson in perserverence and I'd say the same to any man. The whole world need to stop being so lazy and try something new, if after 10 rides on the bike she said, 'I don't really enjoy riding but I think I'll give a gym class a go whilst you ride.." Then that would be acceptable.
Get motivated ladies!
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby cp123 » Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:24 am
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby markusm » Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:54 pm
Have you ever tried motivational speaking, psychology, counselling etc... I'm sure you would be great at it......Parker wrote:Seriously, as a women (yes I am), I can see that some women are 'soft' and they like to find 'excuses' and reasons not to do things.markusm wrote:Parker wrote:HTFU
Very positive answer, i bet they're happy you replied.
Some women need a lesson in perserverence and I'd say the same to any man. The whole world need to stop being so lazy and try something new, if after 10 rides on the bike she said, 'I don't really enjoy riding but I think I'll give a gym class a go whilst you ride.." Then that would be acceptable.
Get motivated ladies!
Maybe its just not her thing, she's probably into other things that you're not into, doesnt mean you need to "HTFU", "get perseverence", stop being "soft" or "lazy".
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby summercyclist » Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:47 pm
Agreed!!rkelsen wrote:For her: Don't give up. Keep at it. The more you do it, the better it becomes.
For you: Be understanding with her. Don't mock her or try to force her into it.
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Any advice for my GF?
Postby chucknitro » Thu Feb 16, 2012 8:10 pm
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby Emi » Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:47 pm
If you can't afford to get her a good bike get yourself a crap one dig up something big and heavy out of the shed or off ebay.
Make it clear that you will signal all the turns so she doesn't have to take her hands off the bars.
Remember that she will have to stop to drink water.
Very strongly second the suggestions to make the first rides short, with at least one stop and coffee, or food, or wine.
other than that good luck
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby Philby the bilby » Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:40 pm
It's great that you are encouraging your gf to cycle with u. But if it's totally new to her you need to give her time to ease into it. The flat bar sounds fine just make sure it's fitted to her properly to reduce any aches and pains, this will make cycling a little more fun. Like anything new it's going to be hard to get into and self motivation plays apart to. Take it easy with her. No need to go crazy fast right now, no need to do high km's just have fun. Ride around the local park just do a few laps, the day or week after do a few more and continue to increase gently so that the enjoyment stays there. As her fitness and pace increases find a local cycling club or bay bug ride. She will certainly find a new and good bunch of people all with the same interest and I'm sure people at her level. Don't forget to remind her we all had to start somewhere and it wasn't easy. Chat about the positives of cycling and health benefits especially the ease on the joints. Please be patient with her as it does take time. When she gets more into it buy her a computer so she can see how she is improving. Good luck to you and her hope it works out so then she can decide to upgrade her own bike.
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby Meditator » Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:59 pm
My first tour was with my sister (who had toured before and who was very fit). I was unfit at the time and a bit overweight. My bike was !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! - a man's bike and an old one at that and i am 165cm tall. I didn't have knicks or panniers or anything that is usually considered de rigeur for a touring cyclist. It was totally uncomfortable but i did enjoy it a lot - despite the very steep hills with gravel road (more than 10%) i had to push my bike up. We did about 34km on the first day on the bitumen and i would have to stop about every 15 minutes. I am sure you guys would find it a lot easier. Our longest day was 78km on dirt. I also had cheapest cruddiest knobbly tyres which slowed me down even more.
This trip was a warm up for my first overseas tour to make sure its what i wanted to do and see how i could improve my bike set up.
If you try this option, make sure that you carry most of the gear. Even fit and experienced touring couples should distribute the weight of the gear so that they travel at the same speed.
The main thing to say to your gf is that the more you do, the fitter you get, the easier it gets. You won't get very fit riding just a few kms a day though. She's better off improving her fitness with some other exercise, unless she's got some hills en route.
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby blossy84 » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:48 pm
Shucks you old romantic you. How very sweet! Pity that sort of thing wouldnt work on getting my husband to come ride with meMulger bill wrote:Make the ride the means to an end, not the end itself.
Pack a picnic lunch and rug into a backpack (which you carry) and trundle off to the nicest spot you can find within a comfortable distance for her. Sit back and enjoy the lunch and the half bottle of something red or white (her taste) that you slipped into the bag without her noticing Pick a different route home and stop by a cafe for a refreshing latte and biscotti. When you get home, take her bike off her and let her relax. Suggest a hot bath and a massage to work out any knots she might have earned because "You did a great job today, I hope you had as much fun as I did."
Repeat with variations a few times until her bum and legs get used to the idea then see how things go from there.
It didn't work for me, my GLW is still a horsey type but she did enjoy the first time.
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby blossy84 » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:50 pm
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Re: Any advice for my GF?
Postby madtiger293 » Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:53 pm
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