Riding with Wife/Girlfriend

[indica]

Just wondering who rides with their wife or girlfriend.
I go downhill riding with my wife and she loves it. We both ride Stinkys, but she is the only girl amongst us that hits the trails.
Has anyone tried to get a partner interested but can't?
I think its great, I even sent her out with the boys the other day and looked after our son.

The only problem is, I want to start building a Rotec soon, so she wants a V-10 ... double the cost, but easily justifiable cos the riding is understood.

[cdfeto]

Pretty sure theres a couple of threads floating around about riding with soul mates. Good on ya' though!

[Pebble]

Good on ya! Sounds great to have the love of mtb in common.

I've tried to get my husband interested, but it's hard to get him to spend any time on the bike at all. I don't push the matter, after all it wouldn't be any fun riding with someone if they don't enjoy it!
It's not that he dislikes riding, he just prefers doing other stuff instead (working around the property, servicing the 4wd's etc). When he's home we always seem to be busy doing other things, guess the only way is to "make it a date":) a trail that won't wear him out too much, and is enjoyable.

LOL I can see your problem with the cost - every upgrade that either of you makes will be doubled up because the other person gets to spend up to the same amount as well. I think Hubby is beginning to understand that letting Pebble buy new bike parts means Pebble lets him buy stuff he want's or needs for the cars:D

[Techno Destructo]

I've tried to get my husband interested, but it's hard to get him to spend any time on the bike at all. I don't push the matter, after all it wouldn't be any fun riding with someone if they don't enjoy it!
It's not that he dislikes riding, he just prefers doing other stuff instead (working around the property, servicing the 4wd's etc). When he's home we always seem to be busy doing other things, guess the only way is to "make it a date":) a trail that won't wear him out too much, and is enjoyable.

Wow! I've never heard of a role-reversal like that! :eek: Pebble, you should tell your husband to appreciate you more, 'cuz there's legions of guys who would kill for a girl like you! ;)

I'm pretty lucky to have a wife who rides as well! In fact, out of all her sports, it's probably her favorite (although skiing might beat it slightly). She's got a nice all-mountain bike that's pretty pimped out, and she's actually quite proud and... hmm... possessive? of it. All I'm allowed to do with it is maintenance and repairs. :( She enjoys shuttling a lot, but she also digs nice single track XC trails. It makes me sooo proud when she rides harder or more tech terrain than some of the guys we ride with. She's the bomb!!! :cool:

Just like you, indica, since we've had our first child about a year ago (which has really killed our riding time...:(), she's been the only one riding lately (albeit very occasionally...) while I go trail running with the little one.

[axertes]

I'm flat out getting my girlfriend to fucking walk somewhere.

[maxwolfie]

I'm flat out getting my girlfriend to fucking walk somewhere.

I hear you! Although mine is pretty busy most of the time, so it's difficult to find a day to go for a ride at Olympic Park or something easy.

[Pebble]

Hmm I think I'd be pretty possessive of my bike as well, particularly if DH (dear husband) was a lot more into the sport, I like the independence of doing it myself. It works well for us at the moment - car maintenance is his job, and bike maintenance is mine:D
Lol, he's probably grateful enough to have a wife who doesn't mind mowing the grass :)

Something really funny though, a few weeks back while he was away working I stripped the paint on my bright blue STP so that it was raw silver (yeah I like silver). About a day after he got home I couldn't help grinning, and had to ask if he noticed anything different about my bike. He asked if I'd changed the tires again or something:p I couldn't believe it - I mean it went from bright blue to silver & he didn't notice, I could have brought a whole new bike! Well apart from the fact that he would have noticed the credit card balance pretty quick!

He has gone for a few rides with me, back before we had kids (we had his & hers Specialized Hardrocks). I think he'll probably get into it a little bit (for fitness) when both kids are at school & we have more opportunity to ride together, but I doubt he'll ever like it as much as I do. Never know - as long as I don't make him go up too many hills!

[maxwolfie]

Hmm I think I'd be pretty possessive of my bike as well, particularly if DH (dear husband) was a lot more into the sport, I like the independence of doing it myself. It works well for us at the moment - car maintenance is his job, and bike maintenance is mine:D
Lol, he's probably grateful enough to have a wife who doesn't mind mowing the grass :)

Something really funny though, a few weeks back while he was away working I stripped the paint on my bright blue STP so that it was raw silver (yeah I like silver). About a day after he got home I couldn't help grinning, and had to ask if he noticed anything different about my bike. He asked if I'd changed the tires again or something:p I couldn't believe it - I mean it went from bright blue to silver & he didn't notice, I could have brought a whole new bike! Well apart from the fact that he would have noticed the credit card balance pretty quick!

He has gone for a few rides with me, back before we had kids (we had his & hers Specialized Hardrocks). I think he'll probably get into it a little bit (for fitness) when both kids are at school & we have more opportunity to ride together, but I doubt he'll ever like it as much as I do. Never know - as long as I don't make him go up too many hills!


I think the hills are the killers for beginners! They really deter people I think, too hard for most. Even too hard for me most of the time heh. I suppose they get you fit though!

Perhaps there's another way to coax him into riding more?

[Pebble]

I think the hills are the killers for beginners! They really deter people I think, too hard for most. Even too hard for me most of the time heh. I suppose they get you fit though!

Perhaps there's another way to coax him into riding more?

Oh he complains even about a gentle gradient (bitumen road into town - like 5 min ride to get there, where we used to live) so I think it will just be one of those things, I suppose everyone needs something to complain about / make fun of.

I suppose I'll start off by getting him out on the bike with me & the kids for starters (kids are just over 3 & 5yrs), after all it was the main reason we brought a Giant Alias for him last year, that and the fact that he said there was a good chance he may get into riding more regularly after we moved to where we live now. Ok admittedly the bike is suitable for me too - just in case he doesn't. Can't let a good bike go to waste can we now!

It's a shame he won't be home on the long weekend, there is a DH race on at the local course which I'll be going to watch. Oh well I'd like to have more goes at riding it, and work on my skills so I don't have to walk so much of it, and because it's such hard work walking up the top I'll have to rope him in to do a few shuttles one day! It's not so bad if one partner doesn't ride if they don't mind shuttling & looking after the kids:D

Now better get back on topic. I reckon it's not so bad if girlfriends / boyfriends etc don't ride, as long as they respect and understand their partners involvement in the sport, and don't give them a hard time when they want to go out on rides etc. I suppose you have to have some other common interest in that case.

[indica]

We have two kids ... 3 and 6, and they will be into it for sure, imagine the costs behind 4 DH rigs! I think we will have to start saving now.
My wifes been riding DH for just over a year in starting in Cairns, which is a bloody hard place to learn.
Now we have easier tracks to learn on - Maldon - and we had our first Buller trip this year, she is having a ball.
Sometimes we bring the kids along for shuttles, take turns hanging out with them at the bottom.
The guys treat her the same, and laugh at her like shes one of the fellas when she stacks, I think it is a great sport for that.

[mushroom]

I took my girlfriend for a ride at Lysterfield and she is hooked! She is saving for a bike as we speak.

[Justin Fox]

Been looking for a bike for the girl for a few weeks now. She can ride my mates Scott Scale small with the seat right down, but really she needs something moire like an extra small/14inch frame.

It's her B'day soon and I've decided to get her a dirt jump bike, maybe an STP. I'd like to modify it to suit. Pink cables, pedals, grips, should be a lot of fun.

[Pebble]

Been looking for a bike for the girl for a few weeks now. She can ride my mates Scott Scale small with the seat right down, but really she needs something moire like an extra small/14inch frame.

It's her B'day soon and I've decided to get her a dirt jump bike, maybe an STP. I'd like to modify it to suit. Pink cables, pedals, grips, should be a lot of fun.

Sounds great. And having a bike that fits well can also make a world of difference!

[cha_cha_]

it's funny. last year i twisted my +1's arm to get her to come along on the oxfam trailwalker and in the end she loved it. she decided not to do it this year, but instead she's doing the same training walks with us (our boys only superteam) only with as many girlfriends as she can get together. it kills her when she can't get a group together and come walking... I hadn't really thought of it until now, but i think there might be enough motivation in her to put her on a mt bike and expect her to enjoy it...

[indica]

it's funny. last year i twisted my +1's arm to get her to come along on the oxfam trailwalker and in the end she loved it. she decided not to do it this year, but instead she's doing the same training walks with us (our boys only superteam) only with as many girlfriends as she can get together. it kills her when she can't get a group together and come walking... I hadn't really thought of it until now, but i think there might be enough motivation in her to put her on a mt bike and expect her to enjoy it...

Just go easy on her and you will be fine and have great riding partner.
Good luck with it all.

[k3n!f]

Just got my girl onto my recently retired XC hardtail. It required some minor modifications (a female specific seat (which she much prefers), shorter stem and bars with higher rise), but she seems to love it so far :)

[spudatm]

My partner and i compete together we have a few other couples who ride so we usually enter the working week series or sydney 12 hour as a mixed team its great we turn them into a weekend away. The only thing that sucks about her riding is that she currently has a better rig than me she up graded to a giant Anthem whilst im on an alias and have to wait untill september so i can upgrade

[unitec]

Dear Pebble. MARRY ME!!
I am so jealous of guys that get to ride with thier partner.
My wife thinks I'm insane.

[Techno Destructo]

Dear Pebble. MARRY ME!!
I am so jealous of guys that get to ride with thier partner.
My wife thinks I'm insane.

Holy shit, dude!!! I hope your wife doesn't visit Farkin much!:eek::p

[Jon]

Holy shit, dude!!! I hope your wife doesn't visit Farkin much!:eek::p
Or Mr. Pebble;)

[axertes]

Dear Pebble. MARRY ME!!
Haha, my thoughts exactly.

[froghair]

my girlfriend had a bad accident several years ago, busting up her shoulder good and proper so until recently she wasnt to keen to hit the trails. she started riding my Gt avalance 1.0 and now its basiclly her's now. i just recently purchesed another Gt sts and i know i cant ride them at the same time........but there mine:D. she is worried about coming off so doesnt go hard but i like going out on the trails with her.....especially when she's in front so i can check her out;)

[indica]

Been looking for a bike for the girl for a few weeks now. She can ride my mates Scott Scale small with the seat right down, but really she needs something moire like an extra small/14inch frame.

It's her B'day soon and I've decided to get her a dirt jump bike, maybe an STP. I'd like to modify it to suit. Pink cables, pedals, grips, should be a lot of fun.

Justin,
If you are riding a dual suspension... get her one too, there are some womens specific ones around, unless she is a dirt jumper of course, but get her a bike she can keep up with you on.
good luck.

[Justin Fox]

Justin,
If you are riding a dual suspension... get her one too, there are some womens specific ones around, unless she is a dirt jumper of course, but get her a bike she can keep up with you on.
good luck.

Too late! STP has been purchased ;) I'll be on the single speed when we go riding, so, all good :)

[indica]

Too late! STP has been purchased ;) I'll be on the single speed when we go riding, so, all good :)

Make sure you post her pimped out ride in the post your ride section ... and good on ya for helping to get more girls into it!!

[Pebble]

Dear Pebble. MARRY ME!!
I am so jealous of guys that get to ride with thier partner.
My wife thinks I'm insane.

Depends what kind of bike you've got?

LOL:D :D
Just kidding of course.

Hmm yes I guess for guys this wouldn't really be the sport to get into if you are specifically looking to find a partner.
On the other hand for all those single girls who haven't found anyone yet . . . . . . . .

It would be interesting to know - who's partners also use Farkin? My husband doesn't but he knows what I'm generally reading mtb related stuff when I'm on line.

[indica]

It would be interesting to know - who's partners also use Farkin? My husband doesn't but he knows what I'm generally reading mtb related stuff when I'm on line.

My wife does ... she is on here as sunny ... we both find much humour in the off-topic section as well.
I have posted as her when I forgot to check who was logged in.

[Techno Destructo]

Justin,
If you are riding a dual suspension... get her one too, there are some womens specific ones around, unless she is a dirt jumper of course, but get her a bike she can keep up with you on.
good luck.

Yep, indica's got the right idea. Pimp out her bike. If she cares, ask her what she would like on it, parts-wise... even if she doesn't know anything about bikes, ask her what colour scheme she likes then.

Make it look sexy (in her eyes). And make it better than yours (and subtly let her know that), because not only will it help evening the playing field between you and her when riding... it's all about getting her to love, and be proud of her bike. If she loves her bike, that's a HUGE help in getting her to love mountainbiking.

Oh yeah... uh... when pimping it out... try to keep an emphasis on lightness as well as strength.

My wife's bike has got a chrome/white theme going.

[gerg]

well I took my now ex out to Stromlo last year and it was too much for her, I thought she was actually fitter than me but no... So she was all chipper about going out to Sparrow Hill because it was a bit easier so we headed out there and it was too much for her... I could have walked and kept up with her... our biking headed the same way as our relationship, it just didn't work.

[Matty_P]

Who will look after our kids if we're both our riding?? :D

[indica]

well I took my now ex out to Stromlo last year and it was too much for her, I thought she was actually fitter than me but no... So she was all chipper about going out to Sparrow Hill because it was a bit easier so we headed out there and it was too much for her... I could have walked and kept up with her... our biking headed the same way as our relationship, it just didn't work.

All for the best then?
Hopefully you can find a girl that will enjoy the sport next time.

[indica]

Who will look after our kids if we're both our riding?? :D

That is one of the hard bits.
We have arranged work and daycare around time for trail riding.
When we downhill shuttle, we take turns hanging out in the car park with the kids.
It is hard, but do-able if it is a priority.

[Doogle]

My wife and I have been riding together since we started going out, both road (sorry) and mtb.

We've done the Tahune challenge (50k) which was her first event and it really pushed her limits , but once completed she locked in her entry for Wildside 2008.

A great Wildside race, some stages we even met each other out there, I was ss she was on fs geared bike. She had a great big off over one of the jumps on the Zeehan time trial in front of a huge crowd, and got up with a grin on her face and finished minus lots of skin.

We luckily have teenage kids who either ride with us (rarely) or don't need looking after.

Maintenance is my field but she's learning and she is one of the most gutsy riders I ride with.

[BM Epic]

I have been married for 18 year's,we have two daughter's aged 12 and 14,we lead very busy lives,although i do walk with my wife 2-3 days a week,she now rides with me once a week,we are also both avid and capable skier's,we both love camping and 4wd'ing too,but the one thing that my wife loves more than me is fishing,she will stand patiently for 12 hour's,whereas i could only stand 3-4 hours tops.
It's funny,she rides a norco bushpilot,and is picking up the fitness and skills required very quickly(too quickly for my liking;)),what this illustrates is that we both love being outdoors,but what's more is we both love to be together!:)