How Do You Teach a non-riding spouse to ride?
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Where'd Mikey go? I think a tandem is a great idea, but she'll still need to overcome her fear of traffic.
I know some people who have a lot of fears, it's very difficult to reason with them -- they'd rather avoid whatever it is they fear instead of try to face and overcome them. It's best to be gentle and understanding and let them move at their own pace. But that can be frustrating...
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Can a non-rider ride on the back of a tandem? Is that a way to allow them to gain a little confidence before beginning to learn solo?
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Redirect the head and the tail will follow(SPARK-John J Ratey/2008)
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Re: How Do you ....
Have you thought this through? Do you really want your wife to know that those aero wheels cost $2000. Do you want to make her aware that carbon frame is $3000 plus components? Do you want her going with you every time you go to the bike shop?
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Mikey,
I don't know what kind of riding that you do but if I wanted to teach someone to ride a bike I would first go to Walmart and buy a nice cheap single speed beach bike like the ones we all had when we were youngsters. Upright position, wide steady handlebars, and maybe even a ladies step-through design. And then I would ride with her for short distances, 1-3 miles, at 8-10 mph pace for months until she absolutely wanted to ride. Or didn't want to ride anymore.
It is too easy after reading these forums for awhile to assume that you can't be riding unless you have a fancy bike, ride long distances, and strive for speed. Way too much stuff to overload someone who has never been on a bike.
I don't know what kind of riding that you do but if I wanted to teach someone to ride a bike I would first go to Walmart and buy a nice cheap single speed beach bike like the ones we all had when we were youngsters. Upright position, wide steady handlebars, and maybe even a ladies step-through design. And then I would ride with her for short distances, 1-3 miles, at 8-10 mph pace for months until she absolutely wanted to ride. Or didn't want to ride anymore.
It is too easy after reading these forums for awhile to assume that you can't be riding unless you have a fancy bike, ride long distances, and strive for speed. Way too much stuff to overload someone who has never been on a bike.
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DON'T DO IT YOURSELF! Find a friend she likes, preferably a female rider, to do it. Let her get all the bugs out before she proudly shows you what she's learned. Then DON'T CRITICIZE!
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
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Why not try a tricycle. My grandmother never learned to drive a car but put lots of miles on her trike. I have no doubt that she could have NEVER mastered riding a bicycle. BTW I'm new here and not yet 50 but I'm getting close. I may pop in for a visit occasionally
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Teaching one's wife can be one of the most challenging events a man ever encounters. I found it better to pay a stranger - tennis instructor, golf, white water kayaking, etc. than to risk the ever present defensiveness of the wife.
Quotes from past experience:
Don't tell me what to do.
Why do you have to use that tone of voice?
You aren't making this any fun.
Quotes from past experience:
Don't tell me what to do.
Why do you have to use that tone of voice?
You aren't making this any fun.
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Methinks Mikey might be out riding with Mrs. Mikey by now. Nevermind. I suspect the ideas posted will help others as well, maybe.