BAH

This is a question I get asked fairly frequently riding around town, and also on bike forums. I can't say that this will work for everyone, because my wife is from the awesomeness factory anyway, but these are suggestions that I have- things that worked for me.

Don't start her out on a 100 mile ride on a racing bike. Don't start her out on a epic mtn bike ride. Or anything close.
It all began when I bought Sara a nice, comfortable cruiser ride and we puttered around town together. I wanted to spend more time with her, but also wanted to be on some kind of bike(I come from a mtn biking background-whister/northshore/downhill stuff) We did this for a while on nice sunny days, riding in places that were somewhat scenic/fun, no traffic etc. We could ride slowly, talking about whatever and just enjoying ourselves. Then we started going on bike dates- to restaurants etc.It wasn't very long before she wanted to start riding to her work. She started doing this every day and now it's out of control She has 3 bikes now, buys clothes(regular clothes- not goony biking duds!!) that will look good while riding. She has started to accessorize to match her bikes now too

Her latest purchase




Her latest and (current)favorite bike




Now we can't go on any vacation without bringing bikes along




Give it a shot, a biking wife is a happy life

jyossarian

Wow, she does look stylish on her bike!

This weekend, my commented that she couldn't understand how people could ride on the streets in traffic. She doesn't like riding in traffic herself. We talked about it and it seems that people like me grew up w/ their bike as their only means of transportation (ride to your friends, ride w/ your friends to the park to play ball, ride around w/ your friends to explore, etc.) while she grew up riding only in the park or just around the block. For me, it was transportation when I was 8 years old and for her, it was recreation, something to grow out of like playing w/ dolls. We do ride together, but only for recreation and mostly in parks since she's uncomfortable with riding in traffic.

I-Like-To-Bike

What bike?

Marylandnewbie

After re-reading the thread twice I did finally notice the bike in the last pic. I think you seemed to follow all the suggestions I have seen on BF and elsewhere about brining new riders into the fold.

It is unfortunate that it is often seen as an issue of bringing women into riding. Of all the sports/athletic activities that a couple could likely engage in, bicycling is probably the most egalitarian for the sexes. Gearing and good riding skills largely offset much of the muscle mass differences men may enjoy in other sports. Plus it such a flexible sport -- you don't need to reserve a court, organize a team, or join a league.

JoeyMac

I had been trying for a while to get my gf out on a bike with me, with little success. She had her mom's old 64 Schwinn Co-Ed 3-speed, which is a beautiful bike, but it was slightly too tall for her, and she wasn't comfortable with not being able to keep her feet on the ground when she was stopped. So I found her a lowrider (with a banana seat), and then converted my childhood bike into a lowrider, and now we go out on lowrider cruises. And we look totally badass together

caloso

Very nice. I've found that my wife isn't a huge fan of riding a bike for the sake of riding a bike. But she's happy to go someplace fun. Pre-kids, we'd ride to the movies, River Cats' games, that sort of thing.

Seems to me that the best thing is to make sure she's on a comfy bike and to let her choose the destination and set the pace.

CliftonGK1

If it weren't for the glare from the water washing out the frame/logo, that last shot could be a billboard for Electra bikes. Quite an awesome picture.

My fiancee can't ride due to some past injuries, but she loves (that I love) cycling. Yeah, it drags me out of the house early on the weekends, and I spend evenings on the stationary 'bent instead of next to her on the sofa when we're watching TV, but she keeps talking about how awesome I look since I lost 30 pounds this year... so I don't think she's complaining too much.

Sawtooth

+1....Sheeesh. Makes my heart skip a beat.

For me, the best you can hope for is to get her to accept and support your own biking. She will do what she will will, but odds are it will not be the same thing you are into. This, despite the fact that most women pretend to like these things during that dating period. That's ok, I guess. I pretended to be romantic .

jeff-o

That's the ticket - let her discover a love for cycling herself. You can't force it on her (or anyone, for that matter), or they will resist and you'll fail.

macdonwald

So is that leather purse-y thing the outcome of the "fancy panniers" thread? Not a bad outcome, I might add, though she'll be hard-pressed to fit a load of groceries in there...

InTheRain

I don't know about getting the wife to "love" cycling... but you could always sell her car.

SSP

My wife was a dedicated couch potato. Partly for that reason, and partly due to her anger management problem, she's now my ex-wife.

Jack LaLane says that more marriages break up due to differences in energy levels than any other single reason.

My last 4 girlfriends have all been cyclists (and runners, triathletes, etc.). There's nothing like sharing your passion for the sport with a woman who is trim and fit and understands and supports you in your dedication to fitness.

Bruce_B

That photo looks like something out of a catalog. Very nice.

SDRider

My wife loves to ride and she really wishes she could ride with me but it's really not possible at the moment because we have a young son at home. So, when I ride I usually ride alone or with friends but not with my wife. Maybe in a few years we can start riding together again. I'd like her to get a road bike but she is resisting it. She has this irrational fear of skinny tires for some reason...

Tequila Joe

We got one of these with the bike attachment so I can tow our little one in it. It has room for toys, picnic lunch, diaper bags.....
Its not recommended for very young children atleast not until they can old thier head up.
https://www.chariotcarriers.com/html_english/cx2.htm

I-Like-To-Bike

Why not encourage her to ride first by not disparaging her choice in bicycles. Get her what she wants; not what you think is best for the wife of a Real Cyclist.

ginsoakedboy

Get her one of these:

https://www.bikebiz.co.uk/news/23480/...r-at-Interbike

SDRider

What makes you think I disparage her choice in bicycles? I'd just like her to be able to set a comparable pace which she is more than capable of doing were she on a comparable bike. I've ridden centuries with her best friend (rode my first century with her in fact) and we've both tried to get her on a road bike. I think if she tried it she'd enjoy it.

My wife has a Trek mtb I bought her a few years ago with platform pedals that she almost never rides. It's funny though, she won't ride it at all and then she'll go out and do 80 miles with the aformentioned best friend. She's run the LA Marathon twice and she generally does 2-3 half marathons a year along with working out 6-7 days a week. She'd be great on a road bike...

Oh, and when have I ever stated that a "real cyclist" only rides a road bike? I'd love to see you dig up the post because I've never said that.

LittleBigMan

You can lead a horse to water.

newbojeff

I bike, my wife watches the kids. My wife plays soccer, I watch the kids. We are both fit and happy and have hobbies we love. Occassionally we see each other.

DataJunkie

When my wife is not working she is permanently glued to her recliner. I've tried but as with trying to get her to eat better it is a complete failure.
I do my thing. She does her thing and later we have family activities.

maximushq2

Just don't let your wife or girlfriend hear you call her a horse.

donnamb 

BAH, I can see that Sara is clearly wearing (for those of us who don't wear special bike clothes) a totally appropriate and practical outfit for a non-rainy ride. I know you guys just see gorgeous, but I can also see the practicality. The sweater is warm enough but not too thick, the tights and boots do a great job keeping the legs warm but not too warm, and I'm thinking that skirt may have something in it that gives it a bit of stretch and yet doesn't blow around in the wind. When you were at Clever Cycles, did Sara get into a conversation with Martina and/or Rachel about practical bike clothes for women that don't look like bike clothes? I can sure spend a lot of my time there in such a discussion...

As to picking out the right kind of bike, my brother sent me off with his fiancee thinking she'd be somehow convinced a road bike (like his) was the only way to go. That's not what happened.

ilikebikes

I would love my wife to come out and ride with me but she just doesnt like to ride, its just not "her thing" Throughout the years Ive bought her bikes that SHE liked and built her more than a few bikes but she has never ridden any of them more than once I just put her cool little Panasonic with a flip flop hub in storage supposedly for the winter but more than likely I will end up either selling it or cannibalizing it for parts come spring It doesnt affect our relationship, shes my best bud =) we spend a lot of time on vaca now that our oldest is married and our little one is 19 and on her way out too, we just got back from a Cruise to the Bahamas, six days of fun in the sun for her and sea sickness for me! Noel, gotta love those tropical storms! LOL! By the way, BAH, BEAUTIFUL! Oh yeah, the bike is nice too!

I-Like-To-Bike

Did you tell her all about her "irrational fear of skinny tires" or was that just comment about her choice for the amusement of the in-the-know BF cognoscenti?