My husband--the new rider

[buffybike]

My husband has only been riding a couple of months...it's kind of fun watching him learn/flounder by trial and error. I don't like to give him too much info...he wouldn't listen anyway. Here are some of his "finer moments"....just don't tell him I told you. ;)

1. Going for a long group ride and trying to hang with the "fast group" with no idea where they're going. Getting dropped out in the boonies with no ride map or celphone.

2. Bringing tubes in seatbag but with no way to put air in them.

3. Drinking one bottle on a 1 hour+ ride in 100 degree heat and then wondering why he feels nauseous, tired, has a headache and his pee is orange. When I suggest dehydration, he disagrees.

4. Thinking he needs cycling-specific socks.

5. Almost buying an Astana team kit for his first group ride.

6. This...
Him: Should I run to improve my fitness so I can ride faster?
me: no, you should just ride more.
Him: Would it help to do lots of leg weights at the gym?
me: No, just put in more miles. You'll get there.
Him: There's these vitamins I heard about...
me: Dammit, just ride! if you want to get faster, you're just going to have to ride more! And stop worrying about having the right socks. Just ride your damn bike!
Him: I want to be fresh for the group ride on Saturday so I'm not going to ride until then so I won't be tired. Have you seen Contador's latest post on YouTube?
Me: Oy.

[Bike Chick]

Priceless! Enjoy every moment:D We will never give you up!

Have you beat him up a hill yet?

[buffybike]

OH YEAH. I'm too competitive to let him beat me to save his ego.

[shootingstar]

I love that! :D Funny.

The only thing I advise: that he might want to wear a cap underneath his helmet. He gets tanned patches on his bald head. He used to wear his skull cap when we lived in Ontario (where it was alot hotter), but maybe he doesn't find comfortable now.

Remind him that his cycling clothing needs washing. (Honey, you smell...) And no we don't voluntarily take each other cycling clothing and just throw it into the wash. We are each picky how it is washed/machine dried/air dried.

By the way, buffy I read your list of his adventures to him. He was amused also. He wears cycling jerseys and shorts, but has never worn a cycling kit in his life.

[sarahkonamojo]

Funny. But i bet he'd ride faster with new socks. Works for me...

[Zen]

The poor schmuck.
We were all new once but you really have to school this boy.

[JennK13]

I go faster with the socks....
:p

[marni]

personally, I think my new dragonfly bike socks, sent to me by a friend from the Texas hill country ride, definitely improve the quality if not the speed of my ride, not to mention improving my workouts as well.

And as for #1- don't you know a guy never stops and asks for directions?

[Christopher]

Chamois cream! Does he know about that?

Just saw little packets of same appearing in my LBS so you can re-apply midride. Better than carrying a bottle of it.

[buffybike]

Chamois cream! Does he know about that?

Just saw little packets of same appearing in my LBS so you can re-apply midride. Better than carrying a bottle of it.

just yesterday he stole my BUTT'r. I should tell him that "everyone uses embrocation!" and see what happens.

[beccaB]

Actually I think socks do make a difference. I don't get hot foot when I wear smartwool lightweight running socks!

[limewave]

Has he started shaving his legs yet? I always know DH is about to get serious with his cycling again whenever a new top-of-the-line Venus razor shows up in the shower.

[zoom-zoom]

Actually I think socks do make a difference. I don't get hot foot when I wear smartwool lightweight running socks!

+1 I am a total, unabashed Smartwool ho! :D

[JennK13]

+1 I am a total, unabashed Smartwool ho! :D

+2! I LOVE Smartwool socks. I've worn mine out :)

[marni]

Chamois cream! Does he know about that?

Just saw little packets of same appearing in my LBS so you can re-apply midride. Better than carrying a bottle of it.

I buy 10 packs of the little single servings of paceline chamois butter every time I see them in the LBS because himself is always "borrowing" them. I'm not sure what he does with so many since he only rides occasionally except maybe put them someplace "safe" when he loses interest.

I always carry one and use it on the turn around point of a ride. Good stuff.

[bluebug32]

Has he started shaving his legs yet? I always know DH is about to get serious with his cycling again whenever a new top-of-the-line Venus razor shows up in the shower.

Haha!! My husband just started shaving his legs. Now his showers are epically long and he's constantly inspecting his legs for razor burn. He's even moisturizing and invested in a loofah.

[buffybike]

The husband already shaved his legs but then regretted it.

Today we rode together with one other person. My DH kept swerving all over the road every time he drank from his water bottle, then he kept coming unclipped accidentally (once nearly taking down my friend), THEN he complained of overheating so he took off his jersey and stuffed it down the front of his shorts. What a freakin' spazz. I told him that I'm not riding w/ him anymore until he calms down.

[sarahkonamojo]

How cute!
Give him a break. It might come back to haunt you later. He WANTS to ride with you now.
S.

[DebSP]

:D I cannot not stop giggling about your last post! What did your friend make of his actions! Are they going to ride with him again??:p

[buffybike]

My friend just kept looking at me and laughing like, "Are you serious??!" I don't know if she'll ride with him again or not. He's actually very likeable...a great conversationalist. So most people forgive him his "quirks". (Me included)

[Bike Chick]

Your posts make me laugh but seriously it is nice sharing cycling with your spouse even if he is a spaz:D

[marni]

I swear chamie cream makes me break out :rolleyes:

there is an excellent balm called everything balm which works much like a chamie cream only not quite so lubricating. It was very "warming" the first few times I used it, but since it contains tea tree oil, an antiseptic and anti mold sanitzier, chances are it won't make you break out. It also works excellently to heal road rash, helps prevent scarring and is a good all around dry skin/eczema treatment. Available from Goodiesunlimited.com

not connected, just a happy customer.

[Librarygirl]

Ha ha! Buffybike, your descriptions of your husband's 'spazz' attacks on the bike made me laugh! Hard!

I love how guys can get intensely into something in a short space of time, with all the confidence in the world even if they're not good at it, and just go for it.

Unfortunately with women, well in my experience anyways, we tend to be a little harder on ourselves. More perfectionist and self critical.

I'd love to take a leaf out of your hubby's book and just be a big goof and not worry about what anyone thinks :D