Complementary skills: cycling buddy/partner

More of take-off from the earlier topic on getting dropped by other people, etc.

In cycling, my partner complements me by:
*admittedly he does do enough bike adjustments on my bike
*naturally motivates me by cycling ahead of me
*has stronger geospatial/orientation skills
*takes many technical photos of cycling facilities wherever he rides & visits out of town. (It's a long term hobby ...)
*knowing & remembering many cycling routes
*his bike map collection to help us


I complement him by:
*naturally motivating him to start cycling MUCH earlier. By 7:00 am or so I am raring to go in spring, summer and fall. He manages to drag himself out of bed.. I'm a morning person, just full of beans.
*natural nose for choosing great bed 'n breakfasts often with very little/no advance research. Very true for multi-week touring trips where we would bike into town .. I was the final decision-maker after reviewing the pickings. We've had some great places, wonderful surprises...
*being better balanced on bike than he. He thinks it's me being only..5'1" on bike, ie. centre of gravity is lower to ground.
*distracting him :rolleyes: when he gets his ear ringing/tinnitus on bike/headaches caused by barometric pressure change.
*I take way more artsy photo images of where we cycle-visit. He can too....but takes much more time to do the composition set-up.

He made me ride in all sorts of traffic situations to the point of panic and tears, but it made me less fearful;
When I started riding, he knew a lot more beautiful country roads around here;
He gradually picked up the speed until I could keep a decent pace;
He does ALL of the maintenance and I never have to go to the bike store...
He is now happy to ride with me at my speed, which while isn't fast, isn't super slow either.
He has the GPS and knows how to use it, and makes the cue sheets for the rides we lead

I, on the other hand, plan all of our routes and never forget a turn once I've done the ride (unless we are in the woods)
I often do long hard climbs faster because I just want to get done (he can ride much faster than me, but knows how to pace himself better)
I don't piss off drivers, ever;
I can estimate mileage and other distance better;
I am more disciplined about riding and fitness in general after 30 years of it

Mine sits at home by the phone and brings the car to get me when I can't get home. :D

My cycling buddy and I compliment each other as well...

- He is stronger on hills, but won't drop me.
- He knows the area much better than I do, thus knows many more routes than I.
- He has no problems drafting a girl, and doesn't make snarky comments about the view either!

- I have the endurance he lacks. I'm the one pushing for longer rides.

- We both will ride at anytime of the year, as long as the roads are relatively dry.