my fiance and I have this problem sometimes. We finally set a plan to look at the week ahead...we need time together and he needs time to focus on his ride - just like I do. That means he rides faster and I stop at obstacles and do them over and over to get better. On those days we try to plan a big group (that includes all stages of riders). But when I'm trying something completley new - like new fork, shifters or right now, clipless pedals..he knows he needs to stay close by for the first couple of rides...to give moral support and tweak the bike if needed. That works well for us most of the time.