first longer ride-mixed feelings

[xeney]

After about six years, my husband and I still get frustrated with each other on rides. And I ride better -- more confidently, even faster overall -- when I ride alone. So I recommend you try that.

One way to do that without heading out completely on your own is to set destinations rather than riding together the whole time. My husband and I have landmarks we use: "Meet at the red bench," for instance. Then he might ride on ahead another 20 miles and double back to the red bench, and I just ride to the red bench. We both get better rides that way.

Or like yesterday's ride: I took the car out to a park along our bike trail, and I pulled my daughter in the trailer for an easy (ha, "easy" with 30 mph wind gusts) 13-mile ride, while he rode from home. We passed each other on the trail and traded some text messages, and all got together for a picnic at lunch time. Then I drove home with my bike and the trailer, and he rode home. He got about 50 miles and we each got to ride at our own pace, but if I had gotten into some kind of trouble (with a baby along, even a flat tire is a big pain in the neck) we just would have had to wait for him to get to us.

(We trade off on pulling the trailer, in case I make it sound like he gets all the fun and I do all the towing. He does most of the towing, but she can't take 50 miles yet.)