Get a tandem.

Firstly even though you have to pedal all the time, the effort doesn't have to be the same between two riders. I know someone that was a elite level rider. He grabbed someone in the bike shop and took them on a 160km charity ride. They did really well.

I ride on a tandem because I know I am never going to be as fast as my DH. I wanted company, I wanted to feel safe on long rides and I wanted my repairman with me.

The tandem has meant that when I was recovering from a serious injury I could ride earlier than on my single bike.

Interesting DH wanted to ride a charity ride on his own so I recurited a work collegue who was an expert rider and also rode tandem with his wife to pilot me. It was amazing! With his power riding it was soo much easy. We stopped for breaks but we still managed to do 160km in 5 hours. On my own at normally take 8hrs.

And tandems also have advantages- they fly down hills and on the flats. Not so great are the uphills but well you cannot have it all. People on singles love them and everyone waves and smiles when they see a tandem.

It could be the answer to your problem. Go rent a reasonable tandem (not a beach cruiser!) and see if it works.