Dear Male Riding Buddy,

look, I adore you. No, not like that, but you're funny, smart, very kind and you know an enormous amount about biking that you're willing to pass on. We share the same drive and the same reasons for biking, to keep from falling over dead before our time.

But you also have a big, big mouth, and say the stupidest things about women sometimes. So it shouldn't really come as a huge surprise when I suddenly stop finding it funny and snap back.

So why the (insert expletive) are YOU acting all sensitive and hurt?? Yes, I did misunderstand you and over-react, but I apologized sincerely and immediately. And I came to talk to you and ask you out for a ride. That was four days ago, and you're still moping around being strange.

Just get over it, for crying out loud. I'm supposed to be doing these complicated relationship things with my dh, not you. My head is spinning, and all I want to do is go out and have a blast on our bikes without all this fuss.