Introducing new riders - How to stay together

[KSH]

I have a couple of friends who ride *slower* than me. And I only suggest that they ride with me, when I know I am in the mood for not caring how fast I go.

If I invite them, I prepare myself to have an easy ride... and to enjoy the chatting and the scenery, versus sweating and getting a good workout.

Also, on some of the no drop rides I go on... the faster riders may go ahead... BUT the always circle back for the slower ones. You could have let him know that you would go ahead, but circle back... doing the hills twice would have been good for you too!

And, everyone's fitness level is different. I think we all know that age doesn't mean a thing in cycling. How many times have you been smoked by a man or lady, twice your age? Maybe this 16 year old hasn't done any physical/cardio type of activity in his life? Very common these days.

Also, did you two take a look at how he was using the gears... maybe he was mashing the pedals, thus he was tired before he might have been if he was spinning his pedals.

Well, you were nice to ride with him... and younger riders need encouragement and someone who can set the example... more teens/young adults need to incorporate physical activity in their lives.

You know what else, maybe he has never been in a situation where he was faced with physical discomfort and where he had to make a decision: press on through the pain, or quit. I know my first swim meet... when I was 14 years old... I was tired after 50 yards (of my 100 yard back stroke)... and I decided I would get out of the pool and stop. I thought it was OK to just stop in the middle of my competition, no one had told me it wasn't OK to stop. But they all yelled at me to finish and I did. I also learned how to press on, and that you don't give up when you are tired or in pain. Maybe he hasn't learned that lesson yet?

AND... I bet that kid went home was *down* on himself cause some 30 year old women kicked his butt... and I bet you MOTIVATED him to get faster and do better! Guys HATE when a girl beats them... OR passes them on a bike!

[SandyLS]

(Quote KSH) "How many times have you been smoked by a man or lady, twice your age? "


Nope, never happened! Can't say as if I've ever been passed up by a 116 year old biker, and I am way slow! Point well taken though. Hubby worked a lot of overtime this summer and just now has started to have the time to bike with me. (Somebody had to pay for the new toys). I do a ride by myself while he is at work at my own speed and goals. (50 miles yesterday at 15.5 mph.my longest and fastest to date) When He gets home I'm happy to go along behind him at his speed and distance as he builds up endurance. I'm just glad that he in interested in riding at all. His rides give me a chance to practice the skills that I am still afraid of, standing to pedal, grabbing my water bottle while riding, clipping and unclipping, riding in the drops and lots more.