YOU GO GIRL

In the long run, consider talking to him about this. My pet peeves are: when we ride up my nemesis hill, with me huffing and puffing and I'm just HOPING to make it to the top, while he rides next to me and giggles at the faces I'm making (curse words); or on a perfect day, when I feel like I'm pedaling like the wind, and I can hear him coasting behind me--JUST GO BY and let me enjoy my ride (I don't want to feel like I'm holding you up). DH and I had a few yelling/tearful exchanges before I learned to express my feelings: Don't coach me. I am pedaling as fast as I want to pedal--if you want to go by, go by. I feel nervous with you right on my back wheel. I don't want to climb that hill. This is supposed to be fun. Let me learn at my own pace, or I'll go ride with someone else.

The first bike DH bought me, when we started dating, didn't "stick" because of this. Ten years later, he's learned patience and my cycling skills have improved. He now quickly recognizes when I'm getting frustrated and backs off--although the occasional curse word still flies. He just apologized this week for pushing me out on a hill ride I didn't want to do--that ended with me turning around and coming back home early and alone.