i found a cycling partner!!

[mariacycle]

...and it happens to be my dad! I'm so excited for him to start cycling with me for so many reasons. He's definitely going to push me to my limit (since I'm sure he's sadly in better shape than me) and I'll feel so much safer to be cycling with a partner instead of alone. I even started telling him about tours in Europe (looking at Trek Travel right now) and how we can go to Tuscany as a family

does anyone have any good suggestions for biking with someone else when you're in different shape? Also, any women out there cycle with men? Though I cannot imagine this being especially difficult, I wonder if anyone has interesting comments about it.

BTW we're both on hybrids for the time being. I think we'll eventually switch to road bikes but one step at a time...

[shootingstar]

That's fantastic when it's another family member!

Are you having problems now keeping up? Best to also cycle on your own while other times he cycles with you. Keeps you fit and you will grow stronger and go farther as time moves on. For a bike trip, you need to build distance by adding it on at least every wk., but enjoy it at your pace with some goals in mind.

Does he wait up for you if he cycles very far from you at times? (Maybe I'm assuming too much, but would think a parent may tend to wait up anyway. He has memory of you learning to ride long ago. )

Of course, quite a number of TE forum members ride with a guy or guys.

[Biciclista]

don't say he's sadly in better shape than you. Since you're younger you can GET in shape faster than he can. Happy trails!

[Bike Chick]

I ride primarily with men.......not many women around that bike or ride my speed......and it works and it will also make you a better rider. It has me. But the fact that it's your dad makes me think that he's not going to ride off and leave you. He will ride your pace, I'm sure. Dad's do that.

That's so cool, maria. You will have some good times together. My father has been gone 10 years and it would have been great to do this with him. Cherish the time together.

[mariacycle]

don't say he's sadly in better shape than you. Since you're younger you can GET in shape faster than he can.

haha i sure hope that's true! he keeps up with training better than i do for other sports while i have taken a hiatus to be a lazy senior. hopefully it'll just take a couple weeks to be in good enough shape to really push myself to those longer rides like i used to have.

Cherish the time together.

absolutely. thank you so much for your encouraging words!

[kiwibug]

I started out riding with my dad! He's the one that got me addicted to cycling - now I'm more hardcore than him haha!

[Jiffer]

I ride with guys all the time. There are all levels of guys, however. I can beat some of them, but my husband is not one of them. He is very strong. My main training partner is one of my best girlfriends. Works out wonderfully. We are pretty close to the same level, though she outrides me on most hills over 3% and either waits for me at the top or knows I'll catch her on the downhill.

As for my hubby, he does his "real" training rides alone or with his "possey", as I call them! Various fast guys he rides with. He does do some "recovery" rides with me or rides where he's okay with not going his top speed. Yet, depending on the ride, he can still get a decent workout if he's the one pulling the whole time, which is typical. (Do you understand the concept of pulling and drafting? Might want to wait on that one until you have road bikes.) Anyway, he might ride in his hardest gear sometimes or work on standing for long periods to work on different muscles. Or not worry about riding easy until we get to a hill and then kill the hill and wait for me at the top.

There are ways for riders of various levels to work together and, yes, riding with stronger riders makes you stronger. Most of the people I ride with are stronger, so I ought to know! I bet you'll find a way to make it work with your dad. I think it's awesome you guys are going to ride together.

Have fun!!!