This. I don't think the long-term answer to your DH's insecurities is to simply give into them. I agree that counseling could help, but in the meantime, keep doing what you want to do as it relates to fitness and mtbing. Your husband's issue is his issue to fix.
I also strongly recommend Harriet Lerner's The Dance of Anger. It's very helpful in learning how to reapproach a recurring issue or argument in a relationship. I hear Lerner's voice in my head anytime I'm dealing with someone who wants me to feel guilty or responsible for a problem that isn't really my problem to fix.
As for "chicking," I understand the desire to gloat every now and again when passing a man, but it's not the mindset that I what to be in most of the time I'm on the road. But if I guy can't take the comment as something intended to be a bit tongue in cheek, they're taking themselves too seriously.
Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.
--Mary Anne Radmacher
I don't care who passes me: I just want to enjoy my ride and not be forced to walk my bike....but I will walk my bike if there's something I can't accomplish on bike.
So until I joined TE forums, I had never heard of the term "chicked". I don't hang out with any cycling group/friends who train regularily together or compete. So not surprisingly after cycling regularily for last 20 yrs., I am not familiar with certain cycling 'subcultures', particularily on intensive /racing side.
Over the years, my partner tells me, with admiration and respect of other cyclists who may have passed him, male or female. I think it's important for any woman or guy who is an experienced cyclist, that over time they will not be always as strong cycling-wise. It doesn't get easier as you get beyond 50, 60 years old.
Cycling for a long time in your lifetime..requires being patient with oneself as one's physical abilities changes. We just have to enjoy the ride..no matter what speed. And forget about other cyclists around us and their speed.
Oh, yea, my partner..is 69. I would be concerned if he felt his ego was battered, but it's not. Because he was never oriented to be always "better", "faster" than the next guy/gal.
My Personal blog on cycling & other favourite passions.
遙知馬力日久見人心 Over a long distance, you learn about the strength of your horse; over a long period of time, you get to know what’s in a person’s heart.
I really don't have a problem with people passing me, or passing other people (doesn't happen very often), but if they're going to be jerks about it, well...
At least I don't leave slime trails.
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Every once in a while I'll be stopped at a red light or stop sign on the way home and someone - usually male, but not always - will push past me and plonk their bike down right in front of me. Because of course they're going to be faster than some plump grey-haired lady.
Trouble is, they frequently aren't. And I have to find a way to pass them in traffic. Luckily, traffic on my present commuting route isn't heavy, but if they're going to get huffy about it, I remind myself that they asked for it. Same as the people who push off the wall at the same time as me in the pool and "race" me... and then shoot me filthy looks for the rest of the swim session because I had the audacity to swim faster than them and then keep going for 10 more lengths while they gasped for breath at the wall after two.
Moral of the story: never race anyone that your ego can't bear to lose to.
Queen of the sea beasts
I've told this story before, but I once passed 3 guys on road bikes, and one of them said to the others, "you gonna let that girl pass you?" The other guys said "yup," then they all laughed. It was pretty funny.
'02 Eddy Merckx Fuga, Selle An Atomica
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