Quote Originally Posted by li10up
I ride 3-4 times a week with an avg. speed around 14.5 mph (roughly 23.5 kph) for about an hour and a half. I also usually ride with a friend. I’ve been riding for about a year. I have a goal of my avg. speed being consistently over 15 mph. As it stands right now I frequently have to coast or slow down for my friend to catch up. I’ve even gone on ahead and then doubled back to meet up with her again…although I feel bad doing it…afraid she’ll think I’m trying to show her up or something. We aren’t really close friends but close enough that I don’t want to hurt her feelings, plus I really enjoy her company while riding and wouldn’t want to lose my only riding partner. She readily states that she is just riding for fun. So here’s the question…how can I get her to try to push herself more so I can achieve my goal and yet she still have fun?
ha, this is a conversation near and dear to my heart. for years, this was the case with me and hubby riding. I actually encouraged him to go up that hill again! I didnt mind. I am still working to get to be a better rider but there's no way i'm going to catch up to him because he's working too!

on the other hand, your buddy might have a slower bike. Ask her if it bothers her that you are doing loop di loops around her, because chances are, she, like me, is relieved that you aren't leaving her in the dust.
mimi