Who has converted SO to cycling?

[sydney_b]

Hi,

Sounds like for many of us, we caught the bug from boyfriends or hubbies. How many of you have successfully served as the infective agent? Of that set, let's hear the story.

[runnergirl]

I got my DH to buy a road bike, and he does ride with me at least twice a week or so. His job is in DC, so he can't ride during the week at all. I try not to nag and just be happy when he does get out there with me. He's lost 25 lbs, partially from cyling with me on the weekends and hitting the excercise bike at his hotel during the week, and partially getting better with portion control (hard when he has to eat out 7 meals a week).

It's funny at races, because he's getting my bike ready and getting me water or a recovery drink, pinning my number on, taking pictures, just like all the wives and girlfriends do for the guys.

He'll never take it as seriously as I do, but that's ok.

[sydney_b]

That's cool. I finally got him to ride with me some by promising it wasn't any kind of race, it was just to get out and about. I think I will get him a new saddle (Brooks). If he doesn't like it I will put it on the bike I want to get in the spring, if he does like it -- well great! Baby steps I guess.

[fultzie]

i convinced my mom to buy a road bike two years ago... and then a mtb last year! we started riding cruisers together on the rail trails near our house when i was in high school, and when i got to college i decided i'd see what the "bike club" was all about. turns out it was about racing, and i got hooked on mtb, and then road, and then mom had to buy a new bike to keep up with me , and it kind of snowballed from there.

my mom has tried with mixed success to get my little bro and stepdad on bikes as well... my stepdad might be a mtb convert, but he's not big on road riding (though he does own a road bike now). baby brother is a water-sport dude, but i can deal with that

as for SO, i'm looking to make my life easier and find a nice boy who's already hooked

[annie]

Tried for years to get him ride a bike. Bought the bike. Did the upkeep on it. Bought him clothing, equipment. He went out occasionally, but never eally cared for it. I gave up! I've had to accept that I am married to a sedentary person and nothing I do is going to change that. So I do my riding with myself or with friends. And try NOT to think too much about what he's doing to his health......... he'll probably outlive me!

annie

[TrekJeni]

I've had my road bike for five months now. My boyfriend of 6 years has an incredibly hard (manual labor) job. Mandatory tens plus mandatory Saturdays most every other week and he ends up working Sundays for double time. It doesn't leave him much time for biking although it has given me the opportunity to finish my degree and still pay for the house and camper (that I use more than him showing dogs). I work in an office and am always ready to do something, anything, when I get home. He's just ready for the couch and the TV.

He's seen how much fun I've been having riding and we've been talking road bike for him. I haven't pushed as I figured it would make him feel pressured and he'd never buy. This Saturday, we spent 2.5 hours in my LBS with him riding bikes. He's go it narrowed down to either the Trek 1200 or the Lemond Etape. I'm going to let him do all the work on this one!

I know he won't be doing centuries with me but it will still be fun to bike with him. Maybe it will even get him to quit smoking!

Jeni

[KSH]

Last October... I bought a bike so I could start competing in triatlon's.

This April/May... I got my boyfriend to rent a bike... just to see if he would like it.

After renting one 3-4 times... he was hooked. He bought a Trek 1200... and demolished it about a month later. He was hesitant to get another bike... I pointed out to him that he could get a '04 Trek 1000 for about $550.

So... he finally went and bought another one... and paid around $1200 for a Specialized! But, he said that he will NOT buy another one if he wrecks this one.

Odd thing though... we rarely ride together. I like to go Saturday morning on a group ride, and he hasn't been brave enough to go yet.

We have ridden together a couple of times... but he looks at it like a competition, and when he's not out in front "winning"... he gets really pissy. I ride for fun, and him getting all pissed off makes riding with him.. not fun. This is something we have discussed and he said he would try to work on his attitude.

He also commented on how good I was about "being behind"... and I pointed out to him that I am typically at the back of a group... just barely keeping up! I'm use to it!