We've been dating for about 8 months now, and about 2 weeks ago she expressed interested in going for a mountain bike ride with me. I got her set up on my slalom bike (only frame I have that would adequately fit her) slightly modified into more of an all around xc/trail mountain bike (non-race gearing, more comfortable seat, platform pedals). I also got my xc helmet fitted to her and got her a pair of gloves that were her size. She even asked if she could borrow my extra camelbak.
ANYWAYS! I took her on the easiest trails we have locally (Forrestal Nature Preserve in Ranchos Palos Verdes, right near the South Bay), and made sure that we rode at her pace. I did my best to explain the basics to her (braking, shifting, body position, turning, standing up and leaning back on descents, that kind of stuff). She was nervous at first because she had never been off road, we've only ever ridden on roads and paved paths. She took to it just fine though! She only fell once, and thankfully she wasn't hurt and was able to laugh it off. It was a shorter ride (about an hour) but for a beginner she did great. She even figured out on her own that its easier to go faster than it is to go slow. She was super pumped and is excited to go mtb'ing again!
I realize I definitely need to get her hooked up with her own helmet, some riding shorts, those kinds of things. I'm already starting to toss around the idea of looking into getting her a bike of her own - not that I have a problem with her borrowing mine, just that I think she'd be better off with something that actually fits her properly. Got any recommendations? It doesn't have to be anything high end, but as a former mechanic, downhiller, bmx'er, and all around riding junkie I understand the importance of a bike that fits YOU. I know Trek offers some female specific frames, are these worth it (in terms of geometry, anything else)? Any other recommendations in terms of gear, bikes, places to rides? Just general ways to make sure she's having a good time and enjoying herself!
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum, I figured this would be the best place to get some female specific advice. I've never dated someone that wanted to get into riding so this is new for me. I never pushed her to get into riding, I just let her know that if she ever wanted to all she had to do was ask.
ANYWAYS! I took her on the easiest trails we have locally (Forrestal Nature Preserve in Ranchos Palos Verdes, right near the South Bay), and made sure that we rode at her pace. I did my best to explain the basics to her (braking, shifting, body position, turning, standing up and leaning back on descents, that kind of stuff). She was nervous at first because she had never been off road, we've only ever ridden on roads and paved paths. She took to it just fine though! She only fell once, and thankfully she wasn't hurt and was able to laugh it off. It was a shorter ride (about an hour) but for a beginner she did great. She even figured out on her own that its easier to go faster than it is to go slow. She was super pumped and is excited to go mtb'ing again!
I realize I definitely need to get her hooked up with her own helmet, some riding shorts, those kinds of things. I'm already starting to toss around the idea of looking into getting her a bike of her own - not that I have a problem with her borrowing mine, just that I think she'd be better off with something that actually fits her properly. Got any recommendations? It doesn't have to be anything high end, but as a former mechanic, downhiller, bmx'er, and all around riding junkie I understand the importance of a bike that fits YOU. I know Trek offers some female specific frames, are these worth it (in terms of geometry, anything else)? Any other recommendations in terms of gear, bikes, places to rides? Just general ways to make sure she's having a good time and enjoying herself!
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum, I figured this would be the best place to get some female specific advice. I've never dated someone that wanted to get into riding so this is new for me. I never pushed her to get into riding, I just let her know that if she ever wanted to all she had to do was ask.