help or a hindrance?

[newgirl]

This forum will be for the Ladies to discuss issues specific to us.

Mountain Bikes, men and boys.



Further to the original thread, I just wanted to know how many of you ladies have found your partners, exes or male friends encouraging in the sport of MTB'ing? have they been supportive and helpful or do they resist including you in what was predominantly a "male" environment? has MTBing caused problems in a male/female relationship or friendship?!

[DARTHYOGA]

When my man and I met, he was a roadie and I was just getting into the downhill. I took him to the park near my place and we both took off from there. As our relationship went along we became better friends and better riders and now that we are engaged we are looking for better bikes. I love riding with him because he pushes me physically and mentaly, and I kiss the bruises when he bails. Its always fun and we laugh at each others stories on the way home. I'd say it a huge help, the confidence and energy you get from biking is so sexy and its a great way to spend time and get to know someone.

[mtbgal]

Got a year...?

[lets ride]

I like the "friendly" competition. A little fear comes into it when he shows me the new stunt or jump he is going to do as I know that I will have to try it sooner or later.

[Lady Gravity]

my ex-husband was encouraging when i started to ride, but much less so when he realized i was infringing on "his" sport, which kinda hurt.

now i mainly ride with guys, and most are very encouraging and helpful and dont mind me trailing along behind.

[stinky_rider7]

Guys = help

male friends got me into the sport so I would say they helped... They are always patient with me (never mind waiting, etc...) and they help push my limits without pushing me too far (beyond the safe zone). I guess it's not that big of a deal to wait around for me since they keep inviting me back

I've only ever ridden with 2 male buddies (and sometimes their friends) so I guess it might not be representative of the general male rider population, but I've had 2 random guys offer to go down as a group and wait around to make sure we're all safe when it was getting dark on Fromme...

[Iliketoridemybicycle]

My fiance always knows I can do certain stunts that i second guess. He often has more confidence in me than I do, so it pushed me to go out of my comfort zone. He got me into riding and he continues to support me...

[newgirl]

wow so mostly positive - so boys aren't that bad after all!

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

No boys are usually pretty helpful. Not all of them but alot of them.

[RiotGirl587]

whistler is half and half for nice boys haha some nearly run u down on A line some encourage u even ride with u down

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

Ya Whistler boys are a different breed then Kamloops boys that's for sure.

[GeoffG]

whistler is half and half for nice boys haha some nearly run u down on A line some encourage u even ride with u down

Not to sound cocky or anything, but A-line is my dominating trail. When I come up on a slower rider (Male or female) I let them ride in comfort. I give them quite a bit of space and give them a chance to enjoy the trail. I would much rather waste one run and make someone's day than yell at someone or scare them off the trail.

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

That is very refreshing to hear GeoffG. I see people get pretty angry about slower riders on A line.

[Fluid]

My husband has definitely been the driving force in my entire mtn biking history. He is the most supportive, patient and encouraging person I have ever known. And when he saw that I had an interest in riding, he did nothing but support me and help me. I love being able to do new stuff on my bike because it means that I will get to tell him all about it. Or better yet, he'll be there with me to actually see me do it! :)
Yeah, I think getting to share my accomplishments from riding with him is definitely one of the driving forces behind me always trying to do my best when I ride and try new things. I love riding with my husband.

As for the A-Line bit, I have been one of those "slower" riders who got yelled at and practically run off the trail. Definitely not a positive experience when that happens :(

[GeoffG]

That is very refreshing to hear GeoffG. I see people get pretty angry about slower riders on A line.

Some people get mad like you wouldnt believe. It's almost as if the world is going to end if they dont get to go as fast as they want down A-line. I have seen people passed on jumps, in berms and even in the shale section near the bottom.

[M@M]

Some people get mad like you wouldnt believe. It's almost as if the world is going to end if they dont get to go as fast as they want down A-line. I have seen people passed on jumps, in berms and even in the shale section near the bottom.
i got passed in the shale section once. scary ass shit. the scariest part was i was not going slow. some hotshot with no armor on a m1
its funny, i havnt encountered that many riders on aline, being passed by, or coming up on. I did come up on a youngish girl once. she looked really scared by the speed, and she seemed really shaky. so, i just hung back, gave her some room. she eventualy pulled over at one of the places where the trail has a nice little side-out on either side. i said thanks and was on my way
nobody likes having somebody on their ass. if you dont like riding around other people, dont go to the biggest bike park in the world.

[RiotGirl587]

haha i dont mind it but some people are so rude now im fairly fast on A line so its alll lgood

[SIDESHOW]

Got a year...?


huh??

[heckler's better 1/2]

My vote is on the help side... He is the greatest when it comes to biking..
here's why....

1) He tolerates my need to match my jerseys to my bikes.

2) When I broke my ankle (riding), he baked chocolate chip cookies for me to take to work so that I would have something to bribe co-workers with to get them to do stuff for me rather than hobble around the office on crutches.

3) He built me a drop on Pangor so that I could get comfy on drops.

4) He gave me an HID light for my birthday so that I would LOVE night riding

5) He rides behind me on A-line

6) He has approved the purchase of the pink Chris King hubs....right dear??

7) He takes me on runs down "Secret" trails.

8) He understands that he created this "monster" so when I ask to do three runs down Fromme he only has himself to blame...

[Curlzilla]

My vote goes to "help" as well. My first date with my husband consisted of a bike ride and dinner. It was great! He has always been encouraging and has introduced me to many new types for riding (most recently road riding along with another male friend of ours). All of the guys I've ever ridden with have been encouraging and patient.

I haven't ridden A-line since I got yelled at early last year. NOT cool. I steer clear of that trail because it seems to be filled with boneheads.

:fro:

[lovesherbike]

Hi Ladies,

I agree with the posts so far - I 've found the vast majority of men extremely supportive of my mountain biking. I got in to riding when I bought a new helmet at a bike shop in Victoria & the sales guy invited me to come along on their weekly ride that weekend. It was hilarious - I arrived with my brand new Kona cinder cone (fully rigid - since i asked them to take the front suspension off since i didn't think i'd need it!!!! LOLOLOL) complete with rat traps, and I was dressed in running shorts and a cotton t-shirt. Well, the guys I met up with were totally tricked out in full gear, with super sweet bikes and tons 'o travel - at that time this was a little intimidating, to say the least. They took me on a trail that would now take me about 45 minutes and it took 3 HOURS, but they made sure that I came back happy, muddy, and not bleeding toooo much...I was hooked! Since then I've had many happy rides with my guy friends. I think it might become an issue if I dated someone who didn't ride, though - he might not understand why I wanted to spend every weekend with other men....

[NooNer]

i got passed in the shale section once. scary ass shit. the scariest part was i was not going slow. some hotshot with no armor on a m1

barry? :lol:

riding with the girls is always a good time, i try to get them to go in the front, so i can look at their bums, at that point speed isnt a big factor because im sonewhat distracted.:agree:

[kookboy]

i try to get them to go in the front, so i can look at their bums, at that point speed isnt a big factor because im sonewhat distracted.:agree:
Two reasons why I let my girlfriend ride in front.

a) so I can have the best view of the day

b) to keep racers off her back

hehe.. just kiddin' I usually ride up front because she doesn't like me watching her ride. She's beginning to try and find her comfortzone/groove.

Just getting her into riding off the pavement.

That loose gravel trail down the back of SFU (?) is target practice right now. Going to take her on friday after work down north road trail. Slow it down a little. I need to get her off that hardtail. :S

[dbaker]

When I met my boyfriend at a party the first thing he asked me was 'do you mountain bike?'. I hadn't been on a bike since I was about 8, but he was hot and I had to sound confident. . .

To make a long story short he is amazing. He's seen me through the stubborn, crying, bike throwing temper tantrum days and the "I love this sport, I just rocked that trail" days. I love riding and I am so fortunate to be with someone so supportive and awesome.

Wow, who knew I was such a cheese ball!

I should also mention that he has some awesome guy friends that are great to me. They have no problems waiting on the trail for me, or giving me advice (when I want it) on new sections. There are a lot of awesome guys out there.

I think that will age and skill comes this kind of awesome attitude. The guys that are dicks have something to prove or are young and don't know any better.

[SuperKat]

It seems here in the States for riding DH/FR the guy to girl ratio is about 10:1...There are usually only about four of five females riding Diablo on a busy day. I hear Canada is much different...Lots of women tearing it up which is great.
So I have had many helpful guys give me a hand. I thought that was the best part of the sport when I started. There's generally a very friendly, helpful attitude.
I remember one afternoon taking a break on a trail, and I was joined by a 45 year old male and an 18 year old male, then there was me, a 29 (at the time) year old female. I thought it was great that one sport can bring so many different people together.

[kookboy]

I thought it was great that one sport can bring so many different people together.

Agreed. It is very nice to see such a broad age group on the trails. :) :fro: :thepimp: :crazy: :coo: :smokey: :clap: :woot:

[Johnie P]

i supported my girlfriend at first,when she was slow and not very smooth,but than she got faster and smoother than me.I just cant have that so when we go riding i pin it and if she keeps up with me i tell her i was only riding at about 60 %.SHHHHHHHH dont say anything though i need her to think i am still faster.

[jaylen]

In Whistler, the guys are great! They are fun to ride with, let me push my riding trying to keep up with them, but don't mind if they have to wait for me sometimes. And they are always stoked when one of the girls wants to ride with them!

[Lady Gravity]

i supported my girlfriend at first,when she was slow and not very smooth,but than she got faster and smoother than me.I just cant have that so when we go riding i pin it and if she keeps up with me i tell her i was only riding at about 60 %.SHHHHHHHH dont say anything though i need her to think i am still faster.

i'm sure she lets you go ahead sometimes, just so your ego stays intact ;)

[mtbgal]

i supported my girlfriend at first,when she was slow and not very smooth,but than she got faster and smoother than me.I just cant have that so when we go riding i pin it and if she keeps up with me i tell her i was only riding at about 60 %.SHHHHHHHH dont say anything though i need her to think i am still faster.


:lol: :lol:

[kookboy]

I was in Whistler yesterday enjoying the heat and lack of people riding.

Just cruising slong and getting a feel for my new stinky when a girl flies past me as we're both 1/2 over a step up/down.

Some great female riders up there.

[newgirl]

nice....I am learning but its a slow process - getting better each time but so impatient to fly! I wish I had more boys that wanted to ride with me, but they are all so far ahead of the game and I hate holding people up.....

[SIDESHOW]

ir works both ways you know.....

I taught a gf everything I knew once....was it worth it?

At times I'm sure, but for the most part her riding became more important than my own. Yes I take responsibilty for letting it happen, but it did happen, and I see it all the time. Try and remember that to alot of us guys this bike thing is a serious outlet and more than just a hobby, often a lifelong obsession. We are more than happy to share this love with you, but remember we do take it very seriously, and sometimes find it hard to be patient. I find this comes with the "I just want to rip" factor. Thats why you never get yer bf to teach you to snowboard unless he takes his board off. So hard to give lessons when you ur board is sliding and every instinct you have tells you to hit it...!!!!!

My point here ladies is that if you really want to learn from your guy......balance the time. Let him ride with the people he rode with at least as much as he did before you started. Don't always ask to go along, and you "MUST" develop your own posse. People of your ability level that are fun and you can learn together with.

Riding with yer guy "all the time" will slow down your progression and his. All in all its a great concept to have a partner that shares your interests but hoo boy it can be a pain in the ass as well! Just like most things I in life I guess.

[newgirl]

try the muddbunnies people - great gals who email each other to ride.... look at the womens riding group in vancouver/burnaby thread

[heckler's better 1/2]

ir works both ways you know.....
My point here ladies is that if you really want to learn from your guy......balance the time. Let him ride with the people he rode with at least as much as he did before you started. Don't always ask to go along, and you "MUST" develop your own posse. People of your ability level that are fun and you can learn together with.

Riding with yer guy "all the time" will slow down your progression and his. All in all its a great concept to have a partner that shares your interests but hoo boy it can be a pain in the ass as well! Just like most things I in life I guess.

Wow I never thought guys would feel that way. None of the guys that taught me to ride ever mentioned that I was slowing down their progression? In fact I am sure I might of even inspired some of them to try new things and push themselves out of the comfort zone..just as I was. Riding with my guy has definitely NOT slowed my progress either. We ride easily 4 times a week together plus days when we ride seperately. If you weren't progressing while riding with your girlfriend than you have only yourself to blame. No one can stop you from progressing unless they steal your bike.

This sport is an individual sport!

As for asking to go along... wtf? Why do we need to ask ? All the trails are open to anyone, no permission from the b/f is required to go ride...

My "posse" has all benefitted from my man and all his patience. He rode with us on almost every ride for the first 2 years! Now he is just damn proud of us.

http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?p=1409917#post1409917

[SIDESHOW]

wow if your going to quote me quote what I said not the half that suits your reply.

glad it worked out peaches and cream for you but I have a list as long as my arm of guys that feel the same. Yes believe it or not we do communicate-

the things you wrote are really ludicrous responses to valid points

eg: yes we realize that trails are open for everyone, but when a ride with your buddies is planned oft the lady will want to join and its not always kosher....take it or leave it.

this is the ladies forum so I am out of here, just thought a perspective from someone who has done alot of coachin with his own gf and many guys' gf's might have some insight- argue if you will, but couples will continue to struggle and obviously you got lucky.

Talk to the girl I saw on Whistler who's bf told her that wearing flip-flops was more important than going to get her shoes......which is what she wanted . Hmmm maybe not all boys are qualified to teach their girls,

I suggest professional coaching from someone like Endless Biking.

[Lady Gravity]

My point here ladies is that if you really want to learn from your guy......balance the time. Let him ride with the people he rode with at least as much as he did before you started. Don't always ask to go along, and you "MUST" develop your own posse. People of your ability level that are fun and you can learn together with.

Riding with yer guy "all the time" will slow down your progression and his. All in all its a great concept to have a partner that shares your interests but hoo boy it can be a pain in the ass as well! Just like most things I in life I guess.

man, i feel sorry for you. have you never ridden with a girl that kicked your ass down the trail? i'd never stop a guy from riding with his "buds", as long as he didn't mind me riding with a bunch of other guys ;) i already have my "posse", and it constantly changes and expands. if riding together with your gf was a pain in the ass, then you were kind of missing the boat. and whats this "ask to go along" crap. it does work both ways you know.

i progress a lot when i ride with someone that's above my ability, it challenges me to learn new lines. sometimes it's intimidating, for sure, and thats when i go ride by myself. and sometimes i do that because i want a break from the testosterone ;)

a relationship is a partnership.

[mattj]

Great thread but ladies you're obviously not realizing what Corey is saying. He's not being hostile or saying that riding with the ladies is bad in any way. But there's not too many chicks that can come rip trails where guys like Corey are gonna progress his skills.

Basically when I go ride Neds with Helena I'm having a great time but I'm not progressing. Maybe I should ride the trail switch?

Yeah riding with girls = awesome and I love watching the fast rate of progression but my own progression kind of takes a slump those days...


-m

[SIDESHOW]

thank you matt. its not just me, alot of guys take one for the team to ride with their girls, asnd enjoy doing it, but if you really respect his riding remember he needs to ride with faster fish too- its easy to fall into the groove and ride with yer other all the time, variety is the spice of life.

and no I have never had a girl whoop me down a trail, so any ride where I decide to coach is not a ride where I will progress in any way shape or form. Other than the obvious coaching helps to break down your skills thing.

[Jerry-Rig]

huh??

burned at the stake... anyways, Cory has valid points with guys you like to pin it. Some guys don't mind riding slow and taking their time, but I think most guys want to just give'r.

PS, there's not a girl in North America that can stay with CL.... maybe some French girls though.

[SIDESHOW]

HUH?^^^^

how did you know she was a witch??

well she turned me into a newt............I got better....

ya Monty Python.

[Jerry-Rig]

Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!

[newgirl]

Sideshow arguing on my thread?! I feel worthy!!!

I agree with him though -

[Lady Gravity]

thank you matt. its not just me, alot of guys take one for the team to ride with their girls, asnd enjoy doing it, but if you really respect his riding remember he needs to ride with faster fish too- its easy to fall into the groove and ride with yer other all the time, variety is the spice of life.

hey i can understand that, and IF i found a biker guy worth dating, i'd have no problem with him riding with his buddies all the time, as long as he rode with me maybe once or twice a month. i've never been told i can't go on a group ride with the guys though, but i've have made decisions not to join in a road trip (too much male bonding makes me gag :lol: )

sorry if i overreacted a little, but your first post came off a little harsh.

[Lurch]

I find I can progress with who ever I ride with. If I dont have much time, I go by myself or with some fast guys so I can pin it and get home. If I am not in a rush, go with slower riders (guys or girls) and spend some time practicing on stuff that gets you that you dont have time to practice on during the fast days. Or if you are going slow, you can search out the hardest, ugliest, stupidest line possible and try it instead of the fast, flowy one you always hit. Plus you get that extra boost from trying to show off so you can hit that stunt you werent too sure about.
And whatever girl said "guys dont want to ride with me" in the posts above, whenever I post a ride, you are more than welcome to join.

[enduramil]

ir works both ways you know.....

I taught a gf everything I knew once....was it worth it?

At times I'm sure, but for the most part her riding became more important than my own. Yes I take responsibilty for letting it happen, but it did happen, and I see it all the time. Try and remember that to alot of us guys this bike thing is a serious outlet and more than just a hobby, often a lifelong obsession. We are more than happy to share this love with you, but remember we do take it very seriously, and sometimes find it hard to be patient. I find this comes with the "I just want to rip" factor. Thats why you never get yer bf to teach you to snowboard unless he takes his board off. So hard to give lessons when you ur board is sliding and every instinct you have tells you to hit it...!!!!!

My point here ladies is that if you really want to learn from your guy......balance the time. Let him ride with the people he rode with at least as much as he did before you started. Don't always ask to go along, and you "MUST" develop your own posse. People of your ability level that are fun and you can learn together with.

Riding with yer guy "all the time" will slow down your progression and his. All in all its a great concept to have a partner that shares your interests but hoo boy it can be a pain in the ass as well! Just like most things I in life I guess.

Lets remove progression and such aside. There is one major down side with couples riding together all the time. No time for yourself. A couple should have ride time that is only them and their friend's or just themselves.

My example,

I love Joely very much and love going for rides with her now that she has taken up MTBing. However I'm not stupid, if I did every ride with her it would just become another ride. I'd get sick of doing it with her.

That's why I'm trying to get her out to meet other women to ride with. That way she has others to go ride with and do her own rides. Or if a large enough group gathers we have people we can ride with at our abilities.

[gotham]

I don't get it..I love riding with my gal, and if I am worried about my progression then I just ramp it up and push myself...and if she's riding slow then I just wait for her at the bottom..just like I would if I was riding with a guy who was having a slow day. Not every guy out there feels like having a woman along is a handicap.

[newgirl]

geesh - its pretty straightforward - if your guys rocks the bike and he's a nice guy he will be stoked to get you out there and show you the ropes - its up to you and your relationship dynamic to make it work - just like anything else its not healthy to spend ALL your energy together.....

I have an abusive relationship with my bike - not with my partner!

[SIDESHOW]

its not that its a handicap, I have prolly taught/coached more girls than most people that I know,

its just that on a long term basis its easy to fall into a groove where you ride with yer girl more than you should.....

riding is the same as social situations....am I the only one that has friends that now that they are in relationship you never see either of them anymore?????? Dropped off the social scene??

well that same thing happens with biking, just saying to watch the balance peeps, that way everyone stays happy for a long time. Its hard not to take a bad ride home with you- people are just people you know.

[DaveM]

Guys in the Ladies Forum....I feel like I'm sneaking a peek in the locker room. :lol:

It's all about balance, just as Sideshow says. I ride with my wife at least a couple times a week. It's fun, we encourage each other and have a great time. I also ride with the boys at least the same amount. She also has her girls that she rides with. She understands the need for the boys ride, not only for the riding, but as a social thing, and encourages it. She does the same, it gives her time to go out, blow off some steam and bitch about me :lol:

But for me Corey's initial post is right. I rarely push it to a higher level when it's just her and me. I don't have that same aggression as when I'm chasing a buddy down a trail, or trying to stay ahead of him. It's not even a man/woman thing, I've ridden with some women that leave me in their dust too. It's more about different riding levels. It's all good though, like I said above, it's all about the balance.

[Sharon]

I find riding with Lee great. We are fairly evenly matched in that I'm not that much slower then him on the climbs and on most descents we are pretty comparible.

Its great to have a person you can go on a variety of rides and trips with that you are both capable of doing that allows you to share the passion for your sport.

Now that he is gimpy and can't ride the more challenging trails which are now in GREAT condition! I feel a sort of loss that we can't ride together.

His knee is getting better and he should be strong enough to crash safely soon.



Corey, I understand what your saying. Maybe you need to find a girl who can climb and then you may get your ass kicked by a GIRL! ;):D

[SIDESHOW]

hehe its not hard to find a girl who can rock me on the ups these days...

but then I get to check her bum bum all the way up, so I guess it wouldn't be too bad.

Yes Sharon you and Lee are a great match, yer both kinda loopy...

[DaveM]

Its great to have a person you can go on a variety of rides and trips with that you are both capable of doing that allows you to share the passion for your sport.

Bingo!!

It's great when your wife plans your 1st anniversary around the Whistler Bike Park and it's her idea as much for herself as for me, and every trip and vacation we do revolves around biking.

[Lady Gravity]

It's great when your wife plans your 1st anniversary around the Whistler Bike Park and it's her idea as much for herself as for me, and every trip and vacation we do revolves around biking.

that's awesome. i really envy you couples that have that kind of relationship. hopefully i can find a partner someday that is as nuts about biking as i am.

[Jerry-Rig]

hopefully i can find a partner someday that is as nuts about biking as i am.

I heard Sideshow is single and likes to take long walks on the beach ?

[SIDESHOW]

I know Jerry is married and should take a long walk off of a short pier.

[Jerry-Rig]

rofl.... nice

[mudhoney]

Its great to have a person you can go on a variety of rides and trips with that you are both capable of doing that allows you to share the passion for your sport.

Yep, that's it! Biking is just as much a passion for me as it is for my other half and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I figure I'm pretty lucky - we spent the long weekend riding in Rossland together (with a few other friends too). For the most part, we're pretty well matched with both fitness and skills (though if he's keen to get a fast XC training hate-fest in, you can bet i won't be joining him!). We like to ride the same trails - sometimes he takes the harder line, sometimes its me!

I remember when we were first dating that I would check to see if the ride he'd planned with friends was one I could join. I didn't want to be overwhelmed by trails that were over my head. My first trips down Bogeyman and Pink Starfish were with the girls. But, when I came home filled with excitement about mastering the first few stunts on Bogeyman...he was just as happy as me, and now there's no question of the trails being too much.

Of course, we don't ride together all of the time. But we don't really have separate riding groups - "our" posse has a mix of guys and gals.

Yep, I'd definitely say I'm lucky!

pd

[enduramil]

I know Jerry is married and should take a long walk off of a short pier.

Next on NSMB, Matchmaker on mountain bikes. With your host Synchro. Brought to you by Lululemon and the Whistler Medical Centre.

[DaveM]

I heard Sideshow is single and likes to take long walks on the beach ?

I don't know, he and Kohut have an intensity that can't be formed in a platonic relationship.