[Fiona]

There's a thread started on the NorCal board by a woman rider looking for fellow women to ride with. I've been working with my husband to try join up with other couples to do basically couples rides. We've gone on a couple of rides where I rode with the girlfriend who is a new rider and the guys rode part of the way with us and then broke off to do more technical riding. The idea is to let the newbies ride at a pace that let's them increase their confidence and skills without the more advanced riders feeling like they're being held back. It worked great. And the best part was being able to be comfortable about the discussion material while riding. The faster riders (men) ride the trail at their pace and the not so fast riders (women) can do things at their own. I put men and women like that for the reversed couples, faster women, slower men. What do you think? Are there any other NorCal ladies interested in this? I'd love to work out some ideas about where and when we could meet.

Fiona

 

[benja55]

This is a great idea!

The idea is to let the newbies ride at a pace that let's them increase their confidence and skills without the more advanced riders feeling like they're being held back. It worked great. And the best part was being able to be comfortable about the discussion material while riding. The faster riders (men) ride the trail at their pace and the not so fast riders (women) can do things at their own. I put men and women like that for the reversed couples, faster women, slower men. What do you think? Are there any other NorCal ladies interested in this? I'd love to work out some ideas about where and when we could meet.

Hey there! I'm not one of the Ladies, but I'm the Fella who just got his Lady a new ride and we'll be SLOWLY getting into the hang of riding. I'm not rushing things and it will mostly be family outings on mixed paved/dirt trails at first, but I really, really like the idea of having mixed rides that she can feel comfortable on while the more advanced/adventurous riders can have some time to break off for a spell or too.

I'd say we are ready to jump in right now but we haven't even picked up her new ride yet, let alone taken a few rides together. Nonetheless, thanks for posting this as I think it would be super fun. :thumbsup:

 

[indygirl]

Sounds good to me!

My husband (fast) and I (slow) are in the south bay and would be interested. Where/when are you thinking of riding?

 

[benja55]

Count us in sometime... soon?

Hey all,

I picked up Kine's new ride (Giant Trance 4!) and she is super excited. That said, we still haven't hit dirt yet, so give us a few weeks+ before we're up for a group ride.

But who knows, maybe it'll happen sooner. As soon as she took a ride on it she exclaimed that "it just makes me want to go SO FAST!"

Yeeeeah! :thumbsup:

 

[Fiona]

Does anyone have a problem with July 29 or 30?

I'm thinking that's the earliest I can plan on setting this up. Ogre is riding in Tahoe the previous weekend and the weekend before that we'll be in Monterey. The next step is picking a place with a good mix of trails and as local to all of us as possible. I'm in Stockton. A 2 hour drive in the morning is doable, just not very fun. The ride will make up for it. Any suggestions for where to go? I'm thinking somewhere towards the coast would be great for the cool aspect.:thumbsup:

Fiona

 

[MotoMint]

I'm definitely up for it. I'll be in Downieville the last weekend of July but will be up to do a couples ride sometime. I think the Wilder and UC Santa Cruz is a great place or even Saratoga Gap and into Long Ridge and Russian Ridge and Stevens Creek. My favorite place to ride though, is Skeggs.
Sounds like fun!

 

[LadyDi]

Any SoCal interest?

RE: COUPLES RIDES

Mtb'ing is a wonderful sport for couples to share and THIS is an awesome idea, Fiona! I'd like to propose something along the same lines, but down here in SoCal. We already do couples rides (my BF & I) thru a women's mtb club/egroup. Though we're mostly gals of all levels riding together, we also welcome (and have the support of) our wonderful associated males-- SO's, husbands, etc. Often the weekend rides and day trips become, essentially, couples rides. This wasn't planned so much as it naturally evolved and, honestly, I love it! The enthusiasm is contagious and the people are great. Often my BF stays right by my side (I'm Intermediate-ish, he's Advanced), other times I'll shoo him away to let it rip with the other guys. Sometimes I tell him he's "PR" so he can feel free to dash back & forth to take pics (if he wants to).

Since SoCal encompasses such a l-a-r-g-e area, I'd like to add that we're in Simi/TO (Eastern Ventura County) but we'll travel far for a fun trail and good company . It would be great to meet other mtb'ing couples. If anyone's interested, please pm me and I'll respond asap.

Fiona, keep us posted-- when all the stars are in the right houses a NorCal/SoCal couples ride would be a blast!

 

[Fiona]

Thanks again for all the ideas so far.

Well, I'm sooo glad of all the great input. LadyDi I will definately keep this thread going in order to allow all of us to coordinate a couples group ride. The way you talk about your group ride experience is what I want to hear from other female riders. I know that like many mtbers the women who post in this forum love to share their passions with their partners. Though, I suspect some are just glad of time away.

I like the idea of China Camp as I've ridden there. I'll talk to Ogre and get his input on UC Santa Cruz and the others. I know he doesn't favor Wilder Ranch much. We'll have to choose one and plan on when to meet and the route.

Fiona

 

[TruckeeRider]

Couples Ride

My wife and I would be interested in maybe hosting one of these couples rides. We live here in Truckee and know of some local rides that most tourists don't know about.:thumbsup:

Just a thought...

 

[Fiona]

I could go for that.

My wife and I would be interested in maybe hosting one of these couples rides. We live here in Truckee and know of some local rides that most tourists don't know about.:thumbsup:

Just a thought...

What say the rest of you? I don't know what kind of temps you get up in Truckee. Are the trails you're talking about good for mixed riding abilities or better for one end of the spectrum? More info. please. And thanks for the offer.

Especially since it's getting hot in the Central Valley. I want OUT!!!! of the heat.:madmax:

Fiona

 

[Fiona]

Well, it's supposed to be 100 degrees in San Jose over the next few days.

Fortunately, my next two rides are morning rides. It's the rest of the day I'm concerned about.. bleh.

I just got back from Monterey and wish that I didn't have to. I don't think it was over 85 all weekend. Now, we have to think of excuses to get out of the valley. Ogre is riding in Tahoe this wekend, but maybe we can plan something for the next.

Fiona