Bought the Mrs a new bike today.....

[Garlick]

My o/h has been getting into cycling recently and is putting the miles in on my old Saracen mountain bike. Sadly, this bike is made from iron, and weighs only a little less than the Humber Bridge, so she was always going to be up against it.

Anyway, I thought that it would be nice to ride out together and as she didn't have the best weekend (received some bad news) I popped out at lunchtime and picked up one of these as a surprise present:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/av...

It's a nice little bike, and it means we can now head out together rather than me heading off for a big ride on my tod. She has seen it already and is

Add another place to next years L2B.....

[Roman]

Great choice.

The compact geometry on those bikes make them feel sprightly yet easy to manoeuvre at low speeds - perfect confidence building first roadbike.

[louiebaby]

Roman said:

Perfect confidence building first roadbike.

Pretty much what I thought. I hope she likes the colour.

[Garlick]

louiebaby said:

I hope she likes the colour.

She does, in fact I think that's what she likes the most.

[Raven Flyer]

Its a slippery slope Paul. Its now only a matter of time before she is asking for a matching bike to yours.

[Garlick]

It's our first ride out tonight, she'll probably be faster than me.

In a minute, someone will be along to say they kept up with me on their 'Mountain Bike'

[Garlick]

So, we had the first ride last night, and she got used to it quickly (she's not a new cyclist, but this is the first road bike) and after a bit of pottering about I went off for a fast lap, and she stayed around the local area.

Anyway, we met at home a bit later and she tells me that a 10-plate SEAT Ibiza pulled across the road right in front of her and she hit it. The car didn't stop (despite the best efforts of a cabbie) and a motorist stopped to pick her up. She was on the brakes early and the impact speed was low, no damage to Mrs other than a grazed hand, and to her credit she carried on with her ride and got a few miles in.

Typical eh? Not the best first ride ever.

[rhinochopig]

Ouch not one for confidence building.

Get a Tandem next, as they're a great laugh and also a good leveller when it comes to difference in fitness. Just avoid wearing matching outfits.

[Garlick]

Tandem? Really?

Won't we both fall off then....

[rhinochopig]

Garlick said:

Tandem? Really?

Won't we both fall off then....

Just stay off-road.

[snotrag]

rhinochopig said:

Just stay off-road.

Yup, the only thing that pulls out on my on my local lap is Deer

Seriously though - thats a bit of a bummer.
Without wanting to sound rude - learning that extra perceptory road sense that cyclists and motorcyclists have is an important part of staying safe, we all know how easy it is to ride along the high street and the that car 500yds away is going to pull out on my in 15seconds... and bam, they do it. Comes with experience I guess.

Still so long as shes ok and it doesnt seem to have put her off, call it an initiation bump perhaps!? Has she put the important first scratch on the bike too?

[Garlick]

I think the lack of perception is the problem. Last night she would have been getting used to the drop bars, the new position of the brakes (and how hard they can be applied), the gearing etc. If they had pulled into her when she was on the MTB I bet she would have noticed it coming and stopped. Anyway, we live and learn.

A bit of (cosmetic) damage to the bar end seems to be it, but it was dark when I looked. I'll take a better look tonight before we head out again.

[CVP]

Sorry to hear about the mishap last night Hopefully she will pcik herself right up and carry on.

You've got yourself into a bit of a Ying and Yang position though. Great that she now shares your love of bikes & cyclign. Downside is she will know what those new bits & pieces that get delivered really cost!

[louiebaby]

My other half want to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats. With me. She's significantly more useless than anyone else I've ever met when it comes to cycling.

I suggested that we could do it on a tandem, so at least I wouldn't be spending much time waiting for her to catch up...

[Roman]

I often strap a flashing pair of these to the bars for urban riding:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-Whitelite-LED-Front...

They won't help idiots to drive any better but I'm sure they do help more inattentive drivers to see me.

[AyBee]

Garlick said:

Tandem? Really?

Won't we both fall off then....

It's much more difficult than anyone who hasn't done it before imagines My gf expressed an interest in coming out for a ride with me (I'm competent, usually average about 18mph over reasonably large distances, she doesn't have a bike), how hard can it be, thinks I. So I get my dad's old tandem out (this thing is about 75years old but most of it has been refreshed over the years), give it a wash and oil, change the tyres and off we go....wobbling all the way down the road Trying to counter the weight of the person behind you and keep the bike straight is much more difficult than I could ever have imagined Good fun though

[Garlick]

If I had the space to keep it, I would get one for a bit of fun. They do look like a giggle but I can just imagine the o/h sitting behind and letting me do all the work!

We went out again last night, we rode together for 6 miles before splitting off to do our own thing for a bit. Much better last night, and no accidents.

My commute on the bike this morning was more risky, I hate it when the schools are back.

[henrycrun]

Failing to stop - report it. Did you take the Cabbies details (as a witness)

[Garlick]

To my shame I had shot off for a faster ride, she was alone. No number recorded sadly, just a 10 plate SEAT and no cabbie details either. I think she just wanted to get away and was a bit embarrassed.