And maybe if that's her preference , you roll with that. I sympathize with your wife; I've never been totally comfortable on single-track either, though I don't mind gravel or double track so much. I think that's super that you're trying to think more of what she would like to do the most and you're not pressuring her to ride like you do. That can be so stressful for both of you
I see your point though that single-track probably leads to the nicest camping spots. But maybe you compromise a little and if you get to your destination early and you guys need a little solitude/personal space, you can take off somewhere more gnarly by yourself. I think the fact that you're asking promises that it'll be an awesome trip...I hope it is and Newfoundland sounds like a great place to go On Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 2:41:32 PM UTC-5, Mark Reimer wrote: > > Deacon, good suggestion. > > A few of those I can answer already. She loves the ocean and wants to be > near water if possible. At least for part of it. She loves camping and > prefers sleeping in a tent to a bed, but a shower now and then is most > welcome. Credit card touring is out for us due to budget. Bike handling > skills aren't the greatest, which is the reason she isn't a fan of single > track. I think she'd prefer the locations accessible by single track > honestly, but the effort required to navigate trails isn't worth it to her. > Gravel paths and smooth double track is good though. > > On Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 2:37 PM, Deacon Patrick <[email protected] > <javascript:>> wrote: > >> Awesome! Step one: Ask her what she likes about going on a bike tour. >> What pictures does she have in mind? Get untainted images first, then >> provide more specific possibilities like credit card tourning, camping >> touring on paved roads, dirt roads, bikepacking on single track and the >> various pictures unique to each. See what attracts her and what does not. >> >> With abandon, >> Patrick >> >> >> On Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 1:21:20 PM UTC-6, Mark Reimer wrote: >>> >>> A few years back I built up a new bike for my wife as a surprise. It was >>> a Surly Cross Check with Jack brown 33.3 tires, Nitto Albatross bars, a >>> small wald basket, ladies Brook's B17, etc. Very classy build. Black frame, >>> all silver parts. I was hoping a nice, well fitting comfortable bike would >>> promote more riding together, which it has to a degree. We've done a few >>> longer rides together and last summer did our first overnighter, which she >>> loved. She's always said that long distance touring probably isn't her >>> thing, but after we've completed a couple motorcycle tours and backcountry >>> hiking trips together it seems she's developed the urge to transition to >>> bicycles... maybe all my cycling adventures have inspired some >>> self-propelled wanderlust too, who knows. >>> >>> Point is, we're sitting on the couch earlier in the week and she says "I >>> want to take two weeks off next summer and go on a cycling tour with you". >>> >>> I felt like I was electrocuted! That's basically my dream. >>> >>> So here's my questions. I'm well aware of the fact that what I like to >>> do on a tour isn't what a lot of other people would like to do. I look for >>> single track and dirt roads, don't mind rough terrain and not showering for >>> a week. I like doing 100-200km in a day. I love the idea of spending five >>> hours climbing a mountain and then screaming down the other side as fast as >>> I can possibly go. >>> >>> If we did that, I don't think she'd ever tour with me again... >>> >>> For those of you who've toured with your spouse, or with friends who >>> aren't as nutty as you in general, what worked? What advice do you have for >>> daily distance, elevation, road surface, etc? I know this will be highly >>> individual and vary widely based on personal preferences, age, appetite for >>> adventure, budgets, etc. For reference, my wife Cindy has done some 100km >>> rides and enjoyed them, but I think that would be a bit much for day after >>> day mileage. She likes gravel roads, but not trails. Enjoys hiking up >>> mountains, but is nervous to attempt cycling up one. She's always been hard >>> on the brakes all the way down any hill, but she's since acquired her >>> motorcycle license, so all that 100km/h time in the saddle is sure to help >>> alleviate the fear of speed. >>> >>> >>> Thus far the best idea we've come up with together is going to >>> Newfoundland and touring the western edge. It's a 450km one-way ride that >>> crosses Gros Morne National Park, where we would stop to hike for a day or >>> two. 450km isn't enough distance for 2 weeks in my opinion. I'd like >>> something closer to 750. That way we can have some 100km days, some 30km >>> days, a few rest days, etc. So maybe doing this 450km route plus something >>> extra. Camping mostly, with a hostel/B&B every 4-5 days to stay fresh, >>> mentally and physically. I think it'd have a nice mix of rolling coastal >>> roads with light traffic, no high-mountain passes but still some climbing, >>> and some good spots to stop for a day. >>> >>> Any advice is welcomed! >>> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/Hjx_GhsT5ec/unsubscribe >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> [email protected] <javascript:>. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected] >> <javascript:>. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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