No man is gonna tell me what to do!

[Ducgirl]

That sure is the truth!

[dolci]

]

That's exactly what I told her, but she is SUPER intimidated by DC roads (I'm in DC).  I think when it warms again, we will try trucking the bike out to some quieter country roads.  I know none of her women friends have bikes and I only have a couple of guys I ride with.  There are a few women on the CAM forum here that might be interested in taking her under their wing.

We've tried riding around the neighborhood some and she gets really stressed.  She can barely stay out of her own way......

Hey!  I'm in DC and I would be happy to ride with her whenever I can.  I swore that it would be years before I got on either the beltway or 270 but one day I was following Zooom and off he went (and he knew I was capable of handling the road).  I not only survived but I do it all the time now.  Yes, it took my stepping back and getting a different bike to ride initially (Suzuki GS500) before I was really ready for my Duc.  We're now talking about a cross-country trip in 2011 and I've been doing tons of volunteerism (working Moto safety crew) with Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the Koman Foundation.

[kp]

We're now talking about a cross-country trip in 2011 and I've been doing tons of volunteerism (working Moto safety crew) with Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the Koman Foundation.

hey!  if you're anywhere near MN, hit me up!   why wait until 2011?

[angler]

Hey!  I'm in DC and I would be happy to ride with her whenever I can. 

Thanks Dolci! I've been PM'ing with Zoom about this as well.  Coming to a parking lot near you in the spring.......

[zooom]

   why wait until 2011?

boils down to time allowed for other activities right now that is already alotted versus plans on how we want to accomplish the cross country tour.....

[kp]

okay,  still hit me up!

[hoyden]

I tend to bristle at the "got my GF/wife into riding" situation. I've seen that fail on so many levels so many times over the years.

It's not only confidence, but it's also desire and where one's priorities are. If she really, truly wants to ride for herself, then she will. And she will put the time and energy into learning. If she is doing it for you (even if she says she isn't), then it will be a constant sore point between ya'll. She will always have an excuse not to practice, some reason she doesn't feel like riding that day, etc.

Maybe I'm just jaded (me? never!) but I say just let her be.
Give her encouragement when she asks for it or wants advise, but don't bring it up unless she does first.
I have known many woman who hear their BF/husband's 'enthusiasm' as 'pushing' and it often has the opposite desired effect.

[dolci]

Thanks Dolci! I've been PM'ing with Zoom about this as well.  Coming to a parking lot near you in the spring.......

Excellent.  Looking forward to riding with both of you!