It’s the constant battle of balance between the need to hit the trail and spend time at home. During a time where we are all working longer hours, the stress relief of riding keeps us in shape both mentally and physically, but that also means there is less time to spend at home with our other halves and families.
With the prime riding season starring us in the face on the northern hemisphere, this is going to be an challenge that is soon on the horizon. Sunny and under 70 conditions can bring out the best in any mountain biker and the decreased light availability has the tendency to push time backwards. As we continue the pursuit of sweet singletrack, how can we keep our love of dirt alive without facing a boxing match when we get home?
Spousal Tips In Regards To Mountain Biking
We know we can’t give up the obsession, so how to we keep a happy home and rubber against dirt at the same time? While nothing will work perfectly…here are some tips to keep you from having to suit up before entering the garage…
- Start Earlier – Let’s face it…you can sleep when you are dead. By going to bed earlier and getting up earlier, you can get to the ride spot as the sun rises and get your miles in early. By doing this, you will be home earlier to a happier crew back at home base. You will have to battle your single friends (or the ones who happen to have their wife or husband riding with them) to get the earlier start time, but it will be worth it in the long run. While they don’t have anything to be home for…you do.
- Get A Schedule – I have a friend of mine that schedules his rides on Saturday morning with the hope of getting around mid-day. On Sunday, that is dedicated family time and everyone knows it. If he gets out on a ride at all, it is with his daughter or an early morning road ride that doesn’t take that much time. Your family, husband or wife will get into the rhythm much easier if you set a schedule you can stick to. We also have our weekly schedule that hits like clockwork if the weather is right. That tends to work really well.
- When You Are At Home…Be At Home – Even a decreased amount of time at home is circumvented by spending quality time. If you just come home and become a part of the couch…don’t expect anyone to be happy about it. By giving quality time at home, the time away is justified easier.
- Flowers Always Work – I have been known to bribe my wife (and hopefully she is not reading this) in the past. Dinners out and flowers always work to bring a smile to her face. “Honey, I know I was gone longer than I had planned on today, but didn’t you say that star gazer lily’s were your favorite flower?”. Cheesy…but she likes it.
- Set A Time To Be Home (Even though you will probably break it) – I always give my wife a range of time when I will be home from a mountain biking outing. She jokes about how she has to add 1.5 hours to it every time, but at least she has an idea when to expect me back so she can plan out her day. Not knowing when you are going to be home is worse than being late…I have learned that one the hard way. I also tend to call right before we eat or when I start the commute home with a rough estimate on time.
- Drive Yourself To The Trailhead – Carpooling is great if you want to save gas but it is a pain in the ass if you are on the clock. By driving yourself to the trailhead, you can come and go as you need to without having to worry about how it affects others on the ride. Nothing is worse than an upset wife (or worse…something happens that you have to leave quickly) and no way to easily get up and moving.
If you ask my wife, she will tell you that I probably do half of this half of the time, but…when I do…things work out a lot better around our house.