Wife new to riding, need input...
- Thread starter bobback
- Start date
I guess it depends on the Lady as much or more than the husband. I have been married for 19 years and my wife still gets stuck the minute she leaves the trail.
Just last week we went out for a trail ride and she decided to go PLAY in th powder. Well, she got stuck. I rode by her and told her to wait while I packed a track for her to follow back to the trail. I made three rounds past her and packed a pretty good track to follow.
I dug her out, lined it up, and pointed her in the correct direction. Now for the best part. She got back on it, turned it straight up hill, drove right off the track I just packed and buried it to the bottom.
It is like trying to teach a drowning person to swim. No reasoning powers.
She stomped around, started crying and wouldn't listen to anything I had to say to help her riding skills. I have been extreemly patient for 19 years but that was the last time I am taking my wife riding.
Save your marriage, if she doesn't like it, don't keep bringing her along.
On the other hand, I have ridden with women that enjoy it and ride very well.
Just last week we went out for a trail ride and she decided to go PLAY in th powder. Well, she got stuck. I rode by her and told her to wait while I packed a track for her to follow back to the trail. I made three rounds past her and packed a pretty good track to follow.
I dug her out, lined it up, and pointed her in the correct direction. Now for the best part. She got back on it, turned it straight up hill, drove right off the track I just packed and buried it to the bottom.
It is like trying to teach a drowning person to swim. No reasoning powers.
She stomped around, started crying and wouldn't listen to anything I had to say to help her riding skills. I have been extreemly patient for 19 years but that was the last time I am taking my wife riding.
Save your marriage, if she doesn't like it, don't keep bringing her along.
On the other hand, I have ridden with women that enjoy it and ride very well.
I am a newbie in the 08 season (February) and I rode seven times; I started to get comfortable about the third time. Honestly, I think it can depend on her and how she likes it ~ I know this mattered for me. My husband has made the riding enjoyable for me and has incorporated stuff I like.
I have fun hanging out with other couples; it is nice to have someone to talk to when you "guys" are having a test-n-tune day or talking stuff. Just remember her comfort level is your best friend. BTW ~ bring her favorite beverage too. If she is having a nice time she will get a hang of it more quickly.
My wife has been riding for 3 years now. She still doesn't get it very well but I beleive it to be the sled she is riding. She can't get used to the 07 Phazer and it's handling characteristics. She did ride her Arctic Cat better than the new sled.
She has fun and as a couple that is all I can ask for is for her to enjoy it with me no matter how her skills progress, but riding is different with her than it is with the boys.
She has fun and as a couple that is all I can ask for is for her to enjoy it with me no matter how her skills progress, but riding is different with her than it is with the boys.
Being on a sled she's comfortable with is huge!! If she has a good attitude and is willing to try stuff then thats half the battle. Another thing is try to find one or two other couples where the ladies ride well. This tends to show some newbie or struggling women riders how women ride diffrently.....its not all about muscle.........I've seen the phazer in action and see how that could be a hard sled to get used to. Alot of ladies really like the dragons and revs.
If she really into sledding its great that you take the time to ride with her knowing you cant go all out when she's with you. If you think she would be interested send her to ladiesride.com .............she'll meet other women riders and maybe can hook up with some of the girls and ride with them.
The hardest thing for alot of women riders to learn is the throttle is your friend........
And dont be scared to wreck............
If she really into sledding its great that you take the time to ride with her knowing you cant go all out when she's with you. If you think she would be interested send her to ladiesride.com .............she'll meet other women riders and maybe can hook up with some of the girls and ride with them.
The hardest thing for alot of women riders to learn is the throttle is your friend........
And dont be scared to wreck............
P
papa bear
Well-known member
My wife's been trying for 13 years....not there yet
My wife is reading this thread snickering at you guys.
She was a demon on her old GenII sled. She hates her new Edge chassis sled as it's too "top heavy" for her....even after I drove 24 hours each way to pick it up. LOL
I'll get her on a newer chassis sled yet. If that doesn't work, I'll put an addition on the house and get her a new kitchen instead
My wife has never been riding in the mountains and isn't really as open to trying it as I'd like. You guys are lucky to have your wife come out riding off trail.
She was a demon on her old GenII sled. She hates her new Edge chassis sled as it's too "top heavy" for her....even after I drove 24 hours each way to pick it up. LOL
I'll get her on a newer chassis sled yet. If that doesn't work, I'll put an addition on the house and get her a new kitchen instead
My wife has never been riding in the mountains and isn't really as open to trying it as I'd like. You guys are lucky to have your wife come out riding off trail.
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Let her learn at her own pace dont through her in the pool then wonder why she i scared of the water.keep her comfortable get her good gear and a sled she feels comfortable on talk to her and try to teach her some new skills when you are not around a crowd so she isnt pressured to perform.
G
girlpowder
Guest
Rip is right, the throttle is our friend. Patience and practice. Girls are generally not as strong as a guy. A duhhh??? So sleddin is a little more difficult until you let yourself trust your ability and give the all when you need to. My hub is my favorite riding partner. I learned so much by just staying in his track for the longest time. I'd be right behind him watching his every move and try to copy that. He was amazed I was able to do that through the trees and up and out a sketchier section. Totally impressing him. I can see him now lookin back to see if I was still on his tail. And YES I was. I have a 07 Dragon and it ROCKS!!! For me the sled set up makes a huge difference. I'd say give her some time and get her out as much as you can. Giver her the best pointers you can and don't get frustrated with her. She can do it. And watch out she might just ride better that you pretty soon. How long did it take you to be the rider you are today?????? It just depends how much you get out and how much time is spent in the wonderful snow on the sled.
I'd say give her some time and get her out as much as you can. Giver her the best pointers you can and don't get frustrated with her. She can do it. And watch out she might just ride better that you pretty soon. How long did it take you to be the rider you are today?????? It just depends how much you get out and how much time is spent in the wonderful snow on the sled.
T
theultrarider
Well-known member
Well put and very important. If you would like her to like riding, It must be all about her til she gets hooked and comfortable. PATIENCE!!!! Some gals are aggressive, some are not. My wife is the type that if I get pipes, she want them! That also leads into the next thing. Don't put her on an old pos that you wouldn't want to ride yourself. If you cant ride it, how is a newbie going to keep up and learn on it???? At the risk of sounding sexist and getting beat up here, alot of woman just don't have the balance and corordination that it takes to ride off trail. If she does not have good balance in everyday life, off trail riding will be tough. Don't push her, keep it fun!!
I took the keys to the sleds last year and told my wife: "If that's how you're gonna ride, don't ride!!! I think she rides way too fast for her experience. Scary fast, but never any crashes in 12 yrs!!
I also told her: Unhook the 3 kids from the caboose hitched to the bumper of your sled and do whatever you want!!
It's much better this way, but the kids complain that Dad goes 2 slow!
I also told her: Unhook the 3 kids from the caboose hitched to the bumper of your sled and do whatever you want!!
It's much better this way, but the kids complain that Dad goes 2 slow!
ROFL!!
I turned my lady loose on the M8 last year and she had a blast, I gotta get her a M7 prolly a 162 with a powerclaw
just savin my pennies now, she won't know its coming it'll just show some day and I'll say lets go riding babes!
I turned my lady loose on the M8 last year and she had a blast, I gotta get her a M7
prolly a 162 with a powerclawjust savin my pennies now, she won't know its coming it'll just show some day and I'll say lets go riding babes!
It's the same with everybody. You have to take it at your own pace. Learn from each experience, and go through hell before you finally get it. Then you can tackle the challenges after you have fought your way through them a couple of times. After that you start looking for some of the challenges that you enjoy.
Some people get it, and some people don't, but a junkie sled makes it less enjoyable, however it's not worth spending the money for good equipment on someone who just doesn't want to be there, because it will be a waste of money.
Some people get it, and some people don't, but a junkie sled makes it less enjoyable, however it's not worth spending the money for good equipment on someone who just doesn't want to be there, because it will be a waste of money.
H
Happy Bunny
Active member
I agree with GirlPowder!
I have quite a few years of riding under my belt and for the most part I impress most the guys I ride with. Notice I said guys... not enough women participate in this sport. Women don't have the upper body strength that men do, so it is more difficult for women to "hang" with the boys and throw around a 500lb sled.
Very important to put her on a capable sled that is comfortable. Manuevering is more difficult when learning. Depending on her nature, whether she is aggressive or not, is going to be how she will be on a sled. If she is competitive, shouldn't take her too long to get the hang of it. However, if you expect her to be a hill climber in 3 rides... good luck. It took me a few seasons to get really comfortable with attacking the big ones.... and the more seasons that pass, the bigger I tackle
My hubby is my riding partner and he likes it that way He keeps offering me a new sled, but I am so comfortable on my sled - I know what I can do on it - I know what it can do - and I don't really like change. Unless it's when I'm getting a more aggressive track or a SLP pipe... you know
Best of luck and I hope she impresses the heck out of you!
P.S. My mom quit riding because of neck pain when she was 62!
I have quite a few years of riding under my belt and for the most part I impress most the guys I ride with. Notice I said guys... not enough women participate in this sport. Women don't have the upper body strength that men do, so it is more difficult for women to "hang" with the boys and throw around a 500lb sled.
Very important to put her on a capable sled that is comfortable. Manuevering is more difficult when learning. Depending on her nature, whether she is aggressive or not, is going to be how she will be on a sled. If she is competitive, shouldn't take her too long to get the hang of it. However, if you expect her to be a hill climber in 3 rides... good luck. It took me a few seasons to get really comfortable with attacking the big ones.... and the more seasons that pass, the bigger I tackle
My hubby is my riding partner and he likes it that way
He keeps offering me a new sled, but I am so comfortable on my sled - I know what I can do on it - I know what it can do - and I don't really like change. Unless it's when I'm getting a more aggressive track or a SLP pipe... you know Best of luck and I hope she impresses the heck out of you!
P.S. My mom quit riding because of neck pain when she was 62!
D
DVarmit
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Good question. My wife rides and I don't push her to ride anything she does not want to. She likes to "Sunday Trail Ride" and that is fine with me. She doesn't tear up the trails, no desire to boondock, Highmark.. Just a nice easy ride and quite honestly I enjoy that time with her.
Always give your wife the better or the more powerful sled. Makes for a happier bed time.
I'm still learning EVERY time I go out. I refused to be left behind and decided that I was gonna be an aggressive rider. A lot will depend on how determined she is to learn. Like it was said above, most women need to learn how to get on the throttle. It takes a lot of patience from you and you need to be supportive and not run her down when she is stuck. Give her lots of pointers and tips. Remember, it don't always come easy to everyone. Good luck oh and maybe have her sign up to one of the forums like here on Snowest or on the ladies ride forum.
S
Soccerd6
Well-known member
what kind of rider does she want to be??? As was said before, if she is normally an aggressive-type person, sledding will be no different.... if she's getting into sledding just to spend time with you, well, you get where I'm going with this.
First and foremost, be supportive. Secondly, she will set the pace - pay attention.
Have Fun!
My wife used to just want to ride the trails but after some coaxing and a little instruction, she follows me most places. She really enjoys the powder in the meadows and the little hills. If she isn't comfortable, she waits or goes back to something she is comfortable with. The more she goes, the better she seems to get and we go most weekends. All we do is mountain riding so we ride trails, forest access roads, meadows, creek beds (thanks to the two guys that help me dig out up by Rob Roy in the Snowys yesterday, I was buried), and some hill climbing. Be patient with her and show her how. Don't just expect her to get it. If you push to hard she'll give up or worse yet, get hurt. Oh yeah, the brand new M6 I got her on New Year's Eve didn't hurt either. Good luck.
