"Romance on Two Wheels"

   Having trouble finding a reason to bicycle? Try this one: romance. Almost everyone gets the meaning of having a date "in the back seat." But most people don't know how one can find romance on the saddle of a bike. And not just a tandem bicycle. Not having your cycling companion ride their own bike can actually limit your opportunity for a bike-dating breakthrough, as we'll see in a minute.

   As a starting point, let us consider the perhaps delicate matter of going on a bike date with someone not as cycle-savvy as yourself--someone who might have last gotten on a bike when they still wore braces.

   You might protest: Why should you hassle with using bikes to go on a date with a cycling novice? Well, think about why you bicycle at all: You like that it keeps your body, wallet, and planet healthy.

   Imagine giving such a gift to someone you date--as a powerful way to introduce an alternative to firing up the car. Envision yourself changing attitudes, two wheels at a time.

   For your potential companion, the first key to chucking the car keys involves not shoving the idea down their throat. You might feel that because you embrace bicycling, anybody that doesn't comes from an inferior part of the species. But this attitude won't persuade your date to try a bike, let alone try it with you.

   Rather, simply suggest--gently--that the two of you would have more fun on your trip to a movie, restaurant, or concert if you went by bike. If your date seems receptive, take him or her by the hand and carefully, slowly, and patiently go for a bike ride.

   What comes first?
You should make sure your partner has a rideable bike. If not, borrow one. But say your date has an old three-speed that needs a little attention. If you feel handy with a wrench and an oil bottle, offering to fix it up gives you a great chance to score points provided it works better, not worse, after you've had at it. At the very least, you can impress your date with your generosity.

   Next, you should help your friend look and feel good. Talk with them about dressing in light layers, with a non-absorbent synthetic material (not cotton) closest to their skin. This will move sweat away from their body and keep them more comfortable. Sweat, at some point in the dating process, means intimacy--but up front, keep it cool.

   Also, your date might worry that a bike helmet creams their coiffure. To spread out the helmet's crushing effect, help tie a bandanna, pirate-style, over their hair before helmeting. While doing this, diffuse any noticeable hairy tension by snarling "Aye, ye matey!"

   Finally, get your date physically comfortable on their bike. Pump up their tires to make for easy pedaling. Also, adjust their bike's seat so they can stand with both feet flat on the ground. This seat position seems too low to experienced bikers, but it helps the novice come to a stop without falling over. (Bad form on a date.) And before you go anywhere, make sure your charge knows how to stop.

   Okay. So now comes time to roll--"time" the operative word here. When biking with a novice, multiply the time it would normally take you to get somewhere by three or four. To avoid frustration (yours and theirs) with speed differences, let them lead. Wherever possible, use side streets and avoid left turns. If busy intersections overwhelm, walk across them. And take frequent breaks.

   And don't forget about security. No, not the emotional kind. Rather, both you and your escort must have enough locking hardware to securely park both bikes at your destination. Many cycling novices don't own good locks, so if necessary, borrow a serious lock and key from a biker pal.

   Sure, all this might sound more pedantic than romantic. But remember: Dating by bike lets you demonstrate how you can support and encourage your date in situations that would never arise in a car.

   If you quash your urge to show off your superior cycling skills, you will impress the one you are sweet on with your sensitivity. Leading, perhaps, to the day when going out with someone usually means traveling via the mode you love most: by bike.

   Find more biking tips in Mr. Bike's book - Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, available at book stores and bike shops, by calling 800/888-4741, or by e-mailing wordspace@compuserve.com.