Couples, including us, don't always share the same interests and goals in all situations. Supposedly, however, this is precisely how tensions and stress can be reduced. I wonder if that's really the case.

It's easy to see - both of us love to spend our time together outdoors on the bike. It just makes us happy to be able to share this passion.

In our experience, it's nice to know that when free time comes up, like most weekends, we don't have to leave our partner at home.

By the way, this also makes the question of what we're gonna do the following weekend superfluous.

Whether our tours are romantic every time? Probably not. Nor are they always harmonious, because on some days there's always something to complain about, which can be challenging. That goes for both of us. But most of the time we have a lot of fun together. We laugh a lot, motivate each other with funny things and nonsense, listen to each other when they need a break, something to eat, or something else and love to discover the surroundings together. Especially on longer routes, we can motivate each other - or when it's time to get up early. It's not that we love getting up in the dark.

Whether we individually would have come up with the idea to spend whole days or more on the bike? We can not know what if, but we can assume that we would not necessarily have come alone. Björn was always relatively urban with his fixies, and riding a road bike as a sport was never his thing. And for me, the bike was always a means of transportation. But I also didn't have a good bike before I met Björn. So we both benefit from it because our joint tours, experiences, and plans for cycling bring us closer together.

The advantages of cycling with your partner? We know each other so well and know exactly where the other's challenges lie. We know each other's fitness levels, consider this when planning, and motivate each other when one is more, and the other is less keen. We spend the time planning together and, in the end, riding together. Simply put: share quality time together, away from everyday life and many other people.

The key to a relaxed bike ride with your partner is thoughtfulness. What feels like a challenge the first time is soon replaced by safety. You know how your partner behaves on the bike (at least most of the time). You get to know each other away from all the distractions of our modern world. You can also learn how to manage crises together. May that be only a mechanical problem, a flat tire, or feeling good old hangry during a tour, this can also be transferred to everyday life. After all, most problems can be solved.

You're in love with cycling, but your partner isn't? Share your passion. Enthusiasm for something can be contagious.

We have 8 tips for you, which can help you to awaken the enthusiasm for cycling in him/her. Most importantly, remember what sparked the fire in you.

// TIP #1 - MATCHING BIKE

It is important that you make sure that your partner has a bike that fits him/her. An important criterion is the size of the bike. If you have a super light road bike, but your partner is still riding a heavy Dutch bike, it won't be fun for either of you. Instead, you should make sure that your partner has a bike that fits him/her well and makes cycling fun for him/her.

// TIP #2 - PLAN TOGETHER

It is important that you plan your tour together and stay realistic. So talk to each other about your preferences and needs and find a tour that works well for both of you. It is not necessary that you make a tour of 100 km. Instead, you can choose smaller routes and slowly work your way up to longer tours. This way you can make sure that you enjoy your tour and can do it without stress.

// TIP #3 - PAUSES

It is important that you take enough breaks while you are on the road. Make sure you give each other enough time to catch your breath and recover. Remember to have enough to eat and drink, or make sure you have access to food and fluids along the way. Breaks are important to make sure you both stay fit and rested and to avoid injury and overexertion. Take care of each other while you are on the road.

// TIP #4 - REWARDS

It is important that you occasionally reward yourselves while you are on the road. One way to do this would be to reward yourselves with a delicious meal after your journey together. Or you can schedule specific breaks where you can reward yourself with a piece of cake or a scoop of ice cream. Rewards are important to make cycling a more enjoyable experience and keep you motivated. After all, it's nice to treat yourself to something special every now and then. So make sure you reward yourself while you're out and about and enjoy life's little pleasures.

// TIP #5 - ANTICIPATION

It is important to ask your partner what he/she likes and if there are certain places he/she would like to visit. There may also be special preferences that you should take into account when planning your tour. By involving your partner in the planning and taking into account his/her wishes and preferences, you can not only increase the anticipation of your tour, but also significantly increase motivation. After all, it's much nicer to do something that you really enjoy and that you like to do.

// TIP #6 - EXIT STRATEGY

It would be really bad if during your first tour together you get stuck in "nowhere" and can't move on when there are problems, whether they are mechanical or physical. Therefore, it is important that you plan your tour so that there is always a way out nearby. This could mean choosing a route that is close to villages or towns, or always carrying enough provisions and tools to make minor repairs yourself. This way you can make sure that you will always be able to continue your tour, even if there are unforeseen problems. This way you can be sure that you will enjoy your tour and that you will be able to do it without stress.

// TIP #7 - SUITABLE SEASON

It is important that you start your tour at a time when the weather is good and you do not have to be out in the cold and rain. After all, the conditions should be as pleasant as possible so that you can enjoy your tour. Summer is often the best time for this, as the weather is usually warm and dry. Of course, there are good opportunities for a bike tour in other seasons as well, as long as the weather is good. Focus on what is really important: the time together and the cycling.

// TIP #8 - WITHOUT PRESSURE

It is important that you are patient and that you listen to your partner. Observe how he/she feels and share your enthusiasm for cycling. Don't put pressure on your partner, but give him/her the time and space he/she needs to get used to and enjoy cycling. Encourage him:her, but don't push him:her to do something he:she doesn't want to do. This way you can make sure you have a great time together and that you can enjoy your ride without stress or frustration. Don't forget that cycling should be first and foremost a pleasure and that it is important that you are both happy with it.

Have fun on the bike and tell us if it worked out. Also tell us about your tips that we might be able to add.