The Pro’s and Con’s of being a cycling WAG

Now with a little help from my wonderful lady friends on twitter, I have compiled a list of pro’s and con’s about living with a cyclist. The list is also based on my experiences with my boyfriend Rob Partridge, who is a pro-cyclist with Endura Racing (hope he doesn’t read this). Now gentleman, you can see your cycling obsession through your wife/girlfriend’s eyes...

PRO’S

1. Shaven legs – Not only can we share shaving tips and products (like Veet), we can also admire a nice muscular toned leg without clumps of hair on it.  It has to be said that once you get used to those silky smooth pins that any body hair on anyone else is stomach-turningly unattractive.
2. Personal bike mechanic – Now, I am sure that if I wasn’t in a relationship with a cyclist then I would have broken a wheel about 2 years ago and never bothered to replace it. Mainly because I probably wouldn’t have known what I had broken or how to replace it. This is where you blokes come in useful; you love spending hours tinkering with your bike and already have the tools and the expertise to rectify any problems for us. It has to be said as well, that when you’re going out with a pro-cyclist that you end up with the most pimped out bike possible, with expensive wheels and chain-sets that they’ve accrued over the years - now who’s gonna complain about that??
3. Race day excitement – Now I love going to watch bike races whether it’s a cat 4 or an elite race. Most of us WAG’s love to see our fellas out there getting stuck in and cheer them from the road side. It’s also so good to see your little faces when you’ve finished and you’re all tired and full of caffeine gels and adrenaline. Awww so cute! You also get to meet some amazing people!
4. Muscles – Yeah, we like muscles. And firm bottoms. And even scars from when you’ve crashed. Yeah and in skin tight lycra... Yeah it’s good. As long as you don’t measure your thighs, that’s a bit weird.
5. Kit – We love to steal your kit! End of.

CON’S

1. Fake tan stealing – If you want your legs to be golden brown then go buy your own!
2. Washing – Now, usually dirty kit is left on the landing ready to be brought down and washed. And when you go out on your bike everyday then that’s a lot of washing. Taking up space in the machine and on the line. But when I do it at least I sneak some of my stuff in so I don’t have to go 3 days without any clean socks. But boys, how many of you don’t spare a thought for the rest of the families washing that’s sitting there in the basket??? Oh the conversations I have had with Rob, “Stop leaving my stuff in a heap on the floor and only hanging your stuff out”, “just wash what you need for tomorrow, me and Ben need some clean clothes too you know”. He has finally learnt his lesson and washes considerately.
3. The world revolves around you – How many of you have had this conversation: Girl “Fancy going into town tomorrow and getting some lunch or something”, Boy “Oh, well I’ve got a long ride planned with the lads”, Girl: “Oh ok, what about the day after then”, Boy “Sorry love, got a cafe ride pencilled in, will need to recover before I race all weekend”. Hmmmm..... yes it is a bit annoying when we can never do anything during the day because of your training schedule! Oh and... you pro’s go away too much.
4. You have better legs than us – Yeah and you’re skinnier. But you eat loads more! How annoying.

So boys, we love your legs, we love watching you race and we love wearing your kit but please PLEASE don’t be selfish with your washing