Feeling Frisky: A Sex and Bike Touring How-To
“Is that a kickstand, baby, or are you just happy to see me?”
Cringe-inducing pick up lines aside, bicycle touring can be sexy. Most days you’ll be feeling fit, adventurous, and gleeful about your journey. But traveling with your romantic partner can offer its fair share of challenges, too. Let’s face it: saddle sores and fatigue aren’t exactly sexy.
If you’re planning a bicycle tour with your romantic partner, here are five tips for keeping your sex life alive while traveling together.
1. Keep it clean.
This is my #1 piece of advice for women on a bike tour, and it works for managing your monthly period as well as preventing UTIs. Hygiene wipes are your friend: keep them handy, and use ‘em. Wiping yourself and your partner with hygiene wipes before and after intimacy will reduce your chances of getting a bacterial infection.
2. Lubricate!
Yup, just like your bike chain…but not with the same lubricant. Your genitalia is already experiencing some extra chaffing from being in a bike saddle all day, so treat yourself to a water-based lubricant before intercourse. The less friction in your life the better.
3. Get a room.
If you’ve been camping or staying with friends for weeks on end, it might be time to splurge and get a hotel room. This added luxury can be a welcome relief from sleeping on the ground, and it’s more private than your friend’s living room couch. And, you know, when the two of you are freshly showered, well-rested, and all alone together, things can happen.
(But, no pressure: if you’re not in the mood, just enjoy a good night’s sleep. Rest and relaxation are essential to feeling your best.)
4. Take some space.
After days, weeks, or even months of being witness to each other’s triumphs and challenges, it’s a good idea to take a break from each other. Rest days are an excellent time to do this, with one person going for a sightseeing hike and the other lounging at a coffee shop.
There’s plenty of compromises when you’re on a bike tour with someone, and taking some time to focus on yourself will help you appreciate your partner all the more once you’re reunited.
5. Be kind.
I know this sounds simple, but after pedaling 75 miles through sloppy rain only to discover that your partner accidentally misinterpreted the map and you’ll have to pedal an extra ten miles to get to the campground…it can be hard not to scream in frustration.
But kindness is the best aphrodisiac. So refrain from chewing out your partner on the side of the road (trust me, they already feel terrible), and practice your best compassion. You might not feel like getting frisky that night, but a little mindfulness during the hard times is always attractive. Just sayin’.
Here’s to breathless nights, slow mornings, and fond gazes between you and your cycling sweetheart. We hope you enjoy the ride!
