Wooohoooo!!! Way to go Tagalong! Thanks for the update Neal. I agree, it is great to see you so excited for her and to see her so excited to ride.
She's lucky to have someone that encourages her (I know I am!). Just remember, sometimes it gets frustrating always being the student. Karl is very patient and encouraging but we ride dirtbikes, snowmobiles, jetskis, mountain bikes.....together and sometimes I get frustrated at not being as good of a rider as he is (he rides everything anywhere and I don't) or at not progressing as fast as I want to.
I was really frustrated a couple weeks ago when we were riding mountain bikes at lunch everyday. His schedule changed so we can't meet for lunch so I have been going by myself for the last week and my confidence is coming back . Plus, I am challenging myself more each time. Of course I still have the cell phone on and I don't do anything that is too extreme but, I am making it up and down many of the technical hills that I was walking before. I think sometimes you get caught up in thinking, oh yeah, he made it up that hill but he's a really good rider and I'm not so I'll walk. With him not there I can give it a couple tries and eventually I make it up or down.
The help he gives me when we do ride it invaluable. Just riding behind him and watching his technique helps a lot. Then when we switch and he tells me what I do wrong or right I can work on that too.
Sorry to ramble but, sounds like Tag has a great partner too! Tell her to get in here & brag on herself!! ;)