Motorpacing Advice, anybody?

[Cha Cha]

Good to be back on the board, it's been much too long!!!

Does anyone have experience motorpacing - as the one driving the motor scooter? DBF and I just started this a few weekends ago, with him on his bike and me driving the scooter. It's taking awhile to get the hang of it. Anybody have any experience and/or advice? It's really fun but I feel really clumsy with it so far.

Thanks so much!

Amy

[maillotpois]

I've done it the other way around, though now that I have a Vespa, we could switch and I could do it for DH (his motorcycle is too big for me).

It is SUPER fun to be paced by a motorcycle/scooter (if the driver is someone you trust)!!!

Having only been the "pace-ee" (as opposed to the pace-er), I think some of these things are key:

- consistent speed and slow ramp up of speed

- be conscious of the effect of any gradient on speed (faster or slower). You won't feel it on the moto

- watch debris on the road, and be sure the pace-er is aware of the fact that rocks are going to get kicked up and you just have to ride through some of this. Glasses are critical.

- this is like pacelining on steroids. Remember all your pacelining skills - pointing obstacles, etc.

- I would think you have to constantly be looing in your mirror to see where he is. (Plus scanning ahead for traffic and debris.) Develop some sort of handsignals where he can tell you "faster" "slower" etc.

- I would definitely stay off roads with ANY traffic if at all possible.

I think it will be clumsy feeling for a while, but you'll certainly get better. I want to hear how it goes and what works and doesn't work.

[li10up]

Sorry, can't offer any advice. But I saw a piece on VS. with Levi and his GF moterpacing him on a scooter. It looked really cool. The person on the bike would really have to trust the person pacing them.

[RoadRaven]

Good thread - I don't have any answers, but will be interested in what people have to say /their experiences - my partner is talking about getting a scooter so I can pace him!

Thanks for your experience of being motor paced, mallio

[Tuckervill]

What's the purpose of it? To try to go faster? Do you draft off the scooter?

It sounds like fun. My son, who will be 14 soon and therefore eligible for a motorcycle license, would like to have a Vespa-type scooter so he can get a job at the movie theater. (He's so cute.) If we had a scooter, maybe we could do some pacing, too.

Karen

[li10up]

Levi, when talking about motor pacing, said that it is the only way to get in a training ride that mimics riding in a peloton (drafting) and pedaling for hours. I guess they couldn't train as long as they need to without the aid of drafting. Nice to know they're human.

[Cha Cha]

Okay, here's the update - it's getting better!!!

The primary point is to maintain a consistent speed. With hills, wind, etc, this takes practice. But - it is possible. The keys are:

1. focus focus focus!!!!! It takes constant focus as the throttle is very sensitive and any change in terrain will change the speed. Even a mental "Hey, I'm doing it, whoo hoo!" is enough to derail your focus. Save the pats on the back for after the ride - they'll keep!

2. Maintain a sense of fun. After all, you're not the one having to pedal! Enjoy the pretty day (if you're out on the scooter, chances are it's not raining at least), and enjoy the good feeling that you're helping someone with their riding. In my case, my DBF. This is something we can do as a team - and it feels great!

3. Don't overthink. Yes, it's a lot to keep track of, and it can be daunting. But overthinking leads to paralysis. Just relax and you will get into the flow.

I'm nowhere near perfect yet - not even close - but 3/4 through the second trip last week, I found myself thinking "Hey, we get to do this again tomorrow!" (as it turned out, we didn't, but that's not the point...) From tears to "we get to" in just over two days - that's pretty kewl.

Will continue the thread as events develop!

Amy

[maillotpois]

You keep coming here looking for resources, and by the time you're done you will be able to write a book on the subject!

Very interesting and useful to those of us who will do one end or the other of it at some point.

[RoadRaven]

Hey there ChaCha, just want to add my thanks as well
Very interesting to read your experiences.

My partner and I haven't progressed any further with purchasing a scooter yet, but it will happen, so your writing is/will be very useful.

And i'll get a copy of that book!

[Cha Cha]

Thanks so much!

RoadRaven - enjoy it when the time comes! When/if you decide you're ready to get that scooter, feel free to PM me and I can give you some pointers regarding what to get if you like.

Haven't been back out as we're in the thick of 'the season' but I"m feeling a lot more comfortable about when we do.

Maillotpois - I'll let you know when the book and the movie come out! Ha!!!


Amy