Motorpacing Advice, anybody?

[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.

[RoadRaven]

Tuckervill... the purpose of motor-pacing is to increase your speed and endurance. It does work a bit like riding in a pack, however, sitting behind a scooter means the pace is relentless and you ride at the limit of what you are able.

I can be motor-paced by my partner on his bicycle, as he is very powerful and has amazing endurance. So he can do a steady ride, at a good active recovery pace or at very slight effort (about 30-38kph) and for me this is riding at my limit, depending on the terrain/conditions.

Obviously, we can't "motor-pace" him by bicycle... as he time-trials at about 43kph, he needs to be motor-paced at about 50kph. Here is where a scooter comes in. You can also do it behind a car or a van or a truck - I have drafted off a tractor doing 45kph and stayed with him for about 5mins!!!

However, drafting off cars etc is illegal - it is also dangerous for the cyclist if the driver doesn't know you are drafting, or if you are behind a van or something like that , you can't see what is happening ahead.

Ultimately, I think of motor-pacing as an excellent aspect of time trial training...

[Tuckervill]

This is my dog, Zeke, pacing me on the Katy Trail. He can run for miles and miles at about 8 mph, with occasional bursts up to 15-20!

Karen

[RoadRaven]

This is my dog, Zeke, pacing me on the Katy Trail. He can run for miles and miles at about 8 mph, with occasional bursts up to 15-20!

LOL, Tuckervill!
He doesn't offer you much of a draft though, does he!

[PinkBike]

another LOL, Tuckervill

I saw on the National Geographic Channel, the world record for motorpacing is 167 mph. The first time he tried he fell bad because he got out from behind his travelling windscreen. I guess it would feel like stepping out of an airplane, just imagine!

167 m p h !

[Tuckervill]

LOL, Tuckervill!
He doesn't offer you much of a draft though, does he!

His tail is like a fan, though, so he keeps me cool even at 8 mph. lol.

Karen