Motorpacing Advice, anybody?

[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

[motorpacer]

Hello everyone,

I stumbled across this question re motorpacing!
Personally, I love it both behind the motor and riding the motor.
It's one of the best training methods if used correctly I reckon!
It brings a lot out of you and there are 2 types of pacing in my book and I hope you agree...pure speed to get the legs turning real quick done at average speeds where you use your gears to get to the smallest you can handle giving the highest revs you can handle. Hurts the legs especially the front of the shins but you get used to it. the motor can go as slow or fast as you want 40kph (20 - 25 miles) up to whatever!
Then... speed under load where high speeds are achieved using the larger gears but speed pedalling like crazy on the bike by starting at a pace you can comfortably handle and slowly increasing to failure changing gears to suit the speed of the motor as it increases. Ouch. Speeds I have travelled behind a 4 x 4 are over 110 kph using 53/54 x 12,13,14.
Once you get used to your own speeds try taking it up to close to failure (for instance 80kph (50miles)) and then the pacer backs off down to 70kph and then back up to 80. It's like doing high speed intervals that hurt like hell! Love it! ha ha.
Equipment: on the velodromes - motorbike 100cc - 125cc is best.
On the open road (preferably little or no traffic) same motobike or a 4 x 4 for ultimate draft and high speed runs or a ute (truck in USA i think?) with a board jammed in the tailgate for draft but not too high that you can't see over the top of it for looking up the road.
The rider must have 100% complete and utter trust in the driver's judgement so the rider can rub the bumper or rear mudguard for maximum draft efficiency.
I hope this isn't too long winded but I'm kinda passionate about it!!! Google 'derny racing' for some awesome track action.

Thanks,
Motorpacer.
New Zealand.

[RoadRaven]

Hey!
Motorpacer!
You are from NZ!
There are a few of us here...
Welcome to the boards - hope you stay long enough to have a look around.

My partner has gotten up to those high speeds when he has slipped in behind an accelrating truck, but only stays there for a few minutes because he can't see what is coming, and of course doesn'r know the driver and the driver doesn't even know he is there.

Am I making an assumption by thinking you are a guy? Just your speeds and the way you use gears make me think of my partner and sons. You'll find there are a few guys here, so you're not alone if you are a guy... and if you are a gal - my apologies and kudos to you for riding the way you do

And lastly - are you going to the nationals this year? Your profile says "ex-racer" so I'll assume you are not competing...

[motorpacer]

Hi ya, How do?

Yes I am here in NZ and am a guy!...and a very ex racer now.
Used to do a bunch on the velodrome and the road so I know what it's like to face the breeze in a race which made the switch to pacing really easy as I knew the speeds required and how much pain to dish out to the riders! haha.
Nothing finer than seeing the 'grin' (grimace) in the rear view mirror of the motorbike of a rider just before getting spat out!
For the gears to use and stuff the male gear usage will probably always be bigger (but not always!) but if you're having a go use what you feel comfortable with - it's not necesarily about high speeds but rather the effort that's going in.
As Maillotpois says this is really good fun and it's good for you. Euro pro's go out an do say 3 - 4 hours and then pace home for 2.
Nationals in Auckland this year but no not racing thanks. I have just clocked up 5000 km's on my bike since i bought it nearly 3 years ago!! damn. the ciggarettes don't help either! damn.
Look forward to chatting to you all soon.

Motorpacer.

[Cha Cha]

Hi everybody - thanks for the good answers and feedback! I do remember seeing the piece on Vs about Levi and his SO motorpacing, and take some comfort in remembering it took her awhile to get the hang of it too!

Haven't been back out on the scooter yet - DBF has finished race season and is into the fall centuries, and has also started a major strengthening program. I imagine this will be a late fall and winter thing. (Got my ski pants and warmies ready!)

Getting really anxious about riding again on the scooter, I laid it down last time... I just need to take her out for a spin or two without the DBF to get comfortable with it. Besides - it wasn't all that long ago I was too nervous to even take one hand off the bike handlebars to take a drink of water - now I can not only do that, but this past week I actually answered my cell phone out of my back jersey pocket. (not something I"ll make a habit of though - and I told the caller, my DS, I needed to call him back!)

Cheers to everyone - and thanks again!

[Cha Cha]

Hi everybody!

Here's an update on the motorpacing. We've been out a few more times (I think 3 or maybe 4), total miles about 500. Results have been mixed. I've gotten better and less anxious - it's coming together, but am still having some real problems yo-yoing. That is, keeping the speed consistent.

East TN is very hilly. Yes, I know to speed up going down hill and to slow up going uphill. That part is going okay. The part that is the most hard / frustrating is transitioning into flats, and figuring out what to do then. (And also what to do when he slows down to drink, eat, or check the map.) It's key to stay close together for safety reasons, but if I speed up too fast we get separated. If I slow down to give DBF time to catch up, then speed up, that doesn't work either. Hence the term yo-yo-ing. Then he gets really mad and it's frustrating and un-fun for both of us. These rides are typically 3+ hours (the last one was almost 5). The last one was six weeks ago and I have been positively DREADING the next one. I've been thankful he's been in Build mode (i.e. building miles with less emphasis on speed right now), but that's not going to last forever.

I've actually become somewhat more comfortable with the scooter, and all there is to do at one time: watch for cars, watch for gravel, keep the pace consistent, keep my eyes on the DBF in the mirrors, get through intersections quickly, stay together, not be so timid and more comfortable with speed.

The best way I can think of to describe it is that it's like trying to follow someone who's behind you. Think about it.

So - in order to reduce the dread factor, I'm trying to gather more information on motor pacing and how to do it. Am coming up with practically nothing, at least from the perspective of the pace-r. I'm hopeful that by posting again, this post will go back up to the top of the queue and maybe generate some help / interest / advice or links to some. If you want to PM, that's cool too.

Help!

Thanks so much, you all are the best! I know I have a reprieve til at least a week from Saturday, but am tired of being so anxious and worried about this.

Cha Cha