Motorpacing

Motorpacing

Now that the bike racing season is upon us Diane's turning to her 'secret weapon'-- motorpacing. Using a small moped/motor scooter as a training tool helps her work on speed and high tempo endurance. The scooter doesn't get tired, so it can maintain a high speed effort much longer than a rider. While some folks mistakenly think the idea behind motorpacing is to see how fast they can pedal their bike, the real purpose for the use of the motor scooter is to simulate having a fast rider or peloton to draft. Realistic race speeds are more useful than pedaling at 50 miles an hour. The moped can also provide a 'resting' spot' when she is practicing maintaining a high speed out in the wind. For these uses it's not necessary to have a big motor cycle; in fact, it's counterproductive. We use a small, 90cc, moped with large wheel so that the moped is roughly the same size and height as a bicycle.

A typical motorpacing workout involves bringing  Diane up to speed of about 25-31 MPH. She'll spend some time behind the moped simply staying in the draft and maintaining a constant, high, speed. This aids her ability to turn a big gear with a high cadence so she can stay with a fast moving rider or pack. As she develops the ability to do this behind a motor, she'll be able to do draft at high speed in a race for longer than her competition. Usually in our motorpacing workouts she'll also do some efforts where she pulls out of the draft behind the moped and pedals in the wind for as long as she can. When she starts to fatigue, she pulls back behind the moped and 'rests/recovers' in the draft. Another workout involves having her pull out from the draft of the moped and sprint past the moped, then fall back in behind to prepare for the next sprint.

Using a motor vehicle (never a car) to train must be done very carefully. Both the rider and the moped driver must be knowledgeable about the safety considerations. The moped driver must be familiar with bicycle capabilities and limitations. As an experienced bike racer myself, when I drive the moped I'm aware that the moped can accelerate more quickly than Diane's bike and that it can go up hills with ease that might cause her to lose the draft. I never brake with Diane drafting; first, I pull ahead, and when I have room I brake. We are communicating all the time. Both of us must be on the same page about any changes. I regulate my speed to insure she can draft safely. Our moped has mirrors set up so I can maintain a close watch on Diane as she drafts behind me. We always use quiet roads for motorpacing.

While the moped/bike combination is no different in most respects to two bikes drafting each other on the road, some drivers might not understand how to deal with the combination. While the bike rider must be in the draft of the moped, there's a low fender on the moped which would be contacted by the bike's front tire so the risk of touching wheels from behind is very low. However, both Diane and I must be vigilant to maintain safe distances, alert focus on the road and each other and anticipate problems and avoid them. Done

properly, motorpacing is as safe as drafting a bicycle.

Diane's won 8 USAC National Championships, and many Wisconsin State Championships. This year, I can honestly claim that she's riding the best I've ever seen her ride. After a severely broken leg in 2010 and at a racing age of 59, this is remarkable. I believe she's going to have a fantastic racing season for the Trek Midwest Team. One small reason for her success, when it comes, will be the hours she spends behind a moped.

Gordy

(Photo courtesy of Jackie Arendt) <<...>>