Modern Vespa

Hello,
This may seem silly but my wife and I are going to our first Amerivespa being relatively new to the Vespa scene. I was showing my wife some videos I found of past Amerivespas and she seems to have developed some anxiety over Amerivespa.

The concerns are riding in large groups and in a large city. Our riding is either solo or with each other as there doesn't seem to be any other scooters here let alone a group. So we both will be riding with a group for the first time and certainly don't want to hold up the group or create any unintended issues.

The other issue is the large city of Richmond, pop. ~220,000 versus our city of ~16,000 and heck, the whole county is ~62,000 people.

So once the weather turns a little more favorable, our plan is to ride as much as possible prior to Amerivespa but that does little for the group riding and large city riding.

So, any suggestions to reduce the anxiety? I know I am not showing her any more Amerivespa videos. I'll watch those in private.

As usual, thanks to the collective for reading and replying!

I've participated in the San Diego and Seattle Amerivespas and each time, the rides were well planned, staffed and mapped out that I had no issues turning off my brain and going with the flow. Remember your skills and braking considerations but if you still get the heebie jeebies, fall towards the back of the pack where mellower folks reside or make friends with one of the tail gunners and have them keep an eye on you.

Go to https://www.meetup.com or similar and see if there is a scooter club(s) you can join. Before you go, learn the group ride rules, practice low-speed maneuvering, and "panic" breaking etc... to freshen your skills. Then go on rides with your "new friends" and get a feel for how it works.

This link should help.
https://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf

Find online some motorcycle group riding tips: staggered formation, hand signals, etc.

https://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf

This is just one. Every organized ride has different rules, so pay attention at the pre-ride meeting and speak up if you have any questions. Talk to the ride leaders about any concerns you have. The leaders often put newbies close to the front to help set the pace and to help keep the group together.

Arrive at the ride ready to go and with a full tank of gas.

By all means get in as much riding as possible, and brush up on your riding skills.

Have fun!!! 8)

I've looked at Meetup but there are only 5 meetup groups in my area - hiking, legal cannabis, LGBTQ, wordpress and Linux users. So nothing there.

I have read some things on group riding and talked to her about it.

JK - thanks, I downloaded the pdf.

Your dealer might be another place to find out about local groups/clubs.

Suggestion...maybe...? The two of you together read up on the group riding tips and etiquette, then watch some rally videos and note the good and the bad riding... of which there will be plenty of examples of each.

There's a first time for everything...don't sweat it.

+1 on this.
I will add two of the biggest things I see that cause dangerous situations on group rides and they are related:

1. Trying to keep up and riding outside of your comfort zone. Of course, you want to maintain your spacing and formation but never push it if you fall behind especially on twisty roads.

2. Always keep in mind that riding in a group does not change traffic laws. I've seen riders blow through stop signs or ignore traffic signals because they are worried about getting left behind when on an unfamiliar route. The good part about these rides though is that they usually have blockers, sometimes LEO's, so it makes this less of a concern.

A good rule that many group leaders use is to have everyone keep the rider behind them in their view. If you lose site of the rider behind you slow down until they come into view. If everyone does this it signals the leader that he needs to slow down the pace or even pull over. This is why it is better to try to ride toward the front if you are a novice rider or a novice in group rides.

Both AVs I've ridden in have had highly organized rides, usually with traffic blockers, occasionally police assists, and really, all you have to do is ride.

I would recommend you be a reasonably proficient rider. If you're nervous about controlling your ride, going too fast (i.e over 40 mph), etc, you might have second thoughts-beginners are really best off alone and do themselves and the group a favor by realizing their limitations....BUT, you don't have to be all that good.....just be able to control your scooter. Really, what's important is being able to space yourself in relation to the other scooters in front of you....typically most riding is staggered, so there will be someone in front of you-two second rule... and someone in the other lane just ahead of you, perhaps by one second. Keep your ride in proper relationship to them, don't goof off by jumping in and out of your lane or weaving, or leaving too big of a gap and you're good to go. It's really not that intimidating. You're like a bird flying in a flock.

I think if there are two of you to practice, or better yet 3, you're good to go...keeping in proper relationship to the other rider is the main skill, so drill on that. Alertness, being prepared to brake or veer suddenly is always a good skill, and may be necessary to avoid contact with the rider who is invariably worse than you.

Don't be intimidated by the city or the large group....you're in your own little section of the group, and whether you're in the city or countryside, you just have to follow the rider in front of you. It's rather liberating....no getting lost, no having to decide where to turn, etc, etc. The way it's organized, the streets are pretty much yours, and you're not likely going to have to jostle with traffic..

Whatever you do, do NOT show her the Cannonball DVD as a training video.


Hope that helps. Look forward to meeting both of you!

Riding in a large group is not unlike riding in traffic. I was at Seattle's Amerivespa and it was excellent. Well planned rides, combined with beautiful destinations. The ride leaders were conscientious and thoughtful to keep literally hundreds of riders inline and ready to go. We rode through downtown Seattle multiple times and it went exceptionally well.

There was only one "incident" on Bainbridge Island where riding in a crowd was an issue. A woman went down and broke her ankle. She was riding a Honda Helix and those things don't have a big turning radius. She tried to take a very tight turn down a steep hill and she laid down sideways. I was just above her coming down the hill and I saw it coming but couldn't prevent it. In her case, she should have taken it very slow but riding in groups can be intimidating. I am not placing blame on anyone but there is nothing slowing down and taking your time won't solve. If you feel uncomfortable, just take your time and start slow. Most of the time, the riding moves quite slowly anyway because of the large number of riders.

If you lack experience, maybe consider a MSF class and ride with other riders for a bit. Take some time in heavy traffic and practice keeping a nice safe distance from another person. You can also watch this video:

But don't stress, Richmond is very small. It's tiny when compared to New Orleans, San Diego or Seattle. You will likely be spending a lot of time riding with large groups of people who are experienced and can share wisdom. You will certainly enjoy the adventure and definitely the experience. There is nothing like riding with dozens of fellow scooterists!

Just come prepared for a good time go on the shorter rides we all take care of each other you are going to have so much fun you will look back on your experience and just smile and say to each other we have to do that again.

Be sure to let the ride leaders know that you do not have much group riding experience. They may advise to to stay in the front of the group, near them.
I'm a big believer in self sufficiency in terms of being able to make your way to the destination or back to the start on your own, if you need to. Since you're used to riding on your own, that shouldn't be a problem. But definitely familiarize yourself with the route and the general area. It will give you the confidence to know that you don't need to panic if you are uncomfortable riding with the group. And that will make everything easier.

Check this site, especially the contact page.

http://vtscoot.com/

last couple times I checked on VTscoot it was dead links but I will try again.

In reference to the MSF that is what we took to obtain our license.

We managed to get 1000 miles in last year after June but we want to do another 1000 before Amerivespa, if this winter will ever end!

One of the biggest pieces of advice from the MSF instructor that has stuck with both of us is "Ride your ride!"

Yes, that's essential advice. So is hendon's (above) to have a plan if you don't continue the ride.

All this talk of Amerivespa makes me want to go! But I can't this year -- family obligations.

Relax.

I have attended many rallies run by the Richmond crew. All were well organized, easy riding, fun trips. The 7 Hills people are a great bunch. You both will meet many new friends and have a Good Time.

The countryside around Richmond is beautiful - rolling hills, horse farms, light traffic. The ride leaders will explain how the ride is organized, typical speeds (usually +/- 50mph), staggered riding, procedures at junctions, and so forth.

Don't be shy about saying "Hello" to a fellow scooterist, especially one on a red GTS with a sheep-skin seat cover and Miss Agnes on the handle bars.

Gotta admit I blew off AV in Seattle for similar reasons, so I feel ye.

It was my first season riding and I, too, live in a small town and only ride out in the sticks. I thought about trailering over but the thought of hauling a trailer around the city was equally...if not daunting then at least not pleasant.

This year I'll ride the Cannonball and am excited and confident about every one of the impending 5,000 miles...aside from the few urban sections.

So, I ain't got no advice but can certainly relate.

I checked the VTScoot and got an email saying the group ran its course and disbanded 5 yrs ago.

After Amerivespa, we are headed to Wilmington NC area for a week and hope to meet some people from that area that we can hook up with after.

Richmond is not a city that is intimidating to ride in. Use to go down there every week when I was a Filed Engineer for a telecom equipment manufacture.
You're getting into the South, so drivers are nicer than the Washington DC area and on weekends not a lot of traffic down town.

Lived and worked in Richmond for 8yrs. Beautiful city Are you trailering the scooter or riding it? If you have time definitely see a bit of Richmond. Monument Ave is cool. Can't remember the meaning of the way the horse and riders positions. Loved the Strawberry street cafe and the Tobacco company (i think it's still closed because of a fire). Used to be the tobacco warehouses. The James river goes thru town. I used to kayak it when the water height was just right. Hollywood cemetery has the tombs of presidents James Moore and John Tyler. Plus Jefferson Davis who was the president of the confederate states. Also the Iron Dog a cast iron dog that stands guard of a little girl who dies in the 1800"s. Wow i can't believe i remembered all that. Jefferson Davis hotel where they filmed the staircase that was used in the Gone With The Wind movie. Then you can head down to Kitty Hawk to stay at some quaint motels so you can take hang gliding lessons. I got my Hang one license there. 8) See you need more time. Forgot to mention the Nantahala river where you can kayak down it. It's claim to fame is the river was filmed in the movie Deliverance. Dueling Banjo's was the song from that movie. This was about as far south as this yankee could go. Remember we won the war. Great advice for the ride. Tell the ride leader your new to this. Ride at your own pace. Make sure to have a up place, so that if you get separated from the group you can meet them there. Ride staggered. Envious. Have fun

James Moore? Did you mean James Monroe?

If he and Tyler are buried in the same cemetery then I am wrong on my trivia....

and wikipedia confirms it.....

Name the other two places where more than one president is buried?

[quote="judy"Then you can head down to Kitty Hawk to stay at some quaint motels so you can take hang gliding lessons.[/quote]

You haven't been there for a while have you? It's very populated now, not lots of quaint motel anymore from what I have heard.

My wife and I live and do most of our riding in a rural/small town areas. Before our first AV my wife very apprehensive, it was in NOLA. It took almost two days for me to persuade her to get in city traffic. She got comforable with the traffic quickly. We had never ridden in a large group before either. Most of the rally stuff she likes but doesn't care for the group rides; so now we split the diffrence. We go on a group ride, maybe two; the rest of the time we head off on our own to explore the city. We've been to five AV's now.
I'm a planner. I have our rally trip planned out months in advance. I study street maps of the rally city before hand; this helps me eliminate confusion while on the streets. I've tried just using a navigation system; I was ready to through the thing away by the end of the rally. Give yourself plenty of time to get where your going and don't be in a hurry and the apprehension will succumb to the experience

Your concern is a good thing. Keep a safe distance from the rider in front of you and relax. The other members also have good advice. I envy you. Wish I had the time this summer to go. The rides sound fun. I did attend last year and it was a blast. HAVE FUN!

I hate spellcheck . No i haven't been there in quite a while. Urban sprawl sucks

My local group has a mix of everything from Buddies to a Silver Wing on rides. the only caveat is the ride sponsor will say 150cc or above if the ride maintains a 45mph or higher speed. (Occasionally, the group will have a 50cc ride scheduled as well.) The key is ride within your comfort zone, keep an eye ahead, and behind so you don't lose contact with the group. Our leaders always make sure the group re-connects when we come to a stop or major fork in the road. I actually feel more comfortable riding in a group than alone because I feel the group provides greater visibility to the cagers than a lone rider. In other words, riding in a group lowers my anxiety level, I hope it has the same effect on you and your wife.

Good point about the cagers being more likely to notice a largish group than a lone rider.
I've ridden to scooter rallies in the UK solo but mostly in a group and abroad in a group.

You essentially will own the street. Think of running a marathon. What you used to share with cars when running solo, is now all yours. It's pretty cool that way. What's kind of a blast too is (because of ride monitors stopping traffic), you get to blast through red lights and stop signs and other highly irregular things that would normally have you speaking with LEOs. 8) Sometimes you get to do it right in front of them.

My first experience in a large group was last year in Seattle.

I have to admit it was a bit intimidating at first. Especially as we were on rented 50cc scoots. After the first ride I it made sense to me and I would be there in Richmond if I c ould.

Take a deep breath and head to the back of the pack. Ride at your own speed and pace. Seattle had wonderful team leads and club members who were the last riders as well to assure those in the back made it to the destination. There were so many scoots and lots of traffic lights in Seattle!!

Enjoy! I so look forward to seeing everyone's photos and hearing about your adventures.