Although Scoot’s 114cc puts him in “baby” class in terms of bike power, my beginner’s basic training was exactly the same as if I’d been riding a 500cc super-bike.
The best thing I learned from my bike training? Whatever speed you’re traveling at, keep to the “two second rule”. i.e. leave a minimum of two seconds between you and the vehicle in front. (no, today’s blog is not going to be a road safety advert on behalf of moaning MOHOmers)
French drivers (and Italian’s to a degree) like to tailgate. Really close. (Have seen four in a row doing over 60, each one no more than four feet apart) Today’s drive over to Châlons-en-Champagne, south west of Reims being absolutely typical. Beastie motoring along. Minding his own business. 50mph. Cruise control “on”. We’ve got 35K of beautifully smooth dual carriageway ahead. Traffic’s light. Nothing in front. I’ve got my feet up. Mary-Ann taking time out for a quick nap. I see him behind us, in the distance. The only other car for miles. Silver grey Peugeot 208. He’s doing 55ish. He closes us down. I give a customary wave to a fellow passing MOHOman on the opposite carriageway. Check my mirrors. He’s disappeared! I think. (If it’s sunny, then at this point I can at least detect a shadow) But there’s been no turn-off, Aire or roundabout. My head starts to swivel like an umpire watching a long rally between David Ferrer and Raffa. Checking left, then right. Where is he? I daren’t blink. Just catch a fleeting glimpse. Ha. I know he’s there. He’s decided to lasso himself to the bike rack. Slip streaming F1 style. No intention of pulling past though. Getting a tow, as if Beastie is a horned cow. I accelerate up to sixty to create space. So does he. I decelerate down to forty-five. So does he. I try to ignore him. Impossible. I get Beastie to practise slaloming. Just so I can keep him in vision. Can he take another subtle hint. No chance. A few cars overtake the two of us. I wave to another passing MOHO and hey presto. He’s gone. I miss the trick.
Today has been a most unextraordinary day. So much so, that for the first time, neither of has taken a photo to share. However, I blogged on our French trip that Mary-Ann intended to invest in a MOHO hoover. Luckily, we managed to pick up this bargain at a MOHO boot sale.
