Nothing on two wheels surpasses the experience of riding alone. For me at least. Following or leading one or more other riders necessitates attention to the other riders, narrows choices during the ride, and makes the ride seem more mechanical to me. At its best riding is a respite from the demands and labor of the day. It is a temporary suspension of any need to respond to other people. Riding with another rider isn’t terrible; it just isn’t my first choice.
I seldom ride with anyone else. Not counting one scooter rally I can count on two fingers exactly how many other riders I have ridden with. When the ignition is turned off and we are talking, eating, or just looking around it’s great. But on the road I guess I’m just selfish. I want to stop when I feel like it just to take a longer look at something. I’ve stopped to enjoy a fragrance of wet conifer trees or trees in blossom. I stop to look at the water shimmering in the sunlight of a creek running along the road. And I feel the desire to stop to photograph every solitary tree standing alone in a field. Riding with others I feel the pressure to keep moving whether that is actually true or not. Regardless solitary riding is a time when I do what I want.
Paul Ruby and I rode yesterday and I had a great time. But I watched many photo subjects move by. We planned to ride to a farm equipment auction about 50 miles away. The temperature was 38° F when I left the house and remained in the mid forties until crossing two ridges into Big Valley. The temperature rose steadily until we got to the auction site.
Auctioning in general and farm auctions in particular are one of those timeless activities in the rural areas of Pennsylvania. This one was no different. I saw the gentleman on the right had an ABATE insignia on his shirt and could not help but wonder how confident he was. Not much at all between his head and the road.
Leaving the sale and heading north along US 522 brought us past this growth of forsythia.
It was odd for so much of it to be growing along the road with no houses in sight. It surely is a sign that the cold weather is now behind us.
After a relaxed lunch at the Scarlet D in Mifflinburg, a piece of Fudgy Wudgy cake included, we headed home. The farmers have been busy preparing fields for planting and at times the landscape looks like a desert. When I look at this picture I can almost imagine riding in the southwest.
The rest of the way home was sunny with the temperature a comfortable 74. I pulled in the driveway with another 120 miles on the odometer but no new pictures save for the snapshots I post here. Those will have to wait for a day of solitary riding.
Paul says
Sheesh time for a haircut. I’m going to buy that new aluminum motorcyle jack at Sears Steve. I can’t bend over for an hour cleaning my wheels anymore. Plus I want to take the chain off. I’ll jack it up in the grass in case it falls over. The chain is all rusty and there’s grease everywhere. I’m getting spoiled with my scooter it doesn’t have a chain. Did I tell you my colesterol is 223? I have to stop eating the french fries at those places we stop. – Paul
Combatscoot says
Still a nice ride. Pennsylvania is absolutely beautiful. Will have to visit some day…
John
Michael says
Hi Steve,
Just a quick question: what would be your “average” riding distance when you go out for a ride that is effectively more than a short trip to the local shops?
I noticed you rode 120+ miles on this trip and I just wondered whether this was the sort of distance you usually travel?
M
Sid says
Hello Steve,
I like your blog, and I’ve put a link to it on my Motorcycling blog.
If you’d like to put a reciprocal link on your blog as well, I’d appreciate it.
Blog url: http://sidsbikes.wordpress.com/
My email address: motorcycles@data-pile.com
Thanks!
Sid
American Scooterist Blog says
Your Pictures always inspire, Steve. But the stories of your rides are what intrigue me the most. Pennsylvania looks like a beautiful state to ride a two wheeler.
Roadbum
American Scooterist Blog says
Great pics and a beautiful place to ride. You have it good 🙂 I wish I had the time to put those kinds of miles on, on a regular basis.
Roadbum
Beemerchef says
You Breakfast at http://www.theoasisofmysoul.com is up Senor!…
You asked… you shall receive!
Enjoy… and be well…
Ara & Spirit
Steve Williams says
paul: Glad to hear about the new motorcycle jack. I’ll ride over and take a look. Maybe it will be something I will need to get.
From now on I won’t let you have any hearty breakfasts or lunches.
John: It was a great ride. Don’t get me wrong, while I like riding alone that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun riding with Paul. It’s like cookies. I reach for chocolate chips first but I will still thoroughly enjoy Oreos, chocolate covered grahams and many others….
michael: Throughout the year I try to ride beyond commuting or errands every weekend. Depending on the time I have available these rides run between 40 miles and 160 miles in length. I regularly ride over 100 miles. The Vespa GTS doesn’t blink. My butt blinks first.
sid: Thanks Sid. I’ll take a look at your blog!
Roadbum: Thanks for your kind words. I do feel fortunate to have fine riding almost at my front door. I don’t have to go more than a mile to be in the sticks so to speak. And I am grateful to have the time to ride often. Riding has just fit into other things I have been doing for a long time.
Ara: I looked at the breakfast you created. Fantastic! I will try my hand at the latest recipe this weekend.
Dan Leri says
Hey Steve,
With the growing collection of solitary Vespa shots thoughout your blog with great Central PA landscapes in the background, I see a calendar in the future! The Vespa marketing department should be calling soon!
CodyandMichelle says
Interesting point about solo riding. I’m almost in agreement with you except for one thing, my wife. I would rather ride with Michelle than ride solo. But that’s the exception.We enjoy each others company and have no problem stopping when the other one wants to do something, plus she is an excellent rider. True I do look after her, but it’s easy because I let her lead. There are many times when I’m solo that I thinks, ” man, I wish Michelle were here to see/share this”
But that’s the exception, it is a bit of a pain to ride with a group and I rarely do because of the reasons you stated. But now and again I love the feeling of cammaderie you get when it all comes together on a group ride.
This Summers vacation I have two group rides planned, one in Michigan and the other in N.C.. I can’t wait. Michelle and I will have plenty of time to “just us rides”, but I look forward to meeting all these MV folks that we are meeting with!
Peace!
Cody