Three things happens to me when I’m riding a scooter or motorcycle — I pay closer attention to the world, taste a bit of riding freedom, and a get just a little bit smarter. At least that’s what I tell myself.
Riding alone, I almost always end up at a place where I can enjoy a simple pleasure, often something chocolate and a cup of tea, and time alone to watch the world go by, perhaps write a few things in my journal, and let my mind unwind and run free. How often does a person get to feel that way, the kind of freedom you have as a kid where time doesn’t have meaning and your life seems like it’s your own. Riding provides a glimpse of what life could be like and makes it clear how hard it is to come by.
There is a lot to see on the road beyond the obvious hazards and risks from vehicles, animals and pavement challenges. A rider always has to manage those and guard against complacency and a wandering mind lest disaster creep near. That’s one form of paying attention and it is a valuable skill. But there’s another level of attention that I experience as a dim filter being peeled away from my eyes revealing a world previously hidden. Everywhere there’s something to see — every scene and space is mysterious and holds secrets to uncover.
Riding along on the Vespa I find myself exploring spaces and paths because I know I’ll find something — dumped construction waste in which the raw materials for the latest garden installation might spring, or a plant, rock or other treasure is revealed as I step away from the scooter to look in the weeds. My eyes sharpen and intuition whispering “look there, look here…” guide part of the journey.
The number of stops I make to explore or make pictures is excessive and obsessive. It drives my decision to seldom ride with anyone lest they grow annoyed, frustrated and worse. I’ve found other photographers are the best to ride with; they’re generally curious and have something to do when I stop.
The exploring does leave me just a bit smarter. While wandering at one stop along a trout stream I saw this poster warning of the dangers of New Zealand Mudsnails — an invasive aquatic species that is troubling the area. Until I saw this poster I had never heard any of this and I live close to such a stream. Riding away I know the importance of stopping aquatic hitchhikers.
This ride took place on July 5th. Looking at the picture I’m certain each and every one of you sees the obvious lesson derived from a stroll around the area.
You see it, on the left, the corn. Look at the corn and something is revealed. Well, maybe not, maybe I have special insight having spent the last 35 years working for the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. An early indoctrination by someone, probably a farmer I ran into on an assignment, instill some words in my head that are still with me involving how you assess the growth of corn. The rule of thumb was that the corn should be “knee high by the Fourth of July”. Well, unless it grew overnight that corn was near my shoulders. So I learned something. Either that rule of thumb is wrong, or something is going really well with this corn variety.
And so the ride went, eyes wide drinking in the world, free as a bird and tasting freedom, and maybe just a little smarter in a Jeopardy sort of way…
Dar says
Awesome blog post! I find myself doing the exact same thing. I get antsy when riding in a group and see something beautiful to me or interesting and I don’t stop because I am with a group. Sometimes I glimpse scenes that I can only describe as magic and I sigh & wish I could go back.
Steve Williams says
I hate realizing I passed something that I really would like to have a look at or make a picture. On the scooter I’m likely to turn around. In the car almost never.
Thanks for the kind words about the post too!
Brent says
I agree 100% I can’t ride with groups because I want to be free and group riding is not freeing. Nice writing .
Brent
Steve Williams says
I see big groups of riders in the summer and I don’t understand the attraction. Seems like being in a parade. Guess I don’t appreciate parades. But it seems so much attention has to be focused on all the other riders that you don’t see anything.
Dar says
Steve is this the switch to wordpress? I have been thinking of moving over myself.
Steve Williams says
Yes, the site is now a self-hosted installation of WordPress. So everything now belongs to me and keeping it all going is my responsibility. Stay tuned to see if it was a good move.
bobskoot says
Steve:
I used to ride in groups but now there is no group to ride with. So I am a loner by circumstance. All of my riding buddies are far away. I make U-turns all the time when I spot something worthy of a frame. In scenic areas I now slow down in an attempt to save my brakes, but often I overshoot.
I have problems commenting on wordpress blogs, so this is a test
bob
Steve Williams says
Bob,
Slowing down to save brakes — haven’t heard it expressed quite like that before but I know what you mean. When I am in a scenic area I like traveling slow enough that I have enough time to recognize something, decide to stop, and actually stop without it being an emergency stop.
As far as your trouble posting — I think you aren’t realizing that everything is now moderated. I saw all your attempts. Approving this one — your first!
dom says
now see, you see spots to take pictures at that I would just bypass…..or not even notice while seeking some snow-capped mountain peak or six to use as a background. I must work on that talent of yours…..to see as you see.
Steve Williams says
The time we rode together I realized how different making photographs was in that grand Colorado landscape. I would struggle for awhile until my brain got past those mountain peaks!
Besides, you don’t want to see like me, you want to see like you!
bob skoot says
steve
I have been trying all day to post a comment. I have problems with some wordpress blogs. This is my 7th attempt with a different browser
testing
bob
Steve Williams says
Just so you know, all the comments you tried to post appeared in my queue to approve. Well, actually, because there were so many from you WordPress tagged them as spam. I “unspammed” them all and told WordPress you have a stellar reputation.
RichardM says
I didn’t realize that this was self-hosted. You must have a lot of free time to keep up with all of the updates in a timely fashion. Especially the security updates.
More beautiful photographs. I like the low angle shots but never satisfied with my attempts.
Steve Williams says
Not much in the way of free time but I’ve convinced myself that it won’t be too hard. I’m really in over my head now technically but it’s a new adventure. So far WordPress identifies all the plugin updates and security updates and automatically installs them. But I suspect something will break and I will have to do more.
The older I get the more difficult those low angle shots become. I’m developing work-arounds though!
Deb says
Great post about just why I ride myself. I call it “the little way”, echoing some of the contemplative writers who talk about immersing in the moment and therefore tasting the essence of what is “real”.
I see so many “things” that are lost to cagers and fast-riding 2 wheelers because I take the time to savor the moments.
Like you, I stop a lot and just listen to the quiet or explore an area through sight, sound, and smell.
My scooter has brought me to this way of “being” and like you, I find true freedom every time I saddle up!
Thank you for your wisdom and your always lovely photographs.
“High as an elephant’s eye by the 4th of July” is what I heard from grandma.
Around here, the corn is looking just like that!
Steve Williams says
“The Little Way”– that’s a great way to think about it. The slow, savoring ride is great but I should confess that there are days that I just can’t do it, the brain resists. And there are times when a fast fly down the road is a good way to inject a bit of energy. But most days for me, it’s “the little way”.
Thanks for commenting and ride safely!
Richard Koch says
Knee high by the 4th of July still rings in my head. BTW if you remember the pharmacist that talked to you a few months ago……I got a Vino 125. Am loving it and your blog.
Steve Williams says
Richard,
Congratulations on your new Vino 125. They’re a pretty nice scooter. Fellow I work with has had one for four or five years now and rides it to work year round save for snowy days or days it’s too cold to start — he doesn’t have a garage.
Keep in touch and let me know how things are progressing!