Scooter in the Sticks https://scooterinthesticks.com/ Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 02:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 71084491 Upgrading to an Aerostich Darien Riding Jacket https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/upgrading-to-an-aerostich-darien-riding-jacket/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/upgrading-to-an-aerostich-darien-riding-jacket/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12053 Biting the Bullet Here I am sporting a stiff, shiny new Aerostich Darien jacket. I’ve been aware of Aerostich since I began riding again in 2005 but at the time it seemed an extravagance I neither needed or afford. After the first time I dropped my Vespa LX 150 during a snowy ride to work […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/upgrading-to-an-aerostich-darien-riding-jacket/feed/ 12 12053 The Utilitarian Vespa GTS Scooter https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/the-utilitarian-vespa-gts-scooter/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/the-utilitarian-vespa-gts-scooter/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12038 My First Child I don’t claim favorites. Every scooter and motorcycle in my garage has a unique character and capacity to create a great ride. My 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie scooter occupies a special place in my heart. It’s been with me through thick and thin. We have ridden together through ice and snow, dirt […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/the-utilitarian-vespa-gts-scooter/feed/ 8 12038 A Jaunt in the Rain https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/a-jaunt-in-the-rain/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/a-jaunt-in-the-rain/#comments Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12032 Breakfast Ride Rained Out The plan was to ride to breakfast. The weather report the night before indicated rain later in the morning. I had the Himalayan in the driveway and ready to go when it started to rain. Gently at first but then falling heavy enough that rain gear would be needed. I’m getting […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/a-jaunt-in-the-rain/feed/ 4 12032 In Sickness and in Health https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/in-sickness-and-in-health-2/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/in-sickness-and-in-health-2/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12025 A post-surgical view My wife and I have been married for over thirty years. The youth and energy that drove our lives when we began changes and fades over time. And a recent spine surgery that my wife underwent reminds me of the marriage vows I swore so many years ago. …in sickness and in […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/in-sickness-and-in-health-2/feed/ 14 12025 Riding in Circles https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/riding-in-circles/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/riding-in-circles/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12019 Text Messages “I’m honda trailing to grange if u want to tag along for the ride” Verbatim from Paul. Capitalization and punctuation aren’t required to understand the offer. While I have no desire to go to the Grange Fair it would be nice to get out of the house and go for a ride. That’s […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/riding-in-circles/feed/ 2 12019 Battery Wisdom: Knowing When it is Time for a New One https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/battery-wisdom-knowing-when-it-is-time-for-a-new-one/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/battery-wisdom-knowing-when-it-is-time-for-a-new-one/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12009 The Creeping Battery Concerns Press the starter, a moment of hesitation, and then the engine turns over and my Vespa GTS starts. That hesitation is a familiar signal that the battery is nearing the end of its service life. When I put the scooter on the Battery Tender and the light remained RED I knew […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/battery-wisdom-knowing-when-it-is-time-for-a-new-one/feed/ 14 12009 Friendship Follows Interests: Riding and Photography https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/friendship-follows-interests-riding-and-photography/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/friendship-follows-interests-riding-and-photography/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12000 Making Friends A young man I know complains how hard it is to meet people. To make friends. For me, friendships have all developed from common interests. Years ago it was hiking and backpacking. Then photography, and now riding. I’d like to tell that young man he is unlikely to find friends at bars, playing […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/friendship-follows-interests-riding-and-photography/feed/ 7 12000 The Trail 125: Keeping the Spark Alive as the Years Roll On https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/the-trail-125-keeping-the-spark-alive-as-the-years-roll-on/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/the-trail-125-keeping-the-spark-alive-as-the-years-roll-on/#comments Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11985 In the Mirror A few years ago, just before turning 70, I looked in the mirror and acknowledged I’m getting old. Not an admission of failure or surrender, but rather an acceptance of reality and the need to make some adjustments. Especially as it pertains to riding. While still able to ride bigger motorcycles I […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/the-trail-125-keeping-the-spark-alive-as-the-years-roll-on/feed/ 11 11985 Discovering New Places https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/discovering-new-places/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/discovering-new-places/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11978 Overlooked Places Just a mile or so to the right in this photograph is a road I’ve ridden or driven a hundred times or more. Somehow I never realized another world existed just over the hill. Sitting in my living room the previous evening with my good friend Google Maps I discovered some roads I […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/discovering-new-places/feed/ 10 11978 A 150cc Vespa Scooter: Grateful for the Little Things https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/a-150cc-vespa-scooter-grateful-for-the-little-things/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/a-150cc-vespa-scooter-grateful-for-the-little-things/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11973 Mistaken Thinking In my brief and seldom views into the social and marketing realms of the Moto-world I’m always shocked at how overwhelming the size, weight, power, and tech can be. It feels a lot like going into a hotel and turning on the TV and feeling it’s all commercials and pitches with very little […]

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