Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

A Riding Life

Don’t Let the Old Man In

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A 2006 Vespa GTS 250 scooter on a rural road on an overcast day.
Still going strong.

Cool Air and a Heavy Sky

Being old isn’t just a physical state. It is a state of mind. And if I want to remain “young”, especially in the face of physical decline, I need to push away the feelings that life is finished when I wake with more aches and pains than usual.

Sounds simple enough but thoughts of mortality coupled with those early morning surprises make keeping the old man out a real challenge. Getting on a scooter or motorcycle and going for a ride is a way of thumbing my nose at old age.

I don’t remember why I decided to ride the Vespa GTS scooter that morning. Looking at the photograph of it under the heavy overcast sky I do remember the thrill at being out on the road. The reason doesn’t really matter.

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Making Sense of Life with a Vespa ET4 Scooter

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A Vespa ET4 parked along a rural road on a beautiful morning.
The scooter’s simplicity makes it easy to focus on life.

Learning on the Road

No matter how diligently I work at managing my life it persists in being messy and chaotic. I used to believe that there was a simple solution, a process by which I could forever be free of the noise and just relax and be happy. Definitely one of those beliefs emerging from the childish part of myself that wants everything to be easy. Life is delivered moment by moment. And the choices I make right now, in this moment, are the ones that affect my life.

Riding scooters and motorcycles provides the unencumbered space that makes it possible to understand what living in the moment is. And sometimes lets me carry it off the road and into the rest of my life.

It was a beautiful morning when I pushed my Vespa ET4 out of the garage to embrace the day and go for a ride.

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Upgrading to an Aerostich Darien Riding Jacket

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Man wearing an Aerostich Darien jacket standing with a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.
The Darien jacket is a fine companion for the Himalayan.

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 and felt the how hard the pavement felt I knew that proper riding gear was important. From that point I diligently purchased riding pants, jackets, gloves, and boots to protect myself from possible future encounters with the road. I didn’t buy cheap stuff but I also didn’t open my wallet for Aerostich.

So what changed during the next 21 years?

I was going to take the Himalayan on a ride to a new breakfast place my wife discovered for me and try out the Aerostich jacket and review a little of my thinking about protection.

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The Utilitarian Vespa GTS Scooter

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A 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie scooter parked in a garage with other scooters and motorcycles.
One of many.

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 and gravel, on every kind of road, and in every kind of weather. It’s faithfully transported me wherever I decide to go. Even just riding down the hill to the farmers market.

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A Jaunt in the Rain

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A 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan parked on a wet driveway.
Almost escaped before the rain fell hard.

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 too old to intentionally head out in the rain, especially when I just want to get something to eat. So the bike went into the garage and the trip to the restaurant was made in my friend’s bright red Jeep Wrangler.

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Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

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