Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650
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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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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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 health…
That surgery reminded not only of vows, but triggered gratitude for health insurance and acceptance of the reality that I wouldn’t be riding for a while. For the last two weeks of July and through the end of August my scooters and motorcycles were idle as I focused on support and care.
And as healing progresses I’ve been able to begin to ride a little. Short trips, errands mostly, and the experience recharges my physical, mental, and emotional batteries.
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“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 reason enough and the text message provided the nudge to get up off my ass.
We took the back way to Centre Hall, slow roads with little traffic. When we stopped to say goodbye I can’t help to shudder a bit thinking what it would feel like for me to ride with no gloves and short pants. Paul is unconcerned.
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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 there were problems.
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