Woke this morning with thoughts of riding north through Pine Creek Gorge. By the time I left the driveway I was on my way south with no particular destination in mind. The weather forecast promised sun and 50° Fahrenheit temperatures but all I saw was dark skies and my hands were cold before I went five miles. Those cold hands gave direction to the ride as I visualized a route that would take me past four motorcycle stores and the hopes of finding something warmer.
The Vespa ran smoothly all day. I have grown more comfortable with its ability to run flat out and perform regardless of conditions. Secondary roads with little traffic and travel speeds between 25 and 55 miles per hour are my first choice but I don’t hesitate to join more congested or faster environments if necessary.
The first couple hours I wandered through the township roads that crisscross the mountains and farmland common in central Pennsylvania. I stop often to look around and take pictures that I can’t imagine anyone wanting to ride with me unless they had a similar obsession with stopping. I joined the 65 MPH traffic on US Route 22 traveling west towards Hollidaysburg and Altoona. At the top of Short Mountain I stopped to take a picture for Kim of Louie’s Coral Lounge.
This place has been around since I first came to this area in 1972 and was once a fine dining establishment. Over the years it has declined into a hybrid roadhouse until I guess it could not make ends meet anymore. Riding down the mountain I stopped to take a photo of the leaves that are now past their flaming prime.
My first destination was Cernic’s Suzuki dealership in hopes of finding some good winter gloves or waterproof covers for mine. Before I got there I just had to stop at Donnelly’s Antiques in Duncansville to pose the Vespa in an environment more suited to its quiet sophistication.
No gloves at the Suzuki Dealer but on the way home I stopped at Steve Selzer’s new Honda Dealership. Nice place and they hand the Tourmaster Winter Elite gloves in stock though not in my size. One of the techs told me he has a pair and rides to work with them and found them warm at 70 MPH at 35 degrees. I’m sold. On payday I will order a pair from someone.
After a stop for gas I made the final run home by the fastest and most direct route. At least that was my plan until the sun came out and the world got brighter. I detoured a bit through some farmlands that I knew would have some of those lone trees I am so drawn too.
By the time I got home I had put another 120 miles on the Vespa and the odometer is turning close to the 7500 mile mark. A new front tire and variator weights are due for delivery tomorrow so I will begin my maintenance work of changing the drivebelt, weights, sparkplug, airfilter, and change the front tire. I will transform from rider to mechanic.
Here is another Tourmaster glove option. I have used these for years. The lowest temperatures were about 12 degrees (f).
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=108&cat=9
These are less expensive. The Winter Elite have a slightly shorter gauntlet and more armor. I’ve found the Polar-Tex to be a little more comfortable. Plus easier to get over the sleeves of my Aerostich jacket.
For whatever it’s worth!
Dan
Good luck with the transition to “Mechanic.”
Now that the weather has cooled off enough that I can bear to be in the garage longer than the minute it takes to start the bike and get my helmet on, I’m planning to do a whole mess of work on my other bike. It needs a lot of love.
It’s funny how fast a bike can go from “daily rider” to “project bike.”
Dan: I’ve looked at the Polar-Tex gloves too. The only reason I am leaning towards the Elite’s is the waterproof cover that pulls over the glove which stows in a small pocket.
I’m terrible at decisions…..
lucky: The scooter is up on blocks in the garage now. I’m hoping to have it all back together and running on Sunday ready for another 7000 miles of adventure.
I pray it does not become a project bike. I want to be a seldom seen mechanic.
steve
Steve, I really like being on vicarous vacation with you.
You might consider snowmobile mittens for your hand-warming needs. You can buy them cheaper, and they are always warmer, than the specialty gloves made for motorcyclists.
The only thing you lose is the ability to “cover” the front brake with a couple fingers at all times. But in my experience, you can cover the rear, and grab the front fast enough for anything that happens on the road, as long as you are riding sensibly.
And I know that you always ride sensibly.
Mechanical work on these scooters is an interesting change from motorcycles. You will want an air-impact wrench for getting those variator and clutch nuts off, unless you have bought the special tool…
Ride (and wrench) well,
=gc=
… one other thought:
You should really consider doing a coffee table book with some of your text and many of your photos from this blog.
Scooter enthusiasts would love it.
Write well,
=gc=
Hi Steve, I am real curious to see if your still on here. I was searching a restaurant that my dad use to know the owners and up came your photo and blog. The owner of Louie’s Coral Lounge was one of my pops great friends in the 60’s + 70’s. Drop me a line if you remember or are still on here. Thank you for your time. Michael / sealkot@aol.com I live in Lancaster County, Pa.