As I get older I’m not willing to tolerate cold like I did only a few years ago. Dropping temperatures, rising winds and falling snow provided an opportunity for personal challenge and satisfaction. Hiking, backpacking and more recently riding. Now I wonder what life in a warmer climate would be like. Fire ants keep me in the north.
Last winter I rode more often. And farther. Partially it’s my reluctance to risk the new Vespa on icy roads. Partially it’s me. Mostly it’s the erratic weather that has kept moisture, ice, or the threat of either squarely in front of me. Because of these I have had to search for windows of opportunity.
The image at the top of the post was made this morning on the way to work. Twelve degrees Fahrenheit. Patches of ice scattered randomly along the way. I almost feel down in the driveway moving the scooter out of the garage. Clear skies and the promise of warming temperatures forced me to abandon the Ford Ranger. A $45 dollar trip to the gas station helped too. So I suited up and rode to work taking a few side trips to explore and had an enjoyable early morning scoot. I have to take those little rides when I can get them.
The following images were made during the past week on other little rides stolen during breaks in the weather. Each was just as enjoyable.
Last Saturday morning I rode north as skies cleared and the temperature moved towards a balmy 40° F. Even with 35 MPH gusts the ride was completely pleasant.
Not far down the road the valley opened up and the sky seemed larger than it should for a Pennsylvania landscape. The fields were thick with moisture and the heavier GTS sunk into the ground more than the LX150 ever did.
Riding on across the valley and on through Bellefonte eventually led me to a little road that winds along Spring Creek. This little building has always fascinated me and I figured I should make a few photos before someone tears it down.
This last picture was taken on Sunday, the last day I could ride until today. Dark skies and snow squalls marked the morning. I sat in Barnes and Noble talking to friends during one near whiteout. The wind blew hard and things were slippery. My plan to venture out along little farm lanes was stopped by crusty snow and ice formed from the previous day’s melting. Despite the weather I still managed to find a few enjoyable moments on two wheels.
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Sound like great rides. You’re right, during the winter we have to steal the moments for a ride when we can. Glad you got out some and love the photos you took.
You’ve got more courage than I do riding in that kind of weather. But, I live in California and I have a 12 month season. I did ride in 20 degree weather one winter day in Kansas, it wasn’t that bad.
I’d be more afraid of the ice than anything else.
cold days really stuck on the way to biking. Not so cold in my riding country but rainy day keep me crazy these days.
I envy the roads and scenery that you get to ride through.
I live in Saskatchewan, Canada. We have the largest concentration of thin-membrane pavement on the planet. Road maps look like graph paper. Temperatures here range from -40 to +30 Celsius, which paly havoc with roads.
Anyway, I enjoy the blog very much.
P.S.
Do you think you’ll go back to the LX in the spring?
I was wondering if you were still alive! That funny building looks railroad-oriented.
John
As the weather here in Central PA is warming up, I am beginning to hear a few of my colleagues at the university talk about riding their motorcycles, bikes, and what-have-you again. One colleague is interested in getting a little scooter for herself in order to save gas money and commute to work more effectively. She is currently looking at spending about $900 on a scooter – and something a little more light weight I would assume than the Vespa. What has been fascinating for me to hear is how people perceive scooters. This individual does not feel that they will be required to get a motorcycle parking pass – but rather, will be able to park their scooter on the sidewalk beside the bike racks. (Mind you, this is 150cc engine scooter – definitely not moped material.) It fascinates me to hear people discuss this – because even the size of the Vespa150LX is large enough in mine own eyes to warrant taking an entire parking space up in a lot. Perhaps people have gotten so used to their SUVs, vans, and trucks that they think anything smaller than that they might as well be able to carry around in their purse with their dog! I hope that this individual gets a motorcycle pass – and takes the riding responsibility serious.
You have me wondering about that building as well. I also thought that it was a railroad structure of some sort.
Good to see that you are getting some opportunities to steal moments on your scoot, and on film.
Have fun,
Bill
betty: Winter tries patience for riders. I’ll just take the rides I can get!
joe: You just get used to the cold I guess. Ice is an issue and was more of one this winter than last. I try to be prudent in assessing when I ride.
antonio: I don’t mind riding in rain on occasion but I would think non-stop wet weather would be just as trying as cold.
anonymous: I do feel fortunate to have roads that are not laid out on a grid. And lots of hills. The ride would be less inviting I think if everything was flat and straight. Not sure though, will have to find out during any trips west.
The LX150 is history since my mechancial destruction of it. I will be on the GTS until the next change—-hopefully a long ways off.
John and Bill: Still here. Busy at work and at home so I have not been making the blog rounds as usual. That building surely has some railroad history. You can see the remains of a track just to the right of the scooter. I’ll see if I can find out more next time I ride by that direction.
hrw115: Other than speeds achieved a scooter is just as dangerous as a motorcycle. Anyone thinking that somehow it’s small size means it is safe is mistaken if they are heading out on the road with other vehicles.
I can relate with my 30ish degree ride to work this am….and loving it!
Off topic Steve; could you post more feelings on your transition to the GTS from the 150? My ET4 is new to me but I’m already yearning…
Nice blog,
AL