Comments on: Just Another Ride to Work

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:26:00 +0000

Bob: I've been lucky with Santa over the years. I hope he treated you well too.

Sounds as if your New England winter riding is a real challenge. I have started thinking a 50cc scooter, something like the Honda Ruckus, might be a workable solution in really bad weather. Perhaps more manageable. And then another alternative suggested by my aging bones is to just curl up and home and wait for spring....

Be careful out there!

By: Bob Olcott

Bob Olcott — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:48:00 +0000

Hi Steve,
Hope Santa treated you well. I’ve ridden year-round here in northern New England (NH/VT) the past three years. Old Yankee slogan: “If ya don’t like the weather in New England, wait 15 minutes, it’ll change!”
Just got a Genuine Buddy 50, and it’s challenged me a bit this winter-needs more warm up time than my old QuinJaing Primo Seville, but I’ve kept it perpendicular to the road surface-at least on paved roads. The dirt road in winter poses more challenge. Due to the economy, local city Public Works policy is now only to plow during regular work hours-as opposed to during storms-to minimize overtime. Have to use a bit more caution, but most paved road turns are banked in this part of the country. Happy New Year.

By: Joeri

Joeri — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:31:00 +0000

Hi Steve,

I just wanted to tell you that I totally, absolutely, completely 100% adore your stories. They make me want to hop on my Vespa NOW and start my own ride home from work. "I ride for heightended awareness" is a beautiful thought which I stole from you and which goes through my head often when I'm on the Vespa.

Oh, and the pictures you post... make me first question "Why am I in the Netherlands and not in widescreen America" and next realise that here also, there's a lot of beautiful scenery, if only I take the time to enjoy it.

So in short: thanks.

By: Sarch

Sarch — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:38:00 +0000

Wonderful pics and commentar Steve. I just soak in your blog…

By: SheRidesABeemer

SheRidesABeemer — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 04:45:00 +0000

Nice snow pics Steve. Have you been reading about the guy doing the trans-Canadian hwy? I was thinking there is another record out there just waiting for you. XC winter scootering!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:55:00 +0000

jannx: A scooter is an almost perfect shooting platform for someone traveling light. It would be a pain if I was still using an 8x10 view camera but for the Leica or Mamiya 7 I can get where I need to go fast.

I think I am going to get a hard topcase for the back of the scooter though so I can store things a bit more securely, especially in bad weather.

By: jannx

jannx — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:38:00 +0000

Steve, it’s Jan Normandale from RFF, Ijust came to your Blog thru your RFF link. I’m an urban guy and live in Toronto. About 4 years ago I decided that driving my P/U around the downtown where I live was not practical for photography. I purchased a Tomos Arrow moped. It was great but topped out at 45 – 50 kph. This fall I purchased a used Yamaha BW50 a retro ‘jetsons’ looking scooter which can hit 60kph.. I only use this in the city.

http://cmgonline.com/articles/CMG02/bikes/Yamaha/BWS50/index.html

I’m glad you showed up here, I’ll track your blog. Looks like fun. Cheers Jannx

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:43:00 +0000

bill: You're right, it is always nice to be home, warm, and relaxed especially after riding in the cold.

lucky: Now that's one thing I haven't seen on the road around here. Corn, soybeans, manure, but no cotton.

pvino: I've got it in my head that one day the scooter will not start. Perhaps in the cold but if it is anything like my cars it is on a nice warm day. When it happens I have to rely on the kindness of strangers...

By: Pvino

Pvino — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:31:00 +0000

Whoooa Steve,

What an surprising ride to work and then how quickly the weather drops from Spring like condition morning to a Winter snow fall afternoon. As a life-long SoCal scooterist...I must go connect with those back East and appreciate the abrupt climatic changes that all other scooterist must endure. You and your Vespa are total champs in my book in the Vespa/Photographer Chronicles. Of course no great Vespa adventure without an adventurous rider. :) ....If I had a scooter without a back up kick starter - I would carry a portable back up power supply for those long cold scooter excursions just in case my battery fails on a cold day out in the woods.

Thanks for the "Ride".

By: Lucky

Lucky — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:59:00 +0000

The other day, I thought I was going to have to ride through snow…

…It turned out that a truck had just lost most of a load of cotton on the road.