Comments on: Giving Thanks

By: Motorcycle Cover

Motorcycle Cover — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:44:01 +0000

This is nice blog with good images and good details. Please keep on posting the more stuff. I will like to hear more from you.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:29:45 +0000

All my scooting is in an urban setting. Before the scooter I took the interstate and pushed to get to work as fast as I could. My 50cc scooter has transformed my eight-plus mile urban commute. The drive to and from work used to be just time between work and getting on with the rest of my life. Now it is a time filled with neighborhoods, with parents waiting with their children for the school bus, with bicycles cutting in front of me, with drivers in SUV’s with tinted windows thinking somehow I can see them waving me through four way stops before they roll their window down revealing themselves and their cellphones plastered to their ears, etc.

I bought the scooter to save on gas and it has done that, but I have received so much more than I bargained for.

I now find if I can’t scoot to work for some reason it impacts my mood. I’m a much happier and mentally healthy person when I’m scooting. Who knew? I suspect some, many, most, or perhaps all of those who scoot regularly knew.

Since I have owned Lil’ Blue my psychiatrist has been weaning me off the last of the medicine related to my head injury. Coincidence? I am scheduled to see him in January. He suspects it will be our last appointment. I told him I was going to buy the bumper sticker that reads: I bought a scooter and fired my shrink (http://bumperstickers.cafepress.com/item/scooter-therapy-bumper-sticker/220633274#). He thought that hilarious.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:47:15 +0000

“Riding is a gift” I think that even a bigger gift is to live in an area where you have roads with not too much traffic, crazy drivers and you can really enjoy your riding. Each one needs his way to relax and your combination vespa dog photography seems to be the winning one ! I like your blog
robert blu (italy)
PS living in the country from which the Vespa comes I’m a little (just a little) envious of your roads…

By: ./clutch

./clutch — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:38:43 +0000

Another wonderful post from you Steve. That's why I follow your blog all the way thru. There are many things we have to say thanks.

But sometimes in the calmness we feel more. I like the way I ride my bike to the office too., It's like 25kms of hard traffic. I really envy how your place is well organized. So for now, the only reason I could have is to thank you. Thank you for opening my eyes to the wonders of scooter and photography.

Keep it up pal...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:15:37 +0000

bobskoot: I only get occasional glimpses of the urban traffic pressure — when I ride to Harrisburg, Altoona or Pittsburgh. A far bigger challenge to let go and find release on those roads.

The stress in the environment I live in comes from other places…

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:08:42 +0000

Bryce: Like you did in Ontario I see the relentless march of population here is central Pennsylvania. Places that were once open space are now thick with houses or businesses. There are still plenty of lonely roads for now.

I plan to bring another Christmas tree home on the back of the Vespa this year. One of the guys who works at the tree farm has already asked about it. I guess it's odd enough to break up their routine. Maybe there should be a Christmas Tree riding challenge. Have riders all over the country do it and then send in a picture of the tree on their bike or scooter? Maybe it's an idea...

I like the festive color suggestion for Junior. I might just give that a go.

Hope you had a fine holiday and are ready for the onslaught of winter!!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:35:29 +0000

Orin: It was a fine day and a chance to get together with family. Hope your holiday went well too.

cpa3485: That passage from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance struck a chord when I first read it even though I wasn't riding at the time. It continues to resonate today.

It does make commuting on two wheels pretty nice doesn't it?

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:31:43 +0000

irondad: Fresh eyes is a challenge -- to ability and ego I think. You make good comments about how those eyes work in riding and photography.

Even being willing to take time to just me is a hurdle. I struggle to do the things you outline even though I know how much better I will feel if I do.

Hope you had a fine holiday.

By: bobskoot

bobskoot — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:30 +0000

Steve:

As others have stated, your ride on country roads with lack of traffic is very calming. I also like the forested areas you pass through, very tranquille, seemingly less hurried, unlike the rat race on crowded urban roads and traffic jams at every signal light.
You are very lucky to be able to live in a less stressful environment.

bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin

By: Bryce

Bryce — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:06:32 +0000

Always found the motorcycle and riding solo, by myself was for me a psychiatric calming effect. However in the last few years the in rush of civlization in all too many places means those rides which were once peaceful are now hectic. When I moved here to Burlington Ontario with my parents in 1948, the village had just become a town with 2100 population. The new population signs on the multiple lane highways into, through and around the city are now sitting at 170,000 inhabitants and growing. The Greater Toronto Area of which I am at the western end is now pushing between 8 and 10 million people and growing. One has to ride many miles to find peace and quiet. That is also one reason I gave up riding, too many idiots going way too fast and for what?

I know of the roads in your area of Pennsylvania, many peaceful byways and county roads, unhurried and not much to push people.

Following old Pennsylvania railroad rights of way, many still with rails and the infrequent train showed me routes I would've never seen before, Now those railroads are long gone, the track removed and bicycle or walking trails occupy those spaces. And the gentle rolling hills, as so illustrated in your solitary photographs, equidistant between home on one side, work on the other, and then of course the desire to once again bring home a Christmas tree on the Vespa, maybe we can persuade Dan to do so likewise on the west coast???

The spotlight is on my front door, the wreath will go up next week as well as some cheery coloured illumination. Now alone for the first time in 63 years at Christmas; this next few months could be interesting for me. Get Junior a red reflective collar for your walks, and you hold on to him with a green reflective leash, if he doesn't knock you over first!

No snow here yet, last year at this time there was two feet of the stuff on the ground. The snowblower is ready, but am I ready for winter? Maybe not...

Ride safe, best wishes to you and wife for Thanksgiving, ditto Junior who looks like a big black watchdog, that likes biscuits...

Cheers...