There’s nothing unusual about heading to the convenience store for some chocolate to go with my late night cup of tea. A short ride, nice night air, a satisfying experience. Seeing my reflection in the front doors though had me asking what sort of rider I was.
Not long ago I watched a guy ride up on a big Victory touring bike. The motorcycle sparkled and the black leather fringe hanging from the hand grips matched his dazzling leather riding suit. Boots, helmet, gloves, everything was selected with care. He could have stepped out of a catalog.
So here I am standing in front of the doors looking at my reflection. Unshaven, messed up hair. Short, black and yellow Triumph vented riding jacket, unwashed since I bought it in 2006. Hanging out from under is the shirt tail of the beat up red flannel shirt I was wearing all day while working in the garden. My eyes look down past my filthy jeans to a pair of mud crusted boots. Some riders dress like pirates, others don their Aerostich gear, while others assume the careful attire of a variety of riding styles. Me on the other hand, I’ve completely dropped the ball. A derelict has just ridden up on a Vespa.
Grabbed a couple Hershey bars while mincing through the store trying to minimize the amount of mud shedding from my boots. I’m not sure I’ve every seen a muddy, unkempt rider who wasn’t associated with a dirt bike. Perhaps I lead a sheltered life.
And don’t ask why as the clock neared midnight I was still in such a sorry state.
The next morning all was well with the world. The sun was out and so was I — this time clean and in my traditional riding clothes. A quick stop at the local quarry for a picture as I tried to figure out where to go and what to do. Being Mother’s Day I couldn’t wander far being a good husband and son-in-law.
So breakfast is always a good choice. Time to think. A scrap of paper on the table had the words AAUW Used Booksale scribbled on it. Perfect. A serendipitous revelation. You never can have too many books right?
Arrived early on the second morning of the sale and didn’t expect to find any treasures. Wrong as usual. Found three gems for Kim to add to her Mother’s Day loot. And a nice hardback edition of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness for my daughter. She likes travel books. What could be a better choice?
Way to bring the Vespa down to your level. 😉
Awesome self portrait. I love that last shot, too.
Dear Sir:
This was a great blog episode tonight, that touched on an issue that has affected all of us at one time or another: image and appearance.
A real rider never feels compelled to explain the way he or she looks. And had someone given you a look of askance in the convenience store, I think you would have been well justified in saying, “What the f••k are you looking at?”
Now if I had been buying two chocolate bars in the convenience store, my concerns would have been people thinking, “Look at that fat slob buying Hersey bars.”
I think you are to be congratulated for slowly but surely changong the image of the Vespa rider, from that of a singing nun to one of a slightly disturbed vagrant, out trick or treating.
Personally, I long for the day when I can wear a jet black CyclePort crash jacket (highlighted with high viz yellow stripes and the class-dfefining BMW patches) plus matching ballistic mesh pants that were not fashioned from two miles of gill netting.
And I want genuine biker boots that combine high-fashion, waterproof practicality with Harley-Davidson, storm trooper sensitivity.
I also enjoyed the self-portrait, in which your soul astride a honking huge cruiser built expressly for Elvis impersonators, surfaced and made itself known.
Well done, brother rider. The US scooter age is about to dawn.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Whoa! Wry sense of humor alert. Heart of Darkness as travel guide. I hope your daughter freaks you out and reads it as such. “Hey Daddy, I’m off to the Congo to look for Kurtz!”
As for clothing- move to Key West, no one will notice you. You will be happy.Promise.
Heck, I wear closeout stuff from one of the online stores for pants and a helmet (had to do flip up) and a 3/4 length jacket that I got locally because it was cheap. 🙂 I wear the same stuff on the KLR that I wear on the Vespa, and don’t care about style, unlike some of the scoot riders I ride with, hell, one made a comment about the Elite that was riding with us last weekend, and I was “The more the merrier as far as I’m concerned.” But I’m pretty much live and let live.
Steve, dressing as a derelict is preferable to dressing as a pirate any day!
I always thought that scooteristas tended to be fashion conscious, thanks for correcting that.
I liked the last shot, gotta love the “golden hour” eh?
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
I love the fact that you refered to the “Heart of Darkness” as a “travel” book!
Steve:
Your self portrait was a masterpiece in execution. Imagine all the elements coming together for that perfect shot, which included the motorcycle. That’s what I thought when I first saw it, then I read that it happened by accident . You are just being too modest.
There’s nothing wrong with looking like a seasoned rider.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
I think you are defining a new fashion standard for new Vespa riders.
You always seem to draw me into the world of nerdy coolness. What a wonderful thinker you are. I totally enjoy reading your comments, understanding your humor and living life as a scooter-ist.
Today’s post is pretty darn intrinsic of how I like to percieve you. Really darn cool and wonderful.
You’ve touched on the problem (at least as I see it) with 2-wheeled motor vehicles in the U.S.: a motorcycle or scooter is not simply transportation, but a lifestyle accessory. A toy, if you will.
The original Vespa design brief called for a vehicle that could be ridden in everyday clothing. No costume needed. Good for you that you embrace this…
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
Stacy: Riding a Vespa is a humbling experience.
ToadMama: Thanks for your kind words. Luck and persistence pay off sometimes.
Dear Mr. Riepe: Thank you for your insightful comments. I’ve made a note of the proper response should someone inquire about my appearance.
The Vespa marketing image is a far cry from my experience. Not sure the two are compatible. Maybe that’s why Piaggio quit responding to my emails…
Perhaps it is time to change the name of my blog to Vagrant in the Sticks. Has a dark ring to it.
Conchscooter: Haven’t given my daughter the book yet. It’s still sitting here in the livingroom waiting for her to come and visit. We”ll see how adventurous a reader she is.
Key West. I’m not against it though Kim and I have been talking about moving to Altoona. Similar places.
SpannerX: I’m with you. As long as stuff is functional — covers me up, keeps me warm, keeps me dry, I don’t care a lot about how it looks. I do have a leaning towards yellow and black jackets though.
Aurelio: Heart of Darkness covers a lot of categories. In order to sell it to my daughter I will have to call it travel/adventure.
bobskoot: Seasoned rider. I like that.
The picture really was a fluke. Like the blind squirrel who finds an acorn every now and then.
But I love the magic of flukes…
RichardM: Hah. I doubt I will define anything for Vespa riders. Certainly not fashion!
chessie: Thanks for the kind words about the post. They are fun writing.
Orin: I think you’re right. I don’t often meet riders who use their scooter or motorcycle for routine transportation. Recreational riders have a lot of fun but have different goals and expectations for themselves and their riding.
Glad to hear you were given a chance to get things right.
Have you thought about mimicking the health regimen you have for your Vespa, it might be an improvement?
Ghost Writer
Ghost Writer: A good idea. The simple things I pursue on the scooter should transfer to diet, exercise, and such. Right.
Thanks for the idea.