Kim last night after we returned from our first long ride together on the Vespa. I never understood the attraction of riding two up until we were on the road, moving through the late evening light, feeling her body against me, my hand reaching down to touch her leg, her voice drifting forward from the ether, her hands on my waist.
I hate riding with a passenger. Another preconceived notion destroyed.
She wore my bumblebee jacket, her new Nolan helmet and fancy Held gloves. A heavy storm passed earlier sweeping away the heat and leaving us a dimming landscape dressed in low hanging fog, muted color, and a sense of riding through Brigadoon.
In the dark, under the glow of the garage door light, I could see the smile on her face, the wind blown transformation that makes riding magic. Later she suggested we ride tomorrow.
For a long time I hoped Kim would crave a scooter of her own. Now, after riding together, I’m not so sure…
D. Brent Miller says
Togetherness almost always destroys preconceived notions. Congratulations.
Bryce says
Just do it Steve!
Assume you’re on holiday?
Rogier says
Awsome!
SonjaM says
Who knows, a lot of (female) motorcyclists started their career as backwarmers. Maybe another rider in the make?
bobskoot says
Steve:
I wished I had the guts to carry a passenger and feel the closeness that you experience.
your words are pure poetry
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
George F says
Steve, it was a pleasure meeting you in Bloomsburg, it’s a pity it was so hot and we didn’t have a chance to share a cold one.
I’m glad you are enjoying having a passenger, it’s nice when your loved one enjoys it too. Hope to see you again.
Steve Williams says
Brent: In this case it did!
Bryce: No holiday. Just work, work and more work. Lots of things heating up here at Penn State.
Steve Williams says
Rogier: Thanks! It was great fun riding with Kim. Hope to ride a lot more with her.
SonjaM: There’s always that possibility. Would have to clean the garage a bit to fit another Vespa in.
bobskoot: I never wanted to ride with another person. The extra weight just seemed too unwieldy to me. But like most things I’ve resisted once I engage I see they are manageable.
Maybe you need to take someone for a ride!
Steve Williams says
GeorgeF: Great talking with you as well. It was pretty darn hot but I guess not hot enough to stop me from downing a pork barbeque sandwich.
Ride safe on all those busy roads in your neck of the world!
Dar says
I have sat on the back of my hubs bike for 28 years. I love being on the back and letting him make all the driving decisions. I love the snuggle factor too when on the bike. This year I bought a scooter and am now on the road to wanting something bigger and that requires a motorcycle endorsement, whether it is a larger scooter or small motorcycle, I am not sure this point. After riding for 6 months I now know the rush of being the driver and it has left me craving for more cc’s. But all that being said I kind of miss just riding on the back. Enjoy your togetherness.
Thomas Keene says
Steve, I have sent this post to my dear wife Kathy. She rode a Honda in high school, but is very reluctant to join me on the GTS.
She’s in the next room with her iPad – I hope to hear from her soon.
Tom
krkeene says
That would be me….
Jack Riepe says
Dear Sir:
Little by little, the sand castle walls that surround us are swept away by surges of reality that we would deny through reason… And in a moment, the one-up position of a saddle suddenly seems desolate. where before it was merely an invitation.
It was a pleasure meeting you, George F., Richard Machida, and Rick Slatk at the BMW MOA Rally. I’m sorry it was so damned hot.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
David Masse says
Very nice Steve. Wishing both of you all the very best. Kim couldn’t ask for a better set of hands on the bars.
Mark Myers says
My wife and I used to ride together on a regular basis – back before kids. Now the kids fight to see who gets to go with me. Soon they’ll be too old and too cool to be seen on a scooter with dad, then maybe I’ll get my wife back on the scooter again.
Bob Olcott says
Congratulations Steve! I had twice carried two passengers on my Genuine Buddy 50, for a ride out U.S. 4-from White River Junction to Queeche, Vermont, and back: A friend and her [comparatively small] dog…. My current Buddy 50 is over at Seacoast Harley (on US 1) getting fixed-it has not carried passengers, yet!
hrw115 says
You two are like a couple of teenagers out dating again. 😉