One evening ride, one quiet trip, no different than the ones before. The road moves by, my eyes absorb the the passing landscape as light slowly fades and leads to moonlight glimmer. At least that’s how I think about it now as I write, a reminder of riding and the quiet transformation that occurs on the road.
Standing before Mount Nittany, a hill in the valley where I live, after so many years the experience has grown sublime. In all weathers and times I find myself here.
All is not necessarily quiet in the physical world. Behind me the din of traffic gnaws and chews at the mental hush that the Vespa can bestow.
Bright orange earplugs can’t diminish the thunder of a passing truck and it’s easily to lose myself to the noise. Still, with a bit of practice, the thoughts inside my helmeted head can remain quiet and relaxed, the wandering pace of the ride bringing order to the mental chaos of the day.
A gift of riding.
A hundred times I’ve stood beside a road as the day fades, no house or car on person in sight, and here I confront the moment and a life unfolding. Beyond enjoyment, past relaxation, these evening rides move towards a kind of active meditation. For a moment I think about a loud motorcycle I’ve ridden and the impossibility of entering this place.
There is no plan or route or destination. Just the movement of the Vespa over the road, the track it follows over well paved road with little to interrupt a slow change in outlook and attitude during the evening patrol.
As day surrenders to night I know why I ride — beyond fun and enjoyment, adventure or challenge, the deflation of noise and jagged energy made possible by this scooter brings me back, over and over again, to the road and ride. A few miles, a handful of minutes, it doesn’t take long to find my way.
At least on some days it’s why i’m on the evening patrol…
Good posting Steve re one of the benefits of riding alone, whether on a Vespa or a Beemer, it works. I’ve not had one of these rides lately, too many thoughts about work, mechanical issues, family stuff. A shrink would probably classify our riding as an attempt to “ride away” from worries and just live for the moment…
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Dear Scooter In The Steve (Steve Williams):
The post struck a chord in my soul, and harkened back to the early days, when I used to read this blog and think you were the Vespa-riding reincarnation of Saint Francis.
It made me want to mount the K75 and ride out to Amish-infested Lancaster, where I could find a side road, and watch the sun set over fields now devoid of corn. I would do it tomorrow, except it is going to rain right through the weekend… A forecast confirmed by my knees and hips.
I hope to do this on a late week-day afternoon, when I can sit between a field and the tracks of the Strasburg Railroad, and catch the soothing effects of the steam train too.
Fondest regards,
Jack
Steve:
I wished I could find a road devoid of houses & cars, and find some trees to pose beside, but unlikely in our urban sprawl. My bike is quiet as the wind when cruising and I like the sound of the engine’s heart, otherwise I would be on night patrol with you
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
I love those quiet moments in the evening, when you let your mind just be contemplative and soul recharging. I have experienced a few of those rides myself. Your pictures are wonderful and I think gives a visual for why most people ride.
Dearest Mr. William:
Your story of this day is to me like the cool drink in the hot place. Emotionally I read the words and look to my own motorcyclops to feel the same. But it is not the same as my motorcycloper was stepped on by the camion when I felled from it. and now it is many bits with some very bad.
Your picturs do not show camion of many and I would like to ride where you ride where there are trees and little meal shops. Do the many animals from the house s run out where there is the road.
Alfonse Dahdou
Imagine doing that next to your tent and your Vespa a thousand miles from home. Time’s wasting.
I just returned from a similar ride – 43 miles through mostly rural parts of southern Maine.
You have captured, in words and pics, the sheer delight of scooting.
Tom Keene
Charlie6: I like to think of riding as closer to meditation and therapy than to escape. But I suppose it all depends on the rider.
I think all your concerns will dissolve into nothingness when you purchase that new URAL rig!
Mr. Riepe: Thank you for the kind words. I’ll have to let Kim know about the comparison to St. Francis. Maybe that’s why I get such satisfaction when I’m filling the bird feeders.
Hope the weather and circumstance conspire in a positive way and have you on the road and near the railroad of your choice…
bobskoot: Sitting here writing I had the sudden thought that I should be out riding. Peering out the window into the darkness I can just about imagine the ride. Maybe that’s enough.
Here’s hoping you find a few quiet places to ride in the urban sprawl.
Dar: I would like to think that I can get in touch with those quiet moments at will. It’s easier on the Vespa. I need to work harder to get their the rest of the time.
Mr. Dahou: I feel fortunate to be able to ride in an area where I can find the roads relatively free of traffic and less concern about being run over by a camion (truck). I’ve found myself here by luck more than planning.
While there are animals on the roads it certainly is nothing like some parts of the world. I mostly watch for deer — animals that weigh anywhere from 100 to 300 pounds generally and can inflict much damage to a Vespa rider should we collide.
Where are you posting from?
conchscooter: 1000 miles…. That would get me a long way towards Key West. I fear though that an alligator may snatch me from my tent.
Thomas Keene: Thanks for your comments. Glad to know you are still putting your Vespa through its paces. I thought Kim and I might make it to Maine this fall but our plans have turned another direction. So I’ll have to experience the area through your posts. Keep riding and writing!
Hello! I stumbled upon your blog and reviews of the Vespa 150 LX a few days ago because I have been searching for information on Vespas like yours. I am interested in buying one for myself, and I wonder if you would extend yourself as a resource in that regard to me. You seem to have a lot of fun with yours and explore some really cool country! Please let me know if you are interested in letting me pick your brain on some more technical aspects of the Vespa. Until then, I will enjoy more perusing of your blog! It is quite adventurous and the pictures are spectacular!
Thanks!
Melissa
Melissa P: Aside from what you find on my blog I think your best source of information about Vespa scooters, and direct feedback from owners, is on the Modern Vespa forum (modernvespa.com).
That’s where I go with questions. Modern Vespa has a huge and active membership that can answer almost any question you might have.
Good luck with your Vespa adventures.
I think we all feel the same way about our riding Steve. It’s the best escape that I know of. No matter how many miles we travel it has the same outcome.
Ronman
Melissa P. (or anyone else), if you’d prefer an individual consultation please feel free to follow the link below and send a message via the ‘Contact’ page. Eight years and 75000 miles racked up on three different Vespa scooters (two modern, one new-old) has shown me a thing or two about riding, ownership and maintenance, and I would be happy to share those insights with you.
BTW, it’s a buyer’s market in the scooter biz these days… there are deals to be had!
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
It’s good to hear that some of evening patrolers use scooters sacramento. Keep on posting!