Most serious riders know what Aerostich means — riding apparel for adventures beyond the fray of mere mortals. Trips to the north and south poles, rides through minefields and other militarized landscapes. Snow, ice, blizzards, rain storms, sand storms, locusts, fire and brimstone.
All that stuff.
And the machines associated with such gear are monstrous mechanical conveyances labeled with BMW, KTM, Yamaha, Honda and Harley to name a few. Raw power trembling between two wheels.
Imagine my surprise at seeing a 2010 Vespa GTS 300 Super on the cover of the latest Aerostich catalog to arrive in the mail. My eyes went to the RoadCrafter suit and I almost missed the Vespa hidden beneath the type on the cover. But there it was — a Vespa on the cover of the Aerostich catalog.
I guess Vespa has reached the lofty heights of adventure — no longer condemned to the marketing goals of Piaggio of the stylish urban transport system.
The rider is Kristen Rosza and was photographed by Oz Lang, a San Francisco based photographer, during the recent Scooter Cannonball Run — a ride across the United States held every two years.
Maybe I need to finally order that Darien jacket I’m been thinking about…
Does that mean that you signed up for the next Scooter Cannonball Run!
Cannonball!…Cannonball!…Cannonball!
dom
RichardM: Sorry but no plans for the Cannonball Run right now. I’ll remain a comfortable spectator.
Charlie6: (Dom) See above comment.
I won a Darin Jacket on line while I was still riding my Riva 200. A couple years late the zipper on my tour-master pants died so I bought a matching pair of Daren over pants. I wear them almost everyday. I will admit that in the last few weeks I have shifted to mesh gear.
At the end of April, not far from Carrizozo, NM, I”m on my way to Seattle. I’m loaded for a two week trip on my F650GS so it’s less about speed and more about the long journey. I’m comfortably cruising at 60 not thinking of anything because it’s still early in the morning on the first day, the second hour of a long trip.
Bad on me not seeing it coming, a scooter passes me with vigor. Then another… then a third.
They’re on a mission on their scooter. I’m like “wow, I’ve never been a scooter on this road, let alone one that passes me.
Unfortunately for them, we’re just getting into the hills. Mountains for some but steep never the less. I catch up without much trouble and trail them for a while.
When the opportunity becomes available I pass them and give them a friendly wave. I think I have a lot more top end on my loaded 800cc bike then they do.
Now, it’s time to get serious with this riding thing. I pass another, then another. I think it was three all together. One scooter was loaded with spare tires. They all looked like they were riding with purpose at the peak of their vehicles capability. I could see the “commitment”. I appreciate commitment.
Not 30 miles I see a group of 20 other scooters pulled off into a side parking area. I think it must be some sort of group ride.
Later that night I tell my sister how a scooter blew the doors off my earlier in the day. She laughed. I forgot about the whole thing until you pointed out the Aerostitch cover.
A little sluething later I discover my doors were blown off by a participant in this Canonball Run. That is so cool. Anyway, I’m more impressed now than I was before when I was already very impressed.
Thanks for the connection.
Cheers
Tom
This is rad, thanks for the info. Have you seen the pulse slither
? It’s super sweet and easy to work on.
I am searching for high quality best adult scooters. Last year I purchased one from a garage sale and the back wheel has been broken in the first day of purchasing. Does anyone have an advice for me?
Great read!
Would be you be interested in throwing a couple of reviews our way?
Your experience would be a welcomed addition to our new reviews. Blog.
Will continue to take in the great knowledge.