Not every ride’s focused on fun. Sometime there’s work to be done, things to accomplish. All of it goes better when I can use the Vespa. On the road this evening I realized for the first time how long the days had become. In less than a month the days will start getting shorter as we head towards winter. Odd thinking about that in May — the sort of thing that pops into my head when I stop to make a selfie.
Looking at clouds continues to thrill me after nearly sixty years of gazing upwards. I see Junior sleeping on my lap. Wonder what I would see if I were riding a Harley instead of a Vespa?
A stop at the store was the main reason I was on the road. Taking the long way home was just a fortunate coincidence.
Some routes are still closed and probably always will be but check them I do. Never know when a bureaucrat will have a change of heart. Could have easily ridden around the end of the gate and raced on through but that would be wrong wouldn’t it?
Still loving the Vespa. Put a gun to my head and insist I confess to my deepest, darkest moto desire — a Vespa GTS. Someday it might change but for now I remain smitten…
Roads like these remind me of younger days and dirt bikes. Every kid wanted a mini-bike or go-kart and couldn’t wait to get a driver’s license. Don’t see much of that anymore. Now they’re craving Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Having spent more than a few hours with Unreal Tournament I can kind of see the attraction.
I guess. Still, I’ll take the Vespa and a dirt road.
All good errands must come to an end. Heading towards Mount Nittany and on towards home always has a melancholy feel at the end of the day. Maybe that’s part of the lure of riding, all those emotions and memories stirred up and making you feel alive for a moment.
Or maybe it’s something else…
This scooter is containable drive for any way.Its chrome design needs a compliment for its stylish Italian body
— Wonder what I would see if I were riding a Harley instead of a Vespa?
That depends on whether one slows down, or stops, to look around…seeing starts with looking. I used to ride a Sportster and spent many an afternoon roaming around the back roads in search of the undiscovered. I found that riding alone was the first step to exploring the countryside without distraction; having the ability to take in those clouds and dirt roads.
Today, I ride many of the same farm roads, alas the Harley is gone, but I’ll reiterate, that seeing starts with looking.
Hey Steve,
Great stuff. Trying to get back on my bike after an injury. Been trying to write you, but nothing’s gotten through.
Ride on, Phelps
It seems that not too long ago most kids rode bicycles and longed for a mini-bike. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Riding alone and stopping often seems to be the key to really seeing your surroundings. It’s much harder when riding with others.
That 6th photo with the dirt road looks like a lot of places I’ve been as a kid (though everything was B&W back then).
You might change your mind if there were Grand Theft Vespa…
My teenage sons prefer sitting in the dark basement, playing video games, to a ride in the sidecar rig with me. Sigh. I call them my vampires….for sunlight exposure would surely cause them to burst into flames.
I like your option better.
Hi Steve , what kind of trouble would you be in by taking the closed road…..bet you would love to take a look:)
Regards
Len