In Colorado I can imagine you would find places that leave you feeling vulnerable. Around here that’s a rare situation for me. Maybe the heart attack will change that but so far I’ve not felt it. In fact, the last time I recall feeling that way was in Utah and I was in a car.

I have recently added a more complete tool collection to the Vespa that will allow me to repair a wide range of failures and insults — at least the common easy things so I’m not left stranded and at the mercy of strangers. Like you though I’m often focused on what’s around the next bend…

Hope you and your family are having fun in Italy. Your blog posts have great pictures — makes me wish I was there.

Gettysburg — lovely riding down that way!

I’ve found that riding meditation also calms the body and not just the mind though they’re probably related. Since my heart attack I have to monitor my heart rate and I find that it’s always in a nice place when I’m riding. Last week I noticed my heart rate was 140 and I wasn’t don’t anything other than thinking about an uncomfortable situation. That was eye opening. I always associated heart rate with activity. Now I know.

The prescription is obvious — ride more!

I don’t spend a lot of time with my thoughts however, there’s always the next curve to explore, the next hill to climb up to the top of to see what’s on the other side…..my motorcycle enables that with little effort on my part except for guiding it’s steering and hopefully, not smoking the clutch!

Sorry about that. I forget sometimes.. Currently I hang my hat down here in Gettysburg, PA

Sorry, Steve, I commented on this article before being aware of your BMW review below.

You make a good point about the first minutes of rain washing off the oil and slippery stuff. It’s good to keep in mind how slick the road can be at the start of a rain event.

I’ve always found riding in the rain peaceful and relaxing like you. That’s why it’s so odd that I pulled over but since it was a demo bike, that particular demo bike, I felt I had to. But being stopped and waiting was peaceful and relaxing as well. Weird.

Land-O-Tourists — I like that. Where exactly are you riding?

That aside, riding in the rain is a more peaceful and relaxing experience than on a beautiful sunny day. Here in the Land-O-Tourists the rain keeps many of the more aggressive sightseers at the indoor attractions instead of stopping on a dime in the middle of the highway to look at any rock, tree or blade of grass that has historical significance.

That oddity coupled with the fact that speed limits are perceived as minimums instead of maximums and the only time folk slow down is for inclement weather….I’ll take the rain, please.

Yep, partial control. That’s all we have.