In February I received a message at the Modern Vespa forum from a would be scooter rider. He had a plan and a long held dream of owning a Vespa. During the ensuing months he’s graduated from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, purchased a Vespa, and rode to the Boalsburg Moto Hang with his son. And now we’ve also gone on a ride together.
Meet Steve Albrecht.
Steve joined Paul Ruby and I for a short ride — we had just a bit over two hours to scoot through the countryside. With so little time I didn’t want to stop much for pictures and instead keep riding. But a couple pictures were in order.
Steve is still displaying the “look” of a new Vespa Rider — that glow that comes from doing something you really enjoy. I remember it from the first ride to now and assume it will continue until my last ride.
At least that’s my plan.
Despite my plan to keep riding Paul is unable to resist the opportunity to eat requiring a stop in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania for a quick snack. I suppose riding and eating is an axiom that a new Vespa rider should be exposed to so they can factor it into their two-wheeled future.
Mathematical axiom: (Ride duration) x (30%) = (Time spent in coffee shops, cafes and restaurants).
Despite limitations of time and food diversions we had a pleasant ride under a hot sun through the hills and dales of central Pennsylvania. And we managed to get Steve’s sense of direction turned around which holds great promise for him on future rides — the chance to get lost.
Being lost is something I miss — it happens far too infrequently. Being lost on the road is a fine place to be.
Thanks for coming along on the ride Steve — hope your time as a new Vespa rider following along two old coots was a pleasant one.
It’s good to see the “young” joining the ranks, no matter what marque of riding one prefers.
I agree — lots of old faces on two wheels. I would be worried if I was a motorcycle or scooter industrialist!
“Being lost.” That’s why I don’t use a GPS.
Now that you’ve ridden around the world I would think you are starting to consider off-planet trips. My little jaunts pale in comparison to the rides you make.
Let me lead for a while next time we’re out, we’ll get completely lost. 😛
It’s a deal. How about tomorrow morning? Let’s get lost.
I think you may need a lot more research to determine the right factor for your mathematical axiom. Not enough significant digits. This could take years.
I’m going to pitch a longitudinal study project to my wife. Adequate data collection is essential to be able to give useful input on life decisions. I know it will be work but someone has to do it.
Paul told me once that he still owns the web address for the State College Scooter Club, of ten or 15 years ago, of which I was a member. Why not put out the clarion call to all scooters riders to meet somewhere, sometime, to see if there is any interest in resurrecting a State College scooter club. I’d be there on my scooter. It could function just like the Boalsburg Moto Hang, but just for scooter riders, and on a different day and time of course. Paul and Steve, waddya think?
I think Paul had purchased the domain rights for the Top Secret Scooter Club way back in 2006. I checked this morning and the domain they were using is available again for purchase.
From time to time I hear from people about a scooter club but nothing more. It takes a critical mass of interested riders to keep anything like that going and it never has seemed like there were enough people. It’s probably why the Boalsburg Moto Hang works — it’s open to anyone on any kind of machine. It would be difficult to have specific groups function — Triumph riding club, Ducati riding club, etc. So for my money the clarion call would go out to scooter riders to show up at the Moto Hang. Wouldn’t take many scooters to wrestle away the top number of machines from BMW or Ducati!
Right now there are usually two or three scooters there. Sometimes more when the big scooters come — Burgmans, etc.
Hi Steve
You are always welcome to take a ride around Oz. It’s almost like another planet and I reckon you have enough followers here to count for accommodation on your ride. Why not?
Thanks Mike. A trip to Oz will have to go on my long, long term planning list. And I would have to renew my passport!