It’s been over a week since I’ve ridden the Vespa GTS scooter. I miss the feeling of flying, the fluid ease of moving along the road, the fragrance of autumn leaves and the piercing glare of the hot setting sun. Riding fires my spirit and imagination. It’s a drug that has me craving experience and I want more. The piercing discomfort provided by my lumbar spine has dulled the craving and allowed for the embrace of other experiential options.
The view from a Honda Odyssey minivan on a chill October morning isn’t the choice of dreams but I’ve learned to accept experience where I find it. If I can’t ride then I can drive. And someday I’ll be unable to drive and some other choice will be made which will lead to some other experience. Perhaps I only need worry when I cease to crave experience — maybe then I’ll be dead.
The camera has always been my ticket to experience taking me to concerts, football games, parties and trips. I’ve met people I don’t belong with or was otherwise too shy to approach. The camera imparts a superpower to those who avail themselves of it. The penalty for use is an addict’s craving for more experience, to see and hear and learn and discover.
And when life rules out experience on the back of a Vespa scooter, well then, I take it where I can.
Despite a culture fat with testimony of far flung adventure and travel, I believe a rich world of experience stands before me, within reach of my eyes and hands, a simple acceptance of the magic of the moment presented as I draw each breath. It requires little more than paying attention, even if that attention is gnawed by discomfort or plans interrupted.
I’ve been to Saint’s Cafe hundreds of times. Each visit often involves the same food, chair, or people. And still I’ve not fully experienced the place, still I find myself craving experience that is fed by the things I’ve not seen before — a reflection, a pair of shoes, a face or a conversation — the possibilities seem endless.
On the way home I stopped to see Emma who I don’t see often enough. She’s not sure what to make of the old man before her who’s interrupting her own quest for experience. In those eyes is a future I can’t quite discern and I admit to more than a little wonder at the life she’ll lead and the world in which she’ll hopefully find herself craving experience much like her grandfather. I have no illusions of knowing what the future will be or how she’ll embrace it. In a daydream I’ve imagined her at 16 hounding her mother and father to let her have a scooter so she can ride with her grandfather. The dream quickly evaporates as I realize I’ll be closing toward 80 when that happens, or if that happens. There’s magic in her eyes — for her, and for me.
Thoughts are different when I’m riding with much less time spent of things that could be and more on the experiences I’m living. Spending the past week comparatively immobile I realize there’s room for both and that craving experience need only be one avenue of living.
But I’m ready. I plugged in the Battery Tender yesterday, I ritual acknowledging the approach of winter. I’m ready to ride. The spirit is willing but the flesh remains weak…
Steve,
Have you ever ridden a Moto Guzzi? Specifically the V7 Stone… its a standard bike more attuned to what motorcycles used to feel like… but modern and reliable. I’ve read your blogs on many of the bikes you’ve ridden and enjoyed them. The V7, my current bike after several years on a Vespa ET4 150, seems to encourage (and limit) the ride toward reflection and a slightly slower, more visceral experience. Sometging akin to the Vespa but more umph. Thank you for your blog. Its a gift.
I’ve only sat on a Moto Guzzi motorcycle but have never had the opportunity to ride one. Our local dealer used to carry the brand but doesn’t any longer. I agree with you about them having that classic feel. It’s certainly the kind of machine that I’m attracted to. Perhaps someday I’ll have the opportunity to experiment with one.
And thanks for the kind words about the blog. I appreciate them.
Hmmm… Paul won’t let you exercise his Guzzi? Or you dont trust your twitchy hand on all that throttle?
Paul has a Ducati at the moment but I’ve not wanted to ride it. I’ve been on those twitchy Hypermotards before…
My poor memory. I knew it was a fine red Italian steed.
Maybe Paul needs a Guzzi so that you can try it out.
Steve, if anyone can mount a twitchy beast like that and get it behave like a Lippizaner, you are the man.
I wouldn’t mind riding a Guzzi for awhile. I really like the new V7. But then I like a lot of motorcycles. On good days when I feel good and am thinking clearly — I’m a Vespa man!
These back problems regrettably take considerable time to resolve themselves. And the pain that comes with them I do not wish on anyone. But it sounds like you are already planning your next ride and that must mean that you are on the mend.
I had my own share of back stuff a few years ago – mine was in the cervical spine, with a temporarily semi-paralyzed arm and two surgeries to follow. When going through this it can seem as if this is endless but I for one cannot wait for your report on your first ride, post back pain. Cold, or warm, snow, ice or melting asphalt!
As much pain as was involved in my heart attack it was short lived and I didn’t have the time to dwell on it. Back pain is a completely different animal that chews away at your mental and spiritual vitality. I’m fortune that it seems to be passing. Looking forward to the opportunity to ride the Vespa again. We’ll see how the back responds. Hopefully that return ride doesn’t involve snow or ice!
” I believe a rich world of experience stands before me, within reach of my eyes and hands, a simple acceptance of the magic of the moment presented as I draw each breath. It requires little more than paying attention.” Wise.
Robert — not sure about wise — just the things that pass through my head.
That Emma is obviously a smart girl, being suspicious and wary of shifty characters who ride Vespas in Winter….. ; )
As to satiating your need for more riding experiences, I wish you a speedy recovery from your back issues…..
Dom, are you feeling ok? You didn’t once mention a URAL as a bad back option. Hope things are ok in the Rockies.
As far as Emma goes and her suspicions regarding scooters — I’ll have to educate her to the riding realities and the high place of the Vespa.
Steve, the seed has been planted…..
I have a bottle of RoundUp.
That really is a great expression that Emma has and I think you caught the meaning. Of course, Dom captured the “exact” meaning…
Hah. Time will tell. I just hope she doesn’t come across a Vespa and a URAL next to each other in a parking lot. She shouldn’t have to choose so early…
Gorgeous photos. It’s always wonderful to get a look into the lives of those going on such adventures on their Vespas.
Thanks for the kind words. Vespa and adventure go together in my world.
“The spirit is willing but the flesh remains weak…”
Your statement could apply to many;
however perhaps one may suggest the spirit is
alive and well; the physical reality not so.
You can still probaly move on two feet as before;
just not quite the same way;
for this too shall pass.
And once again your shining Vespa shall
transport you to new
and far reaching vistas.
So far it’s been a slow recovery though I’m making progress. My biggest challenge now is to not undermine things but trying to push my back into service before it’s ready. I can appreciate how debilitating a bad back can be and all the while you look perfectly normal. Or as normal looking as I can be…
There is definitely magic in her look captured by a loving grandfather.
She doesn’t know me too well yet. But she has a place in my heart already.
Adversity is certainly spurring your creativity to new heights Steve. Your lens work more than rises to the occasion to fill the Vespa void.
I have been struggling with some soft tissue damage in my left leg, likely paying the price for injuries of my youth, and a lifetime of trying to limit my exercise to jumping to conclusions.
How about you sort out your back, I sort out my knee and we put our heads together to sort out a ride from somewhere south of winter’s icy grip to Key West?
Sounds like a plan, or maybe a dream. Let’s see how things shake out and where the healing takes us! I know you’re dying to ride to Key West.
I’m fairly serious. I think I could rustle up some Vespas in Northern Florida for us.
8-10 hours from say Jacksonville to Key West in the company of some serious Vespiti types. Maybe stretched to a couple of days to allow for obligatory photography and well-chosen watering holes. Maybe a NASA tour with MV’s Flordian. A personalized tour of the Keys by none other than Conchscooter, taking in all the most notorious spots. Then a nice ride back up the state along whichever coast we didn’t take on the way down. We’d need to fly into the departure point of course. Ideally in late February.
Food for thought.
I haven’t begun any real planning.
As enticing as a winter trip in a warm place sounds a big project at work will keep me tethered until next fall. I fear my riding will be limited to one or two day events until then. But you never know…