Ritual Beginning of the Day
I lead a monastery life — each day beginning with a ritualistic practice enforced by dogs. In the predawn light first Junior, then Lily begin to stir, first quietly then more insistently reminding of the day’s responsibilities; outside for personal hygiene needs, a few laps around the yard, a dozen or so tennis ball retrievals and then breakfast served al fresco. There is no deviation from this spiritual practice, no vacation, no reprieve from the commitment made to canines. Winter Vespa riding, my own breakfast, nothing comes before them.
Only a dog owner could read this and feel good.
Winter Vespa Riding
Clearing skies, little wind, scattered sunshine, temperatures rising to the freezing point and bone dry roads made for fine winter Vespa riding. Even without the winter tires on the scooter the frozen ground and gritty snow allowed for a bit of off road experimentation. Mostly though, I was a tourist in a snow covered world.
Like dog ownership, only riders who’ve experienced winter riding will probably appreciate it. To everyone else it’s just a cold, miserable experience. I advise against riding in winter unless you’ve fully considered and embraced risk, management of the risk, expertise, skill, gear and temperament. Just to name a few.
Watch for Ice
Even the gravel secondary roads were free of snow and ice opening a wide array of possible routes and travel. The most critical challenge on days like this, for me, is to not become complacent. When properly attired and feeling warm and toasty, sun in your eyes, and the roads bare, you can quickly find yourself riding as if it’s summer. It’s not. At any moment, around any turn you can encounter ice. Even a small patch can start you dancing. If you can’t manage your excitement and the throttle best to stay home.
It was a great day for a little winter Vespa riding.
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Some would say you live a fully structure life, at least where it pertains to the dogs…. 🙂
You wrote:
At any moment, around any turn you can encounter ice. Even a small patch can start you dancing. If you can’t manage your excitement and the throttle best to stay home.
— true words, unless you’ve a sidecar rig….
I bet a URAL can dance on ice.
Hey Steve. There’s a MP3 three wheel vespa for sale at kissell’s. Way better in the ice he?
I think it’s only 3-4 thousand. It’s cool.
pdr
I used to think of getting an MP3-400 someday. Not so sure anymore. The one at Kissell Motorsports is a 250 isn’t it?
I “get” the doggie rituals. I don’t always enjoy them — do they have to be so damn happy to see me wake up in the morning? — but can’t imagine a different life.
I’ll try winter riding one day. We still have quite a bit of snow left to melt, though, which makes for wet, messy roads.
I’m glad you’re joining the BBBC! That was a completely sporadic thing, by the way. Should be interesting.
PS – Your dog has such a pretty face.
It will be a challenge to create 29 posts. But it’s the kind of challenge that teaches a lot. Hopefully I won’t run out of gas and the dogs will cut me a break!
Ah, the Ritual. Did it for a while with a friend who had a dog. Like dogs a lot, mind you, but I remember snow, and rain. Then I think of our cat softly snoring next to my ear when I wake up in the morning, and I smile. I’ll stick with cats for a while. Even Sig. Other, who grew up with dogs and seriously wants one, admits to not wanting to act on that desire for a few years at least.
Meanwhile, I might be dodging the need to run out for that battery tender after all: tonight’s rain seems to have reduced the snow in the back yard to a negligible level, meaning Melody will emerge from the shed tomorrow when I return from NYC in the afternoon – which reminds me, I should cut this short and get some sleep since I have to catch a train into Gotham later this morning.
Dogs can be a blessing or a curse depending on the situation. Getting one is as serious a decision as deciding to start riding. Proceed with caution, prepare carefully, seek expert training and know your limits. I had cats for a long time and felt the same about them as I do the dogs. I can probably become attached to a rock.
I have the Vespa on a Tender all winter. Rode to work yesterday, should have today and hope to tomorrow. But you never know. Be careful in the cold!