I’ve always wanted to visit the Yorkshire Dales. My experience of England has been limited to Heathrow, and a few days in London in 1968. Very little of the English countryside experienced during those visits.

Having ridden big motorcycles and the Vespa, I can certainly attest to the advantages of a smaller scooter for some riding. Especially those trips where you might start and stop a lot to explore. The big bikes render each stop an event.

Look forward to seeing your pictures. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts here.

It’s a nice feeling when non-scooter riding friends convert to scooter riding friends. Doesn’t happen often but it’s a great event. Hope you have some luck.

Personally, the choices I make regarding most things have only a little to do with fact and a lot to do with emotion. When choosing a camera or scooter I can rationalize just about anything. When I find harder to get by is my emotional attraction. If I want a motorcycle no amount of fact and data will overcome that feeling.

We’ll catch up sometime. Hope you’re on the mend.

Thanks for the comments and advice guys. I’m still torn.

I’m home. Trailered it both ways. Went with Mike Wilks, his truck, my trailer.

The motorcycle experience has changed since I was a kid when a 350cc Honda was a “big” motorcycle. Now a 750 is considered an entry bike and machines over 1000cc are everywhere. The experience on a Vespa 300 is so different than a big motorcycle that they’re almost not comparable. It’s not the speed or sound or revs on a motorcycle that I’m first struck by — it’s the weight. Ponderous and at times irritating at slow speeds where the Vespa is quick and nimble. You give up stability at high speed but more and more I ask myself why am I going so fast…

I like the comment about deciding to get on. That’s the important part!

You’re absolutely right about the Vespa being “friendly” — to the rider and to others by being an approachable presence.

I’ve followed Quezzie’s journey for a long time. What she’s doing is remarkable and requires stamina that I cannot comprehend.