Beauty and Bread
On the way home from work I stopped at the Boalsburg Farmer’s Market to grab some things for dinner. All my choices fit under the seat or in the top case save for the long baguette. Can’t believe in all the years I’ve been riding and getting groceries I’ve not faced the baguette dilemma — how do you handle the classic long bread?
Having no beret didn’t help. I remembered the famous image of a man and young boy riding down a tree lined road with a baguette strapped across the back of their bicycle. After searching the scooter for a few seconds I realized the front rack not only is capable of hauling watermelons, it can carry bread as well.
Can there be an expression of elegant Vespa utility than that?
David Masse says
Vespas truly are elegant beasts of burden.
In the bread department I have carried bagels and croissants. I don’t have the front rack so the venue is usually a bag hanging from the leg shield hook.
On a few occasions I have brought bouquets of flowers home that way, on the expressway. It must have been a sight to see.
Steve Williams says
I didn’t have a bag so the purse hook solution wasn’t going to work. I did worry a bit about bugs smashing on the exposed area of the bread…
Bryce Lee says
Looks like you’ll need a dimensional load permit
due to length to carry that baguette!
An elegant solution to an age-old problem!
Steve Williams says
The Vespa just has so many potential carrying options. And no worries about something getting caught in the chain!
Mike D. says
My mesh jacket a s a through pocket on the back that has done this duty, but not so elegantly.
Steve Williams says
Don’t have that on my riding jackets. Sort of like a game ouch on a hunting jacket I guess. The front rack offers a lot of solutions for things.
Noel L. says
I have got to get a front rack!!
Steve Williams says
Got mine on eBay. It is a Piaggio rack made specifically for the Vespa. Got it cheap too. Easy to install. No drilling. The rubber suction cups on the paint will probably leave a mark if I ever take it off. Don’t imagine taking it off though except to service something in the front cowl.
Mike says
I just missed you, I rode down on my bike picked up some flowers at Patch Work Farms , they dressed up my ride to Lee st. dinner engagement
Steve Williams says
That’s a picture I can’t quite see in my head — you on a bicycle. And carrying flowers. What happened to you?
Brent says
I have carried longish items like kites (which is one of my hobbies) strapped to the seat sticking straight out the back. This also works well.
Steve Williams says
I could have done that but I didn’t have the right bungee cords. Need a couple short light ones to protect the delicate bread!
Paul says
Beautiful!
Steve Williams says
Everything looks beautiful from a Vespa!
Bill+H. says
I don’t have a front rack. I probably would have cut the loaf in half and put it under the seat.
Steve Williams says
Under the seat the bread absorbs the engine fumes. Not a good taste…