Photo by Paul Ruby
Lost in Thought
The past couple weeks I’ve had a lot on my mind — everything from retirement to installing a freeze-proof faucet on the back deck. When my head gets full of ideas and wants to ruminate I’ve learned to sit back and let it happen. Resistance is futile.
My friend Paul made this picture while we were waiting for breakfast at a little cafe in Millheim, Pennsylvania. We were on a little photography adventure sans scooter or motorcycle. The forecast called for rain and nastiness. I remember thinking while sitting there that it was a pretty nice morning and I should be on the Vespa.
Riding the Vespa
I’ve ridden some over the past two weeks but just haven’t felt like posting anything. Sometimes a ride sharpens awareness and focus that writing a blog post is simple. They almost write themselves. Other times, like now, there are no ideas. My fingers are making a forced march upon the keyboard in a stream of consciousness effort to post something before going to work. Call it an exercise in willpower and hope. Hope that I can leave the mental wrestling behind.
Made this portrait of my trusty Vespa GTS 250ie (vintage 2006) on a foggy morning along PA26. Not enough fog to create any interesting imagery. I remember feeling disappointed because I could see…
Rutted Roads and Little Wheels
The Vespa isn’t a great performer on rough and rutted roads. The little tires jolt and jostle as they plunge into the depths. Unless it’s my aging body demonstrating the decline in shock absorbing tissue in my joints I’ve been thinking that I may need need shocks on the scooter.
Staying on the pavement provides a fluid, flying and smooth ride. Not sure why I keep heading down trails intended for something other than a Vespa. My desire to explore is strong but at times brings my choice of machine into question.
Maybe I just need different tires. And shocks.
Vespa in the Grass
Trees. I’m always attracted to them. Especially ones standing alone. I suspect the same attraction applies to the Vespa situated by itself in so many photographs I make. Perhaps a reflection of my own tendency to want to be alone.
This past weekend I wandered through a dizzying crowd of people and machines at a Harley event. It’s no place for thinking or reflecting. Or even being yourself. I imagined for a moment I was at a casting call for Sons of Anarchy.
One of the things I like best about the motorcycle and scooter riding communities is how diverse they are. I like to think at some basic level though we’re all brothers and sisters on our respective rides…
Where Am I Going?
A frequent question both on and off the Vespa. And one that I don’t often find a satisfying answer. For the past couple weeks I’ve been thinking about where I’m going. It’s not a good place to linger. Perhaps with this post I can move on to other things.
Maybe it’s time to ride to work…
Your crop pics gets my brain running down memory lane, ( with ruts in it ) when a group of us tween’s ( before driver license ) could head from the homestead corner whitehall & allen st. on min bikes 8hp., toat goat 10 hp. across the fields to Shingletown then to Pine Grove Mills and everything in between.
One time, we ended up at Whipples Dam, some of that ride we blase trails on the back of Mussers Gap. small tires were the issue then. we had a tow rope for brake downs, one of us would have a issue.
Good Times
Mini bikes. Those were the days. I remember the first one I ever rode — a WREN with a Briggs and Straton engine. Rope pull start. Riding one from your place to Whipples Dam through the mountains would be a real adventure. Even now on a dirt bike. That’s some rough territory.
As far as the crops — always makes me think of the picture of me in front of your Agway truck. Still have that floating around somewhere. Will have to post that sometime with the title, “Young and Handsome”. Hah.
Good picture of you Steve.
“Where am I going”…..evocative.
Yeah, where am I going, and maybe more important, how will I know when I arrive?
“My desire to explore is strong but at times brings my choice of machine into question.
Maybe I just need different tires. And shocks.”
Your first assumption is correct Steve. A scooter is an Urban animal, not a field creature. The common misconception is that scads of scooters are being used in the Third World yet if you study the videos the “Scooter” in use is a Honda Cub type with 17″ wheels. Twelve inch wheels might allow for rapid response in paved environments but get swallowed by potholes and are consumed by ruts off road. Time for an ADV bike Steve or a Street Twin with bags.
The small wheels do hamper things. When I get frustrated I always think of a Kawasaki KLR. Or maybe something smaller — a 250 dirt bike of some sort. Who knows.
My current secret motorcycle cravings are (in no particular order) 80s vintage BMW K75. 70s vintage BMW airhead, R80 or 90 maybe. Triumph Street Twin or maybe the Scrambler. Suzuki VSTROM 650. And side cases for all.
Well, I’ve seen scads of photos and video clips of people around the world traversing roads – and I do use the term roads advisedly in some of these cases – on all manner of Vespa, old to fairly contemporary, with a fair deal of aplomb. It also has to be remembered that the Vespa came to be in a fairly devastated, post-WWII Italy, where the term “nice, paved road” was rarely more than a fervent wet dream. Were/are they the first thing I’d think of for riding craggy-rocky terrain? probably not – but in my nearly fifty years of being a cyclist, I’ve owned exactly one genuine mountain bike. One. For all of one year.
(Oh…your “Vespa in the Grass” photo is breathtaking…almost an Out of Africa moment.)
There’s a level of forced utility with just about every vehicle. We’re lucky we can make choices that others can’t.
Thanks for the kind words about the picture. There are days I feel as if I’m in a movie scene…
Hi, Steve,
Nice photo of you…almost relaxed!
As far as freeze-proof faucets, I really don’t feel that need out here, although I do recently install those expanded styrofoam cups over all the outdoor faucets , more to ward off evil spirits than anything.
As far as rutted roads and your riding propensities, I have recently given up riding my GT300S because of the weight and the awkwardness of moving it around, and am now riding a Sym HD200 evo with 16″ wheels. What a neat little scooter, and it tops out at 70+ mph. There are also, as I’m sure you know, the BV series by Piaggio with 16 inchers, and the Kymco GTi 300. Much smoother riding over those ruts, and you would still have all the advantages of the scooter conformation.
And I’m also sure you will know when it’s time to retire…no one can tell you when that is except you. All I can say is that since I retired twenty years (gasp!) ago, one of the things I most like about it is the abundance of time to do what I want a large part of the time…to the point of wondering how I ever did fit work in!
Whatever,
Karl U
I might get to the freeze-proof faucet this weekend. Maybe. Kim would appreciate some water out back.
I’ve never ridden any larger wheeled scooters. I love the looks of the Vespa so much I think I might secretly fearing I’ll like the bigger wheels and have to choose to make a move. The BV series scooters look nice though and I’ve heard good things about the Kymco.
Retired 20 years. I just don’t know what to do. Work is still a challenge, demanding and enjoyable. I look forward to it. Seems crazy to cash in for the unexpected. Who knows.
Take care Karl. And thanks for sharing.
Excellente réflexion…
Thank you Lorenzo.
Rutted road!!! It seems to coincide with your curving path down it.
Are you sure the Vespa didn’t tear it up just now ?
The Vespa is a beast!
Dear Steve,
I wonder if you would consider a post around Vespa maintenance? Not the routine maintenance listed in the service manual (fluids and rollers, etc.), but the big stuff — shocks, muffler, springs (are there any?!), steering, brakes. How long can we expect that stuff to last, and what can we expect will give out first? And for that matter, how can you tell when a Vespa is “old”? How many miles before you call it a “high-mileage vehicle”? I would be grateful for your thoughts on those subjects if you have the time to consider them. Thanks!
Maestro,
I’m sort of a half-baked mechanic and my maintenance behavior is suspect so I’m not sure I’m the best one to publish any sort of definitive info on the subjects you raise. I’ve found the ModernVespa.com forum to be a excellent source of information like that. Very active and full of experienced people. I’ve posted pictures of a part failure from the road and within minutes have an answer or a phone number for consultation.
My own scooter has 33K miles on it but I’ve not had to replace any major parts aside from the muffler and the fuel pump. And the muffler would have gone on far long if I weren’t riding in the winter and getting it eaten up by salt.
I’ve read about enough people on the MV forum to know I can probably get another 50K miles before things get serious.
You know, “just thinking” has gotten a lot of guys into trouble. Much better off jumping in with both feet…
And there is something about a solitary tree in a field. Especially after you explained why one tree was typically left.
I’ve done a lot of regrettable jumping that I wish I did a bit more thinking. So I may be jaded.
I see those trees like grave markers for a long dead culture.
Steve, thinking is good, it primes us for action. The deeper the thought, the finer the action. Even the most sustained and profound thought, true deep thought, inevitably leads to action. Philosophers and physicists write. Even Steven Hawking, in spite of life having conspired to rob him of all possibility of action, writes volumes.
In our case, riding, writing, and recording.
Life is good.
Think on, by all means.
David,
Like is good. Really is.
thanks for your comments. There is much to be said for reflection and thought. And the blogging process helps.
Take care.
steve
Hi Steve,
As per usual it is good to check in with you.
Those are some wonderful images you have taken- specially the rutted road ones and the long grass image is also great.
I have a GTS and an old school Lammy gt200 ……..Steve if you were to ride this on that kind of road surface you would be heading for big trouble and it would make the GTS feel really up to the task of off roading!
Take care with riding and keep letting your thoughts wonder to the tips of your fingers and onto the keyboard mate.
Regards LEN
Despite a lack of keyboard action for the past couple weeks I’ve not abandoned it. Just took a forced vacation because of work and life.
Thanks for the kind words about the pictures. Love making photos during a ride.