Fog and Vespa
Fog, my favorite, along with dropping temperatures, all part of the the perfect riding season. Yesterday morning a meandering ride to work offered a chance to see the world looking slightly different. Unusual. A feat considering how many hundreds of times I’ve ridden along the same path. Still, I’m seeing things differently.
And feeling different.
Fall quickens my senses. It heightens desire and illuminates mortality as I recognize the passing of time marked by the movement of the season and the slow run up to the sleep of winter. All of it, the chill in the air, the shift in light and the change in color work together to make this the perfect riding season.
For me.
The Vespa has been performing flawlessly almost as if it’s woken up and screaming for a more satisfying time on the road. We’re a perfect match, the scooter and I, and I wonder how I ever thought a motorcycle could add anything to my experience of the world.
Many have tried…
Changes in Light, Changes in Me
Riding home from work, even in bright sun, feels different. My eyes sense the change in the angle of light, the sun’s position in the sky when I leave the parking lot.
I know autumn has arrived.
I act differently than I do in the warmer days of summer. I want to ride — feel the desire in my bones. Even if only the for the few miles of commuting. I take detours. Stop and take off my helmet to let the sun heat my face. I’m like a man who’s journeyed through a desert and finds a pool of cool water.
That soaring of spirit and the illusion of freedom, if only for an instant — that’s why I ride.
The scooter is waiting again. It’s a new day of the perfect riding season.
I love riding in the Fall season as well, nice and cool when wearing ATGATT, the leaves changing colors, the anticipation of snow on the mountains….it’s all good.
You get it.
I really appreciate the cooler temperatures Fall usually brings. The fog, a little less so. It makes for good photo ops but reduces visibility. Some other drivers (and riders) don’t seem to notice or know what that means. Comments such as “I can see just fine without my headlights on” seem too common. Our colors have all changed, leaves are slippery debris on the road and every morning has been sub-freezing all week.
I’m beginning to think I live in a special “high skilled driver” area. The roads seem calm here. Sure, there’s the normal nuttiness but generally things are pretty sane.
I’m excited about the cooler temperatures and fog. But sub-freezing…. Not ready for that. Since the heart attack and still on blood thinners I get cold fast. Not sure what the winter will bring this year.
Great time of the year. If only it would quit raining. Downside is shorter days, but OTOH I love the late afternoon sunlight, and if it does get dusky, I’m always a tiny bit enraptured by the instrument cluster lights that I rarely get to see in the summer.
I love the look of the Vespa GTS 250 instrument cluster. At night it’s like light from a friendly campfire. Makes me feel safe in the night…
How’s that new camera working out?
The new camera, a Nikon D3200, does a remarkably good job. The image quality is excellent and the camera is slight and light as a feather. For the kind of work I’m doing personally it’s a fantastic camera. No need to carry around anything larger or “more professional”. As with motorcycles, I think there is a bigger is better mentality in the photography world. There are reasons a person might need something bigger but that need is neither automatic or always requiring the biggest most expensive cameras.
Wait, your question — the new camera is working out fine!
Steve
I have felt your last two writings to be very special…. heart-felt
Thanx
I did feel pretty good on that ride. Probably leaked into the writing.
“We’re a perfect match, the SCOOTER and I, and I wonder how I ever thought a motorcycle could add anything to my experience of the world.”
“The SCOOTER is waiting again”
So much here. First, you must have read my comments on Modernvespa. I don’t ever think I’ve ever seen you call it anything but “The Vespa”
Second, Once you retire longer rides, possibly interstate, may beckon. A Motorcycle is a better tool.
Third, You are a sensitive human. A motorcycle requires more involvement than a Vespa. Shifting, the sound and vibrations will inspire you.
Fourth, I wish I shared your enthusiasm for cool weather. To me it’s just a prelude to bikeless months stuck indoors by cold and road salt.
Fifth, I sense more and more in your writings the seeds of a new purchase. Either a 300 GTS or a Speed Twin is imminent. I think a Triumph ADV is more useful to you.
Don’t get me wrong — I enjoy riding a motorcycle. The entire experience is different. But I don’t crave riding a motorcycle like I do the scooter.
Cold weather riding is an acquired taste but I fear I may be loosing it. My body doesn’t do as well in the cold as it used to. Time will tell.
I’ve been looking for a second GTS. And the Street Twin along with the Bonneville have always been on the dream list. So has a 90s vintage BMW K75 and a late 80s BMW R80. Maybe I”ll pull the trigger on something some day. Who knows.
Autumn. Always an amalgam of emotions for me, from childhood onward. Maybe it’s a Northeastern thing: sun-dappled leaves in mid-change, wildly-varying temperatures in the course of one day (sometimes), the nagging feeling of Winter not that far off, the seductiveness of Indian Summer (evoked nearly perfectly in a song by The Dream Academy). And the riding: decades of fun on the bicycles, a different but equally intense fun on the Vespa.
Yep, “the Vespa.” I just wrote about how the siren song of longer-legged motos has been gently drowned out by the thrum of my GTS’ engine, the giddy feeling I have from the responsiveness of those 12″ wheels (simple math: smaller diameter = faster acceleration, quicker response to rider input, while managing to avoid being overly “twitchy”), the confident feeling of a bike with a lower CG than most any motorcycle, and a demeanor I don’t feel obliged to try and live up to…compared to, say, and 883 Sportster. (Not that I have anything major against Sportsters, mind you.) And, if I feel like traversing three states on Melody, I won’t worry about others thinking “you’re gonna do that on a scooter?”
The difference between a GTS 250 and a GTS 300? Can’t say, since I haven’t had the chance to check out a 250 in decent shape. (Tried to find one, used in vain; had to shell out considerably more dosh for a new 300, but can’t say I regret it.) And I’ll say it again: I’m damned smitten with the thing. Damned quick and wonderfully nimble, without the hirsute song-and-dance bigger motos insist on. I love the sounds the motor makes when I’m riding her (without going prematurely deaf), and can start her up in the wee hours without waking the dead – my neighbors are quite happy with this.
So, I’m with Steve on this one. Bigger bikes are cool, in different ways. Vespas are just this side of divine…with or without the Pope weighing in on the matter. 🙂
I think you’re right about autumn having a special presence in the northeast. A whole culture has grown up around that season.
Your writing about the GTS is spot on. Mirror’s my own feelings. And I love the quickness and nimble nature all within a sane range of speed.
I’ve ridden both the 250 and 300 GTS. Can’t really tell any difference. The new one with ABS would be nice.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pope riding a Vespa…
Fall is one of my favourite riding seasons, the trees are dressed in brilliant colours, the air is crisp and cool. I like it because I can wear all my gear without roasting to death from sweating in the heat. As for bike or scooter, I’ve had both and right now I’m in my bike phase, but can see a beautiful scooter in the future.
My bike phase may have passed. I have been looking at one of those Hondas you ride. Nice bikes. In the meantime I’ll just ride the Vespa through the autumn leaves…
Great post! I just found your blog but am enjoying very much. About to pack my gear for a autumn tour over here in Japan. It truly is the best riding season.
Warren, an autumn tour in Japan sounds magical. You have some great photos on your blog of so many fantastic riding environments. I envy the opportunities you have.