I’ve thought a lot about the spoked wheels and patching tires. As much as I like the looks of spoked wheels prudence would keep me in the tubeless tire realm with a patch kit. As you say, I’m not sure I will ever find myself in situations where I’m pushing so hard where I would need the spoked wheels. At best, I’m a slow, easy rider.

As far as adding a motorcycle to the garage, that’s a messy bit of business. Much of it is a purely childish desire to own one. I’ve wanted one my entire life — since I was a kid. There is no logic other than pure desire. Do I need one? No. As you say, the scooter will do pretty much anything I would do on a motorcycle. The experience would be different though. I’ve ridden enough motorcycles to realize my mind and body are in a different place. And it varies depending on the motorcycle. Riding a Triumph Thunderbird is completely different than exploring on a BMW F800GS.

Not sure where all of this will take me but it’s in my head.

I confess a mindless, impractical desire for the dual sport/off road type of machine. Purely because of how they look. The reality of things — something like a V Strom 650 or the NC700X would be a better fit. If I got a Kawasaki KLR I would probably end up like the fellows that buy the BMW R1200 GS Adventure but never leave the pavement. Or Jeep owners who wouldn’t dare take their expensive machines off the beaten path.

And tires really do make a difference. Aggressive tires turn my GTS into an off road bike!

You read my mind. Or Kim’s mind. She’s been suggesting such a project!

VAST — I like that term. And you’re right, those activities are rarely trivial and absolutely eat away big chunks of time. In my own dreamworld there are no tasks or chores — just freedom. Not sure that exists. Or if it does, a person has to be selfish to claim it. Or alone.

Riding to the Moto Hang from your neck of the woods would be a long ride. Not impossible to do a round trip in a 24 hour period but why bother? An overnight excursion would be a better choice. It’s been awhile since I’ve ridden 250 miles in a day and I can tell you it can be a breeze or torture. If it’s the result of a goal free wander it’s pure joy. If I have to be somewhere and am just pushing the ride I hate it.

At the moment I’m stumped by retirement — should I clean the kitchen or run the sweeper in the livingroom? I wish there was a committee I could assign to study the choices…

I’ve always struggled to get excited by the mid day light. At least in terms of photography. It’s something I need to embrace and practice more.

The heat — I almost don’t want to ride when things head toward 90. But like you say, once in motion it’s not so bad.

I’m learning to enjoy the luscious pleasure of a midday nap….

Thanks for the thoughts. I’ll be sipping tea and watching the masses as well.

So far I’m busier now than when I was working. In part, that business has led to me just lounging around the rest of the time. But I can see the busy-ness lessening.

I’ve looked at a couple of the 650 V-Stroms and they are not without interest.

The GTS300 Vespa is hard to beat.

Ken,
A friend told me the same thing at breakfast a few days ago — find a purpose lest the time fly by before you know it. I’m zeroing in on mine.

I read your post. That was quite a trip. And bed bugs! What a plus!! Geez. I almost won’t stay in a hotel anymore because of the things I’ve learned about them through my job. Had a woman working for me who’s previous job was growing bed bugs for a lab. Millions of them. She said her husband implored her each day to not bring any home.

Your brother does have a smile on his face. I hope to wear one as well!