How to Return a Library Book on a Vespa Scooter
In general, I go to great lengths to find reasons to ride the scooter. Most mornings begin with the dogs, walking slow laps through our woodland landscape and reflecting on the day a step at a time — a quiet meditation on life. Contemplation is made more difficult by two excited canines with squeaky balls in their mouths who are anxious for the contemplation to end and the ball throwing to begin.
When I saw fog on the mountain yesterday morning, the fragile detente between man and dog was threatened. If I go out of my way to find reasons to ride, fog trumps almost all riding situations. It wasn’t long before I remembered I had a library book to return — a short five miles to town.
The direct route to the library is a bore. Besides, the fog was on the mountains so I quickly determined an alternate route was in order — the long way around so to speak. Just a slightly extended morning Vespa ride.
A few words about riding in fog. Make no mistake, the risks of not being seen, or not seeing something in your path are significantly higher. I only take on this sort of two-wheeled travel if I feel comfortable with my assessment of the potential traffic, the ability to ride at significantly slower speed, and the density of the fog. Not all fog is the same. Some is a mere wisp shrouding the world while at other times it’s a claustrophobic mess that cuts off almost all recognition of the world.
It wasn’t long before I had a clear assessment of the morning Vespa ride and was riding farther and farther away from the library.
Battle of Sun and Fog
The sun almost always prevails over the fog and by 9am things usually begin to clear. Stopping in the middle of the valley I surveyed different directions trying to estimate which routes would provide the highest likelihood of a foggy landscape. Regardless of the fog level, the morning Vespa ride was a luscious experience with the thermometer reading a wonderful 55F — far more to my liking than those warmer summer mornings. It was almost cool enough to slip the liner back into my First Gear Kilimanjaro riding jacket.
The Vespa and Winding Roads
Fog or no fog, riding the Vespa GTS scooter on these sorts of winding roads is an absolute pleasure. So much so that on some stretches I’ll make a U-turn and try it again. The GTS is nimble and quick and can be thrown about in ways that you just can’t experience on a motorcycle at slower speeds. It’s probably why the scooter can feel so exciting in so many situations.
On this particular stop three different people stopped to ask if I needed help. I suppose parking the scooter on the road is a universal signal of something wrong. The gravel berm was so loose and tapered away that it was impossible to keep the Vespa upright on the stand.
Besides, it makes a better picture to have the scoot along that white line.
About That Library Book
By the time I was 25 miles away from the library and winding through the roads leading up toward the Allegheny Plateau the fog was pretty much gone. With no more ghosts to chase I made the descent toward Bellefonte, Pennsylvania for one last diversion before attending to that library book — a stop at DAM Donuts. I’ve ridden past many times but today it made sense to stop.
If my cardiologist reads this post — I promise this is a one time thing. Standing in the store watching the donuts cook in a bubbling froth of oil I knew in my heart that this was not part of a heart healthy diet. With three freshly cooked and dipped in chocolate little donuts in a bright pink box I piled on the Vespa and jumped on the freeway toward a place I could deal with these little gems.
With the sun out and chocolate everywhere I eventually cleaned myself up and sized up a route to the library where I dutifully walked up to the little drop off door and deposited my book. Mission accomplished, I returned home. What could have been a 1o mile round trip ended up being 65 miles.
That happens sometimes when you ride a scooter or motorcycle.
If you’re doing it right.
…on the freeway? Good for you! Does the GTS do well with higher speeds and racing cars around mountain passes? I’m hesitant to take my GT on the highway. Need more guts for that.
The freeways and Interstate highways aren’t my first, second or third choices for travel, but when I’ve needed to get somewhere in a hurry, the GTS is more than adequate to deal with Pennsyvania’s highways. It’s easy to clip along at 70mph. I often look for an automobile traveling at 65mph and park myself in front of them. Nice having some shielding behind.
The GT will travel about the same speed as the GTS. It’s not the machine but as you say “more guts.” And by that I mean experience. Once you experiment a little you’ll find yourself a bit more comfortable. It can be unnerving to have a big truck go by and feel yourself buffeted by the wind blast. The scooter tracks fine but your body absorbs the blast making things feel weird.
Again, these types of roads aren’t my ideal riding environment and I usually stay on the lightly traveled secondary roads.
Stay safe and easy does it with highways.
Hi Steve, I’ve been following your adventures for several years from my home in Baltimore. Last year we moved home and office to Big Valley, off East Back Mountain Road. I keep hoping we will see you scootering by one fine (or fogy) day. By the way, I have a Vespa 150 and my partner has a Vespa 200. Keep your eye out for us, too!
Welcome to central Pennsylvania! Having ridden my Vespa around the Baltimore beltway I can opine that the riding in Big Valley is a superior experience.
I certainly ride through the Belleville area but don’t often ride down East Back Mountain Road. Whenever I see other Vespa scooters on my rides I try to stop and say hello. We’re still a rare breed. I’ll keep an eye out for two Vespa scooters riding with the Amish buggies!
agreed, the journey is the destination…
Riding for fog and donuts….well done.
Some could suggest neither a healthy direction…
Maybe I just don’t get it but I love riding my ET 4 in warm weather, tee shirt, shorts, tennis shoes, never socks, nice. Then I pass guys with bulletproof triple ribbed leather full faced helmet ready to fend off bazoka attacks which is okay because they’re sweeting bullets anyway. Why?
Love your rides, are you sorry you retired?
I’m so habituated to wearing all the gear when I ride that I feel absolutely naked without it. When I work on the scooter and run it up the street for a test ride I’ll jump on without helmet, gloves or anything. Just a t-shirt and tennis shoes. For that moment I understand the airy flight of freedom and coolness of the wind even on a hot day. But at the same time I have visions of my flesh tearing away as I skid along the pavement. Hell, even in the car, if I don’t put the seat belt on I feel like disaster is just a moment away. Very weird considering I ride on two wheels with little protection in comparison.
But on the really hot days, even riding without gear would be miserable for me. The gear doesn’t get in the way much. My brain does as it says, “Get out of the sun fool!”
Am I sorry that I retired? No. Not at all. Not even a little. Not working feels odd only because it seems like it can’t be true.
As Steve points out…road rash is a memorable experience…hopefully you’ll escape it.
As for a helmet…an ER doctor once told me he could fix most everything but my head. I always…always wear a helmet.
I always wear a helmet. While I’ve never crashed, I’ve had a really hard bird strike to the visor that almost knocked me off the scooter. With no helmet it would have been bad. Numerous rocks have bounced up to hit me with one cracking the visor. A lot of stuff flies around in the air. A helmet helps. And in the winter, riding without a full helmet would be impossible…
Good points…..
and eye protection…always…always
And dont follow trucks too close…their tires come apart and become high speed projectiles. Or pick up trucks full of halloween pumpkins….they can become a slippery orange slalom course when the tail gate opens….Jeeesh I’m old.
And don’t forget liquid manure that seems to cover the road in places around here. It’s like grease.
Excuses excuses…your cardiologist is only human and probably enjoys
a doughnut himself! Unless he is one of these fitness gurus that runs ten or miles a day and spends an hour in the gym in addition to the running, has a 28 inch waist and is a strict vegan.
And the excuse to ride is now part of your existence. You’re now employed as a courier of a book to the library, (for free). You never had doubts about your riding the Vespa in the fog prior to retirement.. So why now?
You should have purchased three additional doughnuts,
one for Kim and one each for the four-legged canines…
We won’t say anything about the two extra doughnuts you purchased for your own consumption.
My cardiologist rides a BMW F800 GS. So he probably falls outside the fitness buff arena. Never know I suppose.
As far as riding in fog — I have no doubts at all. Just forewarning others of the potential dangers or risks. Much like I do with winter riding — what works for me could have disastrous results for others. So readers should be reminded of the risk.
No chocolate donuts for the canines. And I didn’t want to offer any to Kim before they’ve been fully vetted….
Mmm…donuts
-Homer Simpson
I religiously follow your blog, Steve, and enjoy every written word. I’m also late extending you congratulations in your new chapter in life; and remember, don’t retire, but retread.
Long may you run!
Thanks for the kind words Floyd. And for the suggestion to retread. That’s the plan!
I whole hardily support this kind of errand . my daughter & I have no problem covering 120 miles to get a brownie.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a 120 mile brownie. Breakfast yes, but not the brownie.
We have a lot to be grateful for to be able to ride as we do. A 120 mile brownie — whoop!
Inspiring pictures Steve, enough to drive one to chocolate.
Just remember, Worry Kills.
Worry kills is right. Stress reduction equals inflammation reduction equals a chance at better health. A little chocolate won’t hurt me…
Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on this retirement thing?
I’m certainly happy to be retired and that’s great. I haven’t figured out how to bring some focus to life now. I can see how my tendency to procrastinate or just be lazy will have to yield to some sort of structure.
Or maybe not. Something to explore.
So glad you’re enjoying retirement! Any excuse for a ride is a good one…
There are so many excuses to ride!