How often do you discover things when you ride?
Vespa and Piaggio Scooters on the Road
In my dreams I’m riding somewhere far away. The destination unknown, the road moves through the woods and then rises into mountains, I’m curious what will be over the next rise. During every ride there are moments, some quiet, others thrilling, when a door opens a chance to investigate and explore. Driven by curiosity, riding and exploring is one of the most satisfying activities of my existence. I’ve mistaken it for freedom. But it’s something more tangible and direct. It’s an experience from childhood that was stolen away by adult life; found and retrieved thanks to riding a two-wheeled machine.
Vespa Scooter Along the Road
My friend Paul and I were on our way to breakfast. He wanted to stop at a quarry to survey the photography possibilities. Some years ago we prowled the area with view cameras and sheets of black and white film. No scooters or motorcycles, just an old car and a box of donuts fortifying our visual explorations.
There are no paths through the heavy underbrush and weeds for us to ride, reducing riders to walkers in the early morning heat. Thrilled to explore again but unaware of problems lurking nearby. The Vespa stays at the roadside as I venture through what’s sure to be tick infested territory.
Tyrone Quarry
The quarry has filled with water since my last visit. Just a hundred yards off the road, dozens of ducks and geeze glide through the water. The pretty scene before me masked any concerns I had for ticks — the general evil now lurking in Pennsylvania’s fields and forests.
Imagine my surprise a few days later when I found a half-dozen chigger bites on my legs and waist. Sorry, no photographs. When the literature says chigger bites itch — they undersell the experience.
Tom & Joe’s Restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania
No ride seems complete without a meal. Another stop at Tom & Joe’s in Altoona for breakfast and a chance to ask where we were going. Paul took the lead on his Piaggio Fly 150 scooter. His BMW R1200 RT was for sale on eBay and he didn’t want to risk getting it dirty.
Alleys and Backstreets
Despite years of driving in Altoona, I’ve never really explored the city, the alleys and back streets that criss cross neighborhoods. Paul led a winding route up to Gospel Hill Park and down one of the roughest stone alley I had ever encountered. The Vespa bounced down the hill which thankfully became brick before finally dumping out onto a nicely paved surface street.
Railroad Through Altoona
Altoona has a long, proud heritage connected to railroads. We followed the main rail line for a few miles as freight trains poured into the city after making their way through the Horseshoe Curve, a famous feature so instrumental in moving steel and other products from West to East that Nazi Germany targeted it for destruction in 1942.
Riding the Vespa is more than transportation. It’s a reason to look more closely at the world around me. Even if only for a short time.
How often do you have the chance to really explore? They way you did when you were a kid.
I’ve mistaken it for freedom. But it’s something more tangible and direct. It’s an experience from childhood that was stolen away by adult life; found and retrieved thanks to riding a two-wheeled machine.
C’est ça, complètement ça !!! That’s it, that’s it!
La vérité ! La réalité ! The truth ! Reality !
It’s nice to find that childhood pleasure again!
C’est agréable de retrouver ce plaisir d’enfance!
I just wanted to say….what an inspirational site you have. Most of my FB friends show pictures of their bikes on a mountain, some travel for a year with no real home….I was getting depressed taking my little rides to “insignificant” places like the swamp or just down to the beach. And now I see your beautiful backroads in PA and am envious! And it’s ok NOT to climb mountains or ford rushing streams on a bridge made of rope and 2×4’s! Thank you! I’m ok now!
Thank you for the kind words Liz. I appreciate them. And I’m glad to know you found some solace for not riding across rope bridges or fording rushing streams. They are an experience in their own right, but they’re merely different. I try not to think better and best or bad and worse when it comes to experiences. When I keep them precious in their own right as moments of living, I find more enjoyment. If I have the chance to ford a rushing stream on the other side of the world great. But if not, I can be just as satisfied where I am.
Anyways, enjoy your little rides and keep your eyes on the road before you!
Great pics, as always. So what does Paul think about his scoot now, after some time of ownership? Is it his primary ride now?
I was looking at Google Maps, and you are very blessed to live in an area like that (so close to real nature).
Paul’s had the Piaggio Fly for a few years now and finds it completely utilitarian. It is reliable, inexpensive and gets him where he wants to go. Visually, he would like to trade it for a Sprint 150 in a specific color that’s more aesthetically pleasing.
The new “scoot” I was referring to is a 2016 BMW R1200 RT. He has it now and it’s a pretty impressive piece of riding technology. I’m sure it will appear in some future posts.
I really like Paul’s Fly 150. I like the color and styling. I saw one that was previously owned at a dealer in Rochester with really low mileage at a great price. If I ever cull my herd it will be in my cross hairs.
I think you can find some real bargains with the Piaggio Fly scooters. Construction is different than the Vespa but similar engines and transmissions keep them reliable. He likes his.
“If I have the chance to ford a rushing stream on the other side of the world great. But if not, I can be just as satisfied where I am.”
Sage advice that I must remind myself of every so often. Thank you.
I have to remind myself on a regular basis.