Dirt and Gravel
Maps sate the desire to wander.
Almost.
Do you fantasize with maps?
Pouring over roads and potential places to ride generates ideas and excuses to make trips without need or purpose. As is often the case, routes are weighed against possible places to eat.
A few days ago I found myself puzzling over a road across Stone Mountain leading into Big Valley in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. A road I had not traveled before and wondered if it was paved. And if not, what condition it was in.
I’ve ridden enough dirt and gravel roads now on the Vespa to discern the differences that present themselves. Packed dirt like encountered by this powerline provides a smooth, easy ride. But that’s not always the case.
Pavement Choices
The weather is cool in the morning — hovering in the mid-40s as I made this photograph. The Gerbing Electric gloves were in the top case but not needed as the heated grips provided just the kick necessary to feel warm.
Arthritic finger joints appreciate a little heat in cold weather. My mind always does.
Paths and Little Roads
I don’t know why I keep venturing down these little wooded paths. They’re clearly not intended for serious traffic and often lead nowhere. But one never knows what treasure may be revealed in some unexplored world.
Or there could always be banjo music.
Gravel Through the Forest
The Barrville Road crossed through Rothrock State Forest and on over Stone Mountain. I had hoped for pavement but accepted a relatively well mannered gravel road. The forest is quickly changing as leaves and needles change color and drop. Soon the hunters will appear in force and the feel of the place will change. With my bright yellow riding jacket I feel comfortable I won’t be mistaken for a deer as I move through the woods.
Views in Big Valley
After some miles of new, loose gravel the Vespa emerged into Big Valley and the pleasant feeling of pavement. While the Vespa is capable of dealing with dirt and gravel, it’s small wheels and street tires require far more attention to detail that one would on a motorcycle set up for dual sport or dirt riding.
I tell myself the experience builds character. Especially if you don’t fall down.
The sun emerged along with the scooter. The transition from forest to farm fields just expanded the visual experience.
Long, Rural Roads
So many roads to explore in this part of the state. Not sure why I don’t ride more in this area. It’s heavily populated with Amish and Mennonite farms and families. Passed two horse drawn wagons hauling firewood and several buggies on the road.
The air smelled of cow manure and woodsmoke. That takes me back to my youth. And the “right” manure fragrance will transport me to Germany and my grandfather’s home where I spent time in summers nearly 55 years ago.
Differentiating various manure fragrances — odd that I can do that.
And so unraveled the morning. Found my way to the Honey Creek Inn Restaurant for breakfast and spent some time with a journal thinking about the day. Sated with food and thought I made my way home to expectant dogs by way of an expressway — a high speed alternative to the slow travel through the forest.
Gravel or pavement? Depends on the moment. One, both or neither may be a good choice. I try to just let the spirit move the scooter and I on down the road.
What a fine way to spend a morning.
This morning I set in a hotel on Blackshear Lake in Georgia covering my mind most of what you just wrote about. Yesterday I just followed Mr. Garmin like a cow being pulled with a nose ring as he once again led me down Georgia red sand and gravel roads. Despite have “no unpaved roads” checked, he ignores that in his quest for the “quickest route”. These little diversions bring a increase in heart rate, having no idea where it leads and the big exhale when he drags me back on a paved road. It is always a thrill.
As I continue northward I am looking for a nice little restaurant to in a crossroads town for breakfast or lunch. As usual, I get a lay of the land from Google, but the decision will be a last minute one when I say “that one” wherever it may be.
In Georgia I think they consider red sand and gravel pavement don’t they?
I have similar reactions to gravel roads. Apprehension, excitement, and then relief when I return to pavement. As if the Vespa is set free with me on its back.
“That one” is hard to explain.
Traffic plays an important role in my route choices. Big Valley is typically devoid of Dodge Ram 4 wheel drive pickup trucks or pastel colored eco cars driven by a 16 year old on a cell phone. Both dangerous for different reasons. Bango country has different dangers.
For anyone riding on two-wheels, central Pennsylvania is a gift of low traffic and myriad roadways. And really, not that much banjo country either.
That’s exactly what Polay and I are doing, riding dirt and gravel roads! We stayed overnight in Clarion, and he was just studying maps for today’s route. Great minds think alike, eh?
Sounds like fun. Lots of dirt and gravel up that way. Hope you guys had some great riding!
One of your more poignant postings. My own rule of thumb as to the convenience or shall we say availability of a road, path or trail is what is the material on the surface. So a formally paved passage is not always preferred; whereas tar and gravel/chipped
surfaces indicate to me said surface means a less travelled route, and often far more fun
for riding. Then too as the road surface changes say to a soil based surface, dry weather riding is usually OK; however when damp, slippery at its best.
Your Vespa is a physically small machine, hence is far more a friendly machine for those out of the way paths where the surface may be luxurious as a farm lane, paved with grasses.
Your link to the different odours emanating from manure was most interesting. Have always been able to differentiate between cow, pig, and sheep manures. That comes from spending far too much time mucking stalls on a friend’s horse farm. It was hard-earned money however it also gave a good result for the animal that lived there. Definitely a job for someone much younger than either of us , Steve.
So ride on and enjoy, the balance of this the third week of October 2017. No doubt many of us are counting the weeks before the end of this current year. Let’s do count: 36 days until the U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday November 23), 65 days until
Christmas, Monday December 25 and here in Canada (except Quebec) Boxing Day
December 26, and then another week before the start of 2018. My counting of days may well not be accurate however you get the idea. And while counting days, realized during November too many of my similarly aged retired fro daily employment friends will leave here for extended vacations to warmer climes. Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii come to mind as well as Victoria in British Columbia. Some may well leave after the start of of 2018, to be home with family during the Christian holiday period.
Thinking of those who have already left for the warmer climes; some of us such as myself have no desire to travel especially to any foreign country. Roads with which I am familiar as well as the few friends who don’t travel to escape winter means less hectic times. More times to enjoy the time remaining for me here.
Then too if I had wheels, even small Vespa wheels it would make travelling somewhere more fun. Ain’t going to happen, in my case. I’ll thus read the exploits of Steve Williams and imagine…
Hi Lee
I think I remember you from a previous life. Ever dabble in model RRing or should I say railway modeling? If so maybe you could reach me thru Steve. I’m not sure about posting e-mail addresses publicly.
Doug
Doug Sandmeyer
The name is Bryce, no longer modelling, do you recall from where remembered?
Steve cn send connecting links by private e-mail.
I’ll get the emails to you guys.
I suppose we all have our own unique criteria for what will or won’t make for a good ride. One rider’s gravel choice may be another’s nightmare. We have periodic episodes of tar and chipping on some township roads and I always find that particular mix annoying.
The Vespa is light and versatile for sure. It suits almost everything I do. Still, there are times I wish I was riding something different.
We’re still having warm weather here. Some mornings in the 30s(F) but warms by late morning. The coming holidays do seem to mark changes in weather patterns.
Anyway, on I ride!
I live in a large urban area, and I desperately seek out gravel roads to enjoy on my KLR650. It handles well on gravel, especially when the gravel is packed, and I find gravel roads are almost always the most interesting.
Unfortunately, I have pretty much been on all of them within a “day ride” circumference of my garage. And gravel roads are disappearing in these parts. It is a nice surprise when I can find a gravel road I haven’t already traveled.
My experience with the KLR650 on gravel was enjoyable as well. Probably why I keep my eyes open for used ones.
I’ve been on practically every road I ride many times. But there is always something new to see. Especially when I stop to look around. I’m still seeing new things in my garden!
I’ve been organizing and leading an annual ride here in Wisconsin for 3 years. Used paper maps and Google maps to plot the route. Here in Wisconsin (thanks to the dairy industry from what I’ve heard) we have mostly paved roads, so, except in the National Forests in the north, one expects asphalt. First year wound up on a curving, rutted road up a ridge (that my wife crashed on (not good for newbies, it seems). Became the bad joke of the event, as the next year we were surprised by a stretch as well. This year we wound up on 6 MILES of gravel. The first section of perhaps a mile was newly graded screenings, with only Amish buggy tracks, complete with Amish farms and corn shocks that I haven’t seen in decades). The later stretch was comparable to our farm driveway…and just as wide. Got old quickly as we had a schedule based on paved roads, as well as two riders in their ’80s. No crashes this year, but getting less amusing by the year. Personally I like the challenge, but a little goes a long way.
Those rutted, loose gravel roads will cause many pavement riders some anxiety. Especially when they’re riding something big. I like those challenges but I wouldn’t want to do it as a group. Like riding at my own pace.
I love the smells of fall, the loaminess of soil, the smell of the forest changes from sweet summer to tang of fall. Dirt and gravel are not my favourite on my NC, I find her too heavy & cumbersome and I have had a slip of the foot when trying to manouevre on gravel, so it has me a little nervous. I’ve been thinking about getting a small dual sport and taking an off road course. I’ve also been pondering getting a scooter. As much as I love my bike, I do miss my scoot.
I love those smells too. Autumn has a wide range.
Maneuvering on gravel can be a challenge. Especially with something heavy or if you can’t easily flat foot the machine to provide solid support. I’ve seen some riders tip toeing their bikes and having their feet slip causing momentary excitement. A 250 dirt bike would be a nice addition if you have the roads close. But a lot of people have to ride 90 or 100 miles to find them. A 250 can do it but not if you want to rush on the expressway.
Maybe you need another scooter…
I DO fantasize with maps, satellite views as well and today’s goal in fact.
Pastured on grass or confined housing and which species….we can tell, huh Steve?? 🙂
Farmer riders. That’s what we are.
Steve,
I’ve never been so proud! Mentioning often to my riding friends that the roads we ride would be fun most anywhere but to me, rolling through these busy Ag areas makes them all the better. My experience, my people and their histories together make it rich.
You said it better than I.
I think we’re fortunate to be able to ride in places that still have history. So many places have been developed beyond the point where any history exists anymore. Just an endless landscape of commercial development that looks the same everywhere…
I have been out and about on the bikes over the past three days and gravel/dirt roads have made up a significant part of each day. Lots of paved roads in this part of the world but the quieter, more scenic and thought provoking thoroughfares seem to be these old rural routes that roll and wind about the country side. These quieter roads become all the more important on weekends and holidays when roads in general become busier here in the Dufferin/Wellington part of Ontario.
Same around here. I just don’t understand why so many riders stay on the main roads which are far more heavily trafficked and flows faster and requires more attention. I know many who find it frustrating to go slow and wander. They want to go fast, carve turns, perform and race. Or something. Different strokes and all…
Last year I was out on the 250 scooter when I heeled over on a shaded curve. Don’t you know that the second part of the curve the road was freshly covered in deep pebbles. I pulled up the bike, straightened it up and started to slow down and aim for the grass on the opposite side. Fortunately I whoaed it down before hitting the trees lining the road.
The truly fortunate thing was that I wasn’t on a bike. I would have been riding faster and might not have been pulled off the same maneuver. Dirt I can handle, shifting pebbles, not so much.
I’ve come to not lean too hard on rural curves that I can’t see through. Too often sand, pebbles, liquid manure, ice or some other hazard made things exciting. Causes the heart to race when you’re trying to stop before the trees!
Shifting pebbles are bad. One of the things I liked about the Piaggio MP3 was that it handled them easily. Those two wheels in front made for stable riding even when sliding.