Paul is always good for a shot at other riders!

Still some coal mining underway but the vast stripping is over. And those scars have been covered over for the most part by mother nature. Unfortunately the mine drainage in some places has permanently contaminated streams and waterways, painting them bright orange with iron and making them toxically acidic.

Those injuries won’t go away in my lifetime. If ever.

It’s more difficult to get into some of those places now. Liability has spawned endless warning and no trespassing signs, fences and gates and at time live security. The days of fun on dirt bikes in strip mines has passed…

I imagine riding in Africa is a completely difference experience than here once you get out of town. A BMW 1200 GS Adventure makes sense. But you’re right about the Vespa in town and for the small trips (under a few hundred miles) — hard to beat! Probably feels tiny though after any time on the BMW.

The Vespa is bigger than people think. Stand it next to almost anything other than the big touring bikes and it holds its own.

When I started to ride again in 2005 there was a 30 year gap since my last riding experiences. Effectively, I was a beginner again.

Perhaps you weren’t hesitant at all. Maybe it was just riding wisdom at work!

Thanks Jim. Pennsylvania is blessed with having paved so many cow and wagon paths. Add the Appalachians to it and you have some windy roads.

Aging and machine weight. A great topic. It’s funny how much heavier a lot of things feel now. Four years ago I had no back issues. Didn’t blink getting on a BMW K1600 or similar big machine. Now they seem dangerously ponderous to me. Even the smaller 800s and such seem big. While I realize I get used to the weight, I’m constantly reminded of it as I try and push them around, get them on a center stand, etc. So I look to lighter machines — something under 400 pounds.

There are lots of things in that category. I was looking at the new BMW310R and GS. They would be a nice alternative to the Vespa though carrying capacity is sadly just a shadow of what the scooter can carry. But nice in terms of moving it around.

I’m getting old. My ride is getting lighter. If all I did was cruise on the highway, not stop very often, never venture off pavement, and not make a lot of U-turns, then a big bike would be fine. The way I ride though — ugh.

And the shallow BMW riders comment made me LOL!

Honda’s NC700 is an interesting machine. I’ve spoken to a few owners about them and looked them over at the dealer. After some consideration, and taking account of my own limitations due to arthritis, I think any change in my future will remain in the lighter range of machines.

I can see how the Honda CRF250 would be a great bike to learn on. And for what Mr. Ruby wants to do — the right choice too.

I like to doddle as well. Plenty of roads here to do that. It’s perhaps my favorite riding activity.

I really like the looks and capabilities of the BMW G310GS. I haven’t had the opportunity to ride one, but on paper it seems like a reasonable alternative to the Vespa should I ever have to abandon it.

It amazes me how many uncomfortable motorcycle and scooter seats there are. Seems like something a manufacturer would try and get right.