The heat was hot and the ground was dry.
Not sure why that lyric from America’s Horse with No Name floated through my brain as I sat down to write this post. Perhaps it was the heat of the past two days. Or the humid air flowing in the windows as the clock leans toward 2am. Regardless the reason, one thing’s for sure — riding when the thermometer eclipses 90F is unpleasant. For me.
And now I remember fondly a misty morning ride of a week ago. Nothing quite as pleasant as riding in rain during summer.
Morning Rain
An early appointment at Kissell Motorsports to have the rear brake pads replaced on the Vespa scooter had me on the road in a light rain with the temperature in the low 60s. Rain all night had cleared the roads of the oil and grease that seems to accumulate in summer which makes traction a bit more positive. Not that my laid-back riding style or the lightly traveled routes face challenges from the rain. Mostly there’s a flowing movie of misty landscapes that feed my imagination and create adventure in my head.
Detours and Distractions
I’ve been on this road dozens if not hundreds of times. And still I stop, detour and wander around as if I’m seeing it for the first time. I suppose I’m easily amused. Or there’s something I’ve not seen yet.
Unknown Roads
Finding untraveled roads so close to home is unusual. Not sure how I missed this little path through the woods just outside Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Had to sit down with a map when I got home to find out what other mysteries might be waiting.
The rain had slowed to less than a sprinkle at this point. Just enough raindrops to require drying the camera before putting it away. Rain is more of a concern photographically than for riding.
Rain, Trains and Scooter Rides
At this point the rain was finished, the trains had already passed, and the scooter ride would end soon for a short time as the Vespa rolled in for service.
I gave myself an extra hour of riding time — two hours for a 35 mile ride. I know myself. Seldom do I travel directly from point A to point B when I’m riding alone. And when it’s gray and gloomy I seem to stop far more often to appreciate the world.
On a sunny day I would only allocate an hour for this ride. And if I made the most direct route with no stops for distraction, the trip would be 35 minutes.
Lots of choices here in the sticks.
Kissell Motorsports
There’s a comfortable space to relax while awaiting service. A place to hang my ratty old yellow and black riding jacket and helmet, table and chairs to sit and read or write. And ample opportunity to peruse the selection of new and used motorcycles. I ended up talking to a fellow who brought his new URAL in for its 600 mile service. It’s nice to be able to schedule service and just wait until it’s finished.
Candy and Home
The trip home was pleasant and relaxed. A stop in Tyrone to consume a few Peanut Butter Meltaways at the local candy shop, and then a different meandering route home. All with the temperature never getting past 70 degrees.
*SIGH*
It’s warm and muggy at 2am. The National Weather Service has posted a Severe Weather Alert:
HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT 8 PM EDT MONDAY – MAXIMUM HEAT INDEX… 100 TO 104 DEGREES.
Ugh. I suppose I’ll need to do my riding early…
You and I are polar opposites on this one, Steve.
We’ve been getting some big heat out here , accompanied by big humidity, and I confess to loving those days
Much to the horror of those who practice ATGATT, ( all the gear all the time ) I strip down on those occasions … to jeans, T-Shirt, open face helmet, gloves , sunglasses and light boots.
This past Friday was such a hot and humid day Steve and I chose the Vespa over more sporty horses in the barn and did my favourite hundred kilometre run my the ocean.
It is during these stripped down rides that I feel as if I have tapped into the essence of riding. The warm breeze passing over my lightly attired body gets me closer to that sensation of flying than during those rides when I am more heavily armoured.
There is a point on my journey at which the road crests and I begin a steep vertical drop with a spectacular view of Saint Margaret’s Bay.
At these times, I often take by hands from the bars and allow gravity to supply the motivation. I extend my arms fully at my side and gently raise and lower them as if they were wings. I do this for maybe 10 seconds at most but for those ten seconds I’m a Wright Brother.
Certainly does sound as if we are far apart on our preferred riding weather. When it’s really hot I just feel as if I’m inside a sauna. I do abandon ATGATT but only in as much as I’ll ride in jeans. The only time I ride in a t-shirt is after I wash the scooter and run it up the street to knock off some of the water. Just a few hundred yards of naked freedom.
Maybe riding along the ocean I would find the whole experience different. But for now, even though I will ride in hot weather, it’s just not my favorite. Thinking about weather and riding, I recalled a post called My Seven Types of Riding Weather. Maybe it’s all just a matter of varied experience. Or maybe I just need to not complain!
I have to say I do want to go out and have your Wright Brother experience. Perhaps a cold shower first will help…
Terry,
Wow – your ride reminds me of a route I discovered not long ago here along the Jersey Shore, riding from home in Asbury Park to Atlantic Highlands, which has a good deal to recommend it, but the return trip, riding across the bridge towards Sea Breeze, there’s a point where you almost feel like you’re sinking into the Atlantic Ocean. The first time I rode it, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand bolt-upright. Subsequent trips have been less extreme in sensation, but still wonderfully thrilling. About as close to the Brothers Wright experience as I care to get just a feet off the ground, hands-off or on. (I prefer “on”…I next-to-never ride hands-off on any of my bicycles anymore, never mind the Vespa. 😉
Hey Steve,I liked the word ratty in describing your riding jacket..Ithought we only used that term down here in Texas..Very hot and dry here in Central Texas..I rode some this morn its about 80 degress already..Wanted to tell you first i’m a die hard Vespa man,however i got a 2015 Sym city com 300i recently that is really nice.Had 187 miles on it ,like brandnew.. I wanted to give the Tiwan builds a try.honestly i think its the most comfortable scoot i’ve ever been on…16″wheels sits up nice and tall since i’m six ft tall. Lots of power and smooth as silk..Happy fourth to all your way..Don
That jacket is definitely ratty. Worn and dirty as a riding jacket should be I guess.
Texas must be brutal in terms of heat compared to here. I think I’ve missed the riding window already. Will have to wait until evening now.
I’ve looked online at SYMs a few times and was always impressed by what I’ve read. With no dealers nearby I probably would not pursue one though. The 16 inch wheels would definitely give a more relaxed ride, especially for those times you’re forced onto the superslab. The reviews give the SYM city high marks for comfort. Do you feel you have enough room to move around on it during a long ride?
Steve,first scooter i ever bought without riding or even sitting on..It came from Michigan i hadit shipped to Texas..I think i could ride long distance without wearing me out anymore than usual since i’m nearly 64.Will keep u posted as time and miles pass Lord willing on the Sym.Sure love your site and the awesome photographs..Keep cool man and happy trails to you…Don E.
We’re the same age Don. I’m just beginning to feel a difference physically on long rides. Doesn’t keep me from making them but the reminders that I’m not younger are continually present…
Keep me posted on your adventures with the Sym. Should be a fine scooter for adventures.
Raining today but finally some cooler air! Would be riding except for the thundering sky.
Très belle photos ! Il faut vraiment que je vienne avec ma vespa en Pennsylvanie !!!
J’aime l’odeur de la pluie sur le route où dans les champs après l’orage.
Very beautiful pictures ! I really have to come with my vespa in Pennsylvania !!!
I like the smell of rain on the road or in the fields after the storm.
Laurent (France)
Pennsylvania is a lovely place to ride. If you ever get the chance — take it!
I love your photos. They are inspiring!
Thanks Kat!
I think I like riding in any weather except hot. Anything is better than hot. It’s easy to stay warm at sub-zero but not many ways to cool off in the miserable hot-humid weather you describe. Riding in the rain on a warm day really is wonderful…
The only way I’ve found to cool off on those miserable hot-humid days is to dive into a creek or lake. But then 15 minutes later on the road you need to do it again. Really slows down progress.
It’s raining today here but some thunder and lighting will keep me in the cage.
As a cyclist who’s done day-rides in stupid-hot temps in the past, I will say my tolerance for heat is a tad higher than other folks I know, but I have my limits, and on the bicycle it’s less about overall protection (helmet and gloves are pretty much it…if you go down at speed, road rash isn’t much prettier than if you had motorized assist), and more about not sweating yourself into heat stroke.
On my short summer rides on the slower secondaries, I pretty much throw ATGATT to the four winds: although I usually draw the line at footwear and pants (no sandals, and usually no shorts), I’ll be in a t-shirt; my feeling is that riding uncomfortable is equivalent to riding distracted, which is possibly even more risky. That said, I am shopping for a decent mesh riding jacket to supplement my almost-but-not-quite-four-seasons RevIt! jacket that I otherwise love to death. Hot weather riding almost always means choosing a compromise between comfort and protection. Melody is also approaching her 6k checkup, and I have to save up some coins for that, since I have a sneaking feeling she might need a new variatior by then. Generally, she’s running pretty good.
In summer I modify the ATGATT standard a bit — shedding the mesh armored pants and just wear jeans. If I were smart I would probably invest in a pair of the jeans designed for riding. Otherwise I wear all the other stuff regardless of the heat.
With one exception — during a local arts festival just down the street, I rode the scooter with shorts, tennis shoes, t-shirt, and helmet. No gloves. I felt naked and at risk. But I figured I could chance a 2/10 mile ride at 20mph…
I have a good mesh jacket. But at really high temperatures, the air blast seems to dry me out fast. I’ve been told that a more covered jacket with vents is better. You sweat and the air flow through the vents provides cooling. Don’t feel any sweat at all in the mesh jacket. Either way, I drink a lot of water in hot weather. And where possible, dump water on my head and body. Feels good but dries quickly.
Shouldn’t need a new variator at 6K. My first variator change was at 32K. Shouldn’t even need a belt change at 6K according to Piaggio. Did you do something to your scoot?
Nope, scoot is 100% stock (so far), but about a week ago it felt a bit more rough on take-off than I thought it should…but that lasted all of two days. Feels just fine now! (Somewhere at the 5900-ish mile mark now.) Meanwhile, I just ordered a Highway 21 Turbine mesh jacket from RevZilla. (Seems like everybody beat me to the punch on this, since so many models of mesh jackets are sold out.) YesterdayI plumped (ah, slipped some Brit-speak in there by accident) for a pair of reinforced mesh high-top-style riding sneaks from Indian Motorcycle from my local dealer, which fit great and didn’t cost a fortune – my goal was to get my “summerized” riding kit together for not much over two hundred bucks, and I pretty much accomplished that.
And, yeah, for my one-mile run to the supermarket (or the quarter-mile run on Saturdays to the farmer’s market here in Asbury), I pretty much limit my safety-wear to helmet and gloves, although I draw the Ride Casual line at footwear – shoes or sneakers, but not even covered-toe sandals on the bike.
Could be just the rollers and sliders need to be replaced. They can get noisy and affect the positive feel of the CVT. I usually change them when the belt is changed.
I was looking at Revzilla last night. Thinking I need a new jacket but of course I don’t. Feels good to spend money sometimes…
Steve,
Not that you need the encouragement, but do all you can to continue making those 35 mile trips last 2 hours. Your simple mention of that pace made me smile and will serve as a reminder for mine.
I try to make every ride last as long as possible. More and more, I hate to be rushed. So much so that I consciously slow down as a way to shrug off the old pace. On the road, I’m definitely in the minority. But I’ve learned to pull over to let the rushed world pass by…
I like the reflection shot best, of course, I like them all.
You ready for the exhibit?
Regarding the exhibit — I’m wrapping the final details. All the prints are made and frames are waiting. Most of the promotional stuff is done. I’ll be moving all the pieces into the gallery on July 30 and hanging things on the 31st. It’s been a bit mind boggling though the amount of work it takes to do this.
Riding in the rain is one the best experience I had and it was awesome. thanks, steve for reminding all the past memory 🙂
Riding generates many fine memories. Best of luck on your adventures and be safe.
I have lighter jackets for hot riding but generally wear my leather to 89 degrees. I don’t like riding in the wet at all. My only fall on the road was on black ice and dark wet roads revive the terror. I just enjoy any chance to ride above 45 degrees. Heat is just more molecular activity.
Black ice and dark wet roads — neither are situations I want to navigate. And when I find myself there, it’s usually at a crawl.
I’ve not been riding much lately, bypassing hot, cool, rain and more. This photo show has consumed me. Soon, I’ll be riding again.
It is July 20, 2018.
Two weeks. until opening night.
Are you ready for for same?
Wine and cheese and a Vespa parked in the middle of the exhibit perhaps?
Trust all you framed photographs are lined up for the hanging yet come.