Becoming One With the World
Strange how I often find myself writing in the middle of the night. House quiet, dogs asleep and my head turning over thoughts from a ride earlier in the day. Sometimes the ride stays with me beyond the road, the ride lingers in the mind where it ceases to be about the physical actions on the scooter, but rather part of a tiny myth, a figment of imagination that creates a story about myself and my life.
I left the house late this afternoon with three goals — return a book to the library, deposit a check at the bank, and apply the riding salve to a viral infection of the sinuses that threatens perception of life. The road led me into the mountains, the scooter tires oozing in places on a skin of limestone mud, and I could feel my world preoccupations slowly fall away.
Now at 3:30am I’m still thinking of that ride. Sinuses completely blocked with crud, nine hours remaining before I can take more Zyrtec, my mind lingers on that ride. The cold air draining my head. The feelings of old age and decrepitude that an illness can generate stripped away as I for a few moments became one with the world.
Riding can do that if you let it.
A World of Mud
When the temperature rises above the freezing mark and the ground starts to give up its water a world of mud appears in those places off the road. I don’t know why I continue to be attracted to them when there are plenty of dry roads to pursue.
With my goals in mind I had to break the spell and head toward town before the bank and library closed.
Fading Day
A swing across the south end of town provided some solitary space and a moment to realize the heavy skies would provide little in the way of a dramatic sunset. Standing in a soft, fallow field, I gazed at the pine standing alone now, its companion of many decades now gone, a casualty of lightning or disease. Thoughts of my parents, my wife, my family swept over me. And now in the wee hours of the morning they’re here again.
The ride lingers in the mind.
The Tiny Quest
I love how riding the Vespa can transport me back to childhood where a little walk through the woods was a major adventure. Now, in my sixth decade on earth, I find those feelings over and over again on these little rides. I often wonder how I would respond to a long ride in terms of time and distance. If the excitement would be magnified, or if the sparkling thrill of riding would be extinguished amidst the business of managing that life on the road.
I was able to engage the bank and library and make my way home as the daylight began to fade. And now, ten hours later I’m wishing I was on the road again. For sinus relief, cold air in my face, and the hopes of keeping the lingering ride alive.
It’s cold and raining outside. A walk to the end of the driveway was enough to remind me that I am deathly tired and sick, and that a ride at 4am isn’t what I really need.
Instead, I’ll fade away toward sleep now and if I’m lucky, dream the riding dream.
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Gosh Steve, you depress me or copy my thoughts or something. I wish I could easily ride on a daily mini-adventure with open space like yours. But alas, I am a city dweller and to get to the open road takes more effort. Though I had two great trips this month I keep longing for another and the smell of the open road. My time has become limited this time of year with obligations and guests. On the 4th of January I get to go on a little ride to deliver my unbeloved MP3 to it’s new owner but my desire is to continue riding for several more days. But again, needed appointments stop it in it’s tracks. So until the great adventure arrives on the 21st of January, I will continue to set here, early in the morning, with my cup of coffee living my riding day through you.
Thank you.
Sometimes the desire to ride interferes with other aspects of life, especially when I find myself doing too much daydreaming or wishing I was on the road rather than attending to the obligations in front of me. But I suppose we’re both grownups and will do what we need to do.
I am lucky though that good riding begins almost at the end of my driveway. It’s one of the things that’s so attractive about State College, Pennsylvania. With Penn State here there is the feeling of a larger city. But the wilderness of central Pennsylvania along with the sweeping agricultural landscapes are just a few miles away. So Vespa ridings is never far off.
It’s funny you mention your morning cup of coffee. I must confess that my attempt at posting at 5am has that coffee in mind. Somewhere along the way it got into my head. So much so that I seldom post at any other time. I used to post whenever the gods moved me to write something. Now, even if I complete the post at 3pm, I’ll schedule it to publish at 5am. And other than your cup of coffee, I’m not sure why I do it that way…
Steve you were born to follow your will to ride because it’s a magical thing to do. I think I told you I bought an electrical assist Rad Rover bike with big fat grippy tires so I can ride the bike paths in the Winter here. My two wheeled cycling should fill my urge when I can’t ride my scoot because of snow on the road. Keep riding and writing Buddy.
I intend to follow my inclinations to ride as long as I can, or show interest. Who knows how long that will be.
The Rad Rover electric bikes look pretty neat. The Grip Studs I have here are designed for bike tires like those on the Rad Rover. Studs would allow you to adventure through snow and ice though not sure how they’ll be on the dry pavement.
I’ll keep riding and writing — as long as the spirit moves me!
Happy New Year!
Our paths could have crossed. I rode the last two days, short local rides mostly to do errands, but still, moving on two wheels. It won’t make you feel any better, but I had to go through a course of antibiotics myself to get rid of a head and chest cold.
Kim is going through a second course of antibiotics plus steroids now. Hopefully I’ll avoid that road.
I saw one motorcycle yesterday — a Kawasaki KLR. No sign of you. Yet!
Happy New Year!
Hey Steve hope you get to feeling better soon.Keep posting it’s like getting a dose of good medicine each time…Update on my Sym citycom 300. Two thousand miles now couldn’t be happier ,sometimes the ride for me needs high speed to clear my head other times a nice slow pace is best..Scooter does all that without a care truly up to me and the throttle..top end is about 95mph .
If the experience of others holds true, I fear I’ll be sick for another week or so. Fingers crossed that I’ll be well enough to get out for a little ride.
The Sym City 300 is an interesting machine. Not unlike the BV300. The bigger wheels and heavier weight will provide a less twitchy ride that bothers some with the Vespa GTS line. At 6’2″ I wonder if the seating and foot position will feel cramped. The one time I was on a BV300 it was obvious that I couldn’t ride it.
A 95mph top end is impressive for a 300 engine. Actually 264cc in North America. The engineering marvels of modern engines.
Be safe and careful as you ride into the new year!
A wry smile as I read this—getting ready to head to the clinic a second time after two weeks of a chest cold, wheezing, and no voice. Thanks for speaking for me here. Heading out for a New Years ride come hell or high water.
I hope you find yourself soon on the rise toward recovery. These viruses/bacterial infections really intrude on paradise. I suppose I should be grateful for medical care a life of reasonable privilege where an illness like this doesn’t endanger my life. Hopefully.
Good luck with the New Year’s ride. I plan the same and the weather report indicates fair weather. The mind is definitely willing but I’ll reserve judgement on the body.
A brief aside — I think my next post will involve a ghost at a bar. Never looked for them before. Now I’m always asking. Your fault.
Haha. Thanks Steve, glad I could give you a little something more to chew into. And thanks for the well wishes. Happy New Year—we need to do that interview soon!
Maybe after my head clears and I wouldn’t be sneezing and coughing into a microphone we can discuss an interview. Always fun to talk with other scooter riders!
I too have sought head cold relief through riding. Feeling too crummy for just about everything else I have on occasion, mustered the enthusiasm for a scoot. As my body forgets about all else other than executing the ride I feel better. Post ride I continue to suffer physically but my mind continues to wander and buzz In and out well into the evening. The riding salve indeed.
Yes, that’s exactly how things unfold for me. Never got out today to ride. Took Junior for a walk instead. Almost as good. Now I’m tired and crappy. Thankfully for those around me I’m not cranky.
Well, I’ve been pretty lucky on the health front thus far this season: other than the throat and sinuses drying out a bit overnight (we have humidifiers all over the house now, and I have to break out the tabletop version for my work/nap room), I’m “maintaining.”
Been soggy here all day today…likely the same deal over your way. No riding, but I’m jonesing for journaling, except I can’t find my most recent journal – it’s literally gone MIA. Since I’m a tad anal about what I use for journaling, I have a three fresh ones on hand, but don’t want to grab none of those before making certain my last started one is truly not in this house. Damn.
But I totally get the need to be up before the sun (and everybody else, more specifically), although my normal cycle is to write late at night; as mentioned before, I’m a fairly late riser, left to my own devices. Just substitute the for that coffee, and I’m in there with ya.
So far we’ve not broken out the dehumidifiers. Installed a natural gas heater this year and it puts out moisture when in use. It’s been enough. And it’s nice to have an open flame in the house. Next best thing to a fireplace I guess.
I’m the same way with journals. They have to be the small, plain paper Moleskines. I’ll finish the last few pages tomorrow and I think I don’t have a backup. That means some sort of ride unless I’m really not well.
Fading fast now so I can’t write more. Good luck with your writing and riding!
Even in Florida I’ve had a sinus infection. Stuffed, plugged and just miserable but I refuse to see a doctor. I keep working on my 2 wheeled wind therapy. A bit messy but it helps.
For some time now I’ve gotten up well before any rooster would. My wife thinks I’m crazy (perhaps?) but I find I love the absolute silence of 4:00 a.m. darkness. In a way it mirrors my riding. With coffee at hand and the household dog/cats/spouse sound asleep, I travel the many roads in Florida I’ve been on in mind and I start planning my next one. Same roads usually but still looking for that one undiscovered one that carries only 3 cars, myself on two wheels and maybe a bicyclist.
How long will I continue to ride and search? As long as I can or until I no longer have the desire.
Happy New Year Steve – feel better and keep sharing your rides and photos!
I’ve declined to the point where I can’t safely ride. At least not at the moment. Feel light-headed and a little woozy. Hopefully tomorrow with some sleep, hydration and Zyrtec I’ll wake a little better. Doubt it though. With the increase in body aches and pains I fear I’m heading into full bore flu. Sucks.
On the brighter side — getting up whenever I want and sleeping whenever I want without question is nice. Kim already knows something is wrong and doesn’t need to ask. I love the quiet of morning when the house is silent. Used to take advantage of that. Not so much anymore. Easier to find the requisite solitude my spirit requires.
I travel the same roads over and over again and still find new things. Or a new road veering off that I’ve not ridden before. I love when that happens. And I’ll continue until I can’t or lose interest.
Happy New Year Mike!
Hi Steve I,m in the UK good to read your comments on ridings to have the same thoughts while riding my 300GTS have just secured a 1000cc aprilia Tuono so am looking forward to my first ride as spring comes:roll on.I to live near super roads near th Yorkshire dales and Scottish boarder so will put some pics on later of my rides,Happy new year to you and all your followers.Geoff.
The Aprilia Tuono will be a shocking difference from your GTS. Careful with all that power. Spring and speed roll on fast without even realizing it.
Coincidence that while I’ve been ill I’ve been watching DCI Banks. It takes place in Yorkshire and some of the landscapes are from the dales. Beautiful roads to ride.
Happy New Year!
Good read Steve, you do draw fantastic verbal picture and includes all the senses. It’s another reason I reach out to you to do eats.
It’s time for breakfast or lunch Mike. It will have to wait until I get over the flu though. Feel crappy now. Wanted to go for a little ride today but just too weak for that.
Maybe I’ll be able to write about something instead…