Emerging From Winter
Warm weather has me on the road again. The act of riding reminds of the Vespa scooter as therapy. Whatever darkness descended in winter lightens and vanishes like smoke in the wind as I ride along country roads. Everything looks different. Brighter. The light is dazzling. The world is flush with the fragrances of spring. The Vespa works its magic on me.
Cleaning the Vespa Scooter
Months of winter riding takes a toll on my Vespa. I’ve long resigned myself to the slow but insidious devolution of the machine due to salt, limestone and other assorted indignities of the road. The weather warmed to the point where I decided to prepare for spring. The Tucano Urbano muffs and apron came or and the scooter was ready for a bath.
High Power Vespa Scooter Washing
For three dollars I was able to power wash the scooter and remove the bulk of the dirt. In minutes the scooter was transformed from a sad, rat scooter to a merely aging and well worn one. I tell myself I’ll keep up with things and do a better job washing and waxing the scooter.
It will never happen.
Reasons to Ride
With warmer weather comes much easier and plentiful reasons and excuses to ride. On this day there was a ride to the car wash followed by a short ride through the countryside to make sure any water that seeped into the engine compartment dried out.
Later in the day I had to get gas. And a bit later a trip to the local quick-mart for supplies.
Salt Fix
Can’t count all the times I’ve ridden to one store or another for a single item. This time potato chips. A Hershey bar on another and perhaps an orange on another ride. All excuses to get on the scooter and feel that familiar feeling of flight and the exceptional view of the world.
It’s that time of year again. I feel like riding. The cold is gone. Bring on the road. The Vespa scooter as therapy.
Well, long time, no hear!
Yes, the break in weather was as shocking as it was welcome. The big difference for me, having ridden all Winter, was the relief from being able to shed one insulating layer and, asa result, feel just that more relaxed. But, even bundled up, Vespa Therapy is real.
And, somehow – who knows, possibly tomorrow (weather permitting), or Tuesday, I might get down to the nitty-gritty of shining Melody up, although I’ve been fairly diligent about keeping ‘er clean.
Startling how quickly time can pass when distracted. Hopefully some calm has descended that will afford more riding and writing.
Just as startling to me was how I blossomed in the warm weather. As if the weight of the world was lifted. Winter was a harsh teacher this season. I was able to ride but suffering was often my companion — mental and physical. With days spent in the 60s I feel young again!
You’re right about Vespa Therapy being real. And it would no doubt be the case if I were riding another machine as well. Throttling away from home provides an almost indescribable sense of release. Not from any particular trial or tribulation, but rather a more existential one that just lightens the spirit. It continues to amaze me.
Good luck shining Melody. A habit I was pondering earlier this morning — why do I care so little for my possessions? Not just the scooter but pretty much everything I have and own — I just don’t seem to be interested in caring for stuff. A question for another therapy ride…
Hi Brother, liking a mode of transport but not worshiping it is no bad thing. I love my scooter but when the rapture of the church occurs, and it will very soon I will drop my scooter and go home to glory with Jesus. Maybe you’re on the same path? Hope so for your sake. X God Bless xx
When I think of riding I am often reminded of the protagonist in James Fennimore Cooper’s book The Deerslayer. He finds a connection to God and the spiritual in the natural world in which he lives. Churches and formal religious orders are far away and the book was written before the Evangelical movements we see today. But he often speaks of going home as you have. I like to think that path is available to anyone who desires it.
Best to you in your rides and your journey home.
Washing away the winter gloom! Though having avoided the icy and salty roads, for me it was mostly washing off the dust of a long gloomy riding drought. Welcome back!
Glad to have emerged physically and psychologically intact from winter. I understand why so many move to warmer places when they get older.
Looking at your A Town Rumblers website — I thought I should take a ride to your Ice Cream Twist on Wednesday evening. It’s only 320 miles away. A leisurely 8 hour ride one way.
I won’t raise the idea with Kim. Plenty to do here at the moment. Some day though…
Good luck clearing away the long gloomy riding drought!
Mieux qu’un médecin, la conduite d’une Vespa ! L’excès de Vespa est fortement recommandé pour le moral et la “joie de vivre” !! Pas besoin d’une raison pour conduire sa Vespa; Juste parce qu’on en a envie…
Quant aux chips je préfère les Tyrells salées !!!
Better than a doctor, driving a Vespa! Excess Vespa is highly recommended for morale and “joie de vivre” !! No need for a reason to drive his Vespa; Just because we want to …
As for chips I prefer salted Tyrells !!!
Bonne route,
Laurent.
Mon cardiologue est un cavalier. Il pourrait être d’accord avec les excès de Vespa. Mon médecin de premier recours semble légèrement intéressé, mais suggère que sa famille l’engagerait s’il avait un scooter.
J’ai regardé les chips de Tyrell salées en mer sur le Web. Ils sonnent parfaitement!
My cardiologist is a rider. He might agree with Vespa excess. My primary care doctor seems slightly interested but suggests his family would commit him if he got a scooter.
Looked up the Sea Salted Tyrell Crisps on the web. They sound perfect!
Steve, I read an article from a Motorcycle Safety Foundation e-mail recently that indicated real research backed up the therapeutic value of two wheeled travel. Must have been for the advertising value since we already knew that. Happy trails
Doug
I think anyone who rides has probably experienced the therapeutic value. I’ve spoken with spouses who attest to the improved nature of their significant others when they ride. The only real offsetting factors to riding are other drivers (manageable to a degree) and terrible decision making and choices (definitely manageable).
As much as possible I try and keep my riding in the realm of therapeutic!
Take care Doug.
Steve,good to see you back. Lousy weather here,but april15 is the day the 150 comes out of the shed.Turned 77 this year but still love to ride.How is your bride doing?Hope all is well with you and yours.Peace and Safety from NH.
Still riding at 77. I hope I can one day say the same. So far the only age limitation I’ve found is a growing aversion to riding in the winter. I still do it but not with the same freedom from cold I once had.
Kim is slowly progressing through her spinal infection. Next month the neurosurgeon will pronounce cure or continued treatment. Fingers are crossed that no further damage is occurring.
Best of luck with this season of riding. Hope the weather breaks soon so you can venture out on two wheels!
I finally dragged my 250 Nighthawk out for a spin and took my late wife’s Rebel on a last ride to sell it. Next I have to air up the big scooter and get it out. I have been firing it up weekly to keep it from becoming stale. I walk around the 750 Kawasaki since it’s so big and not easy to remove from the garage. Either I ride it more or sell it off. This summer will be the make or break season on that decision.
Sounds like you have decisions, choices and work ahead James. Hope you find what you need to make decisions on what to keep and what to let go. As Kim often tells me when I am pondering getting rid of something– “You can always get another.”
Steve – so glad to see you in print again. I was concerned for both you and Kim. I’ve said so often that it must be my personal mantra: Riding is My Wind Therapy. Even the best of us go through the multitude of stresses life tosses our direction. No sooner have I cleared the neighborhood on my Suzuki, I’m smiling inside my helmet and humming a nameless tune. Usually the best itinerary I’m able to offer the spouse is that I’m headed somewhere and I’ll let her know when I’m there. Be safe my friend, be young again in the warmth of Spring.
Oh as a side note, I’m afraid I keep my bike as sparkling clean as possible. Doing so is as much therapy to me, as is riding. Dirty or clean – ride on!
Wind therapy. I like that notion. And I absolutely relate to the feeling you describe as you’re clearing your neighborhood. Same with the idea of heading “somewhere.”
Thank you for your kind words of concern and support. Kim and I both appreciate them.
I wish I could find therapy in cleaning the scooter. I do washing dishes but for some reason it’s not the same with the scooter. Or anything else for that matter. Maybe I need to attach the hose to hot water!
I spent an afternoon last Thursday riding downtown and back in the rain at 0C. When I got home I needed a good long soak in a nice hot bath. And it’s mid-April for heaven’s sake. Plus I had the tall windscreen on, the Tucano Urbano Termoscud on, and the heated grips running on high. I think I’m a wimp.
I’ve shed all that gear but today wish it were back on. The wind was blowing hard on a cool, damp day. Chilled me to the bone. Power went off but could run a natural gas heating appliance that doesn’t need electric. Otherwise a hot shower would have been in order.
Hope you find warmer weather soon and complaints of heat and sweat!
I’ve tried to explain to friends the therapeutic effect and health benefits motorcycle riding does to me, they simply don’t understand.
It’s one of those things that has to be experienced. Many move through life thinking motorcycles and scooters are merely devices of death. They don’t move past those perceptions. Aside from the things I write on Scooter in the Sticks I don’t try to explain anymore why I ride unless specifically asked.
I just finished a Oyster Tour with Bill. I was almost forced to take the car due to weather, but at the last minute I was able to ride. The only Vespa in the garage right now is the “million dollar” scooter, a lx 150, and by far my favorite. We had a great ride at a forced slower pace. Often you don’t realize how bad you need a ride until you just do it.
What happened to Big Red? As much as I liked my LX150 I liked the GTS more. But someday I suspect I’ll migrate back to the LX150. It’s just so different. But it does keep travel at a slower pace. Bill must have lost his mind. *grin*
I was trying to think of a time when I went for a ride and regretted going out. Surely there has to be one but right now I can’t recall not being grateful to be on the road.