Shape, Line and Color
Fog reduces the landscape to basic elements of shape, line and color. Standing alongside the road, studying the wheatfield, I’m free to consider my place in the world and continue the conversation that’s part of a morning meditation on a Vespa scooter.
Is this serenity? Is this where I’m supposed to be? Is it enough?
On different days there are different questions. Riding opens a door to examination of what’s going on in my head and heart. And then as suddenly as I stopped I’m moving again, traveling at a pace that seems in synch with everything around me.
It’s not just going for a ride, it’s meditation on a Vespa scooter.
Roadway Reflections
I don’t know why I stop so often.
At times the reasons are obvious — a dramatic landscape or other compelling visual. I joke about how few miles I travel weighed against the time I’m on the road. Eight hours and 90 miles? While my rides are not always like that, it is often the case when the ride becomes a meditation on a Vespa scooter.
Small details present themselves and call out for examination. Especially when riding at slow speeds — common when I’m in this frame of mind. I’m not sure what I found so fascinating about the numbers painted on the pavement. I just knew I had to stop.
Morning Fog
Fog puts me in a quiet state, especially when riding. I should probably be more on edge riding on a foggy morning but truth be told I’m relaxed, alert and in a state of introspection that seems a meditation on a Vespa scooter.
I see things clearly despite the atmosphere. From a distance the scooter ceases to be a machine and becomes a personality in the story of my life. The scene is a mural which displays elements of importance to me — aloneness, nature, open space, simplicity and a sense of minimalism that’s a siren song to my soul. These places glow on a foggy morning.
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
It took me a long time to appreciate the quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s ” The Fellowship of the Ring.” I’ve wandered my whole life, long before the Vespa scooter came along. And for a long time I considered it a defect, a reflection of a lack of planning or foresight.
A waste of time.
It wasn’t until I started riding that I gave myself permission to wander, to treat it as a blessing, to understand I was embracing a form of meditation on a Vespa scooter. And that the things I saw, felt and thought about were okay. That I was okay.
Riding. It’s special. A gift, a blessing and at times a meditation on a Vespa scooter.
The last paragraph reminded me of an Ellen Foley song, “Beautiful Waste of Time.” Title says it all, but the song is great.
I like to think of gorgeous landscapes, including those ensconced by fog, as accentuating awareness, rather than dulling it. Not that I’m advocating taking such a thing for granted while behind the handlebar, but this has been my experience, with or without an engine.
Some of my rides are meditative (thank goodness), but most have been what I call “thought rides” (not my invention, alas, but that of a writer for a long-defunct bicycling magazine from the 1990s). These happen almost all the time on errand-rides, park-and-rides to the train station (one of which will happen tomorrow), et cetera. Almost as valuable as those meditative rides, of which I’m rather overdue for.
Giving oneself permission to wander: this, to me, is terribly important. Sanity hinges upon this, in my opinion.
As for the means to this state: Melody is just a few clicks from her 9k checkup. All’s well, except: (1) needs a new rear tire; (2) exhaust clamp/bushing is likely shot, since the exhaust note is a good deal louder lately. She’ll also get a new belt & rollers, among other nips n’ tucks.
Again, photos are luscious. And, yeah, that guy Tolkien, he was onto a few things, right?
Riding is certainly more beautiful than a lot of other activities I can engage in. I suppose it does beg the question of whether it actually is a waste of time. For me, in its most mindless incarnation riding has value. If only to point out the beautiful. Or relax. Have fun. And at its best — it’s a transcendent experience.
Fog does accentuate my awareness through its novel effect on things familiar. Despite the fact that it removes detail it leaves behind more somehow. Fog works on the car as well by penetrating the disconnection from the world through its visual effect.
I probably lump the thought rides together with the meditative ones. Haven’t gotten so far as breaking down the riding taxonomy.
Regarding maintenance of the machine — I wish I could fully embrace the activity like Pirsig suggests in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Sadly I am closer to his riding buddy. But I am still trying to become more mechanically inclined with the scooter. I can do a lot of the work but I just hate doing it. I’ve promised myself I’ll do the next belt and roller change. And will also do the oil and filter change. But honestly, I would rather take it to the dealer. It’s an ongoing mental battle for me. I wish it could be a easy issue related to money or lack of a reliable mechanic. But it’s not. It’s about some notion of being able to fix things along the road. But I don’t ride those kind of adventures where I’m on my own. I call a tow truck and use a credit card. Ugh.
Thanks for the kind words about the photos but as you know, hard to miss with fog!
Pure poetry Steve. Words, thoughts and images as well.
After a great many years, my wife continues to ask me a very difficult question to answer when I’ve returned from my “going for a ride” comment.
So where did you go?
Most times I simply cannot explain where I went. I know I headed south then crossed over to Valkaria and then south again by the river…then I remembered I hadn’t ridden over that tall bridge in a while so I did that and then…
By that time, her eyes have glazed over with incomprehension. I can’t possibly tell her that I solved all my problems and those of the world on my ride. I re-visited my childhood with fond remembrances and stopped to shoot some photos of the same scenes I have for years. Riding, I become a time traveler for which no therapy can compare.
Simplify Mike, simplify. Another reason I want to go back to a scooter. I truly want to twist and go. The clutch hand and left foot want to be idle as I speed up or slow down. This will free up a fraction of my brain to further focus on the moment as well as where I am in life. Or, where I am not.
Thanks for the kind words about the post Mike. The “where did you go?” question is a tricky one. Easy for me to itemize the map points. Harder to illuminate where my spirit went though. The recounting of map points is a bore. I’ve read so many blog posts or forum entries than do that — went here, turned right and went there. Mind numbing stuff. Where’s the story?
As far as your wife glazing over, or anyone for that matter, you can explain all that solved. But it’s work. And takes practice. And it’s scary to open up to the workings of our mind and expose them to others. Safer to just keep it to ourselves and appear mythic to others! *GRIN*
Simplify. Yes. I’m with you there. The scooter is definitely part of that. And probably why in the foreseeable future a motorcycle would just be an unnecessary and aggravating complication for me. And at the end of the day neither as useful or fun. But that’s just me. With other needs and expectations the scooter could easily be misery inducing.
Hope you continue to explore where you are, and where you’re not.
Josef Pieper in his wonderful little book, “Leisure The Basis of Culture” (1963 Random House), says when work is synonymous with virtue, we sacrifice that which comes through leisure, wisdom. The Greek word for leisure is “σχολή”. This is the origin of the Latin for school (“scola”).
Just read a few excerpts from Pieper’s book. I’ll put it on my list. Seems just what I need to read right now. Virtue and wisdom — I had never considered them as opposing points. Thanks for the head’s up on the book. I appreciate it.
In the evening, it could be vespers on a Vespa.
I’m not sure why but my evening riding pales in comparison to those that begin early in the day. I used to ride a lot more at sunset and into the evening. Wonder what happened? If I begin again I’ll keep Vespers on a Vespa in mind!
Wandering! Just about my/our favourite activity. Thank you Steve for so eloquently putting a bit of meat on the bones. Ride Safe eh 👍
Wandering now on the Vespa reminds me of the wandering I did as a young kid, when everything was new and exciting. That’s a gift to have again at my age!
Yes … Discovery and stretching out … So beneficial for the mind, body and soul.
When I think about the things I experience and write about, the discussions of leisure riding, space to think, choices I can make, in that moment I realize how lucky I am to be amidst this life. So much to be grateful for. So many face far more fundamental challenges in life that I find myself at the other end of the “why me?” questioning. Why am I so fortunate…
Anyway, all of it, riding, wandering, discovery and questioning are beneficial for the mind, body and soul!
Lovely post. I miss fog. We moved to southern Arizona 17 years ago and have experienced it but two or three times since.
My wife will ask me when I think I’ll get home. She always adds an hour to whatever time I give her. She’s usually spot on. I can calculate the number of miles and my average time it take to cover those miles, but I cannot calculate the number of times I’ll stop and take photos, or just stop to hike to the top of a hill to see what is one the other side.
Have you ever read any of Mark “Tiger” Edmonds books? e.g. “Longrider” or “The Ghost of Scootertrash Past”?
Howard
The Pennsylvania landscape is exposed to myriad weathers, fog being one. I’m grateful to live in this ever changing landscape. Currently awaiting the furnace temperatures to abate.
Kim does generally ask when I’ll be home but I try to remain sensitive to the fact that I can temporarily abandon everyone and everything when I’m on the road. So far I’ve remain mature and responsible. Like you say though, stopping for photos or a little hike can upset the schedule.
I’ve not read any of Mark Edmond’s books. I’ll try and run them down. Thanks for the head’s up on that.
Be safe and endure the summer Arizona heat!
Really have been enjoying reading the backlog of posts on your blog. I just discovered it. It’s fantastic and very motivating. I bought my first Vespa just last week and have starting blogging myself about it! I look forward to reading more from you in the future!
Thank you for the kind words about Scooter in the Sticks. I hope you find the same joy and satisfaction as I have as a scooter rider and blogger.
Checked out your blog — must have been the universe that brought us together since Kim and I have been discussing modifications to our diet to include more veggie intensive meals. Your recent “Old Bay Chickpeas” dish looks great. May try it out today!
Be safe.