Autumn, the magic hour of light and air of the year.
The dazzling power of autumn sunshine quickens the spirit. The helmet visor is often up to absorb the energy that temporarily dissolves care and concern to nothingness. Autumn scooter riding is magical. I’ve been riding and witnessing the world but giving voice to the experiences has eluded me.
I’ve been riding, consistently these past few months, but I’ve not given voice to experience nor story. Why? Because autumn is the season in which I notice the march of time, of the world, and of myself. Another turned page of my life. The world is crisp, golden and I’’m hypnotized by the leaves fluttering to earth. But something is different now. Friedrich Neitzsche wrote, ” Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.”
My soul is restless. It happens this time of year.
Alone on the Road
Autumn scooter riding provides a steady therapy of solitude and reflection. Coupled with a pure, simple joy it’s difficult not to feel grateful in the face of the brief burst of color before the coldness of winter arrives. I’m happy to live in a place that has autumn.
It’s been a month since the last post.
I’ve made dozens of photographs during many rides. The odometers of the Vespa and K75 have turned hundreds of miles but little has been shared. Perhaps I’m just distracted by the season. Or wary of another turned page in my life.
Standing along the stream I wonder how many more times I’ll be here. I’m keenly aware of growing older. It seems a fine adventure but man so many things to consider.
For now, I’m happy to be alive and walking (or riding) on this earth.
I do not get a autumn. We know autumn has come when the temperature drops and this year that has not happened yet. So, your writings and photos are my autumn. Or, I back a bag and head north.
The Mid-Atlantic/New England autumns are a gift. In my youth I took them for granted. Now, I cherish each vision. I’m sitting in the breezeway now watching golden maple leave drift to the ground. A large part of my vision is full of autumn foliage. And on the road it’s a symphony. I have more to post. Was out yesterday, the day before and on and on. Riding is a dream now.
Not to rub it in!!!
No autumn here in Florida Steve. Yesterday’s short ride had me soaked under my riding jacket and my helmet. Thank you for sharing YOUR corner of the world and the pleasures of autumn on rural PA backroads. I will turn 65 on my next birthday and have began thinking much the same: How long will I ride? Will I see this road next year? Keep writing, keep riding, keep the photos coming!
It’s odd how we change with age. I find it fascinating to watch my mind and body change. Little things. Concerns. Fears. Joys. It’s a new life now.
Autumn here is definitely a riding pleasure. I have more photos to share from the past couple months including autumn. Just need to spend some time at the keyboard.
Beautiful Steve in this central PA. autumn mode. My chariot ‘plus 2 wheels’ early Sunday morn setting up tables for the 50 mile Tussey run, The rain added soft start to the race & gave me time to do the task at hand. As the solar glow started to illuminate my path and the golden colors awakening transformed limestone gray to a brilliant colors. I stopped to take this all in and Church Happened, I reflected where I was in Life. No photo of mine would capture this moment But I know Yours would. Peace be with you.
I rode through Rothrock on Sunday morning shortly after the rain stopped. Saw the direction signs but no runners. I don’t think they got to the points where I was. What a beautiful sight in those woods and along those gravel roads. Could have spent all day wandering around.
Reflecting where we are in life, or perhaps more important, being able to reflect on life, well, that’s a gift. It’s nice to have that view.
It’s probably time for breakfast or lunch don’t you think? And it’s definitely time for you to buy a scooter or little motorcycle.
Thank goodness! Been quite the drought. We thought that the intoxicating power of the mighty K75 had enticed, that you had loaded up the Beemer and headed for parts unknown! Never to be heard from again? Personally I would be happy with no less than three months of glorious golden Autumn, such a glorious time of the year.
Truth be told, the K75 has had an effect on things. The novelty has not worn off and I find myself devising schemes and excuses to ride it. Have been out on some cold mornings with it and I recognize the naked bike will have definite limitations for cold weather riding. My guess is 25F to 32F as the coldest range. And then only on sunny, dry days. Still riding the Vespa too but I fear the BMW is hogging my time a bit.
Wouldn’t it be nice to just get on the BMW, or the Vespa for that matter and just head for parts unknown.
Autumn is so fleeting. Last week we were a day or two from the peak. And a few days later we’re on the downhill side toward winter. A metaphor for life…
While traveling from New Bern to Cashiers, NC for a week’s vacation in the mountains, to celebrate my 75 birthday, was a long trip, even by car, the scenery was beautiful–colorful leaves, mountains, waterfalls. Nice way to celebrate Fall and the beauty of life!
That is a beautiful part of the country. I bet autumn was spectacular. Congratulations on your 75th birthday. Hope it was an excellent celebration for you.
I wish I shared your feelings about Autumn. To me it is almost always accompanied by rain, clouds and chill. The bright, blue October skies were almost non-existent this year. Plus my fleet of bikes are carbureted. They don’t function as well until warmed a long time, unlike the glorious days of above eighty degrees days when they function unnoticed. I call Autumn Pre-Winter and grumble whenever I look out the window on leaf covered damp ground.
We have many, many overcast, gray, rainy and chilly days here too. Fortunately I kind of love the emotional energy of that particular landscape palette. I will admit a growing disdain for the cold though. I see 28F in the weather forecast later this week. I’ll be whining then!
Gratefully, all my machines are fuel injected. That makes cold weather a bit more tolerable mechanically speaking. My daughter’s Yamaha Vino is already resisting starting on these relatively mild mornings. Have to pay her a visit and see if something is wrong with the scoot.
I’ve been raking golden leaves the past few days. The township is prowling the neighborhood with their leaf truck. Judging by what’s still on the trees they’ll be coming by until December!
Man Steve your Vespa always looks great in any season… Glad you have been out and about on both machines.This week here in Central Texas is is just nasty,expecting our first freeze tonight.We went from a.c. to heat so I don’t know fall .I take any day of good riding as a gift ,at near 65 myself any day above ground is a good riding day if think long about your future….Don
This weekend we’ll see temperatures drop into the 20s overnight. That’s a dramatic change from things and a call for me to break out the cold weather gear.
Every day is a good day if I can take a breath. Riding just makes it even better.
Oh, man, such beautiful stuff to unpack here: I’ve been doing a decent amount of riding the last few months, mostly “get stuff done” rides, with one major, and amusing exception (my 205-mile search for the Pine Barrens a little under two months ago…ended up just 12 miles from Philadelphia somehow). Since then I’ve ridden in rain, more rain, and–even today!–more rain still. And now the golden part of Autumn…looks great here, seems to look better out your way. When things look this dazzling, one needs to just shut up and look, and ride. I tele it that’s your excuse. 😉
Note: I’ll be on my own recognizance for all of November (wife is taking an arts residency out of the country), so my Big Rides of the year are happening (when I’m not crazy-busy working on house-related projects). The first big foray is back to my old home in Brooklyn, hopefully with fellow Vespisti; the second is out your way. Will let you know about the latter in advance.
I’ve not had nearly enough of those 205 mile type rides. A handful this past spring and summer but I could do one every day. I’ll take what I can get though.
The dazzling autumn has passed now. Rain followed by cold will bring us closer to the gray/brown of winter. But there’s still plenty of acceptable weather to ride. Like you say, I’ll keep trying to shut up, look and ride.
Let me know when your rides turn to the west. Perhaps we can cross paths somewhere.
We were blessed up here with one of the most beautiful falls I can remember. The colours were brilliant and they stayed a long, long time. Alas that’s now over, the forests are gray, and the autumn rains, which held off for so long, are upon us.
This, after mother nature’s show, is when I most feel the passing of time. November is a dreary, dreary month which, for some reason, makes me acutely aware of the number of times I have circled the sun. But once in a rare while we might still get a nice riding day in November, so one bike is still not put away, just in case.
Your observations and thoughts echo my own David. Being acutely aware of how many times I’ve circled the sun brings some dread, but also a great measure of motivation. Time stands still for no one! I’m hoping to get out on the bike tomorrow. The rain has mostly stopped now and the wind is blowing hard. By morning things may be dry…
Steve, so good to read a new post. I always enjoy your thoughts.
I’ve been riding a lot but when I sit down with a blank page I’m not finding words. Keep hoping it changes.