You’re exactly right — the Vespa’s lower center of gravity along with it’s much lighter weight make it more manageable in snow. Not that it can’t fall over but I have a much better chance of controlling it. Only takes a second for a tire to break loose and threaten a fall. Would be almost impossible to manage the BMW in that situation. And the Vespa is also better equipped to keep the cold weather away from me with the bar muffs, heated grips and apron.

I should add that I don’t venture out in the snow anymore. It was interesting to experiment for a few years but now my winter riding is confined (mostly) to times when the roads are clear. Still, it’s easy to get caught in an unplanned for snow squall.

Right now it would be nice to ride in a mild world!

I’ve not put the winter tires on yet because the weather has been mild. Soon though.

Thank you for the kind words about the photos. Pennsylvania is a beautiful place.

Je n’ai pas encore mis les pneus d’hiver car le temps a été doux. Bientôt cependant.

Merci pour les aimables paroles sur les photos. La Pennsylvanie est un bel endroit.

Thank you for another enjoyable winter ride post. Living in Cyprus I do not get the opportunity to ride in these sort of temperatures. I would like to think that if I did live in a colder climate, I would be able to overcome the mental hurdles of getting out and riding. Out of interest, am I right in thinking that the Vespa is your ‘go to’ choice of bike for riding in snowy conditions? – If this is the case, would it have something to do with the fact that the Vespa has a lower centre of gravity than the BMW, so that if you find yourself in slippery conditions, you would have more control and therefore reduce the risk of having a fall?

I guess that owning a Turcano Urbano also encourages your decision making in favour of the Vespa.

Please keep posting your riding experiences, my eyes always light up when I have a new email in my inbox notifying me of another of your insights.

All the best from a wet (but mild) Cyprus.

Andrew

Bonjour Steve,
Je suis entièrement d’accord avec toi, la conduite par temps froid est un véritable état d’esprit.
Mais, pour une conduite plus sereine, pourquoi n’as tu pas mis les pneus hiver sur ta vespa ?
Sinon, les photos sont magnifiques et la Pennsylvannie est belle.
Laurent (de France).

You raise a lot of ideas that I’ll have to think about. Before I comment, thank you for your kind words about the things I post being a quiet wonder. A lot has changed since I started Scooter in the Sticks years ago. At times I wonder if the kind of slow, meandering text I write has a place anymore in, as you say, a cacophonous claptrap. But then I remember most of my motivation to post is part of a personal habit of paying attention to my life. Granted, it stays close to my moto-life but still, I do it for me. It’s gratifying to know others find some value from time to time.

I think my snow riding is behind me. It was a stimulating challenge early on but any need or desire to continue has pretty much ended. At least that’s what I believe at the moment. Riding in winter when things are dry — I’ll likely continue.

There’s a fellow down the street who rides a Triumph motorcycle. A few years ago he got a fat tire bike which he rides in snow and cold. I have seen him far from home pedaling through the snow. He recently had back surgery so perhaps an electric version may be in his future.

Not sure how I feel about a bike as you suggest. I’ll have to ponder the idea and spend some time imagining it in my life. You ask if I’ve ever considered an electric motorcycle or moped? No, not seriously. I’ve looked at them but for now, the Vespa scooter seems ok. I have considered a 50cc Honda Ruckus as a contender if I wanted to ride in the snow. But now, I think my future may grow more and more snowless. And when it isn’t, I’ll be on foot with a camera.

I’m grateful for the choices and possibilities I have in riding and living. It’s hard to know what the future will bring. So who knows, there could be an electric fat bike, moped or something else in my future!

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate the ideas it raises.

I find myself of two minds reading this post. One the one hand, there is something admirable about taking a stand, not giving in,and riding in the winter and snow. On the other hand, knowing when to let things do can be a sign of a deeper wisdom, sorrowful as it might be.

I love riding during the other three seasons. Nothing better than hopping on the bike and wandering the countryside. My solution to not riding in the winter, though, has taken a unique turn – I ride a 20″ fat tire electric bicycle with a 4″ fat tread knobby tire. At a PSI of about 15 (the top is 30psi), the bike moves through the snow in a way that is both safe and fun. And since the bike folds, I can stash it in my car and take it to any location I care to start from. The range is about 30 miles, but in the winter the cold eats a bit at the battery so 20 miles is more realistic.

I’d offer to you the option of not giving up, but considering an alternative. Maybe you won’t cover 150 miles, but riding that far in the cold is downright masochism :-). A good 20 miles along a bike path or wooded bike trail even covered with 3″ of snow may be something that can re-direct your urge to ride.Thanks for your blog – a quiet wonder in this age of cacophonous claptrap.

PS – Have you ever considered trying an electric motorcycle or moped? There are so many wonderful designs and models out there these days. I hope to live long enough to be able to go fully electric with my transportation needs.

Little by little, my interest in the slippery stuff is evaporating. Now it’s mostly cold that I’m willing (an so far able) to deal with. But time will wear away at those desires as well.

In cold weather, everything now seems difficult. If I went to sleep tonight and woke tomorrow to mid-April I may not be too upset.

In the meantime, I’ll try and continue to provide some material for vicarious rides!

This time of year, any motivation I happen to stumble upon, is used to get our pups to the park for an hour or me to the gym for something less than that.

Should I accomplish either, my reward will be a double espresso or a mug of what is appearing to be everybody’s favourite tea. ( Sometimes it’s enough to just open the tin and inhale deeply. )

Tomorrow, we’re supposed to break freezing up here by the sea. Should that happen, I’ll put on a sweater , head to the garage , and stare at the bikes that won’t likely see pavement until March.

I’ll get my riding done vicariously… through you.

Thanks, Steve.

I still want to ride because once on the road I enjoy the experience. The force I apply is more to surmount the mental resistance I feel regarding procrastination and generalized sloth. As my dad used to say as he got older, “My ass has gotten heavier.”

There are definitely things I no longer do either because they are physically difficult or dangerous, or I have lost interest. Cleaning gutters and other tasks involving me high up on a ladder. Running. Backpacking. And then there are things I would love to put on that list.

I’m in pretty good shape regarding not forcing myself to do things I really shouldn’t be doing. My challenge is to find motivation and inspiration to continue doing the things I love!

I’m certainly moving toward the destination you describe. I commuted through the winter for a number of years, not so much be forced as I was intoxicated by the challenge. But now I don’t feel that challenge. So I suspect I’ll be doing more reflecting.

I don’t want to winterize anything. Would like to keep both the scooter and motorcycle ready to ride for those numerous warm winter days of sunshine and temperatures about the freezing mark!