Riding a Vespa Scooter
It’s been almost a month since I’ve been riding — either the Vespa scooter or the motorcycle. I stopped for sound reasons but I have to admit the world feels a lot smaller right now. And despite the rosy rhetoric about opening up the country again, I have little faith that it will make much sense for someone like me for months to come.
I hope I’m wrong.
In the meantime I’ve been remembering and imagining rides gone by. And dreaming of rides to come. It’s a strange place to be when something so common and familiar is suddenly gone.
I’ve made another VLOG entry exploring the feelings surrounding riding a Vespa scooter. For me at least. It may be meaningless for someone else.
Video production remains an awkward dance between the equipment on hand to capture pictures and sound, the ancient computer on which I attempt to edit the video, and the ideas in my head that I struggle to give life to in the digital realm.
Here is VLOG #3.
Thank You to Poet Susan Mitchell
The opening line of the video, “In my dreams, the ride goes on forever” was inspired by a poem by Susan Mitchell titled, “The Road.” In that work, she writes, “In the car’s dream, the road goes on forever”. From the moment I first read that poem that line has echoed in my mind. It was before I started to ride and has only grown more intense with each passing mile.
Thank you, Susan Mitchell. And to my wife Kim for sharing that poem with me. That gesture and others have helped move me away from being an educated barbarian…
Excellent video! The message in the post and the video is loss. At what point do you consider it acceptable to ride again? What I hear is possibly never…
Thank you for your comment Richard. You’re right, loss. I hadn’t processed that in my head yet but that’s it.
Riding again. That’s the nagging question for me. The Governor of Pennsylvania today announced an extension of the stay at home order until May 8. But that’s not really what is guiding my decision to not ride. From the beginning, it has been naked self-interest. I didn’t want to get into an accident, however remote the possibility, that would land me in the hospital. As my BMW riding cardiologist told me last week — you don’t want to end up in the hospital or rehab right now. And even though our local hospital isn’t overwhelmed there are no guarantees that’s where I would end up. Bottomline early was when I die, I don’t want it to be something preventable like COVID19. A higher risk because of having my immune system medically suppressed.
There were also concerns about the medical system stress and things like that as well.
I’ll probably start riding again when it “feels” safe to me. Out today to pick up some curbside products and seeing people walking — they all had masks on. In an area with low confirmed infections and one death recorded. Right now things don’t feel safe.
I won’t say never but probably not for a few more weeks at the earliest. Or much longer depending on how things go.
So, uh, when does the movie actually come out?
Hah! Still waiting for my agent to call…
I’ve given up ever riding, even trying out a Vespa 300. I’m older myself. Loss of equilibrium, vertigo, even eye brain coordination is screwed up. I sit here in my home, California, spending time either reading an actual hardback book, or iPad proing it.
I’m high risk.
What I have learned about this super germ is I take it serious. I thought it only involved the lungs. Nope, it can get into the main heart valves strangling off life giving oxygen needed for heart function.
I’ve gone on one ride in my Toyota 86 two door coup. Never getting out, least not anywhere near people. Steve? Unless theres something else going on, I’d gas yer baby up and go for a ride. Afterall. You’ve shown us how scenic unpopulated you appear to live—your playground so to speak.
I tried video. After three go arounds I could not stand myself. Its like, feeling like my Grandpa is scrutinizing me about showing off, ‘real men don’t flap their own wings’ to gain attention. Let your own works, reputation be your foundation to a successful laborious life path.
If only I could have a do over…
I know there are no do-overs. I’ve had those same thoughts of the past and opportunities lost. Found no profit dwelling there. I do know that life means change and not always the change I want. As a younger man, I always felt I had time and energy to overcome whatever got in my way but I’m older now and the realities of my life are different.
Like you, I have to take the novel coronavirus seriously. It’s far deadlier than anything I am likely to encounter lest some new virus emerges. So I act accordingly. And as much as I would love to go for a ride right now, it isn’t the right time. For me at least. I can’t and won’t speak for others. We each have to make our own choices.
Video is interesting and frustrating. I fear to fall into the trap you feared for yourself. Not sure how, or if, I’ll handle that.
I wish I had a magic wand Gary and could grant you a do-over or some other magical change. Until then I hope you find your way in the world you have now. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. You may be on that scooter before you know it!
Nice one Steve, April 2020 all Four Seasons have visited central PA., I’m thinking the COVID-19 is controlling the weather also. Peace Brother.
It’s a wild world Mike!
Well done Steve! I think many of us are dreaming of riding- Past rides, future rides….
Until we can safely ride again, we dream.
Yes sir. Dream we do. Dream we must. Until we ride again stay safe!
I liked it Steve, and the background music was perfect to a dream too. I believe it’s the unique combination of the ride, landscapes, stories in our minds that grips us and send our spirits high.
Part of yesterday was spent dreaming myself about a ride several friends and I have planned. The date? TBD.
Thoroughly enjoyed the video!
Stay safe, Stay cool!
Thanks for your kind words Ray. I’m never sure where my musical tastes fall with others. Or the words I write too. But I find my spirit soars while riding and can do a little of the same while dreaming.
That TBD for future events is a little unsettling. When I start to think about it I realize how absolutely everything is beyond my control.
Be well!
Hi Steve
I’ve been enjoying your videos and the commentary. It seems with your skill set your doing a great job with the equipment at hand, they look and sound great. Like you riding for me has been postponed indefinitely. I started riding again after a 30 year lapse and at 70 now I don’t feel the need to take chances also the weather up here hasn’t been the greatest.
I’ve watched a few motorcycle adventure movies to keep my spirits up, my favorite being “Sit Stay Ride”. Maybe I’ll try and get to the Moto Hang this year if I can find a companion rider.
Doug
The absence of riding has opened up time for some other things. Doing more maintenance in the garden and will be planting things this year that would not have happened sans pandemic.
I’ve not watched any riding movies but I did watch two seasons of “Formula 1” on Netflix. I have no interest in auto racing or F1 cars but that series is absolutely amazing. A fellow rider suggested it and I ended up binge-watching. The cinematography, storytelling and behind the scenes activity was far more complex than I would ever have imagined. Give it a try.
Haven’t heard anything about the Moto Hang this year. I participated for a few rushed minutes in a ZOOM motohang that Fuzzy from Fuzzygalore.com did. Got me thinking that maybe I should do a ZOOM hangout for Scooter in the Sticks!
Take care of yourself. We’ll both be riding soon I’m sure.
Love the Zoom hangout idea!
I’ll have to think about how I would fashion it and what it might be.
Steve, rethink your riding decision. Your primary reason was you didn’t want to burden the already taxed healthcare system if you had an accident. Soon it won’t be overly taxed and secondly you are not likely to have an accident. Don’t feel tethered to your previous decision.
That was one reason. But I also didn’t want to land in an ER or hospital. I’m already reconsidering the decision and under what circumstances I’ll start riding again. As I said in another comment, I’ll ride when I feel safe. That’s hard to define and I fear more of an existential assessment than an objective one.
I always knew I was crazy…
Excellent video! And as jack Kerouac said, “the road is life” …
Excellente vidéo ! Et comme disait jack Kerouac, “la route c’est la vie”…
The road! The road! Thank you for the kind words Laurent.
La route! La route! Merci pour les aimables paroles de Laurent.
Nice video Steve!
Thanks Rusty. Hope you and the family are safe and well.
Thanks Steve, I needed that. I’m currently stuck in Naples, FL where it’s been 90+ degrees for weeks and my Aprilia Scarabeo is garaged at my Ohio home. One day I’ll get back up there, the weather will be great and I’ll be riding again. Stay well my friend.
Ninety-degree heat. That’s beyond my comprehension zone right now.
Sorry to hear you’re stuck in Naples. Hopefully, things improve sooner rather than later and we both find ourselves wandering on our scooters.
Steve,you got more will power than me…Yesterday is history,Tomorrow a mystery,I have today ○ I appreciate your discipline scooter brother,wish I had it so today will ride for us both and send you blessings and hope you find a way to get back in the saddle soon…Great video the images are awesome ..Peace!!
Thank you for the kind words Don. Be safe on the road. I’m there in spirit.
That was a good one Steve, great photos.
I have not stopped riding. I have stopped my 3 hundred mile rides for now. I go from home to my shop to check the mail and just make sure that there are no problems. That 8 mile round trip gets me through the day. Then I practice my circles in front of the house.
I understand why it is smarter not to ride right now. I look at it the same way I look at saving money for the future. I don’t know what’s the future will bring but I do know that I be leaving for the shop soon.
I’ve considered some short rides but I have nowhere to go. Can’t hang out at Saint’s of Cafe Lemont or the Pump Station. I have considered going to the middle school parking lot to practice circles and emergency stops. Mainly on the BMW.
Take care and hope to see you again at some point in time!
All that lovely weather. Nicely done Steve though I thought as you panned in the fog, the frame might reveal Gandalf and Frodo in cameo appearances. 👍
I won’t admit to thinking of elves, hobbits and wizards more than once while riding through fog. Wouldn’t that be something to see!
That was stone cold killer good.
Everything about it. From the music to the images to the message and the VO that told it. It has a good beat and is easy to dance to. I’d give it a 98.
Thank you. And the road goes on forever and the party never ends.More or less. Not exactly the way Robert Earl Keen says maybe, but that’s a great line.
Thanks for the kind words Fred. Making these videos has become an interesting challenge for me. I hope I don’t run out of things to say for awhile.
Let’s hope this pandemic party comes to an end and we can go to a new one.
Haha, nice one. That music fits the mood so well. As others have said, I’d just fill it up and have a ride as soon as things calm down a bit. Looking at how little traffic and houses there are on your pictures, I think I’ll be dead sooner from speeding cars here than you getting the virus 🙂
It brought me to your other video on YouTube: ‘the first Vespa’. That music with the dark video! Love it. Almost makes me go search for my DSLR…
The empty roads here can be a seductive draw to the idea of safe riding. The deer not so much. I’m thinking about it though.
The first Vespa video, I made that not long after I started my blog in 2005. The original music was by Brian Eno and much better than the free YouTube music there now. But I was clueless about using music and eventually got a notice from YouTube that a copyright claim was made and they shut off the audio.
I’m wiser now!
Very well done!
Thank you!
As I mentioned on YouTube, that video is amazing. Very well done!
Thank you David. I’m beginning to get a sense of they gyrations you must go through to make videos. Not sure yet if I’m up to the challenge long term.
Steve;
Your voice commentary and the music score make your still photos even more compelling. True art. Thank you.
Steel
PS: I agree with Kevin Tynan’s comment regarding you resuming riding…
Thank you Steel for your kind words. I appreciate them.
I’m thinking about Kevin’s comments…
I haven’t been out on anything in a couple of weeks but the nagging urge to go burns. My thoughts on ending up in a hospital are two fold and conflicted. First, if I entertained thoughts of getting injured I would quit riding. Thoughts like that would kill the joy. Second, and on the other hand, if I did end up in the hospital I would be more concerned for my wife. My health is pretty good but she hasn’t had the life of sports and activities that I have. It would be cruelty selfish of me to inflict something I might contract for the sake of a bike ride. So my bikes and scooter remain parked.
I hear you Jim. I don’t worry about being injured while riding. But I recognize there’s always a risk and I don’t want to assume it now. And for reasons similar to your own. Kim and I were just discussing our level of exposure (almost none) and how any little cough or sniffle can trigger anxiety. Weird times.
I don’t want to bring home an illness to Kim for the sake of a bike ride either. So for now, both the scooter and motorcycle remained parked.
Bravo, Steve–love the creativity in this!
The format caught me wonderfully off guard. I expected a similar format to the first VLOG but I’ll be darned if you don’t keep us on our toes.
The music was a great choice, and coupled with your photography I was left feeling an eerie disorientation (much like the intro and content of The Twilight Zone). Perfect for the times in which we are living.
My favorite line: “The world is a mystery, and riding…it opens a door…”
Thanks Andy. I didn’t want to make another video of me talking to the camera. Instead, at least for these early videos, I want to explore options on presentation and construction.
The world is a mystery!