Lessons on the Road
I don’t often write about how to ride a scooter. So I won’t start now. Rather I share some of what I experience while riding a Vespa. The thoughts that swirl in my head, concerns for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
That sort of thing.
This VLOG entry is a reflection and re-creation of the sort of things that rattle around in this old man’s head — at home and on the road. It’s almost a video about riding a Vespa.
I’m halfway to my goal of ten video entries before I decide if there’s reason to continue.
I’ll be riding a Vespa scooter more and more as I determine it’s safe to do so. I hope each of you finds the right decisions for you and the specific part of the pandemic you find yourself in.
“To unravel…” In this case, a very good thing. Riding certainly helps my efforts in untangling thoughts and ideas from incomprehensive knots between the ears, especially in relatively tense moments.
I rode from home in central New Jersey to NYC for the first time in two months. This was at the behest of two IT clients who were desperate to get their home computers back in order, and they had literally no one else they could trust to do the work. I talked to them about adhering to “best practices” in order for me to work with them (masks, “distance”, sanitizing keyboards/mice/Et Cetera), and so I went. While I wouldn’t regard the Garden State Parkway at 70mph to be particularly *relaxing*, it sure as hell was therapeutic, not to mention good for a bike that hadn’t seen much action since, and like me, could use the exercise.
Glad to see you riding again, Steve. Keep up the great work.
It was a little startling when I started riding again how powerful the mental and emotional effects were. I didn’t realize how much I needed that ride.
I’m glad your foray into NYC went well. The process you describe will likely be the process for a lot of service professionals down the road. I had to have a furnace technician do some work a few weeks ago and they confirmed all that you described. The one advantage was they could enter the basement from an exterior door and never had to even see us.
Thanks, as always, for your kind and supportive words about the things I post.
Excellent!!!
Good to see you appear here Ken. I hope you are doing well and staying safe and healthy.
Thanks for the nod on the video. It’s a fine pandemic pastime to make them!
I start me day off just like yesterday; watching this. My opinion stands.. Excellent!!!
Thanks Ken!
Something keeps drawing me to this video. Third morning viewing. Unlike some others, I find it intriguing and not sad at all.. Contemplation’s of a person with great depth and vision expressing his thoughts in a great medium.
The “no trespassing” and “posted” signs are a great artistic touch.
I know that some find it sad — perhaps my choice of music manipulates those feelings, or my slow delivery with the narration, or the muted color and slowed motion. Or maybe it’s just discomfort with thoughts of mortality. When I created the video I was moving forward with an idea and feeling but it was not sad. Instead, I felt the techniques employed supported a slow, deliberate consideration of the world in which I live. When things are strange and uncertain, I become deliberate and move with thought and caution. I don’t suddenly become bright and cheerful. Subject and situation dictate my response.
When I placed the camera for the shot with the “No Trespassing” sign I had considered whether to include or remove them from the image. I decided to leave them because they added to the sense of foreboding in the world, that in so many places my presence is not wanted.
Thinking about the value of producing video for me, much like shooting still images and writing, it provides me another avenue to consider my life and the world.
And for those looking for happier content, I’m working that idea over in my head right now. It will be a challenge!
Finally a vlog that isn’t wide angled curves, a sea of traffic, an eternity of gloves gripping handlebars, and a warbly voice distracted by the road. Thank you, Steve, for a carefully edited piece using the scooting experience to convey meaning (rather than trying to convey the riding experience!). The reduced color and slow shots are just right for the melancholy air of contemplating the brevity of life. So well done. Glad to see you back in the saddle.
Thank you Scott for your reactions and thoughts about the video. They’re helpful to me as I always wonder what works and what doesn’t. Like you, a lot of the motorcycle video I see seems to drone on and on. I didn’t feel I need to add more of that kind of footage. The story is important from my perspective and I’ve been trying to keep it concise. I’m editing with iMovie and it’s amazing the power and features that application has. I didn’t want to spend any money on new applications or cameras but feared I would be condemned to making images, sound, and edits that would leave me dissatisfied but I’m happy to report it’s not a problem. At least as far as I can see!
And it is a joy to be riding again!
Bravo Steve, you are an inspiration to all of us Vespa riders. My wife and I live in northern New Jersey . I have logged 100,000 miles since 2001 on my vespas . There are no words to describe the feeling every time I step on my 300 gets. My wife still has her 2001 ET 4 150. Beautiful looking machine and perfect for the roads. Anyway I wish there were more Vespa riders out there as they might experience what you and all of us do. Only piaggio for me. No Chinese please ,
I understand completely your feelings when stepping on a modern Vespa. I’m continually amazed at how satisfying it is to ride my 15-year-old Vespa GTS250. It delivers the same solid, exciting experience now that it did the day I rode it away from the dealership. Sadly, it seems fewer and fewer men and women are having the Vespa experience and with dealerships drying up everywhere I don’t see a lot of hope for any widespread growth of Vespa riders. As my scooter gets older I worry about what will happen when it becomes time to buy a replacement. I suppose that’s worrying about the future over which I have no power.
Northern New Jersey puts you in a pandemic hot spot. Stay safe and I hope the world brightens soon for you and your neighbors!
Well done Steve. I liked the slow motion linked with the music, it seemed just right. I think many of us have been thinking similar thoughts about brevity, at least I have. We’re only here for a minute. The line about distractions was something I struggle with more and more.
Riding grants me a relief, temporarily allowing me to shake free from distractions (that often we’ve created ourselves). I know that’s one of the reasons I love riding so much.
Thanks for sharing, stay safe.
Thank you for your comments Ray. I appreciate them.
Distractions. I’m continually amazed at how many there are — real and imagined. Like you say, it can be a struggle to cope with them.
I get the same temporary relief from riding as you describe. And that desire for relief keeps me pushing the scooter or motorcycle out of the garage.
Be well and stay safe yourself!
Steve, Excellent vlog, it’s amazing what words & Phrases come from your heart & soul during times of uncertainty. All the Life Arts that I have gleaned out of my time on this rock, You still stimulate wonder with in my soul.
Peace
Uncertainty definitely gets the brain turning. Sometimes too much and that’s where riding helps ground out too much energy.
Instead of me stimulating wonder Mike, I think it’s time to let Elaine know that you need a Vespa scooter. To honor your Italian heritage. Sounds like a good plan right???
Wow! Visually stunning, and your thoughtful words fit so well.
I nominate this one for an Academy Award for scooter videos.
No, make that videos in general.
Never seen one better.
Please never stop.
Bill
Thank you for your kind words about the video Bill. You know the power riding can have in your life. I’m merely trying to plug into that flow and let it out in a video. Not sure how this one fell together so nicely but I have to admit I can hear my father whispering a familiar phrase to me, “Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then Boy.”
I’m planning to make five more videos and then assess how I feel about making them and whether they fit in what I do with Scooter in the Sticks. Never stop? We’ll see.
“Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then Boy.”
That quote resonates with me as well.
I think that every time one of my house design projects turns out to be a good one.
It never ceases to amaze me how willing I am to think I’m destined to fail. Or at least under perform.
We enjoyed the first viewing so we watched it again. I have been getting out on two wheeIs once a week on average and I agree, the distance and single task at hand help to sharpen the perspective. I see you need a haircut too? So many roads and so little time so true. Thanks Steve
Let’s start with the important stuff first. I do need a haircut. Usually, by now I would have had it buzzed off with a #3 clipper. We have a set of dog clippers that may work but part of me wonders whether I should just let it go until people get nervous about getting too close. Kim will likely have something to say about this matter. She is excited about my new, snuggly fitting helmet. I have to shave all the time now because a couple days of beard growth causes an unbearable itch and pulling in the helmet. She likes me clean-shaven. Long hair doesn’t seem to bother her.
I’m glad you found some value in watching the video. I wonder sometimes if the experiences and feelings I have while riding are odd and offbeat. Sharing here helps remind me I’m not nuts.
Stay safe on your weekly rides!
I love the delivery, Steve, to me it sounds haunting, you know – like a pandemic voice. Love it!
Everything related to the pandemic is a bit haunting to me. I chose the music to enhance the unsettling feelings I can have in the world today. And at the same time find myself sparingly grateful to be alive and walking on this earth. Weird…
I really enjoyed today post, thank you.
Glad you liked the video Mike.
Steve,
I just wanted to stop by and say that your vlog resonated with me as well as the many others here that are commenting. I hope you continue to create content in this venue and thank you for sharing with us.
Eric
Thank you Eric. I appreciate your thoughts. I plan to continue creating more videos in the immediate future and at some point step back and determine whether I have enough to say in the video format.
Hope you are well and safe in this strange new world.
Steve;
Another incredible video. You have certainly upped the bar on motorcycle videos in particular, and VLOGs in general. I so much look forward to all your postings.
Thanks for your kind words Steel. I had thought about making videos for a long time but I wasn’t sure what I could do that wasn’t a copy or rehash of what others were already doing. There are some fantastic channels doing training, riding strategy, service and maintenance and doing it really well. I ended up just creating personal stuff like I’ve done with regular blog posts. Basically a reflection of the noise in my own head!
Not sure what I’ll focus on next but unless I suddenly become absolutely serene I suspect something will emerge.
Steve,
Once again, we’ll done! The feelings and emotions you describe in your video are certainly relatable to mine and probably many other “aging” riders as well. I realize there are a finite numbers of days left and riding allows me to make the best of that precious time.
Thank you for that video and past videos too. I hope you decide to continue making them.
Feelings and emotions — who would have ever thought that riding a Vespa scooter would open that door for me. And it seems to be unique to the Vespa, or at least a specific set of thoughts and emotions. While I ride the BMW it’s a completely different response. Still positive and pleasant but completely different.
As I get older I seem to reach towards reminders that I should not be oblivious to time. I’m not obsessive but I do appreciate being an “aging” rider and all that goes with it.
Thanks for commenting Richard. I appreciate it.
Wow, thanks. Makes me want to get out on the road!
Weird! Me too!
Nicely done vlog. The music and word gave the video a somewhat dark feel but I think that must’ve been the intent.
I suppose we all have an internal default setting emotionally. I seem to be stuck somewhere between dark and melancholy. At least when it comes to making videos. And photos. I prefer the light one might see in a scary movie.
Bravo! Just, bravo!
Thank you for your kind words David!
The Cinematic and Audio are excellent but Steve, cheer the heck up. It takes me an hour for the chemical high I get riding to wear down. Sometimes it lingers through the rest of the day. This video evokes the feeling of what Van Gogh must have thought and felt as he painted. Maybe start spending more time on the BMW. I like the way my scooter makes me feel but I love the feelings the motorcycles give me.
I think the lack of cheer may not be an accurate portrayal of how I feel. I’m quiet but not sad. And if I am being completely candid, I think I find it challenging to find music that is more upbeat that isn’t just annoying to my ear. Thinking of how I make these things the music really drives everything.
First, I just gather clips during a ride. I usually have no intent at all of a final product. And if I do it’s vague.
Second, during the week, I make some notes on what was going on in my head during the ride, what’s going on in my life, and then write a short piece that seems like I could narrate.
Third, I choose music that I like — a sound that I find relaxing.
Next I cut the clips to the music. A visual montage.
And last, at least with this video, I narrate live to the video. Didn’t edit the narration at all. Dumb luck.
But the music sets the pace and tone. I promise to cheer up in some future video. I just don’t want to turn into a bright, happy radio announcer.
Maybe it will be completely different when I do something with the K75?
It’s not a question of production values but to me there is nothing in all the faff of making a video that can’t be done as well and many times as easily by throwing up some still pictures and connecting them with words.As long as making videos motivates you to get off your backside have at it, but for me still pictures let me look, and think, while videos are a time suck and the energy goes the wrong way. By the by if people met you they would know you project much more of an Eeyore image and less of the actual Tigger. There’s aproject for you…
I almost agree with you conch. I do agree that almost anything can be done with still images and words. I’ve built my blog around that belief for 15 years. There is a wild card though — music. Music can manipulate emotional perception and while it can be done in text, for me it’s much more difficult.
Like you, I can find watching videos a time suck and I can lose valuable energy and motivation watching them. But not all. I suspect the problem is me and not the videos.
I agree that I am not Tigger and lean more towards Eeyore — by choice and my temperament. Not sure what the project would be but if you’re suggesting I become more Tigger-like in videos, well, I don’t know…
All just passing through,maybe your words ring so true to me because we r the same age ….Man Steve your video work is awesome,keep up the pace This last entry was chilling● Wow#!!!
Thank you for your kind words Don. A friend suggested the video was like a little poem. I suppose that’s what I was after and probably more so because I’ve always been attracted to poetry though I can barely read them with understanding let alone write. So failed or incompetent poets turn to video!
I suspect you’re right about our age playing into some universal thoughts. Much of what I write now and think about writing seems to have an “aging” component. Certainly not the norm for YouTube.
Good thoughts, Steve. Once again, your perspective and tone have a constructive and calming influence on someone like me. I’m not always great at noticing or being honest about the decline of my thought patterns and attitudes, especially when an outlet like riding is put on hiatus. Your vlog post served as a kind of wake up call to me in this quarantine-induced stupor.
It took me a long time to notice and be honest about the decline in thought patterns. It remains a challenge that I have to attend to daily. And the current world we’re living in makes it all crazier. Making the video, much like writing and making photographs, slows me down and offers an opportunity to notice things.
Seems like you’ve been spending a lot of time in the mountains with the dog. That has to help. Are you riding?
My desire to notice things or be informed can often morph into staying too plugged in. It seems like a subtle descent into madness. I’m like the frog in the boiling water.
Yes, I’ve managed to take some extended hikes with the dog as well as regularly sketch and illustrate. Both have been very helpful. I intentionally backed off riding while Pennsylvania was in the red, but established some routines that I could now reconsider. I’ve got to get riding back into the mix.
Would you be up for a ride?
I suppose being the frog in boiling water is the way some of us are wired. Finding ways to step out of the water and into the world are important. Riding is one way for me.
I’ll reach out about a ride.
Just so….it’s a funny old world and no mistake. I have been reading a bit of TSE during the lock down.
Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of speculation.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.
T.S. Eliots passages from “Burnt Norton” echo the same sort of feelings I have. The last line says it all for me.
I might have to pull down some poetry books. Thanks for the reminder of Eliot.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings on camera. It is a nice medium for communication.
Thank you for your comments Karl. I’m finding video does open different doors to tell a story.
Thanks Steve. This is the second time you’ve made the girlfriend cry with your poetic Vespa movies 🙂
I’m surprised to read in your comments Vespa dealers are drying up over there. Over here in Belgium they seem to be doing quite well – mine’s always busy… and on a sunny day the Vespas are everywhere. I hope your GTS keeps going for a while!
Please apologize to your girlfriend for me. I did not intend to have anyone cry but it’s gratifying to know that something I created wasn’t just fluff.
I suspect a lot of the American riding public is looking for something big, and something they feel is a good “deal.” Add to that a generally negative view of scooters as nothing more than toys and you have a marketing issue. A new Vespa is expensive when you realize you can buy a brand new BMW F300 GS for a couple thousand less than a new Vespa.
I’m confident that even if my Vespa dies sooner than expected that I’ll be able to get another.
Tell your girlfriend the next video should be more upbeat.
Steve, no need to apologize, the crying was a good thing.
That’s interesting, official dealer price here for a GTS 300 is less than the BMW. We also don’t have 150 versions but just 125. A lot of people here buy the GTS 125 because within the country we can ride up to 125cc/11kw with just a car driver’s license. I suspect that’s probably part of the success.
I was surprised as well by the pricing. Here in most of the US you need a motorcycle endorsement for anything over 49cc. That probably slows down a lot of people from getting a scooter or motorcycle.