Life over the past year was complicated by a pandemic, the relentless march of aging, and the seemingly endless tasks of daily life. My Vespa scooter helped ease the pain.
Surrendering the Fantasy
I’ve become more willing to accept that my life is in a continual, endless cycle of change. There was a time, decades in fact, that I struggled to keep things “under control,” the same, predictable, and unchanging. I was facing upstream in the rushing current of life until I finally raised the white flag of surrender and allowed the river to sweep me away.
And with that surrender came victory. A life in the flow. I’ll still find myself standing up to fight, but my Vespa scooter helps me accept the inevitable march of change. It blazes a path toward balance.
I used to judge riding by measures of quantity — how often I was on the road, how many miles I gathered, the number of experiences collected, how many photographs were made. I would tell myself riding was a way of life, a manner of living, with the goal of always traversing the landscape on two wheels. I won’t lie, it was a seductive fantasy. But one I had to surrender like all the others in my life.
Standing in a farm field on my way to breakfast surveying the sweep of landscape that sums up the place I live, the mountains, fields, and forests of central Pennsylvania, I’m struck my the fact that I arrived with no plan or expectation other than a friend asked me if I wanted to ride to breakfast.
Modern and Vintage Vespa Scooters
I’m never sure what Paul will show up riding. In the past my Vespa scooter has shared the road with his Harley, Ducati, Kawasaki, Honda, and Suzuki motorcycles. For the kind of lazy, backroad riding we do size and power are nearly meaningless. While some may consider any two-lane roads backroads around here, the ones we ride fall squarely into the slow and slower speed applications.
Perfect for any scooter.
A Season of Health
In the past 14 months I sat down inside a business to eat exactly two times. Both times at the Inglebean Cafe. Both times no one else was there other than a person working, and this second occasion with my friend Paul.
During this past year I have not had a cold, the flu, sinus infection, or pneumonia, or COVID-19. With the exception of COVID, the other ailments were regular visitors causing weeks of suffering and misery. It could be dumb luck that I didn’t get sick this past year. That’s possible. But if I were a betting man, I would consider social distancing, wearing a mask, and not spending extended time indoors with people I don’t know. Paul and I have both been vaccinated for COVID-19 and are sensitive to the risks we take in regard to infection.
There’s a sense in the way things are happening here in central Pennsylvania that “normal” has returned. Staff in the local grocery store no longer all wear masks. And half the shoppers now are maskless. Things seem normal.
I’m not certain if that’s the case, and due to a drug suppressed immune system I’ll hold off on a verdict. And if wearing a mask and staying out of crowds saves me the suffering of multiple illnesses, it is a tiny price to pay. When I was still working at Penn State it was common to see international students from Asia wearing masks on campus. Perhaps they knew something that I hadn’t learned yet. Or accepted.
Riding my Vespa scooter, especially when I’m alone, provides a safe space to consider my beliefs and “truths.” I’m continually amazed at how much bullshit is in my head.
That Road Less Traveled
While I can’t say I don’t encounter traffic, I can say it’s light to rare. And in this part of Penns Valley, I’m as likely to pass an Amish buggy as I am a motor vehicle. If I want to find balance in my life, riding a Vespa scooter is part of it. But the nature of the ride is just as important. Riding in heavy traffic, on a congested freeway, or in any situation where other vehicles pose a continual threat just doesn’t lead to relief, relaxation, or restoration of an impaired spirit.
When asked how I like to ride, the general answer is slow, without pressure, and in some scenic area where I can stop and look around without concern for traffic.
How lucky I am to have found myself in that place.
Even so, life has continued to offer up lessons to not hold on too tightly to my dreams and expectations. As retirement approached I thought I would be free to ride endlessly whenever and wherever I wanted. Unexpected medical issues for me and my wife stopped by to say, “Not so fast fella.” My expectations of what it meant to be a rider came into question and like so many things, some time on the Vespa scooter made it possible to change.
So this 50-mile ride for breakfast is perfectly satisfying.
Value-Added Riding
After breakfast we headed to Mammy’s Donut Shop, an Amish place that sells a variety donuts, cookies, pies, and pot pies. It’s the little places like this that dot the landscape that can make a ride seem more like an adventure.
Fellow Vespa GTS rider Andy once rode this way but the place was closed. Riding further provided other adventures as we encountered a haunted tavern at dinner time.
Revelations Born of Habit
Even though I don’t ride as much as I wish I did, I still ride a lot. Enough to form habits of riding, thinking, and processing my experiences. The more I ride, the easier it seems to be to loosen my grip on my expectations. And when I do that, life is much better. It’s ok to have them, but isn’t wise for me to hold on to them too tightly.
I was reading the sad story of the six-year-old shot and killed in an alleged road rage incident on a California freeway. It is difficult for me to imagine a situation on the road that requires such a violent outburst. Riding on two-wheels has taught me that it’s never wise to compete or contend on the highway with another vehicle. And over the years my pride and ego have found the right place to reside and realize any real or perceived disrespect from others on the road requires absolutely nothing from me other than an apology if I am the transgressor.
Each of these small rides are a revelation for me, of the gifts they impart, and the good habits they engender. It was good to see the world coming alive again. And feel myself doing the same.
Thanks once again Steve for another entertaining and thought provoking post. Helps us all keep a balanced outlook on life.
Cheers,
Jim.
Glad to help you keep a well-balanced outlook Jim. It’s a daily challenge for me!
Great post Steve….Well balance on two wheels real important always.We all have to put our feet down along the ride or otherwise you know what happens. I’m most happy with my feet on the floorboard and the wind in my face…Thanks again for the slice of life and the awesome photos of your world👍
Thanks for your kind words about the photos Don. I enjoy making them and sharing them.
I love the wind in my face too but it’s so hot and humid here right now that I hardly want to leave the house. And by the standards of those riders from the American West, this mid-80s temperature is probably considered cool weather.
Indeed Steve! Moto therapy is highly underrated in the Western Hemishere and I think we would all be better off if everyone rode. Often, whist enjoying your column, I will refer to Google Maps to get my bearings and scope out the recommended brekkie/lunch/tea/coffee stops. Imagine finding your friends vintage blue scoot parked in front of Mammys, I knew immediately that I had found the right place. If our mutual border ever opens up I/we will be looking to stop at Mammys. Just another informative post … Thank you.
Moto Therapy — it is underrated. It’s more often associated with bad behavior, violence, and untimely death on the road. At least that’s what it seemed when I was growing up. I only knew one adult rider when I was a kid and he was in a motorcycle gang. No recreational riders though until I was out of college.
Paul posted a review of Mammy’s Donut Shop! I didn’t know that until your comment prompted me to check Google Maps. That guy is everywhere. I just helped him unload a KTM 390 Adventure off the back of his pickup truck. It will replace his Honda CRF250L.
I hope you find more time and opportunity to ride and enjoy the culinary offerings found on the road.
Nice one Steve, Beautiful photos and You ride with a Good Man, Paul.
Ruby is a gem! 😉
Steve,
I’ve followed your blog for many years and greatly enjoy the photography and the writing. Today’s blog really captured lots of elements important in life (… or important at least in a somewhat balanced life).
One line that I loved – “I’m continually amazed at how much bullshit is in my head.” – I would seriously consider putting on my tombstone! It perfectly captures the amount on noise that seems to be constantly in my head!
Keep up the great work, all the best to you and your family.
The noise in my head may be the biggest challenge I face in trying to find balance. I often wonder if I have too much idle time available, too active an imagination, pouring too much external noise into my ears and eyes, or if I’m just a little cracked. Whatever the issue, I just work to release it.
I appreciate you taking the time to comment and share your thoughts. If nothing else, it helps remind me that I’m not alone!
So thoughtful! Letting go is a habit we all can cultivate….
Ohmmmmmmm! Happy travels.
Letting go is easy when everything is going my way. But when it isn’t, that’s when I find there is more work to do!
Another great post! Thank you. Peace and safety from NH.
Thanks John. Be well and safe in NH.
Somehow, some way, elements of the sunny day that you and Paul enjoyed made their way thru cyberspace and to my laptop this morning and brightened my spirits. Paul’s bright blue scooter plays very nicely with your silver one, and I’m taking mental notes on your compositions. They’re dynamite.
For what it’s worth, I’ve noticed that much of the bullshit that goes on inside my own head seems to be traced to some form of the question, “who am I?” I’ve noticed this identity crisis seems to constantly show up in my life: am I an artist? a casual rider or more serious? what are my stances on faith, masks, science, politics…and who really cares? What positive difference am I making in the world as I twist myself in knots trying to convince myself or others who I am or who I think they should be? Too much of this thinking can lead me on a downward spiral to a dark place.
It’s interesting how life’s circumstances tend to come along and upset those notions of who I see myself to be. Historically, I have hated when it happens but usually end up the better for it. It seems like once I get over mourning the loss of a specific identity, opportunity springs forth to discover new ways of seeing the world and myself. Not sure why I resist these lessons so much, and I hope to eventually embrace it.
Having photographed my scooter and motorcycle so many times it’s almost become like a welcome puzzle to create new compositions. Especially of places that I’ve already photographed many times. Trial and error. And practice leads the way.
I think the bullshit clouds those bigger questions you’ve suggested Andy — who am I?” and “am I an artist?” was a big one for me for a long time. Having spent most of my career as a photographer on the commercial side of things it was difficult to consider myself an artist. They were something different. That questioning led me to return to school in the MFA program in Art. I have no problem calling myself an artist anymore. I create things. I’m an artist. It’s that simple. But it took years to give me permission. I don’t have to be any good, or sell or show anything. I just need to create.
You’re right about too much thinking that might lead to dark places. I’m always careful in this regard.
Mostly I just try and accept whatever comes along. And as far as identity goes, I know who I am. And I know I’m constantly changing. Like yesterday — I shaved!
As always, a “Steve Williams Masterpiece”. Your narrative was up to your usual high standards, as were the photos. I particularly liked the photo of the two Vespas parked in front of the field. I had two vintage Vespas in a previous life. They were certainly gorgeous, but age took its toll on the rubber components, and that took some of the luster off of owning them. I miss their great curves.
Great comments from your followers as well.
Steel
Thank you for the kind words Steel.
It seems as if the vintage machines require a lot more attention than the modern ones. For someone who likes to just get on and ride, I fear a vintage scooter would frustrate me. At least from what I’ve seen with some of the ones around here.
But they are beautiful!
I had a great day of Moto Therapy today. I took the Helix clone and attended a local motorcycle event. Running a fifteen cubic inch scooter among the huge V-Twins Is always a challenge. The roads were gently sweeping to mostly straight and the scooter acquitted itself well. Doing so requires constant counter steering and looking through the curves to keep the flow going and my head was completely in the game and thoughts of health issues and other kinks in the plan of life disappeared.
It was a really good time for a good cause.
I’m familiar with the effect riding has in eliminating thoughts of health issues and other kinks in the plan of life. I know it must be the mental and physical focus riding demands that makes that possible, but I’ve wondered why I’ve not often been able to reliably reproduce those effects with other activities.
Maybe the scooter and motorcycle is magic…
Well now.
First off, Susan and I are also in the club of no-cold-no-flu-no-other-illness since the fall of 2019. The only known benefit of the pandemic for those of us who didn’t catch Covid.
Secondly, I would like to point out that riding is an actual source of prolonged balance. In fact, it’s not only equilibrium, it’s equilibrium in motion. And when you ride, you get to play with it, sustaining balance while challenging gravity all along the way. There lies the joy. Is there any wonder that toying with equilibrium in this way injects balance into our consciousness, our being, our very soul. Every ride is a form of vaccine.
But for this insightful post, I don’t think I would have seen that link that now seems so obvious.
I should go for a ride now.
Thank you Steve and Paul.
Greatly appreciated.
I hope we’re all past the need to wear masks. I really do. But I persist until more is known about the variants and the spread of COVID. Wearing a mask and staying away from crowds is a small, small price to pay to reduce the scope of a pandemic. At least for me.
I had never thought about the way riding affects equilibrium but you’re right. That feeling of flying and freedom may be nothing more than my inner ear reacting to motion. Geez.
Best to you and your wife.
It’s fun to see how your mind operates. Your writing isn’t stream of consciousness style (like journals and diaries) it’s more finely crafted. The important parts for me are: “…releasing my grip on expectations… identifying my beliefs and the Truths” and “…going in the direction of the flow”. But I also like the less serious stuff the photos that take me somewhere or get me out of my head.
My mind works like a mechanical clock with a few teeth missing in the main gears. As far as writing goes, it always begins as a stream of consciousness exercise. But then I go back and reorganize, edit, rewrite, and reinforce the ideas. I don’t spend a lot of time but feel it would be cruel of me to share things that literally enter the world as “blah blah blah blah blah.”
Finding flow is work. But worth the effort. And crazy because I have to pretty much let go of everything to see it.