Scooter Riding Traditions
I can’t say for sure if I’ve gone for a Vespa ride on Christmas Day each year I’ve owned a scooter, but I would not be surprised if that’s true. This year the thermometer was inching toward 50F and offered no suspense or anxiety that some Christmas Day rides in the past have delivered.
It was good to get out and just let whatever noise, concerns, or bothersome thoughts I might have evaporate into the atmosphere as I rolled through the world.
Ghost of Christmas Past
A Christmas time ride many years ago. Visual evidence that I can count on warm weather as I work to uphold a tradition. I remember this ride. The road was slick with fresh falling snow. I didn’t have the snow tires mounted yet and travel was dicey. I was more adventurous back then. Face with such weather now I would opt to stay home.
There would be no Vespa ride on Christmas Day.
More Ghosts of Christmas Past
Saint’s Cafe has closed. Permanently. The owners have decided after two decades in business to retire. Another cafe will take its place but it is hard to imagine it will be the same.
And as I think about Christmas I want to offer my belated warm wishes to each of you who take the time to read these words for a wonderful holiday full of good cheer and goodwill. A tall order considering what we’ve all been through for the past couple of years.
The Magic Remains
Despite my scant postings of late, I have continued to ride. And each time I ride the Vespa scooter I find myself mesmerized once again; at its elegant shape and lines, and the pure magic of the ride. I’m as thrilled to ride that scooter now as I was when I first got it almost 15 years ago. And it makes no difference if I’m on an all-day adventure or just taking a spin around the neighborhood.
Quiet, Empty Streets
A Vespa ride on Christmas Day almost by definition means the people and traffic I normally encounter will have all but disappeared. I generally seek out the more quiet ways. It’s just much easier during the holidays.
I don’t have much to say beyond how satisfying it is to ride. That lack of expression has made writing anything worth posting a real challenge. The problem has stretched back through the spring. At first, I thought it was some unfortunate side effect of the pandemic but I can’t quite accept that. And it’s easy to point a finger at my natural laziness but that never seemed to infect the creation of blog posts. I’ve still been riding and making photographs but have not transformed that material into anything I’ve wanted to share.
This post was difficult to write. More out of a seasonal responsibility than from any sense that I had something I wanted to share. I’m fully aware though that practice is what’s important. So I’ll let go of any expectations I have regarding the words and just focus on tapping out text and to keep on riding.
Until the next post, best wishes to everyone for a great New Year!
Be safe!!
Thank you for yet another uplifting post Steve. And Merry Christmas to you also. You always manage to provide a personal perspective and positive outlook, despite the somewhat strange times, with the Vespa providing a reassuring continuity. I always look forward to your prose and lovely images. Keep well.
Thank you for your kind words about the post Share.
It’s sometimes difficult to remain positive, especially in these strange times you reference. I try and look toward a brighter day. Whatever the reason I’ve stalled in writing, I’ll continue to show up at the keyboard in hopes that something happens.
As I enter my third month with my arm in a sling I live totally through my scooter friends adventure. So, I have missed your posts greatly, but super glad when they show. Ride more, write more. Please.
Sad about the cafe, but maybe something more better will show up there.
I’m sorry to hear that your arm is still healing. Perhaps some unlooked-for energy in 2022 will magically heal things!
I’ve been riding and have material for a good many posts. All I have to do is focus on something to say. And it seems our so-far mild winter will allow for many more rides.
A new chain cafe is supposed to move into Saint’s space. Not sure when.
Good morning Steve. It was good to hear from you again. I hope you had a Blessed Christmas and that you will have a great New Year in 2022. Stay happy and stay well. Will look forward to your next post.
Thank you Karl. I hope the New Year finds you and your family happy and well too.
I’m already working on another post!
Great to hear from you dude..The photo of your beautiful machine against that sea of blue sky said more than words to me.Our beloved two wheels is always the focal point to discover our surroundings. Hope 2022 will offer lots of Great rides and much joy for ALL. Thanks for the post Steve!!!🏁
The sky was sort of dazzling and I could not pass up the chance to place it behind the Vespa. It’s as close to “Big Sky” as we get around here!
I hope you and your family have a great New Year too!
For many years dating back to the 60’s I had a ritual of riding the Sunday before Christmas. That always seemed to be nice weather, but weather patterns have changed.
I recognize the location of each picture in this post, old and new! Yeah, too bad about Saint’s. Re. first picture. Have you ever seen the Great Heron that hangs out in that stream?
I love that snowy banner on top of your page.
Don’t worry about writer’s block. This too shall pass. Nice to hear from you. Best wishes to you and yours.
It’s nice to have traditions. And to make some new ones too.
Saint’s was a gift for a long time. When the pandemic hit I stopped going. And now I can’t make up for that lost time. My suppressed immune system makes sitting in a cafe pretty risky. Something my rheumatologist keeps reminding me.
I have seen the heron once or twice in that stream. I often wonder if it’s the same one that appears in the creek at the Military Museum.
Have a great New Year!
I went for a spin on my scooter too. (KTM). I was the only motorcycle I saw. You saw my Neil Armstrong rain suit I wore. Its one piece with a mile of zippers and velcro.
I hardly saw any traffic on Christmas Day. And nothing open except for Sheetz. That’s the way it should be!
Happy New Year, Steve! Enjoy your riding adventures. You’ve inspired me to think about starting my own Christmas tradition – it’s never too late! Best wishes to you and yours!
I hope you have a great New Year as well.
You’re right, it’s never too late to start a new tradition. Good luck on finding yours!
It’s wonderful to read of your ride (and weather being on your side, for once). No riding for me this Christmas, on account of my untimely crash a few weeks back (Pace, Melody), but I’ll be back before too long, mostly-healed and with a new ride. 2021 was pretty much a bust for me in terms of riding (among other stuff, like for everyone else), so I’m looking toward the new year with a tad more anticipation than usual…and wishing a terrific new year for you as well.
2021 certainly has been a rough ride for you. I’ve followed your troubles on Modern Vespa. I hope body and spirit heal so you can embrace a new ride in the coming year.
Happy New Year!
Steve,
Thanks again for the post. It’s always good to hear and see what’s on your mind.
I couldn’t do my Christmas Day ride, it was a little to wet to take the “land yacht” out. It’s a bit more weight to toss around on wet roads.
I did have a great ride on the 26th. 44 degrees and sunny. Not bad for December.
I’m hoping for dry roads in January and February.
Please keep posting to keeping us entertained this winter.
Billy
I saw the land yacht parked all alone along Allen Street not long ago. Even the red Honda scooter was absent. It was cold and I thought you are going hardcore with cold-weather riding. But rain makes it much more of a hassle, especially with a big machine.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the kind of weather that mature, aging riders hope for in winter.
I can relate to your strife in putting together a blog post, Every time I go to my lightly followed blog I cringe at seeing the last entry date. Between health adventures and social obligations I missed several motorcycle events that would have made excellent material for writing. When my late wife passed away I was using the blog to communicate forthcoming memorial events and giving voice to my sadness over her passing. Now I usually keep it to motorcycle or scooter adventures that tickled my riding DNA.
I also began to feel a certain sense of lethargy when I fully retired three years ago. It’s easy to spend time thinking about what I should be doing instead of getting out there. Fortunately my new wife keeps me moving when a task needs to be done. Hopefully Mother Nature lets the new riding season start sooner instead of later.
Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your family Steve.
There’s come to be a love/hate relationship in writing essays to post on Scooter in the Sticks. I love when they come to fruition. And I hate when I don’t seem able to conjure the words. I have plenty of material but something between my ears has shorted out. Whatever juice I had seems to have run out. Now I have to turn the page and see what’s next.
Like you, retirement has changed things. I’m still sorting it out after four years. I’m glad your wife is able to motivate you when needed!
Best wishes for a great New Year!
Merry Christmas Steve,
I’ve enjoyed reading Scooter in the Sticks for many years now and always like your thoughtful comments and photos. Too bad about the Saints Cafe, unfortunately that seems to have happened to many small restaurants (and businesses!) over the last two years. Hopefully you’ll find another establishment to create your mid-ride narratives for us readers to enjoy!
Keep up the great work. Scooter in the Sticks is one of the [rare] email notifications I actually look forward to! All the best to you and your family in 2022.
Dave Montgomery
Thank you for the kind words Dave. I appreciate them.
There are other establishments I could warm up to but the pandemic will keep me on the outside looking in for quite some time I fear. If I weren’t sporting a drug-suppressed immune system I might be willing to take more risks out in the world. For now, my risks will be confined to the road. I’ll miss warming up in a cafe though with a hot cup of tea.
I hope you find the New Year happy and healthy.
Thanks for the Christmas wishes Steve, and my best wishes to you and Kim as well. Those photos of State College and the Saints Cafe bring back very fond memories. Nice to see Ken and Amateriat’s posts, even though they are recovering from separate unrelated incidents.
Unlike you, I have never, ever, ridden on Christmas Day. Just too cold here, and the roads are not that well maintained. My two wheeled adventures are down to riding in loops around the P2 parking level on my Brompton. It’s kind of Zen-ish, trying to perfect the trajectory while staying alert to the occasional car in motion.
I hope you and your family find the New Year an exciting adventure. One that’s more hopeful than the year that’s behind us.
There are a lot of good memories at Saint’s Cafe. I’m glad I documented some of them on Scooter in the Sticks. It will be nice to revisit the place from time to time.
You already have some cold nights. We’ve mostly avoided that so far. Anything above 20F and dry will be fine with me. At least I think so. Time will tell. If I’m not riding and blogging perhaps I’ll finish that scooter riding book I’ve been working on.
Steve, thank you for the Christmas Post, always good to make a stop at your blog. Your words much appreciated but just a few to accompany your photos are all I need to enjoy time here. Post when you’re ready.
All the best in the new year!
It’s nice to see your name pop up Coop. Maybe you’re right and I should just concentrate on simplifying things. At least some of the time. Thanks for the advice.
Steve,
The Yeisers hope you and yours had a merry little Christmas that included your Vespa ride, and that 2022 is both healthy and happy. We fully enjoy your musings in Scooter in the Sticks … keep them coming, however frequently or infrequently. Cheers!
Rusty
Good to hear from you Rusty. I hope you and the family are having a fine holiday as well. Everyone, I think, is looking forward to a healthier 2022. My fingers are crossed that it does come to be.
Happy New Year!
A belated Merry Christmas to you and your family. I enjoyed the post even though you claim to be running out of content. Not true.
I thought the Christmas tradition was the Christmas tree on the Vespa. Or did that happen only a couple of times…
Thanks for the good wishes Richard. The same back at you.
I’m beginning to think content isn’t the issue but rather my approach to it. I’ve been trying to mold it into something bigger than it is. I’m going to retreat to simpler posts.
The tree hauling didn’t become a tradition because we didn’t put up a tree every year. But the ride has been. The real tradition at Christmas is eating too much sugar!
Best wishes to you and the family for a great new year!