Traveling with someone is a powerful memory builder I think. And doing it on motorcycles might greatly exaggerate that effect. The experiences you had with your son are the sort of precious things we carry through our entire life, waiting for us to pluck them from a shelf in our mind to illuminate a moment. And those silent moments with someone have far more power than many imagine. It’s impossible to experience when someone is buried in their mobile devices.

Thank you for sharing your experience. Best wishes to continuing to create more.

I recall clearly my transition moment, pulling into our hometown, after that trip. Even after 4000 miles in two weeks I didn’t want to stop.

You know what they say Ken, slow and steady wins the race. Besides, our choice of riding a Vespa embraces slow which is important if you want to wring the most out of the world around us.

I’m glad you’re going to have the opportunity to adventure a bit will Bill. And congratulations on your surgical recovery. Keep the rubber side down and you head out to Avon Park. And don’t let Bill drag you into some breakneck pace!

Regarding riding with others, it definitely is riding with one other. And maybe two. But generally speaking, I am talking about one other rider. My brain can’t bear the attention required for group rides. They feel more like punishment to me. But I know that’s not the case for many, many riders. And that’s ok. Different strokes and all…

As much as I enjoy riding alone, I also concur with this, “riding with others probably should be “with another.” No group rides.” In fact I do my first ride in six months with “another” this weekend when WLeuthold and I meet up in Avon Park at the Jacaranda (www.hoteljac.com) for a couple of days of riding.

I am very excited . I was thrilled when I set on the scooter for a little ride the other day and my new shoulder intuitively placed my hand on the grip. Last time I hurt my shoulder when the bear ran out in front of my on the Cannonball I had to lift the arm to get it on the grip.

Gee, I wonder who inspired those thoughts. Still, for me, riding with others probably should be “with another.” No group rides.

Regarding Paul standing on the pegs. The photos I’m making are when the bike is parked and on the side stand. Not while he’s riding. He definitely stands while riding.

Hmmm. Now where did I hear that before…..Didn’t Jim Zeiser say something like that?

“Looking at the photograph of Paul standing on the pegs of his KTM390 reminds me of how many times I’ve photographed him doing the same on a wide range of scooters and motorcycles. I’m not sure why he does it”

Back when I started in my dirt racing days I always had trouble in deep sand. The bike moved around under me on the edge of control squirming around badly. I related this to my Dad, a long time racer and rider. “When you’re seated on the bike all your weight is on your butt. It’s worse if you take your foot off the pegs. Your weight is then centered three feet above the ground. When you stand on the pegs now your weight is centered a foot or less above the ground. Stand on the pegs!!!”

AND…When I was riding to Lake George this past fall I was perfectly comfortable with my seat, windshield and pegs in perfect orientation for me. Jeffery in front of me was riding an FZ-1 Yamaha (a 150 hp sportbike) with a low, sporty windshield and footpegs high and rearward in the boy racer position. After an hour riding on the Thruway Jeffrey was standing on the pegs at 65 mph obviously to stretch his legs and knees folded in the racer position.

Paul may be standing for either of those two reasons.

Ding, ding, ding!

I’ll be checking out a Pine Green Rangefinder camera. Analog, funky looking, simple.

Well that narrows it down to either a 500 twin or a 400 single? I’m going to go with the single. Kind of funky like a Rangefinder Camera.

Our roads are generally still lightly traveled save for the main arteries on Penn State Football weekends. I just need to make sure then that I’m going in the opposite direction of the traffic to and from the stadium.

I’m looking at one of Itchy Boot’s early machines. The Hondas from this season and last are just way to flashy/ugly for my taste.

I hope the weather improves for Wednesday. So far the forecast looks ok.

Fog and mist are the stuff of photographic magic. Snow and rain run a close second.

Thanks for adding sizzle to the photos. I always thought you were adding mojo!