Quiet, Relaxed, Serene
Almost from the beginning I have enjoyed riding my scooters for two reasons. First, they’re fun. And second, it’s relaxing. Fun was no problem. It just came naturally. But it took some time to learn how to find relaxed riding.
And perhaps the biggest step toward that goal, toward relaxed riding, was learning to pull over on the road and let faster traffic move ahead leaving me free to then meander and take in the sights.
I made this video to highlight some of the things I’ve learned in my pursuit of more relaxed riding.
Good morning Steve. I really enjoyed your video and even more your philosophy about enjoying the ride YOUR way. I too look for ways to slow down and enjoy the scenery. I really like it when I am the only person on the road. I also have no problem with pulling over and letting someone pass by me. I don’t think you always need to be in a rush to get a rush. Have a great day😎
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Karl. I’ll have to remember — you don’t need to be in a rush to get a rush. Makes perfect sense.
Having done a lot of bicycle riding in my “previous life” I often think what I’m missing when I wiz past things on the moto. When I rode the Continental Divide Trail, I came upon two bicycling women who had just ridden the same stretch of forest. They had seen mountain lion and all sorts of wildlife I missed, as they went by silently and slower. The scooter does afford you an opportunity to slow done and be quieter, see more.
There’s always a slower way. Walking instead of biking. Sitting instead of walking. I suppose for me the important thing is that I realize I have choices. And that there’s not just a single way to experience riding. Or a way dictated by culture or peers.
Learning to find alternate routes and driving slow is where I find my kind of images. Bell well, my friend.
Frank, I need to credit you in large part for my own slowing down. I remember you telling me that you can’t really see much over 35mph when you’re looking for subject matter for photographs. That stuck in my head and helps me ease off the throttle or gas pedal.
Hope things are going well with you.
Really good entry, and video, Steve. I suppose one of the things I love about the Vespa, and the GTS in particular, is how I can go from Jeckyl to Hyde, depending on the situation: Out on the slabs I can (mostly) hand with the crowd, while choosing to stay clear of the folks who obviously don’t care how much plankton-juice they’re burning as they zip past at 90mph. I can stay in the right lane and cruise at a relatively-sane 65-70, and if someone came up quickly behind me…well, bud, see that lane to the left?
But, then, I come across a serene stretch of two-lane, and the good Dr. loosens up and kicks back: yes, sometimes it’s cool to put a bit of speed on, but to feel the arm air around you instead of punching through it, taking in a vista instead of a blur, stopping for a bit to take in even more. Riding at a lyrical pace does me so much good.
Besides you, one of my favorite sane two-wheelers on YouTube is Yorkshireman Stuart Fillingham, who you might call an ex-go-fast guy (and retired cop), whose favorite bikes happen to be Royal Enfields (with the odd Triumph thrown in).
By the way…you’ve inherited another Vespa via family, I take it?
The GTS definitely is Jeckyl and Hyde capable. It cruises smoothly and quietly at slow speeds but can jump up to freeway speeds when needed. And it’s just plain fun to dodge around with its nimble abilities.
Riding at a lyrical pace has the same thing to me. Makes me feel better.
I watch Fillingham’s videos from time to time. Good stuff!
And yes, I now have a Vespa ET4 in the garage. More to come on that.
I love scooters, and some day I hope to own one. The problem I have is that I live in the city and car drivers don’t have respect for them.
City riding seems hectic to me. While I can’t imagine living in a city, I can imagine even less riding a scooter in one. But some do. It just seems beyond my comfort or temperament.
Ahh, but if you grew up in New York, as I did, Hectic is not a word to often applied to traffic. It’s either heavy or, pretty good. And in and outing and sliding between cars at a light are just business as usual.Helmet on, check. Gloves, check, shorts (in the summer), check.
After that, it’s stand back, I’m coming through.
You’re right of course, the environment in which we operate dictates how we interpret things. Traffic too. I’ve been in the sticks so long that my experiences in the city where I grew up have long ago evaporated. Now, if I have six cars in front of me at a traffic light I think the traffic is heavy.
Helmet yes. Gloves yes. Shorts ye… ah no. Unless my armored summer riding pants are over them. I’ve gotten to the point where I sometimes will ride with jeans and no armor. Only sometimes though.
Ahh, vain attempt at macho appearance. Truth be known, although short pants are worn, so are the heavy leather riding chaps, that pretty much cover my whole lower body. Upper body is sweatingly protected by Joe Rocket jacket repleat with elbow, and back protectors.
Mama didn’t raise no fool
That’s pretty what I do when I have shorts on — something heavy duty over top. For me, in hot weather, it’s Joe Rocket pants.
My mama tried to raise someone who would never ever ride a scooter or motorcycle!
Super duper video Steve…Less is more to get the full dose of scooter thearpy for me..Last evening on a well known stretch of relaxing road for me it seemed every car or truck behind me had a damn fire to go to …Wow when I returned home I thought shit glad to just survived THAT ride…Some rides are diamonds some are …You know..Peace and best regards Don
Sometimes the world and its drivers just want to wreck our serenity. Like you say though, some rides are diamonds. I look for those!