Summer Sloth
I resist writing “I hate summer” but it certainly feels that way as I surface from the summer doldrums of inaction and sloth. When the temperature goes up, I don’t feel like doing anything. Instead, I’ve been making some short morning rides to breakfast and hanging out with my family, friends, and my dogs.
And for many years now, riding in summer was not something I looked forward to. My temperature envelop has narrowed with age. Now my comfort range is 35F to 75F. No wonder much of summer is excluded from riding.
Choking on Words
I’m not sure whether summer has choked off writing or whether my lack of writing has affected my view of summer. Whatever it is, I have shied away from the blank page. I still get out on the scooter and motorcycle from time to time. But not like I do in cooler weather.
These feelings about writing have preceded summer and to a large degree fueled my change in attention from writing essays to producing videos for my YouTube channel. While some writing is still required for video production, the process is so different that it’s not an issue.
I still ride a little but not often and not during the hot part of the day. Rambling to breakfast is a more common riding adventure.
YouTube — Please Subscribe
Since June, I’ve produced 10 videos. I don’t always post them here. I struggle with the connection between blogging and vlogging. The process is different. The readers and watchers are different. What I create seems different.
It’s the sort of navel-gazing I have been caught up in this summer. Now that the temperatures have moderated I sense the coming of my favorite riding seasons — fall, winter, and spring.
What’s wrong with me?
I’ll post the last couple of videos here:
The next one I’m working on concerns life with a 150cc scooter. If you’re interested, please subscribe to my channel. It appears I might be able to earn enough income from YouTube to pay for a cup of tea and one cookie every month. Imagine that windfall.
Two Dogs
Anyway, I’m still alive and wandering through the world with two dogs motivating me to go for walks, play ball, wrestle, distribute treats, and play more ball. It’s a rough life but someone has to take care of these things.
Once I shake off the effects of summer heat and the summer doldrums I should find it easier to ride, write, and think.
Probably in that order.
Whew…good to hear from you, Steve! I agree, especially this particular Summer has been a bit tougher than usual: between the “extra special” bouts of heat/drought, and being pulled in several directions (seemingly at once), I’ve found it harder than usual to concentrate my energies in any one particular direction, and it’s more than a little annoying. On the other hand, and especially given my end-of-year calamities of last December, I’m still positively thrilled at every chance I get on the Vespa, be it for work (still most of the time) or fun. Which means that overall, I can’t complain too much.
Thanks for the You Tube reminder: I could’ve sworn I subscribed to your channel, but if not, I’m doing it pronto. But I’m also looking every bit as forward to your writing and photos here.
I certainly relate to the experience of being pulled in multiple directions. The older I get, the more often I’m reminded that multitasking is not something at which I do well. Add to it those extra special bouts of heat and things go downhill quickly.
Oh man, I hear you when you talk about being thrilled when you have a chance to ride. The same is true for me though it’s hard to square with my lack of enthusiasm when I’m not riding.
Onward!
Interesting. August is usually brutal in Florida and I avoid riding. This year, despite record temperatures, I felt comfortable riding in the heat. Hot, but comfortable. Even stop and go in town did not seem torturous as in the past. Riding in the country was even better. Granted there was no major rides after 2pm because of thunderstorms, but up into till the bewitching hour, I enjoyed it.
On the subject of rides, I sent you and email, I think to a good address, to invite you for a meet up in your area next week. If you did not get and have interest, drop me an email and I will send the details again.
I can’t imagine riding in the Florida heat. Maybe I would get used to but that’s hard to imagine. I’ve ridden here last month in 95F air with a blazing sun and was miserable the whole time. Rain would have been welcome. Mostly, I stay indoors after noon until early evening.
I got your email and will take a look at my schedule and get back to you.
I’ve subscribed (and enjoy) both the blog and vlog! Interested to see the 150cc video as I was wondering how it fit with your larger scooter and the Himma.
I’ll get the Vespa 150 video finished as soon as the weather clears. It’s a fun machine and a perfect companion to the GTS and Himalayan. I’m still coveting a Classic 350. There’s room in the garage…
Thanks for subscribing!
My desire to live in flip flops and shorts conflicts with my desire to ride over the summer, and the scooter frequently sits out July and August. I also have a GT 250 and an ET4. The ET4 actually sees more use in hot weather because it has no windshield, and is a more responsive bike.
I do video production for a living, so the whole video vs written is an interesting debate for me. I actually tend far more towards written word when reading blogs and such. I’m a fairly quick reader, so I can control more easily control the pace at which I get content with a written blog vs a vblog. It’s also hard for me to turn off my brain and just look at the video content.
Just came down through State College the other week, but unfortunately it was in a 40ft video truck, with a crew, so we only stopped for fuel. I couldn’t convince them to stop for lunch!!
I agree completely with you about the ET4 being responsive. I had forgotten what it felt like to ride my LX150 so many years ago. The GTS now feels like a fat pig compared to the ET4. And climbing onto the Himalayan is like climbing up into a big pickup truck. It’s all relative I suppose. But getting on that ET4 feels like freedom. No motorcycle I’ve ever ridden feels like that.
I was a senior producer/director at Penn State for a long time but that experience was more writing and conceptualizing than anything else. And it took place back in the BetaSP days and A/B roll tape editing. Playing with the inexpensive tools I have available now along with Final Cut Pro I feel free to do almost anything I can think of. And have patience enough to execute. Being a one-man band gets tiring.
A 40ft video truck with a crew on the way home would not want to stop anywhere!
The hotter it gets the more it hurts and the better i like it…My summer rides here in central Texas have felt like someone is holding a blow dryer on high in my face..I put two new Michelin city grip 2 on my scooter wow what a big ride and handling improvement…I have been riding more than usual despite the extra hot ,dry ,days here.Great to get a fantastic post from you Steve b safe and keep on two wheels ,I sure like your Et 4,always partial to a 150 you know
I got to do quiet a bit of riding this Summer. Not as much as I would have liked but heat never stopped me, just other commitments. Worse was missing Americade when my buddy came down with COVID and couldn’t go. I planned on going some real riding in the Adirondacks but had the rug pulled out from under me one day before departure when he let me know he was positive for Covid and sick as a dog. I was only glad he didn’t come down with it around me. Even vaccinated and boosted I didn’t want that scourge. Anyway, it was a pretty good summer overall. The bikes and scooters made me smile on each ride.
Hey Steve, Here in South Africa just cant wait for the summer ridding. I ride every day to work on my GTS 300. But hey, winter not for me. Funny we don’t have a brutal winter like you have.
Still not my idea of fun on a winters morning going to work! So just enjoy your cooler riding months.
Hey Steve, Wow just watched the all my camera/video gear video.I am very impressed by your on camera presense . You are super smooth man. I bet down the road if you keep making vids you will get the big $$ rollin in. It takes a lot of time,patience, and talent not to mention the monetary investment to produce results.Hats off to your friend for all the above Riding is about all I do my gear consists of mostly a pair of sunglasses.Thanks again for all you share with us!!!
I’ve long thought that this World truly needs is 6 months of Autumn and not just 6 glorious but too brief weeks!
I wholeheartedly agree!
Hello Steve my introvert friend who gets so much more done than other people. You are always an inspiration for me to keep on riding my Piaggio Beverly touring scooter. I was going to sell it this spring. Seeing your videos and reading your articles changed my mind about selling my Boomer crotch rocket. It’s a 250cc.
The summer here in the boreal forest precambrian shield of Northern Saskatchewan Canada had its very hot days. Always cooling at night for a restful sleep.
Last June I travelled in a straight line from the Town of La Ronge to the old Montana border of 800 kilometers one way. I rode a total of 2,000 kilometers in five days. I had to cut my touring of the far south of Saskatchewan short due to fires approaching my home. All turned out good when we got a nice amount of rain.
I made the big mistake of wearing the wrong jacket. I wore a brand new Carhartt oil based not renewable jacket. I baked under the ninety plus degree heat. The jackets flapped in the wind like a flag. I baked like a potato.
I only wear a canvas like thickness cotton Carhartt insulated jacket. It is quiet and keeps me cool. I have matching double thick Carhartt pants. The California Hells Devils are giving up on black leather. They are riding now wearing Carhartt clothing.
I experienced a slow roll unintended rapid dismount on a gravel road. My foot was pinned under the scooter. I was wearing slip on Blundstone boots. I freed myself by slipping out of my boot. Then I lifted the machine back on it’s two wheels. I was in a rural area with very little traffic. My Carhartt clothing saved me from road rash. I cracked a rib or two and pulled some muscles which was extremely painful. I rode my lightweight Yamaha BWS 49cc scooter for a month while I healed my upper body.
I went back to the same rural gravel roads in July without a problem.
Thanks for being the honest you. Keep doing what you are doing. What you are doing is really good.
Mick Lessard Facebook Micheal Lessard
Clearly, the World would be a much better place with more Autumn Splendour. I have to agree Steve that the Fall is Moto Magic Time👍