Geoff, I’ll have to drop by your blog.

I stopped riding motorbikes (Vespas, and the occasional motorcycle) this year, and while I have very fond memories, I don’t miss riding either. The thing with my decision was that I no longer had a need to ride. I wasn’t commuting, and the local riding club had folded during the pandemic. The less I rode, the greater I perceived the risk. It would take three of four city blocks in the saddle for me to feel at ease again. I also felt that feeling at ease could be misleading. There are a myriad little habits I had learned that contributed to safe riding. Every now and then during a ride I realize that I had neglected something. No consequence, but it was unsettling.

I still ride, but I get my two-wheel fix from a Brompton bicycle now. Frankly, two wheels are two wheels. To a certain extent slower is actually more enjoyable, two-wheel wise.

Warm regards,

David

I’ve watched the progression on your blog Geoff and your interest in classic cars has me wondering about a move from two-wheels to some “unique” vehicle someday soon. I’m just four years from when you stopped riding. In my mind I see myself continually downsizing but who knows what will happen. I have other interests but nothing quite as seductive as riding. I ran my Himalayan through miles and miles of dirt, mud, and water a couple days ago and I felt like a kid playing despite the fact that I’m old, had a heart attack, was alone, and with no cell coverage. A prudent man would be examining the situation.

It’s good to know that you don’t miss riding. My biggest fear is I’ll be miserable. But then I remember a friend once told me that misery is a choice…

Geoff in NZ

You’re right about the 150cc Vespa scooters being a perfect machine for town. Plenty fast enough, incredibly nimble, and they do look pretty.

And while riding one the rider profile is just about as “obvious” as a small motorcycle.

Thanks for the head’s up on hikingguy.com. I’ll check it out. My wife and I talked yesterday about the Garmin inReach and she felt it was a good idea. After I do a little research I’ll make a decision.

Like you, I hope it goes unused while riding!

I went for a 75 mile ride today on the Himalayan. Mud, dirt, and gravel mostly. I’m not sure if it’s like the Classic 350 but the Himalayan does everything I need it to do. Well, except it would have been nice in the mud today to have some more aggressive tires on the motorcycle. I shot some video and will be posting something about that ride on Monday or Tuesday.

Cell coverage was good in some areas and non-existent in others. An inReach Mini 2 might be a good thing to have just in case.

Let me second the Garmin inReach, or something similar like a Zolio or the new Motorola Defy. I have a Garmin 67i GPS with inReach built in; thank god I haven’t had to use it yet :-). There’s a website called hikingguy.com and he is the most comprehensive person I’ve come across on the internet reviewing these emergency signal/beacon devices. He’ll give you the most comprehensive information you can get.

No worries, Steve. I am an internet security freak, and I lock down my computer with a lot of blocking software. Probably something broke on my end!