When Riding Alone Isn’t Enough

Ungracious Awakenings

By temperament, I prefer to ride alone. Free to embrace the road at whatever pace I desire. Stopping to look or make photographs without concern for the tempo of others. No need to keep checking the mirrors or adjusting speed. Just the freedom to ride with my tumbling thoughts.

And still I ride with others because finding balance between solitude and connection makes life richer. I didn’t always understand that. Moments and opportunities arrive more frequently now when I realize riding alone isn’t enough.

The plan was a long scooter ride with friends Andy and Paul on an unexpectedly chilly morning. It was the Vespa ET4’s turn to ride and Andy caught me checking the tire pressure, an increasingly challenging operation now requiring knee cushioning and a limber back to engage the tire valve.

There seems to be no end to the reminders that I’m no longer young. Physically at least.

A Flock of Vespa Scooters

Two new Vespa scooters and my 21 year-old ET4. All lovely in their own way. Each capable of providing a fine morning ride. And indifferent to the cold and our collective mistaken assessment of the temperature. Clear skies and bright sunshine at the beginning of May is seductive enough to mislead young boys bent on a long ride to breakfast.

I was grateful I chose to wear my Gerbing battery powered electric gloves. And a wool sweater beneath my riding jacket.

Embracing Reality

I can’t speak for my fellow riders, but they didn’t protest when I suggested we cut our ride short by 30 miles to take fast path to breakfast. Had I chosen to proceed on the longer route they probably would have followed. As cold and miserable as I was starting to feel. And while I had no desire to extend the ride, I realized that tough things are easier in a group. It’s when riding alone isn’t enough.

There are two choices in life that are important for me to discern — accepting reality or fighting with it. Acceptance brings far more peace.

Comparing Scooters

There’s always some kind of discussion around the machines. Especially with the technology on the new ones. Wireless this, Bluetooth that. While not a functioning modern Luddite, I am skeptical, or perhaps bored, with the overwhelming amount of digital technology on bikes and scooters. I remain content with the minor intrusion of the 21st century on my scooters and motorcycles. From riding modes to GPS guidance, I feel more adventurous managing the machine on my own and not always knowing where I am or where I’m going.

I know others desire something different. There’s plenty of room on the road for all of us.

Pittsburgh Pirate Bill Mazeroski

In addition to being a Vespa scooter rider, Paul is a treasure hunter. Regularly, methodically searching the world for items he can share, sell, or adorn his life. Recently he called asking whether Andy might like a signed photograph of Bill Mazeroski, famous for his walk-off home run at the bottom of the ninth inning of game seven of the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees. Yeah, I think he’ll like it. In addition to be a committed Vespa rider, professional designer and artist, Andy is a serious baseball fan. Maybe even a fanatic. Serious enough that he’s ridden his Vespa east on Interstate 80 to Yankee Stadium and west to Progressive Stadium in Cleveland just to take in a baseball game. And growing up in Pittsburgh he was sure to appreciate Mazeroski.

It was a fine gift. And reminded me of the power of connecting, even in small ways, with other people. And I’m often left asking myself when riding alone isn’t enough.

Riding with Others

Being alone provides the space to tame the noise in my head. My choice to ride alone is frequent. And necessary to recharge my emotional and spiritual batteries. Some people are energized being with others. It drains me. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy riding with friends or being social. It just means I will use up energy in the process. And honestly, as I get older and hopefully a little wiser, I see how much I need to connect with other people.

Riding has transformed me. Made me more social. Helped shed the shyness armor I carried when younger so I can appreciate the gift of spending time with people. There’s a romance to being a loner on the road. Of being self-reliant and ready for whatever life brings. I like the fantasy. It may explain why my favorite book is Edward Abbey’s “Desert Solitaire.” But a solitary existence denies my biology and humanity. And prompts to wonder when riding alone isn’t enough.