Thank you Michael for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. I do appreciate them. Comments from others have helped me along the path many times and often in unexpected ways.

I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your wife. Those kind of events can leave a person idling for a while before the brain starts wondering what’s next. For me it was a heart attack leading to early retirement at 63, Social Security right away, and an expansion of my two-wheeled fleet. And then, like you, ride. Ride until we can’t anymore. Hopefully a date far in the future. It’s a good thing to have acquired that Vespa and explore your world.

I’ve met a few guys who seem overly concerned about leaving cash for their kids. I guess it’s a nice gesture if you want to but I never felt kids are entitled to anything of mine. If I spend it all before the end then oh well. And often by the time we shuffle off the world they don’t really need it anymore. I needed financial help in my 20s.

As far as YouTube goes, I’ll be posting about it tomorrow.

And thanks for the reminder to not go gentle into the good night!

Visually it adds some magic. But I feel more and more resistance in venturing out into that cold world. Doesn’t matter if it is on two wheels or four, or on foot. The attraction of a comfortable chair in a warm house is difficult to abandon…

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
– Dylan Thomas

A little snow in the foreground and majestic snow covered mountains always makes the magic.

You and I rode parallel to that road. It’s not far from the place with the big rocks.

I have mixed feelings about e-bikes. I can see the advantage of the motor assist over a straight bicycle. So for touring and exploring without the huge element of strenuous exercise they’re a good choice. As they get bigger and faster I suspect we’ll start seeing some more intense restrictions. And perhaps even license requirements. Somehow, having once been a bicycle rider, they feel like cheating. An irrational argument but there it is…

I bet I could make a pretty picture of an e-bike. The goal being to romanticize the ride and inject enough machismo to make it less wimpy. I think snow might be involved.

Sorry to hear of your knee issues Bill. Hopefully you get it sorted out.

It’s always gratifying to me when I realize I am comfortable riding my scooters and motorcycles. Whatever discomfort I bring to the ride largely evaporates. The only adjustment is having to stop to stretch. But since I’m always stopping to take pictures it is not a problem.

I don’t foresee pictures of an e-bike having the same cachet has pictures of one’s motorcycle no matter what the background.

Walking is uncomfortable, especially down steep hills, and running impossible.

But when I hop on a scooter for a ride, I feel great again.

Bill

Well, I do what I can. I follow the things my doctors tell me to do including taking the medications they prescribe. And I definitely have modified my stress levels and exercise. Diet remains a resistant one though. And exercise is hit or miss. I know that strength exercises and stretching help with back issues and my arthritis. Doing something is definitely better than nothing I guess.

I can’t remember why I got the windscreen for the Vespa. I think it was purchased during an episode of consumer therapy. No need for it and it didn’t look hideous as so many of them do. I can’t imagine ever buying a screen or shield for the W650. And I seldom ride at speeds where I feel the wind is going to push me off the bike. But I definitely know what you mean.

If I ever find myself doing a lot of really long riding — days at a time — I may revisit the windshield/fairing issues. For now, I’m a happy camper with what I have.

Our generation preceded extreme concern with diets. We ate anything or nothing.