Exploring in Spring
With the arrival of spring new roads and path open for riding the Vespa. With the melting of mountain snow, I can head into the woods again. Riding on dirt and gravel is not the first choice for most scooter riders. My Vespa GTS performs adequately only because my style of riding is slow and steady. Neither the tires nor suspension allow me to race along as I might on a dirt bike.
Still, I was excited to venture through the woods and on into the mountains. The approach on paved roads offered the familiar sense of flying I’ve felt before, but when I adjustment to the gravel roads was like moving in slow motion. The road and landscape come into sharp focus and I seemed to be seeing everything.
It’s these startling shifts in perception that happen while riding that keep me riding.
Adjusting to Gravel Roads
Riding on gravel is a skill acquired with practice. And for me, it evaporates without it. Each spring when I start to spend more time on the local forest roads I have to get comfortable all over again. On this stretch of road, I could easily maintain 35mph but because I’m looking around so much my speed falls closer to 20mph.
In Pursuit of Fog
I had hoped to find fog at the summit. From my house, I could see the mountains shrouded in fog but it had disappeared before I arrived. The air remained moist and I wandered around a bit looking at the moss and ferns starting to grow again but have to admit I was disappointed that the fog eluded me. I probably need to get up earlier. Retirement has spoiled that. I sleep now until I feel like getting up. I seldom feel like opening my eyes before 8 am now. Who knows, perhaps I’ll channel my teenage years and sleep until noon and wake up to drink a quart of chocolate milk.
Until then, I’ll keep wandering around on the scooter.
Hi Steve, being from northern Ontario, gravel or dirt roads are a familiar thing for me. I have riden sll my bikes on gravel, some are more precarious than others but like you say, it is about adjusting. Like life adjust is a must! I enjoy those roads the most because like you, I have to go slow on the Forza and then I go slower still so I can see and enjoy what is around me. Any bike will do anything to a certain extent if you adjust. As I age, slowing down, pacing myself and adjusting to new realities and situations is in itself a reality and it is not so bad in fact, it is enjoyable.
Stay safe and keep writing and riding
Gilles
You’re right Giles that life is a continual process of adjustment. The quicker I accept that the happier I am.
Slowing down is a great experience for me for many reasons, not the least of which is I see so much more. The riding experience is much richer than if I make it only about the technical performance of guiding the machine over the road.
One thing I have found with some riders, scooters and motorcycles, is that they shy from gravel because they don’t want to adversely affect the cosmetic appearance of the machine. Gravel, like salt and snow, takes a toll on the machine.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I always appreciate the thoughts shared.
I was thinking of you and how much I’d like to ride your winding country roads on my Vespa as I drove across Pennsylvania from Williamsburg to Slippery Rock last week. Ohio and Indiana don’t offer much in the way of mountains and scenery— at least along my route.
We are blessed in central Pennsylvania with lovely, sparsely traveled roads on which to ride. Dumb luck brought me here. A deliberate choice has kept me here.
Were you in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania? Or in Virginia?? Either way, you may have traversed some great roads.
With mixed surface roads aplenty and quiet in our part the World it’s best to keep those gravel travel riding skills up to snuff. So much to see and experience and so enjoyable too at leisurely speeds. And as to the early bird getting the worm or that stunning atmospheric earlier in the day masterpiece? I start out with the best of intentions but alas, resort to the path of least resistance and brew another pour over. Observant post as usual Steve. Thank you.
Same here. If you want to explore all the cool places, then riding on dirt and gravel has to be in your riding toolbox. It doesn’t have to be at Dakar speeds, but at least at a level of comfort that I don’t decide to forego the option.
I was looking at some of my favorite photos. All in the very early morning. All with unusual atmospherics. But I too seem to take the path of least resistance these days…
I am always envious of your riding territory. However, I am headed back to WV via car for a memorial service for my good friend of mine and Bill’s, Scott Beard, Provost and Senior VP of Academics who did suddenly at the young age of 57. To memorialize it in my mind I will be going to NC, where I keep my fourth Vespa, and ride with my brother into the hills of Virginia and West Virginia. I will have thoughts such as yours as we make “any left turn” to seek not adventure, but the solace of riding. That is, as long as I am leading. My brother is a life long motocross rider and who’s perspective on “adventure” on two wheels varies greatly from mine.
I’m sorry for your loss Ken. I read some things about Scott since a search revealed a large number of pages on him. There was a quote by a music theorist and teacher he admired, Theodore Leschetizky (1830-1915) that informed Scott’s life. I found it an inspiring reminder. The article said Scott believed and lived Leschetizky’s famous aphorism: “No life without art; no art without life.”
I hope you find some peace in your loss. A ride in the hills and mountains of Virginia and West Virginia might be just the heaven on earth you need right now.
I bet a lifelong motocross rider has his patience tested with a Vespa rider!