I finally came out of a sugar coma and was able to maneuver the Vespa onto the road. Getting older hasn’t sharpened by dietary sensibilities or my body’s ability to process the quantity or quality of refined sugar products I choose to ingest. It was a positive step to ride away from temptation yesterday morning under cloudy skies and temperatures around 40º F.
I had no idea where I was going, and not a whole lot of enthusiasm for the journey. That’s how I get when I am lying around the house overindulging. I forced myself onto the scooter. Barely.
My friend Paul surprised me this Christmas with a pair of Gerbing electric gloves. I was hoping to give them a good workout on this ride but that will have to wait for colder weather. I’ll post more details on how they perform later.
Aside from a brisk wind the weather was good and the roads were dry after a couple days of rain. Blue skies look amazing after nothing but gray. Everything looks bigger and more impressive. Since winter has only just begun officially I know there is a lot more gloom ahead.
I’m still amazed at how many new roads I find so close to home. This one cut across a ridge in an area I thought I knew well. A look when I got home at a topographic map revealed a wealth of unexplored township roads.
One small road began as a gravel track along a creek and then climbed upwards to this sweeping view. It was good to get out and stretch my riding legs a bit. Next time out will be easier.
Getting started is always the hardest part. Looks like you had a great ride!
rick: It’s funny how fast a routine can fall apart. The regimen of riding to work keeps me tuned to the ritual of riding. When that is disrupted by a long holiday, weather, and SUGAR, all bets are off.
But I am on the Vespa again and looking forward to the next ride — probably in the next hour or so…
Amazing what the holidays can do to our disciplines. So happy that you are out and about again and sharing those gorgeous landscape photos with us. The last one merits a long long look. It would make a nice advertisement for PA as well as a beautiful framed wall hanging in a room. Do you ever blow them up and frame them? We wish you good health and lots of riding weather in 2008 and look forward to reading each and every entry.
Like you I have been off my scooter since 11/26th, it tough getting back on during the holidays. The holiday pastries don’t help much and need to get back into some form of exercise. Well I will be back on the road soon enough with the weather improving here in SoCal. Cycling and scootering into the New Year.
heinz & frenchie: I’ve not printed any of the Vespa pictures. They exist right now solely as images on the Web. I have high resolution files of everything so I may just make some prints. I have a lot to think about in that regard.
Have a great New Year!
pvino: Once I stop homeostasis sets in quickly and I become resistant to change. It snowed last night but the roads look ok for a New Year’s Eve ride so I will probably go. Or maybe I should just shovel the driveway.
Happy New Year to you in the sunny and warm part of California!
Steve,
Happy New Year
Its going to be a 75 F on New Year’s Day which I doubt and the winds are blowing pretty good in SoCal.
Ride safe into 2008
I find it surprising and interesting that there’s no snow …
Happy New Year!
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
Hello – I just had to leave a comment to say that I find your photos quite beautiful. Stay safe and warm out there 🙂