Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

Dreaming

by 7 Comments

greeting card titled "Dreaming."
 
The entire morning was focused on dreaming.  Or more precisely on ideas and paths not considered or taken, of flights of fancy and journeys of partnership that might be explored.  The morning ride had me thinking about what to write on Kim’s birthday card.
 
It’s what makes Vespa riding so great.
 
 
Vespa GTS scooter in snowy farm field
 
 
Another cold morning though sunshine took the edge off making the snow and cold seem little more than a picturesque landscape in which to explore.  A week off work provided ample opportunity to acquire a taste for the cold and grow relaxed with the winter riding ritual. 
 
Seven days ago the thought of Vespa riding through a frozen cornfield would seem a technical stretch. Today it seemed almost normal.  So normal that thoughts of birthdays and dreams came easy.
 
 
Vespa GTS scooter on snowy road
 
Before the Vespa, Kim and I explored these mountains on foot with cameras and notebooks.  And before that fall and winter backpacking.  Now, as the Vespa slowly prowls along small paths and roads puzzle over what’s next here for Kim and me; how will our lives unfold.
 
The morning had a postcard quality to it with blue sky draped with white clouds over a mix of snow and ice.  Vespa riding was a joy.
 
 
 
Vespa GTS scooter on snow covered road
 
Joy might give the wrong impression.  While the main roads were clear it didn’t take long to find snow and ice still lingering on secondary roads.  Caution was in order.  Vespa riding in winter can be tricky business.
 
 
Vespa scooter at a Christmas tree farm

Coming across a local Christmas tree farm moved thinking from birthday to another season. Christmas will be here in less than a month.  Time is flying.

The ride at times felt like a dream, a scene from Lord of the Rings with familiar places transformed into new ones.

 

Vespa GTS scooter on snowy rural road

Riding this time of year when the temperature drops below freezing it’s important to anticipate problems.  This snow-covered road exits from a clear dry road.  On warm days I would enter this road at 40mph.  Knowing it might now be dry I crawled on at 10.  Good thing too because at a higher speed I would have lost control.  In cold weather, you can never ride faster than you can see.

Never.

 

Vespa scooter parked on snow covered road

The message of this picture:  I have little traffic to contend with as I navigate the snow and ice.  And there was a lot of ice hidden beneath the light dusting of snow.

 

Vespa GTS scooter parked on a street

 

A view from Schlow Library towards the Vespa.  By the time I sat down at a table by the window my thoughts were complete and I wrote something to Kim — a fine morning, a fine ride, and a fine day.

It’s been like a dream…

 

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Comments

  3. Steve Williams says

    poppawheelie: Thanks for the heads up on the mention on Mike Werner’s blog. I first “met” him back in 2007 when he sponsored the first Motorcycle Bloggers International Awards. Nice guy!

    It’s been awhile since I’ve been mentioned on his blog and it made me think of how long I’ve been slogging away here…

    Reply

  6. Christopher Bason Lincoln UK says

    As ever do so identify with your philosophy of Vespa riding but , possessed of an over active inner sense, I never ride faster than my imagination…

    Reply

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