The weather warmed considerably and with clear skies and 45 degree temperatures I decided to take a longer than usual trip on the Vespa. I almost always head north or west on my rides but for some reason this time I was drawn south. Today was the first time I had my new Tourmaster Over Pants on. It was nice to finally have some windproof-armored pants with pockets! And I’ll say right now that I love these pants.
I headed out PA Route 45 towards Pine Grove Mills and headed up the mountain. The scooter could maintain 45 MPH up the grade but I had to wave on a few cares that wanted to go faster even though I was at the speed limit. Traffic was almost non-existent as I rode down the other side towards the turnoff at Stone Valley and route 305. This road was a typical rural secondary road, high crown and rough asphalt surface. No holes or anything but just rough. I moved along the road at 45PMH and that seemed fast—so many blind turns and crests that I figured at this speed I would have time to see my life flash in front of me should some feed truck be in the wrong lane. I rode pretty defensively. I saw another cyclist in my rear view mirror moving pretty fast and he went right by me with a wave. A BMW 1200 GS. As I came over the next rise I could see him going over the next and realized he was really going fast. My first thought was that I am a pretty lame rider to not be going faster. The scooter could easily go faster but then I thought what faith that guy has that nothing or no one is going to get in his way. At that speed it didn’t seem like you could do anything. It is what scares me about any thoughts I have of bigger stronger two-wheeled vehicles. I will go faster because I can and not because I should. Those of you motorcycle riders feel free to weigh in if I am just being a wussy here.
The road allowed me to leisurely ride to Petersburg and then on to Alexandria. The sun was warm and I was completely comfortable save my fingertips. The temperature was in the 50s by now but after about 50 minutes of riding I could tell they were tingling a bit. Not enough to be concerned about but present. I decided to take bacon and eggs at the Crumb Diner in Huntingdon. It’s one of those classic old metal diners where you can have breakfast for 3 bucks. My fingertips were white and it took a good 15 minutes for them to come back to life. I am sure it is related to the old frostbite injuries.
After breakfast I stopped across the street at a Sheetz store to get gas. Several other riders were there with Harleys and Sport bikes and they gave the Vespa the smiling sneers that I often get. One of them inquired on the fuel economy and the other asked if it was legal to ride that little thing on the road. I smiled and said 68 miles-per-gallon and reassured the other that both it and I were fully licensed. They were sort of shocked when I told them I had ridden down from Boalsburg on a sixty-mile path. They were just riding around town. I let them know you could ride it anywhere as long as you weren’t in a hurry.
The ride home was as enjoyable as the ride down and the scooter performed perfectly. The photo was made on the way home just outside of McLevy’s Fort. There is an old family cemetery at the top of the hill where the trees are.
Hi Steve. I am truly enamored of my Vespa LX 150. She is pearl white and BEAUTIFUL! I bought her at Kissle as well. I live in Reading, Pa. and do the kind of riding that you do. I so look forward to hopping on and taking out for points of beauty as yet unknown and try to get lost and find more scenic places. We have huge amounts of farmland and historic buildings around here. I appear to be about your age, too, and my scooters were a life long passion of mine. My brother drives a Honda 250 elite, which he thought was probably the best scooter made, but he actually admitted quietly, almost under his breath, that Snowflake just might be the better scooter. I acted surprised, but in all reality, no question about it! To his defense, though, his scooter is about 20 years old, and mine only has 210 miles on it. I just brought it home in November, and December got cold all fast and I don’t brave the elements as you do! I’m glad I found your blog thing and look forward to reading more. Too bad you are so far away, sounds like you enjoy the kind of riding I do. Liz Pawlyk from Reading.
Your riding is the on the path of wisdom if you are going at the speed you should be rather than the speed you can mate. True on any machine and the guy’s who’ve learnt that will be fine on any capacity machine.
I think that hill shot is my new favourite of your photos. I shall be attempting to recreate it when I’m on a long ride out sometime. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. 😉
Proudly stand your ground, Steve. One, I totally agree that it is wisdom to not commit on a bike until you have all the information. Zipping over a blind hill hell-bent for leather on literally blind faith is not manly. There’s other words for it and they’re not complimentary. It’s, Ready, Aim, Fire. Not Fire and hope for the best.
Two, it’s not the machine, it’s the man. Some people need their Harley’s and Sport Bikes because of having tiny little ( oh well, never mind ). You get the picture.
Although, I’d still like to see Gary and the pink scooter!
liz,
The Vespa does have some unique “lines” and I think always looks good. Sounds like your brother has seen the light, at least in regards to the Honda Elite….
mad,
Glad you like the image. I wasn’t pleased with it. Used a new camera and the contrast seemed out of control—operator error no doubt. I will return to that pace and make another soon. Look forward to seeing your version!
irondad,
I realize that on the scooter I am so vulnerable that I just account for so much more than I do in a car. I don’t think I ever take a curve without scanning for gravel, water, manure, whatever. In a car I just keep on going.
I’ve also realized that many riders seem to ride like they drive a car. Just tearing down the road like they own it because they have the “right of way”.
If I ever ride somethng bigger I hope the same cautious approach remains….
steve
Steve, I’ll comment on the photography rather than the scooter. This is an amazingly simple picture but the placement of the elements in the image is complex. The trees on the left and the trees at the top of the hill and where the scooter is placed create a wonderful tension. The other thing I’ve noticed about the photos is that the scooter is always the “right size” within the context of the image. I click your blog because I like to read about your adventure but most of all to see the scooter’s environmental portrait of the day.
billies,
I wish I could find the time to ride everyday and make a “scooter picture of the day”. I have not been on the thing since Saturday now, work, weather and attitude have gotten in the way.
Was out early this morning shooting but that was for an assignment and I was driving the Ford Ranger.
I’m ready for warm weather.
steve