Its been a hectic week at work. Projects are underway and require my input or attention and a new really large and complicated one has just launched that could easily eat up half of my time. The balancing act can be draining and leaves me feeling anxious, unsettled and tired by the end of the day.
I park my Vespa in the free motorcycle parking area about a mile from my office. I could park closer but the walk to the office and back to the scooter has enough therapeutic value that I continue with this arrangement. It’s a good 15-minute walk across campus before the scooter roars (purrs) to life. Today the campus was deserted during my walk giving an added and welcome level of solitude. The walk makes the ride home stronger. Instead of departing a zombie for the first few miles the physical activity resets my brain and when I turn the throttle I am focused and ready.
As I was pulling on my helmet and gloves I noticed the reflections of passing cars in the finish of the scooter. I am still enamored by the Vespa and it consistently finds its way into photographs for no other reason than I like the way the damn thing looks. I imagine it in adventures and rides and just smile. For some reason today I sat down on the sidewalk with the digital camera and made some images. Something seems odd about a 51+-year-old man sitting on the sidewalk in a yellow and black riding jacket taking pictures of a Vespa. That’s what I come to at this stage of my life. I guess it’s ok.
I liked the way the scooter is juxtaposed against the FedEx truck. Reminds me that I can stand up on the road with these big boxes. The ride home was relaxed and the world was magical in a way I only recognize from the car when the light is unusual or dramatic. I made the image at the top of the page on Monday evening while riding. It was grey and the sun was going down through a cloudy sky. A small glow of sunlight filtered through the clouds for an instant and I stopped to make a photo. I am sure I would have missed it in a cage.
I really enjoy the movement of the truck behind the Vespa, man you’re good with camera! 😀
That’s the paradox, isn’t it? Being on two wheels is a means of shedding stress. However, it can mean we are really torqued when we get on the bike and are looking to “ride it off”. The danger is that whatever we’re stressed about can distract us from paying attention to managing risk. Your “decompression” walk is a great solution to at least take the edge off.
Here’s another nod to your photos!
The Vespa looks startled and maybe even a little frightened at the big truck rushing past.
Sometimes when big trucks roar by unexpectedly I get the startled look.
irondad,
You are right about not wanting to get on the bike to ride off the woes of the day. If my head is too focused on a problem I just won’t pay attention riding and may go “boom”.
The walk is relaxing and the ride then is what it should be.
steve
I was just thinking…Vespa/FedEx…you could be FedEx’s State College messenger. Forget the high stakes communications game, this new position has potential. Besides the scooter would look great with the FedEx sticker.
Hey Steve,
Beautiful photos, as always. That is an intriguing theory you have about transition time. I only have about fifty yards between the door and my scooter. The difference, I guess, is in the time it takes me to put on all my gear. I have already punched the clock, and I don my gear like a knight of old, or an astronaut of new. That act focuses me on the ride ahead, as does the walk, (some would say waddle), out to the scooter. By the time the engine warms up, I have been sitting there long enough to thoroughly focus on the task ahead.
But this is the first time I have thought about it analytically.
Thanks, buddy!
Ride well,
=gc=
I’m with Gary, it’s the act of suiting up that puts me into riding mode. It never fails to make the days stresses fade away.
WOW!
I’ve found your blog while I was looking for information about Vespas, especially LXs. I’m reading all the archieves and now I’m here on the March 2006 archieves. I’m sure you’ll see more of my comments but this is my first one. And the reason that I wanted to put a little comment is because I LOVED this picture! I know you’ve been getting a lot of compliments for your pictures and I like them too, but this one is very special.
Great job. See you in another post!
Ali: Glad you are finding something useful here. The LX150 was not only a fine scooter but an excellent subject for photography too. The modern Vespa scooters are like sculpture in my opinion.