Scooter in the Sticks

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

The Honda Trail 125 Magic

by 9 Comments

Two Honda Trail 125 motorcycles on a forest road at sunrise.
Perfect motorcycles for adventures in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania.

A Special Little Motorcycle

I’ve reached a point in my life that I could buy and ride any two-wheeled machine I desire. The only limitation is space to store them. Acquistion is carefully curated to make sure whatever I ride meets my aesthetic requirements, is able and comfortable to ride in the environments I choose, and possesses a level of magic that adds to the inherent thrill riding delivers.

The Honda Trail 125 meets my requirements and goes an extra mile by enabling me to ride in places I would hesitate to explore on anything else in the garage. At least now at my age and with the wisdom I’ve accumulated from experience.

Combine the magic with a fellow CT125 rider and it’s no wonder I’m excited to get on the little motorcycle and wander into the mountains near home. We were on the road just after sunrise. It was a chilly 42F but with the promise of quickly rising temperatures as the sun climbed higher in the sky. I was grateful to have an extra layer under my Aerostich jacket and my hands warm inside my Gerbing battery powered gloves.

Continue Reading

A Short Ride on the Royal Enfield Himalayan

by 6 Comments

A Royal Enfield Himalayan parked at a power line cut.
Out exploring after breakfast.

Recharging My Mental Battery

I don’t have to go far on the bike to feel pretty good. Especially this time of year when the mornings are cool and the light and color is beginning to change. A bowl of Cheerios with blueberries at home was all the fuel I needed to head out and explore some gravel roads in Stone Valley. I only had a couple hours to work with which is plenty to shed whatever burdens might be weighing me down.

The Himalayan has really become a favorite.

Continue Reading

Desire Comes Before the Ride

by 10 Comments

A Royal Enfield Himalayan parked at a gas pump.
A ride always starts with a check of the fuel tank.

Google Maps, My Go To Distraction

The desire to ride is nearly constant. It would descend into obsession if not for age, wisdom, and experience working together to manage neatly into my life. And usually the desire to ride runs far ahead of any plan and while others might spend time watching the news or prowling social media to relax I turn to Google Maps to investigate the world to transform desire into a ride.

That’s how I found myself adding gas to the Himalayan, a man with a plan.

Continue Reading

Exploring a Mysterious Road

by 12 Comments

A Honda Trail 125 motorcycle parked at a scenic vista.
The goal in my mind’s eye.

Can I Get There?

There’s a road not far from here that I’ve spent considerable time thinking about, looking at maps, reviewing satellite imagery, and searching for first-hand accounts of whether it’s passable.

I know where the road might lead — to the ridge top where I have ridden many times. And I know a short stretch that reaches through a farm field at the bottom. But what lies between is unknown. I’ve been told it is now private property. Some suggest a property owner has bulldozed a barrier making in impossible to cross. And some say it is just too steep and rough to navigate. I’m left with the question, “Can I get there?”

I recently stumbled on a mountain biking site where riders share information and saw a nugget of intelligence about the Pennsylvania Furnace Road — rough but passable. No one seems to care if you ride through. Satellite images appear to show the road going through someone’s front yard and being a gentleman I don’t readily trespass so close to someone’s home. Especially when so many people here carry and are protective of their property. Still, the report said “passable.”

That’s all I needed to reach out to Paul and ask if he wanted to take a long ride to breakfast on our Honda Trail 125 motorcycles.

Continue Reading

A Jaunt in the Rain

by 4 Comments

A 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan parked on a wet driveway.
Almost escaped before the rain fell hard.

Breakfast Ride Rained Out

The plan was to ride to breakfast. The weather report the night before indicated rain later in the morning. I had the Himalayan in the driveway and ready to go when it started to rain. Gently at first but then falling heavy enough that rain gear would be needed. I’m getting too old to intentionally head out in the rain, especially when I just want to get something to eat. So the bike went into the garage and the trip to the restaurant was made in my friend’s bright red Jeep Wrangler.

Continue Reading