Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

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UPDATE: A New Year, New Challenges

January 27, 2024 by Scooter in the Sticks 20 Comments

A metal sign about aging and riding.
An anonymous gift…

Aging and Riding

This metal sign was delivered to my home. From who I don’t know. But I have to think it relates to a video I posted recently on YouTube that explores the question — When is it time to stop riding?

That video seemed to touch a nerve as thousands watched it and hundreds commented. I’ll post the video below.

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Falling in Love All Over Again

June 14, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 28 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter along a country road.
All things feel new again on a fragrant spring morning.

Reminded of the Good Things in Life

I fell in love with a Vespa scooter the first time I rode one. And now, after some neglect and a wandering eye, I’m falling in love all over again.

It continues to amaze me how my mind and body are transported into a different state of being by this silver scooter. Standing along the road, breathing the moist fragrant spring air, and feeling startingly present in the moment, I know what a gift it is to be able to ride.

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The Terror of Change

June 24, 2020 by Scooter in the Sticks 24 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter along a rural road
Riding has a way of generating thoughts and surfacing ideas that would otherwise remain hidden to me.

Change

Riding provides a landscape on which I can let my mind wander across thoughts and ideas the are either bothering me, or just spring to life as the scooter and I are running down the road. One of those ideas that has been bouncing around in my head — the ability to change.

It’s strange how often things occur to me while I’m standing alongside a road, alone, and relaxed.

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Why I Ride a Vespa Scooter

June 19, 2020 by Scooter in the Sticks 41 Comments

Forest road
Quiet forest roads are one explanation of why I ride a Vespa scooter.

Exploration, Meditation, and Contemplation

Anyone who has spent much time reading my posts is aware that they touch on the mental and emotional experience of riding. I don’t often spend much time on the machine itself or the reasons why I ride a Vespa scooter.

A simple question. One that I can only answer for myself. And as I’ve shared before, what might make sense for me could have poor results for you. So with that caveat I’ll share my answer to “Why ride a Vespa scooter?”

The photograph of the gravel forest road I traveled recently hints as a reason. Depending on your goals and temperament, this same stretch of road can call on completely different machines. Some may see it as an opportunity to bomb forward as fast as possible, feeling the machine through turns and over bumps, and managing feelings of control over the environment. A perfectly fine approach if speed and control are your goals.

For me, this road presents an opportunity to slow down, explore, and release as much of the tension and noise from my body and mind as possible.

My scooter is perfectly matched for these intentions. Easy to ride, simple in operation, and as silent and invisible as I can get with something powered by an internal combustion engine.

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See the Sunrise

December 15, 2017 by Scooter in the Sticks 11 Comments

Two Belgian Sheepdogs in the snowFirst Snowfall

Simple pleasures. Helping shape the mind to accept change. Finding joy and satisfaction where I can. The dual challenges of my wife’s medical situation along with the frigid weather we’ve been having (judged by my growing intolerance of cold) have pushed my ability to go with the flow.

The first snowfall of the season thrilled the dogs. Me — not so much. Still, it was good to see the sunrise.Continue Reading

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Recent Posts

  • Notes from the Sticks
  • Seduced by Warm Weather
  • The Perfect Ride
  • Vespa Scooter Relationships
  • Riding into Serenity
  • Vespa GTS Scooter: Transition to Spring

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Fun in the Mountains

Honda Trail 125 motorcycle

Fun with the Honda Trail 125. (CLICK IMAGE)

A Sample of Vespa Camping

Vespa GTS scooter along Pine Creek

A trip north along Pine Creek. (CLICK IMAGE)

Riding in the Rain

Vespa GTS scooter in the rain

Thoughts on rain. (CLICK IMAGE)

Snow: An Error in Judgment

Vespa GTS scooter covered in snow

A snowy ride home. (CLICK IMAGE)

Demystifying the Piaggio MP3 scooter

Piaggio MP3 250 scooter

Understanding the MP3. (CLICK IMAGE)

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