Scooter in the Sticks

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

Why I Ride a Vespa Scooter

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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

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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

Just Keep Riding

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So what if you’re getting older.  Just keep riding…

Is Aging a Physical Condition or a State of Mind?

After the previous post with the Morning Fall video I thought I would post something a bit more upbeat.

I like to think aging is, in part, something I can manage mentally.  This video always helps support that notion. And it may have some benefit down the road to help me just keep riding.

Memories of this video often spring to mind when I ride my Vespa scooter, or any other two-wheeled machine.  While I realize some aspects of aging and health may make continued riding impossible, I believe there are a wide range of circumstances that can be overcome through determination and willpower.  Those are the situations where my own thinking and beliefs trip me up.

It’s important that I determine the difference between those things I have power over and those I do not.  I want to be careful to not judge myself harshly or consider some lack of action my fault, or a lack of willpower, when in fact they are truly insurmountable. Too often people judge themselves and others as “not trying hard enough” when in fact there is absolutely nothing that can be done.

This video provides me with a jolt of hope and strength when I feel bad. It helps me to just keep riding.

What does it do for you?

 

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Am I Too Old to Ride a Motorcycle (or Scooter)?

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Too Old to Ride?

Self-portrait at night in store window reflectionPersonal Reflections

I’ve been asking myself a lot lately whether I’ve reached a point where I can’t reliably ride anymore.  Whether some future motorcycle to be named later or the Vespa GTS scooter that I’ve been riding for the past decade.

It’s a crappy conversation to have with yourself if you really enjoy riding.  My father-in-law was talking about the same conversation he’s been having about bicycles.  But he’s almost twenty years further down the road than I am.

It’s been three months waiting for my lower back to heal.  This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this way.  Only the first where things haven’t gotten better.  The lingering, gnawing pain and sudden, startling bursts of electric weakness provide ample pause when deciding to ride.  Putting on gear and boots is an adventure in itself that can leave me cringing and panting from the task.

I suppose I should be surprised at the mental conversations.

Vespa GTS on a winding road in autumn forestLong and winding road

In my dreams I’m riding well into my eighties.  My granddaughter has her own motorcycle and lectures me on some aspect of life as she comes into her own.  Two weeks ago I was riding through the local forests to enjoy the sights and fragrances of a changing autumn world.  Each stop to push the scooter onto the center stand was a breath-holding event as I was never sure if the movement involved would impinge an already irritated nerve.

There are a few things I consider when thinking about the big riding stop sign:

  1.  Am I strong enough to manage the weight involved?
  2. Is my mind clear?
  3. Are my reactions reliable?
  4. Am I afraid to be on the road?
  5. Can I see?

Five simple questions.  And so far, with only momentary and somewhat predictable situations, only the first question is relevant.  All the rest receive a positive response.

Vespa GTS scooter on gravel forest roadRough roads

I love riding through the near endless forest roads here in central Pennsylvania.  While the Vespa scooter may not be the first choice for this terrain it’s capable enough for any rider not bent on break-neck speeds and tricks.  My own recent wandering in Rothrock State Forest to absorb the flaming foliage has been satisfying if not at times jarring along rough stretches of road.

Autumn skyAutumn sky

The light is different this time of year.  The sun remains lower in the sky and I swear it paints far better cloud drawings than any other time of the year.  I know I look up more this time of year to look, and to think.  Like whether I’m too old to ride.

Perhaps the past week was just a bad stretch of body encounters on top of some bouncing riding that caused me to grit my teeth.  Another chiropractor appointment that doesn’t seem to help.  A rheumatologist who doesn’t think my auto-immune arthritis has worsened but perhaps a physical therapist could help.  Add a colonoscopy to the mix and perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised I’m asking whether I’m too old to ride.

And it’s cold.  That early, cold-season riding desire crushing cold.  It was 27F this morning.

Vespa GTS scooter at sunsetVespa riding sunset

Am I too old to ride?  No.  Can I ride as I wish? No.  Are things going to change?  Don’t know.  Just a sample of the questions I have been experiencing lately as my riding has changed to accommodate my aching back.

A few days ago I hopped on the scooter to ride to a local eatery to pick up dinner and stopped along the way to drink in the sunset.  These small journeys are the norm these days.  The occasional 150 mile weekend jaunts are growing more rare as I make decisions to not stress the healing I imagine taking place in my lower back.  And those decisions work into the personal conversations I have with myself about growing older and myriad decisions including whether I’m too old to ride.

When I talk with other riders I seldom hear anything personal aside from bragging about riding accomplishments or the mechanical nuances of their motorcycle or scooter.  Conversations about personal challenges, misgivings or concerns seem off limits.  Personal story telling seems a difficult challenge.

It’s why I write.  Putting words on a page is easier than talking.  For me at least.

I’m not too old to ride.  I am currently struggling with some physical hurdles to riding but am still confident that work and focus will allow me to get over them.

It will be just above the freezing mark in the morning.  And I want to go for a ride.  The desire is still there…

Pass Through Time

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Vespa GTS scooter on country roadThe Road Ahead

Autumn amplifies my recognition of the passing of time.  It’s more than the visual recognition of leaves changing color and falling to the ground.  It’s a deeper connection to the cycle of life.

I’ve been taking little rides for the past couple months, in part because of the limitations of a slowly healing lower back, and partly because I just don’t have time to ride.  Despite all that, riding in autumn is a lovely experience, heady with the fragrance of drying leaves, lovely for eyes filled with the glowing warmth of light and leaf, and all packaged with the label, “Pass Through Time”.

On the scooter or on foot, the road ahead is taking me somewhere new and I’m loving the ride.

autumn leaves in a forestAutumn Leaves

I’m lucky to live in the heart of Pennsylvania’s hardwood forest and the canvas of color it creates this time of year.  The leaf-peeping season doesn’t last long but oh what a show.

Vespa GTS scooterRiding a Vespa

A BMW R1200 GS passed me today on the way home from work.  The yellow version from 2007 or so.  I covet that machine from time to time along with a short list of other motorcycles.  But none (yet) have the addictive and overwhelming good feeling of my Vespa GTS scooter.  It’s perfect in many ways and good enough in others.

Will the spell break at some point and allow something different in the garage?

Riding a Vespa, a modern four-stroke version, is just plain magic.

Really.

And I’m not getting paid to say this…

Autumn leavesThe Lure of the Canvas

Along with many other things on a list of “before I die” activities is painting.  Acrylic on canvas.  I want to try my hand as a painter.  Seeing the autumn leaves and the wonderful landscapes of the season triggers the desire.  Perhaps something to do in retirement.

Funny thing about the list, a bucket list I suppose, is there’s really nothing on it pertaining to riding.

What’s that mean?

Vespa GTS scooterRiding to Work

Stopped on the way to work one morning last week to stretch my back that was starting to cramp. Striking a yoga pose while simultaneously grumbling and cursing might create an odd mix for anyone passing by.  Despite the need to sometimes stop I’m grateful to be riding to work.  Every commute is an adventure.  Every adventure is a reminder of the damn great life I have.  Even is it’s just to pass through time.

You experience the nicest thoughts when you’re a rider.