Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650
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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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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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.
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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First SnowfallSimple 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
So what if you’re getting older. Just keep riding…
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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