Scooter in the Sticks

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

Finding My Way

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feet up and relaxingFeet Up and Relaxing

Twisting the throttle as the scooter leaves the driveway is like turning a knob and pulling open a door to a secret room. Pulse quickens, eyes wide, body vibrates in a primal reaction to the unknown. At its best, riding is a reminder of what it means to be alive at the most basic level — one fueled by the senses and written by the mind. Each moment sings and for a short time, I feel comfortable in my skin.

Like a thirsty man in the desert spying the chance for water, you would think every opportunity to ride would be obsessively grasped — quenching some existential craving that can’t quite be explained.

Or perhaps a lack of honesty keeps that knowledge hidden. Isolated and distant. Or maybe there are some explorations riding can’t make.

So I find myself indolent, lost in thought, wandering on foot or slowly rocking, feet up and wonderings where I am.Continue Reading

Intoxicating Insanity

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Steve Williams, Vespa rider and blogger.

Are You Nuts?

I confess an ulterior motive to this post; I’m testing a new blog post editing application — Blogo. Rather than always have to be online to create posts in the WordPress site, this would allow me to work offline, work on multiple posts, ready images and tags, and pretty much do everything and then just push it to the site. A big question is how it handles images — specifically where do they go when uploaded. I like to know how some things work. Especially related to my self-hosted WordPress site.

Unrelated to that task, I wonder how often riders hear the “Are you nuts?” comment in regard to their riding. Or some variation of the popular incredulity people have when they think “motorcycle.” Scooters get a slightly less fierce reaction but it still happens. For me it more often comes up in the winter during a cold ride. Even fellow riders with mutter “Are you nuts?” Generally, the answer is yes. I’m overcome by the intoxicating insanity that riding pours through me. It’s a rush that causes me to assume a heightened risk of disaster.

Don’t misunderstand that last statement. It doesn’t imply reckless behavior or preclude a deliberate, managed approach to the risks associated with riding on two wheels. But the intoxicating insanity is complete. It sparks the pleasure synapses and delivers a rush of well-being that’s hard to describe. Perhaps a poet could. But my feeling is that it’s something you have to experience directly.

And there ends my test of the Blogo application (It’s for Macs only). We’ll see how things look when it’s posted.

Seeking Feedback and Insight

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Vespa GTS scooter on fog shrouded forest roacFinding My Way

I’ve always wondered if anyone would be interested in purchasing prints from me of some of the images I’ve shared on Scooter in the Sticks.  And others I haven’t.  After I retire at the end of June I’m going to have time to engage some of the projects I’ve been thinking about for a long time — riding, and creation of books, online courses and other products I’ve thought may be of value to people.

Especially people thinking about becoming riders, dreaming of that first motorcycle or scooter. Those who otherwise stumble along as I did.  Perhaps I can help smooth the road a bit.

Taking all of this to the next step, I’m asking for feedback and help in steering me toward a plan of action.  Or non-action depending on the results.  The survey below will be an important first step.  If you have a few minutes I would appreciate your feedback and comments.

There are eight questions.

Thank you!

THE SURVEY IS CLOSED

 

Personal History: Blogging and Riding

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Steve Williams riding a Triumph America motorcycleTriumph America

Personal history.  It’s not valued enough.  In a culture with dazzling tools to document and record, I find it amazing how superficial much of its production can be.  Details without soul, stories without feeling.  When I first started being asked why I blog it was difficult for me to answer.  The notion that I was building a personal history wasn’t on the radar.  The eclectic collection of images and text were an exercise in documentation with neither goal or objective.

Blogging was nothing more than a satisfying pastime.Continue Reading

Motorcycle Blogging (and Scooters)

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Where am I heading as a blogger?

Vespa GTS scooter parked at park Remote Office

I’ve been on vacation for the last two weeks though couldn’t completely escape the need to occasionally tend to some business at work.  I sat on this bench for two hours for three different phone calls before I could head off on a ride and work on the story that would become the Searching for Treasure post.

During my time off I’ve been thinking about blogging, riding and retirement.  I’m already engaged in the first two.  I could have retired seven years ago. Not sure when I’ll pull the trigger but I’ve been thinking about life after work.

There are three books I want to write and some online courses I’d like to develop.  New projects and work that would keep me riding and busy.  Motorcycle blogging.

Wonder if that means I will need to have a motorcycle?

Vespa GTS scooter on a bright sunny dayBlue Skies for Riding

The weather has been remarkable during my time off providing opportunities to ride whenever I had a free moment.  Two dump truck loads of decorative gravel that had to be wheeled by hand into various parts of the garden interrupted any riding with abandon.

This was one of those rides where I couldn’t keep my eyes off the sky.  The clouds creating a mesmerizing texture of blue and white in air that was dazzlingly clear.

I’m constantly making notes while I ride that may make their way into a post, or more frequently becoming raw material for one of the book projects in my head.  Writing a book is something I can get my head around.  Producing, selling and distributing is a completely different matter.

Vespa GTS scooter under a big skyVespa Under a Big Sky

Pulled off the road on the way to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania to admire the view.  Do that a lot.  People stop sometimes to see if I’m ok or need help.  There’s not a lot of stopping to admire the view outside of parks and designated scenic overlooks.

I’ve been thinking about motorcycles a lot lately but not for the normal reasons.  As I outline a book there’s a question of content — specifically would there be more credibility to something I would write about riding if I was also on a motorcycle?  For a long time I couldn’t imagine shifting gears divides the real riders from those playing with scooters.

What do you think?  Would you feel differently about the things I write if you knew I was on a motorcycle from time to time?

blog post on computer screenWriting on the Road

Sat in Cool Beans Coffee and Tea to work on a story.  With ear buds and the background sounds generated by OmniWriter I’m in my own little world.  I don’t know how this happened but I love to write.  The process of putting words together to form a picture is a fascinating exercise.  I wish I were more of a storyteller but perhaps that will come with practice.

I can see myself retired.  Riding more.  Longer trips.  Sometimes on a motorcycle.  Working on books.  Maybe selling a few to pay hosting fees for Scooter in the Sticks.  Basically starting another career once the current one draws to a close.

It’s been on my mind. Becoming a full-time motorcycle blogger.

Maybe it’s a pipe dream.