Scooter in the Sticks

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

Little Juniata Machine and Cycle

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Two men standing next to a 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.
Picking up the freshly serviced Himalayan.

Service Completed

I dropped the bike off on Saturday. The service was complete of Monday. I was thrilled to get the message. Being able to have the Himalayan worked on locally was something I wished for but firmly believed I only had three choices — haul the bike to the dealer a hundred miles away, do the service myself, or sell the motorcycle. None of those choices felt good. Finding Little Juniata Machine and Cycle purely by accident was an unlooked for gift.

My friend Howard drove my to Tyrone to get the Himalayan so I could ride it home. Brent Knarr, the owner and machinist/mechanic is standing on the right.

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Is It Time to Surrender the Royal Enfield Himalayan?

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2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan.
I can go anywhere and do anything with my Himalayan.

A Workhorse

Make no mistake, the 411 version of the Himalayan is a unique motorcycle. It looks different, sounds different, and acts differently than any other motorcycle I have ever ridden. Even with a meager 24 horsepower it far exceeds most of my riding abilities. And for the kind of rides I make it’s a nearly perfect companion.

Making this photograph of it in the driveway before a recent ride I wasn’t thinking about the positive aspects of ownership. Or admiring the camouflage styling.

I was standing there wondering, after four years of riding, is it time to surrender the Royal Enfield Himalayan?

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Sticker Shock and Other Puzzlements

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Steve Williams with his Pentax MX camera at Penn Roosevelt State Park.
A stop with an old Pentax MX camera to ponder the analog world. Photo by Paul Ruby.

Puzzling Economic Thoughts

Having a head full of 1980s prices leads to endless shocks when paying for things. Doesn’t matter if it’s a ribeye steak at the grocery store or a new pair of jeans from L.L. Bean. Thankfully I seem to be insulated and unconcerned about the price of gas at the pump. No doubt buoyed by fuel stingy two-wheeled machines and an insignificant number of annual miles on our four-wheeled vehicles.

Wandering around the past few months shooting film costs money compared to the mindless triggering of digital images. Even processing Tri-X 35mm film myself costs $0.55 each time I press the shutter button. For some reason I don’t flinch. But there are a few things lately that have strained the economic area of my brain.

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Notes from the Sticks

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Two Belgian Sheepdogs resting in the grass.
Lily and Aiden resting during their (almost) daily three mile walk.

Daily Rituals and Riding

Our dogs are demanding of food, attention, and walks. They express those needs in various ways, usually quietly and patiently, but they do not forget. At times I wish I was more like them. Diligent in focus and caring for my needs.

Spring brings with it a raft of extra duties and chores which requires some balancing acts to make sure things don’t fall through the cracks. Things are finally slowing down though not without some failures to find time or energy to embrace certain things. Like riding, making YouTube videos, or posting here.

As a friend reminds me, I do this for fun and purposes of self discovery. They aren’t jobs and I don’t have to do any of it. Still, things feel a little off when I neglect those outlets.

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Rotating Through Scooters and Motorcycles

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scooters and motorcycles in a garage
My little fleet of scooters and motorcycles.

Too Many Scooters and Motorcycles?

How did I come to have five two-wheeled machines in my little one-bay garage? For fourteen years I was content with a single scooter for all my riding. At least that’s what I told myself, an unconscious dishonesty masking my true feelings and desires — a machine for every riding occasion I might engage.

I can be impulsive buying things that suddenly seem essential to my well being and quality of life. There’s a trail of impulsive purchases through my life from cameras to guns and fountain pens and books. Rather than deal with whatever emotional chaos that’s in front of me I seek the quick and exciting fix of buying things.

Looking at the scooters and motorcycles in my garage, frequently looking and thinking about them, only one borders on an impulsive purchase — the Honda Trail 125. Unlike other impulsive purchases that still sit unused in their box, the Honda has turned out to be a welcome addition to my riding life.

On the other hand, having five machines brings with it expense, maintenance, and other issues of ownership.

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