Scooter in the Sticks

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

Another Day in Paradise

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Vespa GTS 250 scooter on rural roadLong Road of Gratitude

It’s not lost on me how lucky I am in so many ways.  Riding the Vespa scooter through the central Pennsylvania landscape provides a quiet space for relaxation and reflection.  And in that space I’m aware that life is good.  For most of it my health has been excellent.  I have a supportive family and friends.  A long career has given way to a comfortable retirement.

Just another day in paradise.

There have been times I’ve tried to convince myself that it’s all a result of my own planning and hard work.  Without a doubt I have planned and worked hard.  But the many things to be grateful for are fragile gifts and could easily have evaporated if not for some large measure of good fortune.

I’ve been thinking about this since learning of fellow scooter rider and blogger Orin O’Neill’s struggle with unfortunate economic circumstances and a need to relocate to a more affordable part of the country.  He’s looking to the wider world for support through a GoFundMe campaign.Continue Reading

Vespa in Mud

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Vespa GTS scooter along deeply mudded roadMud

Riding a Vespa in mud isn’t a great idea.  The small wheels and street tires can bog down and leave the scooter motionless.  Worse, you run the risk of sucking wet stuff into the air intake which is quite low on the scooter.  The only plus side is the relatively light scooter (compared to a big adventure bike) can be pushed or pulled out of the muck.

Fortunately, in this case I could easily ride around the mud.  But I’ve been on a number of muddy roads that did not offer that option.  In almost every case I was able to continue onward, however ugly, without incident.  Only a couple times that I remember did I have to turn back.  Usually because of deep water associated with the mud.

So, checking my list of things the Vespa doesn’t do well:

  1. Deep, watered mud
  2. Speeds in excess of 80mph
  3. Production of ear splitting noise

That’s about all I can recall at the moment.  I’m sure there are more but right now I just don’t care…

Fork in the Road

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Vespa GTS on a muddy roadOn Through the Mud

A week ago the Vespa was rolling through some thawing roads, wet and thick with mud, causing me to wish I had taken the time to mount the more aggressive winter tires this season. Pushing the scooter into less than ideal riding conditions seems to be a requisite part of my riding personality.

Or a serious character defect. Who’s to say.

Not long ago I was having a conversation about what drives some riders to clean and polish their machines continually. After every outing. Even on days with no rain, dust or dirt. I’m told that it provides relaxation. I suppose I understand. Washing dishes does it for me.

None of that seems to matter now though. Day six at the UPMC-Susquehanna hospital in Williamsport begins. A long week of watching and waiting.Continue Reading

Thoughts at Midnight

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Steve Williams reflected in window at midnightReflections in the Dark

Seems I’ve been having as many adventures on foot as I do the Vespa scooter.  Night and day.  Same with writing which more and more seems to happen after sundown.  Thoughts at midnight and beyond.  Circumstance and the ebb and flow of life are too blame.  My job is to follow along as necessary.  I believe in ritual.  Have always been attracted to schedules and natural rhythms but am mature enough now to seem them for the necessarily selfish actions they require to maintain.  Three meals a day, in bed by ten, up at 5:30.  If riding the Vespa has taught me anything it’s that I’m not a machine.

If I were, I’d be broken.Continue Reading

Can’t Ride? Then Drive.

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Steve Williams self-portraitKeep on Looking

It’s almost midnight as I begin to write.  Snow falling.  The deck is covered but the driveway and roads are merely wet.  If it weren’t for a nagging respiratory infection and cough I might entertain a midnight ride.  But I’m tired and my stomach is signaling its displeasure with the antibiotics I’ve been taking.  So the Vespa scooter sits in the darkened garage.  For days now. I can’t ride.

I get stir crazy.  Especially when I’m sick.  And just have to get out of the house to see something. Anything.  With car keys and camera in tow I left the house this morning to meet a friend and wander a bit.Continue Reading