Scooter in the Sticks

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

Riding in the Dog Days of Summer

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Old church in Linden Hall, PennsylvaniaThoughts and Feelings of Summer

The crickets and katydids are deafening as I attempt to write. Even through the drone of tinnitus, a hearing affliction that robs me of some of the high frequency details of life. Night sounds whisper of the flush of summer, the fullness of living things just before they begin their decline. A decline toward the end, to autumn and on into winter. Or just the dog days of summer.

Riding, I feel the changes in my bones, as if genetically programmed, an evolutionary alarm to prepare for the coming cold weather. Strange as the temperature in the morning as I wander toward breakfast pushes past 80 degrees and humidity barely alleviated by the rush of air across my chest as the Vespa moves along the road. The old church in Linden Hall, Pennsylvania, stands silent in the thick air. Something is changing.

old, disfigured applesOld Apples and Summer Dreams

Across the road at the Rock Hill School is an old, abandoned apple tree heavy with disfigured fruit, victim of insects and weather. Exactly the sort of fruit that sustained childhood adventures as we perched in trees, pocket knives slicing and carving away the bad parts to provide sweet and sour flesh. Last acts of summer before the onset of fall and the return to school.Continue Reading

Treasure of Experience

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Vespa and BMW motorcycle in a drivewayRainy Morning

I was glad I decided to wear my winter riding jacket on this cool, wet morning. It would be mid-afternoon before the temperature rose to the point where I found it necessary to open the jacket vents. And it would also be clear that the ride was a treasure of experience.

Arriving at my friend Paul’s house the plan was to ride south for breakfast. A light rain had me wondering if it wouldn’t be best to go somewhere local to avoid a drastic change in the weather.

Sometimes venturing out under a cloud of uncertainty, weather or destination, just doesn’t feel great.

Still, we rolled out onto the road with only a vague notion of where we were going.Continue Reading

Standing on the Pegs

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Paul Ruby standing on the pegs of his Honda CRF250L motorcycle.Standing on the Pegs

I can’t appreciate standing on the pegs. I’ve done it but for the riding I do it’s always seemed pointless. For those peg standers reading this, you’ll have deep insight into the sort of rider I am.

My friend Paul seems to love standing on the pegs. My archives contant many images of this behavior on myriad machines from Harleys to Vespa scooters. I hestitate to apply meaning to it. His Honda CRF250L provides exceptional opportunities for peg standing including the mount and dismount while the machine is on the kickstand. If you’re not really tall, it’s much easier to mount by stepping on the peg and throwing your leg over that way rather than doing it from the ground.

Or so I’m told.

But this day wasn’t about peg standing. It was a sad attempt in finding a challenging route to breakfast at the Inglebean Coffee House in Millheim, Pennsylvania.Continue Reading

Weekend Rituals

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Vespa GTS scooter parked in State College, PennsylvaniaFamiliar Ground

I can’t count how many times I’ve parked my Vespa here. An act so common that I’ve taken dedicated motorcycle parking for granted. For as much as I blabber about riding helping to be present and aware of the world, I’ve somehow forgotten to be grateful for this gift from the parking gods.

Gratitude is a powerful force. It can move a dark world into the light. I recently spent ten minutes making a list of the things for which I’m grateful. Just a quick, anything that comes to mind, list. I’m grateful for hot showers, chocolate, family, friends, money in my pocket. I’m grateful for a sunny day. Things like that. It’s a bit startling to see how much came to mind.

Next time I’m complaining about the cold, and allowing it to stack up with a lot of other negative crap, I may look at that list again. And steer clear of the dark place.

Especially with a new battery in the Vespa — I have nothing to complain about.Continue Reading

Winding Roads

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Winding roads sign with gnarled treeAround the Next Bend

I’m attracted to winding roads, curves and the twisting challenges they present. While some riders strive to race through them, I find I travel slower while taking in as much detail I can. Central Pennsylvania is rich with bright yellow signs of winding roads. And it’s flush with metaphoric symbols like this tree that has toiled and endured insult and the advancement of years. I see myself at times in the gnarled growth of trees.

Sometimes. On winding roads.

Each ride, long or short, I try to look to what’s important. The messages that lay in wait.Continue Reading