Scooter in the Sticks

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

Winding Roads

by 27 Comments

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

Rage Against the Dying of the Light

by 32 Comments

Snow covered carSnow Again: Dying of the Light

After a few clear days I can hardly stomach more snow. Dylan Thomas wrote, “Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.” While I can’t say the snow feels like death, I do feel the rage at the dying of the light. Again.

The East has been hit by one more winter storm. While we only got six inches of snow it was enough to dash the spirit and ground the Vespa scooter.  Riding a scooter in snow is tricky business.Continue Reading

Another Day in Paradise

by 12 Comments

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

by 23 Comments

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

by 44 Comments

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