I neglected to include my two most recent Christmas-related YouTube videos in my last post. So here they are..
Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!
Prescription: Royal Enfield Himalayan and Autumn
A Change of Scenery
A riding rhythm has eluded me for the past two months. Maybe more. The usual drive to get on the motorcycle or scooter just hasn’t been animating my decisions. Instead, i’ve lost myself in too much television. Too much sugar. Too much sleep. Staring out the window at the changing autumn landscape, wondering what was wrong, it occurred to me the prescription was simple — get on the Royal Enfield Himalayan and go for a ride.
Anywhere. Just a change of scenery would alter how I feel.
And it worked.
Continue ReadingEmerging From the Summer Doldrums
Summer Sloth
I resist writing “I hate summer” but it certainly feels that way as I surface from the summer doldrums of inaction and sloth. When the temperature goes up, I don’t feel like doing anything. Instead, I’ve been making some short morning rides to breakfast and hanging out with my family, friends, and my dogs.
And for many years now, riding in summer was not something I looked forward to. My temperature envelop has narrowed with age. Now my comfort range is 35F to 75F. No wonder much of summer is excluded from riding.
Continue ReadingMy Secret to More Relaxed Riding
Quiet, Relaxed, Serene
Almost from the beginning I have enjoyed riding my scooters for two reasons. First, they’re fun. And second, it’s relaxing. Fun was no problem. It just came naturally. But it took some time to learn how to find relaxed riding.
And perhaps the biggest step toward that goal, toward relaxed riding, was learning to pull over on the road and let faster traffic move ahead leaving me free to then meander and take in the sights.
I made this video to highlight some of the things I’ve learned in my pursuit of more relaxed riding.
Vespa GTS Long Term Review
Jeep, Pick-up Truck, Luxury Ride
During the past 15 years and 43 thousand miles of riding, I thought it might be time to share a Vespa GTS long term review. In the video below I’ve shared some of my thoughts regarding performance, modifications, reliability, and more.
I’ve already been reminded that I left a couple items out of the review regarding service and reliability. I had forgotten I had to have the voltage regulator replaced. And that I had the underside repainted to keep ahead of the rust that was beginning to form on the bottom side of the scooter. So far nothing has rusted through on the body and it remains in remarkably good shape considering the beating I have given the Vespa.
So if you’re curious about the scooter have a look at the video.
And I’ve also embedded another video made on a recent snowy day that I didn’t ride but shared some of the snow riding images from previous rides.
QUESTION: I’m make more videos now. Would you prefer I just leave them to those subscribed on YouTube or would you like me to post them here? I’m sort of at a loss. And they are not all about the Vespa. Some are about the Royal Enfield Himalayan.