Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650
The weather has turned markedly colder and the shortened daylight triggers some biological reaction that doesn’t feel great. Looked back to brighter, warmer, days and rides enters my thoughts more frequently now. Rather than gird and prepare myself for riding in colder weather I’m spending more time remembering summer rides. Like this one with my friend Dave that was merely a ride to breakfast. Just not the closest place or the most direct route.
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The 2001 Kawasaki W650 motorcycle continues to prove it’s mettle as I wander the backroads of Pennsylvania. I’ve noticed that riding and getting older have begun to intersect and have raised at times some uncomfortable questions. There’s some truth to the idea that when old men get together a big part of their conversation is consumed by tales of aches, pains, medications, doctors, and myriad flash points to complain about.
But the subject of change doesn’t often come up other than plans to move to warmer places or where the next vacation will change place. But for a rider, aging introduces a growing element of risk. And how to manage it was the topic of two recent videos I posted on YouTube. And I am in the process of making a third. That’s what brought me and the W650 out to play.
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Cold mornings. Reasons to stay home. Safe. Warm. Unencumbered by the need to do the heavy lifting to ride in the central Pennsylvania winter. Suddenly the body vibrates from the thrum of the engine, the spin of the tires on the asphalt, the wind pushing against the body. And then I am falling in love with the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Again.
I’m an unreliable lover of the machines in my garage. One day I’m in love with my Vespa scooter. And the next with something else. I commune with the machine I’m riding. Each for their own personality and grace.
It was a fine morning to ride no where in particular. Just enough to drive the moisture from the oil. To energize the battery. And restore my soul.
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The plan was to meet a friend for breakfast as the Sunset West Diner. Watching the weather forecast and the predicted low temperatures I wondered whether I could ride my Vespa GTS Scooter at 6-degrees Fahrenheit. I’m older and less tolerant of the cold. And my mind doesn’t see the same exciting challenge in facing adverse weather as it once did. Still, I have my moments.
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Age wreaks havoc on the plans and actions of youth. Gone are the days when choices of clothing and activities had little to do with the weather. Walking out the door into snow was a time to make snowballs and see how well my old Ford would do on roads clogged with ice and snow. Time has changed me. And with it my reaction to a cold morning. To continue to ride through the winter will require annual adjustments in mind, body, and spirit. Despite having ridden through many winters, it hasn’t become any easier to begin.
This is the beginning of my story on preparing for winter riding.
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