Scooter in the Sticks

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

Wet Leaves and Other Natural Wonders

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Not much riding this week. Work kept me in need of the truck. A collection of unfortunate coincidence. When I finally rolled out of the driveway yesterday it was onto wet pavement and leaves. At this time of year the roads have a lot of them and when wet they can be like ice. More reminders of things to come.


I had things to do at work so I had to get up a bit early to give myself time to meander into the office. The clouds quickly gave way to blue sky and warming temperatures. The red barn was just part of the illuminated landscape. With all the apparent color it made perfect sense that I would choose this morning to bring along a camera loaded with black and white film.


Ever the thoughtful planner I left the camera on the front seat of the truck in the driveway to enjoy the 29-degree chill. The moment I removed the lens cap the cold glass introduced to the moist air created a mini-fog on the front element. I grew impatient waiting for the sun to clear things up so I unzipped and unbuttoned down to my black t-shirt and wiped the lens clean so I could make a few exposures. Nothing like an old worn t-shirt to clean a lens.


In spite of turning my camera on these open farmlands with sweeping trees a hundred times I’m still smitten. And surprised. I swear sometimes the places are rearranged. Time and chemistry will reveal surprise or frustration—probably tomorrow evening. Riding on I came across another interesting natural hazard – the Osage Orange.


There is a large Osage Orange tree along one of the country roads I sometimes ride to work on. The fruit are about the size of softballs, hard, and heavy. Another instance where a helmet is a nice thing.


These specimens along the road seem innocent enough until you realize the tree is on the other side of the road. Lots of these guys fall on the road and I have to thing more than a few have struck the unsuspecting cage operator.


Just looking at those things starts to give me the shivers when I think about having one ding my pretty Vespa. There aren’t many of these trees around though so I don’t have much to worry about.

The rest of the ride was relaxed. This evening the temperature will drop to the mid 30’s with a chance of snow showers during the night. I’m riding the Vespa to work tomorrow regardless. I’m getting a bit antsy not having ridden much of late. This weekend I have to get out and go. Who cares if the temperature will approach the freezing mark…

Watch For Ice

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The sign stood out like a warning beacon as the Vespa and I crawled to work by roads largely free of traffic. A quick check of the online weather forecast promised, suggested, guessed, predicted there would be no snow, a short period of light rain, and air temperatures approaching 40 degrees under cloudy skies. Snowflakes danced through the air as I pulled out of the driveway. I had already tested the road surface to confirm adequate traction. The ambient air temperature gauge on the GTS displayed a chilly 35 degrees.

The first snow of the year, even this snow for effect, causes me to shift mental gears. Something happens. I have trouble explaining to riders and non-riders why I ride in cold weather. Last night Kim and I were watching Seven Years in Tibet and Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer came as close to describing my feelings about riding as I have come across as he describes to the young Dalai Lama what he loves about climbing mountains:

“The absolute simplicity. That’s what I love. When you’re climbing your mind is clear… freed of all confusions. You have focus. And suddenly the light becomes sharper, sounds are richer, and you are filled with the deep, powerful presence of life.”

It is like that for me riding the Vespa.

When the potential for slick roads increases I make a number of riding adjustments. The first is occasional stops to assess available traction. I want something other than the tires telling me they are breaking loose.

I also decrease speed. Depending on where I am and what the weather is like it can be pretty dramatic. Other times it means slowing to the speed limit, which this morning meant I had instant company on my back wheel. I’ll pull over or just keep moving along but I usually can’t be coaxed to go faster. The creative driver though can influence me to go much slower though.

Finally, I choose different routes. Usually choices are made in order to have less traffic and always mean longer distances and slower speeds. But they are safer in bad weather. I’m fortunate to have good alternative routes.

Last night Kim and I were watching Seven Years in Tibet and Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer came as close to describing my feelings about riding as I have come across as he describes to the young Dalai Lama what he loves about climbing mountains:

“The absolute simplicity. That’s what I love. When you’re climbing your mind is clear… freed of all confusions. You have focus. And suddenly the light becomes sharper, sounds are richer, and you are filled with the deep, powerful presence of life.”

It is like that for me riding the Vespa.



This morning brought me across several farm fields via mud or gravel lanes. No one pressures you here though you do have to keep your eyes open for those infernal single strand wires stretched across lanes between fences.



You can’t get too worked up though since these aren’t public roads. Travel at your own risk and such. Slow and steady are the watchwords.



By lunch time the snow was falling harder but still not sticking to the ground. Air temperature remained at 35 degrees but I started to wonder about the possibility of a sudden decline and snow on the road for the ride home. Add to that the shorter days and less light and winter commuting can be a challenge. And it’s not even winter yet.

Same technique on the way home plus the added frustration of visor fogging made worse by bright headlights. At times visibility evaporated and speed declined accordingly. The routes I ride allow for drastic changes in speed. Riding in this kind of weather in heavy traffic would be a nightmare and I would work hard to avoid it.



Stopped on the way home for milk before the last dash for home. Dark and raining I wandered off the main roads through neighborhoods and along secondary streets. The roads remained wet but not slippery.

Thinking about what’s to come I wish I would have purchased those Kenda K761 tires that Gary Charpentier so adamantly endorsed. And a pair of Gerbing electric gloves would just be nice. I suppose I could take the bus. The truck stands ready but I filled it up last night to the tune of $53. That’s just depressing.

For now I’ll keep riding the GTS.

To Ride or Not to Ride

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That is the question.

One that goes beyond any momentary consideration of weather. It’s a question of time and choices. Riding for riding’s sake and not for transportation. Transportation is a simple question to answer and so is the weather. What I’m talking about is making a choice to ride when I have nowhere to go. When the choice to ride means I won’t be raking leaves or paying bills. Time spent with friends or family will give way to time on the road. That choice is more difficult.

This past weekend was perfect riding weather. Gray skies, cool air, and no one on the road. And I had a ton of work to do. More than normal and the days pass quickly. I feel the clock. I make the choice to ride though I don’t know if it’s the right one.

It’s easy to say I need to ride to stay sane but I know that’s not true. If I never rode again I would retain my grip on reality. I also know that riding has changed me. For the better and that’s something that’s hard to dismiss. But still I’m left with much responsibility and a fixed amount of time.

The ride was short, sixty miles with a stop for breakfast. The temperature hovered around 50 degrees and the skies remained heavy with cloud cover. Farmers were cutting corn and spills of the hard yellow stuff were evident on and along the roads, another road surface hazard that could surprise the unwary rider on dry roads.

Stopping by a small lake in Pennsylvania Furnace Paul offered to leap through another picture. Looking at it now I see myself responding to the question of riding.

More Signs of Winter

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Seeing the deer warning sign reminded me that it wouldn’t be long until the fields and forests of Central Pennsylvania will be full of hunters. Another sign of the coming of winter. The past few nights have brought heavy frost and chilly morning rides. Clear skies and bright sun warm the days into the sixties and it’s easy to push the cold mornings out of awareness.

Another reminder of the coming of winter was a contact from Dave Mangano, creator, author, and radio talent behind SCTRCST.COM, Scooter Internet Radio. Dave asked if we could talk about winter riding and that brought home the cold weather approach even more. You can listen to our discussion of winter riding HERE.

If you’ve not listened to SCTRCST it is well worth your time. Dave has put together a wonderful collection of interviews, stories, and information about scooters and riding.

Regardless of what cold weather might come tomorrow the weather right now is fantastic. Color, light, and the crisp feel of fall can work together to produce near perfect rides. The Vespa likes the cold air and so do I.

Vespa GTS 250ie — 6000 Mile Service

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A few days ago I brought my scooter home from Kissell Motorsports via a short, meandering ride through the sticks after they completed the 6000-mile service interval. The odometer read 6001 when I pulled in the driveway. This service involved changing the engine oil, filter, variator rollers, belt inspection, and a variety of other looks at things to make sure the Vespa was in good working order. I also had a new Pirelli tire mounted on the front wheel.

When I get time I am going to put together a longer review of the GTS and my thoughts on ownership after 6000 miles and nine months of ownership. For now lets just say it’s been an enjoyable experience.

The roads were wet here and there intermittent rains fell between openings of brilliant sunshine. Really looks and feels like fall here, at least during the ride home. Sitting here now writing it’s dark and 30 degrees and seems more like winter to my sluggish morning brain.

The Vespa is mechanically ready for winter though I have to admit right now I’m not nearly as ready. I need to get my head around riding to work again in the cold and dark. Today I need the truck to haul some equipment so the scooter will stay in the garage. Sounds great now but I know the minute I see the sun glow on the horizon I’ll wish I were riding.