riding Archives - Page 8 of 82 - Scooter in the Sticks

A Winter Ride

February 1, 2021 by Scooter in the Sticks 21 Comments

The following words and pictures were written and created by my friend and fellow Vespa rider, Andy Heckathorne. His winter ride experiences offer vicarious adventure as I sit at home with a hot cup of tea.
Steve Williams

Vespa GTS scooter on snowy road — Vespa GTS300 on a winter ride near Madisonburg, Pennsylvania.

In Trying Times, I Need to Ride.

I need the thrill of exploration and the shock of freezing temperatures. I need the healing sounds of a mountain stream. I need to face the winter sun and see the hot pink behind closed eyes. And I need to feel the sun on my face. I need a winter ride.

Passing unknown friends during a winter ride with a wave of unity, embracing my tribe of “Fellow Travelers,” I feel at home. My senses sharpen as I scan the monochromatic landscape craving color and gratitude, and finally finding both. I need the hours of solitude a ride can provide where I can reflect on the gifts I’ve been given in life and ponder the who I want to be in this world.

Entering the State of Strange

January 29, 2021 by Scooter in the Sticks 8 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter in autumn forest — Riding into autumn and the state of strange.

Amish Hunters

Few things are as strange as passing an Amish man in camouflage hunting gear, wielding a compound bow, and riding a pink scooter brought me into the state of strange. One of the odd views during a late autumn ride.

I should have realized I had crossed into the state of strange. Instead I continued to believe I was taking part in an idyllic meandering through the forests of central Pennsylvania. As a defense against the worsening pandemic I compartmentalize concerns, facts, fears, and experience to allow me to move through the world as if everything was fine.

I can’t help thinking now about missing the warning signs of my heart attack of nearly six years ago. Or that the state of strange in which I now live is the new normal.

Reacquainted with Winter Riding

December 21, 2020 by Scooter in the Sticks 20 Comments

Snow covered garden — The view in our garden the morning after the first big snow storm in two years.

Underestimating the Cold

A clear, sunny morning after fresh snow clouds my judgment. The cold and snow seem light and a mere trifle to deal with. It’s that thinking that leads me to underestimate the cold and wander out of the house unprepared for what nature has in store. Every year I step into the same trap after the first snow. And because I usually decide to take a ride on the Vespa scooter, I have to get reacquainted with winter riding.

Winterizing My BMW K75 Motorcycle

December 18, 2020 by Scooter in the Sticks 26 Comments

BMW K75 motorcycle in a rural landscape. — Taking advantage of a cold, sunny day.

Winterizing Doesn’t Have to Mean Storage

I’ve never “stored” my Vespa scooter for the winter — draining fuel, adding stabilizer, or pushing the machine to the corner of the garage to wait for warm weather again in the spring. Riding had become too much fun, too important, an obsession that I wasn’t willing to surrender because of winter. So I rode when the roads were clear, piled on protective gear and tools to stay warm, and pushed against the elements in ways that may have been a stretch in terms of risk.

So now I’m looking at how to manage “winterizing my BMW K75 motorcycle.”

A Time Machine

November 30, 2020 by Scooter in the Sticks 26 Comments

I invited my friend and fellow Vespa rider, Andy Heckathorne, to share something about his rides. Writing about two-wheeled adventures beyond straight documentation of destinations is a challenge. I asked Andy to explore what was going on in his head. Beyond that, I left things up to him.
Steve Williams

I’m grateful that Steve Williams continues to create and faithfully maintain this trusted space, Scooter in the Sticks. Steve, your photography and insights continue to inspire us – your readers – to look more deeply and more fully appreciate life on two wheels, and life in general. Thank you.

And thank you for the opportunity to share some of my own thoughts and images. I truly appreciate it.