Scooter in the Sticks

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

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Concerns of Power and Speed

February 10, 2023 by Scooter in the Sticks 17 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan in Rothrock State Forest.
The weak, underpowered, too-slow Royal Enfield Himalayan.

An Honest Question

I read a comment on one of my YouTube videos asking, “How do you cope with 24 horsepower?”

A good question, especially since the Himalayan has a reputation for being underpowered and slow. And that question also points out a possible initial bias when it comes to power and speed, and what is required to be adequate. It seems that too often an arbitrary value is introduced that doesn’t take into account the rider, the riding goals, or the motorcycle. Add pride and ego to the mix and you can come face-to-face with some pretty strange ideas of what’s necessary to go for a ride. And a parade of ever bigger and bigger machines that may have more to do with profit margins that anything remotely necessary for riding.

As I’ve always believed, it’s up to the individual to decide what they need in terms of a scooter or motorcycle. I only hope men and women take the time to look in the mirror and make an honest assessment before making a choice.

Anyway, I made a video in response to the question. Perhaps you’ll have some additional insight or experience that will help others make their own decision about what to ride — scooter or motorcycle.

I have my own ideas on power and speed…

What are your thoughts on power and speed?

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Change and Choice

January 31, 2023 by Scooter in the Sticks 38 Comments

Riding Panacea

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle on a mountain road in the forest.
Finding that peaceful, easy feeling.

Looking over the blog posts of the past year reveals a steady decline in the production of stories, essays, and messages along with the attendant photographs that have been a stable of Scooter in the Sticks for 15 years.

Any deep investigation of this trend has been avoided, passed off to the realm of riding where an imagined revelation would occur and provide a solid, succinct roadmap for the future of Scooter in the Sticks.

I’ve been generously rewarded by riding my scooters and motorcycles. Insight, understanding, and clarity revealed during a ride have not been uncommon. But to think riding is a panacea that can replace thinking and hard work is simply not true. At least for me.

So I’ve been struggling with what to do with this blog.

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Christmas Oversights…

December 25, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 18 Comments

I neglected to include my two most recent Christmas-related YouTube videos in my last post. So here they are..

A look at my traditional Christmas Eve ride…
Seeking the Christmas Spirit…

Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

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Prescription: Royal Enfield Himalayan and Autumn

November 10, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 9 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan in a rural autumn landscape
Unwinding with an autumn motorcycle ride.

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.

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Emerging From the Summer Doldrums

September 7, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 16 Comments

Vespa ET4 scooter in Boalsburg, PA.
A stop with my Vespa ET4 in historic Boalsburg on my way to an early breakfast.

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.

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Recent Posts

  • The Honda Trail 125 Magic
  • Aging and the Inevitable Gate at the End of the Road
  • The Idiot Rider
  • Exploring the Autumn Landscape on a Vespa Scooter
  • Photography, Writing, and the Idling of YouTube
  • A Short Ride on the Royal Enfield Himalayan

Archives

Riding in a Snow Squall

Vespa GTS scooter covered in snow

Riding in a Snow Squall. (CLICK IMAGE)

Is 24 Horsepower Enough?

Is 24 Horsepower Enough?

Is 24 Horsepower Enough? (CLICK IMAGE)

Fun in the Mountains

Honda Trail 125 motorcycle

Fun with the Honda Trail 125. (CLICK IMAGE)

Existential Angst

Portrait of Steve Williams looking stressed.

Existential Angst. (CLICK IMAGE)

A Sample of Vespa Camping

Vespa GTS scooter along Pine Creek

A trip north along Pine Creek. (CLICK IMAGE)

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