Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Snow Day

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Snow covered car in snowy drivewayWorst Snow Storm of the Season = Snow Day

Years ago, this amount of snow, eight inches or so, would not raise an eyebrow or concern.  Life would continue on.  The school buses might run a little behind schedule but otherwise it would just be a regular day with snow added to the mix. When I looked out the front door I was greeted by this scene.

Between the weather media and the government the fragrance of disaster and emergency fill the minds of anyone who listens.  The schools were closed.  Activities at Penn State were cancelled.  The coffee shop down the street was closed.  But the roads were mostly clear.  I could have taken the Vespa out for a ride by noon.

But this was the worst snow storm of the season.  We had a snow day.Continue Reading

Thankful for the Small Things With a Vespa Scooter

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Vespa GTS scooter in snow squallSnow Squall

A sunny departure yesterday morning toward a black sky delivered a sudden snow squall.  I’m thankful that I was there on the Vespa, able to ride through the snow, and find my way safely to work.

Vespa GTS scooter on snow covered farm laneVespa and the Slippery Stuff

In minutes the air became white with snow and sleet and just as fast the event swept by leaving a dusting of snow to ride through.  Lovely in appearance and thankfully leaving enough traction to not be much of a safety issue.

Winter rides to work are usually exactly what I think they’ll be.  This one was different because I misjudged the forecast which noted “a chance of a passing snow shower.”  I’m thankful it did not exceed my riding skill or ability.

Vespa GTS scooter under a heavy skyRiding Under a Heavy Sky

It was colder and darker during the ride home from work.  I was thankful though that it was free of snow. If I made a list of the things for which I was thankful yesterday, it would be long.

To say I’ve had enough of the cold weather would be an understatement.  The preparation to ride in this weather has seemed overly daunting this year and the rides themselves flush with physical challenge to a level not experienced in previous winters.  Age, health, attitude — perhaps all have a role in the changing nature of my winter riding life.

But even with the added burdens, I’m thankful to be able to ride through the world on the Vespa — even if it means dealing with a little snow on a cold day.

2017 Brave, Bold Blogger Challenge

This post is part of a month long writing prompt challenge conceived by Kathy at Toadmama.com.

Let It Snow

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black dogs in the snowPlay With Us Daddy

Except for the dogs nothing was going to stand between me and a ride on the Vespa.  Each day begins with a moment of revelation as I push the blind aside to see what the world is offering.  Some mornings find a faint, hot glow from the sun yet to breech the horizon.  This morning it was a blanket of white, dragging me into a cold place where body and spirit contested with a strong, serious desire to ride.

Like helpless children, the dogs need me for food, water and a serious amount of action.  I can pace across the garden in myriad pathways collecting steps on my iPhone that easily consume a mile or more as I throw tennis balls for the dogs, wearing them out, draining the energy gathered through the night.

I swear they know my plans to leave them behind, looking at me with imploring eyes, “Play with us daddy”.  Watching the the sky and thinking about a ride on the Vespa I could hear the rider in me chanting, “Let it snow…”.

Vespa GTS scooter along snowy roadSnow on the Road

In minutes, my riding world moved from wet with incidental snow to snow and the road is getting slippery.  For a moment as I stood along the road trying to keep the camera dry and considering the road surface I started to grumble about winter.

I have had enough.

The evaluation of weather and road was inconclusive but without any striking warning signs.  So on I went.

Snow covered farm field with treesSnow Covered Rural Landscape

Riding has its own rewards with a chance to witness the world just being one.  The snow covered landscape presents a world of quiet solitude that I find energizing.  When I see scenes like this I wish I could paint because a photograph just doesn’t adequately reflect the magic of a place — the energy and thrill of being alive — wind and cold and snow striking skin, firing neurons and bringing the brain into communion with the world.

I knew I would enjoy the ride.  Let it snow.

Vespa GTS scooter in a winter wonderlandVespa in a Winter Wonderland

There are times when I look at the scooter along the road and I feel as if I’m in a fantasy — a sudden beautiful moment that I can only describe as a gift.  It’s an experience born of moving slowly, stillness, and generally an incompatible experience from what I read in motorcycle magazines where speed and breathtaking performance are the focus.

But how many horsepower do I really need to ride?

 

Vespa GTS scooter and Mount NittanyA View of Mount Nittany

The weather moved quickly through the valley and after an hour or so the roads and paths were wet with the temperature hovering in the mid-30s.  The biggest challenge was keeping the visor clear of fog.  At some point during a ride the “adult” in me steps up to spoil the fun and guides the Vespa toward errands and chores.  I’ve not yet found a reliable way to ditch that guy.

He does have his advantages including always having enough cash for a stop at a cafe on a cold morning for tea and a biscuit.  And with one last, long look toward Mount Nittany I started toward home, satisfied with a small ride on a snowy morning. Thirty miles of road time can be some fine medicine.

Is this the last snowy ride of the season?

Winter Riding Story: First Drop

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The story I’m asked about most often regards winter riding. More specifically snow.

Steve Williams and his Vespa LX150 scooterMan and His Vespa Scooter

This is the story of my first drop of the scooter, one which occurred while riding in a March snow back in 2006 — just seven months after purchasing the Vespa LX150.  The picture above was made just a few minutes after the unfortunate collision with the pavement.

Looking back that was a rapid transition from beginning rider to year round rider.  Some may question the effectiveness of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation classroom training .  Perhaps I wasn’t paying attention. (seriously — I highly recommend their training)

Doing a bit of research for this story in my early blog posts I saw two themes at work.  The first was an early obsession and passion for riding.  I’ve seen new riders excited to have a new motorcycle or scooter but not ride much.  I was bit hard by the riding bug.

A second theme emerged regarding the expansion of my riding “oeuvre” — basically I continued to push the envelope in regard to time in the saddle, length of rides, time of day and eventually through all types of weather.

I was relentless.  And looking back, perhaps not as astute as I should be regarding risk, skill and technique.

And I can’t blame youth for my poor choices — I was 52 years old.

Vespa LX150 on a snowy roadEarly Snow Riding

Consideration of riding in the winter was influenced by two rider/blogger — Gary Charpentier and Dan Bateman.  They shared technical information, approaches and considerations that helped me make the decision to roll down the street when there was a little snow on the ground.

Reading the story of my first drop again, an event which occurred on March 3, 2006, I shudder at the newbie mistakes I made — going too fast, not thinking through the route, and most importantly not understanding the nature of the snow.  Ask any skier — it comes in many shapes and sizes.

So without further ado — here’s a link to a once upon a time in the snow story of my FIRST DROP.

See if you can pick up on the errors.

And as always, I don’t advise this kind of riding.  Even a perfect approach can go wrong in the snow.  And that’s not ever factoring other vehicles on the road.

Stay safe, keep your scooter shiny,  stay at home when it’s snowing.

Dogs, Snow and Winter Vespa Riding

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Portrait of Belgian Sheepdog named JuniorRitual Beginning of the Day

I lead a monastery life — each day beginning with a ritualistic practice enforced by dogs.  In the predawn light first Junior, then Lily begin to stir, first quietly then more insistently reminding of the day’s responsibilities; outside for personal hygiene needs, a few laps around the yard, a dozen or so tennis ball retrievals and then breakfast served al fresco.  There is no deviation from this spiritual practice, no vacation, no reprieve from the commitment made to canines.  Winter Vespa riding, my own breakfast, nothing comes before them.

Only a dog owner could read this and feel good.

Vespa GTS 250ie scooter in snowWinter Vespa Riding

Clearing skies, little wind, scattered sunshine, temperatures rising to the freezing point and bone dry roads made for fine winter Vespa riding.  Even without the winter tires on the scooter the frozen ground and gritty snow allowed for a bit of off road experimentation.  Mostly though, I was a tourist in a snow covered world.

Like dog ownership, only riders who’ve experienced winter riding will probably appreciate it.  To everyone else it’s just a cold, miserable experience.  I advise against riding in winter unless you’ve fully considered and embraced risk, management of the risk, expertise, skill, gear and temperament.  Just to name a few.

Vespa GTS scooter on rural gravel road in winterWatch for Ice

Even the gravel secondary roads were free of snow and ice opening a wide array of possible routes and travel.  The most critical challenge on days like this, for me, is to not become complacent.  When properly attired and feeling warm and toasty, sun in your eyes, and the roads bare, you can quickly find yourself riding as if it’s summer.  It’s not.  At any moment, around any turn you can encounter ice.  Even a small patch can start you dancing.  If you can’t manage your excitement and the throttle best to stay home.

It was a great day for a little winter Vespa riding.