Scooter in the Sticks

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

Tiny Rides

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Vespa GTS 250 scooter along a rural road.
Pausing to admire the world.

What is a Tiny Ride?

It would be nice if every ride could be a grand adventure. Days or weeks exploring, unfettered by the weight of duty and the responsibility of maintaining a life. But ask yourself, how many of your rides fit into that specific category of two-wheeled activity?

A lucid look in the mirror draws a confession — only a small fraction of my rides are grand adventures. Most of them are tiny rides, rides that are part utility and part therapy. They don’t appear special in any way. Experience reveals they in fact have a powerful influence on the quality of my life. Those low miles, short time in the saddle rides are the medicine that keeps me smiling, pulls me out of bed in the morning, and have me muttering, “What a wonderful life.”

The utility aspects of tiny rides are easy to comprehend — errands, transportation, an alternative to the cage. But what exactly comprises the therapeutic aspect of a tiny ride?

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When Riding Alone Isn’t Enough

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Man checking the rear wheel tire pressure on a Vespa ET4 scooter.
Checking the tire pressure on the Vespa ET4 is a challenge. (Photo by Andy Heckathorne)

Ungracious Awakenings

By temperament, I prefer to ride alone. Free to embrace the road at whatever pace I desire. Stopping to look or make photographs without concern for the tempo of others. No need to keep checking the mirrors or adjusting speed. Just the freedom to ride with my tumbling thoughts.

And still I ride with others because finding balance between solitude and connection makes life richer. I didn’t always understand that. Moments and opportunities arrive more frequently now when I realize riding alone isn’t enough.

The plan was a long scooter ride with friends Andy and Paul on an unexpectedly chilly morning. It was the Vespa ET4’s turn to ride and Andy caught me checking the tire pressure, an increasingly challenging operation now requiring knee cushioning and a limber back to engage the tire valve.

There seems to be no end to the reminders that I’m no longer young. Physically at least.

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Seduced by Warm Weather

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Vespa GTS 250 scooter parked on a gravel road next to a farm field on a sunny day.
Blue skies and sunlight draw me out into the world.

The Serotonin Rush

Medical articles talk about the positive effects of warm weather and sunlight on mood and well-being being linked to the increased serotonin and vitamin D production. Whatever the neuro/biological mechanisms are in play it feels great to feel drawn out of the house and onto the road.

During the past week I’ve ridden the Kawasaki W650, the Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Honda Trail 125, and yesterday a pleasant ride on the Vespa GTS scooter. And I can attest to my spirit soaring to even greater heights than it does when it is freezing outside.

But nothing remains static including the experience of being seduced by warm weather.

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Vespa Scooter Relationships

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Two Vespa scooter riders stopped at a scenic vista.
Andy with his new Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport scooter.

You Meet the Nicest People on a Vespa Scooter

Andy wore out his first Vespa GTS 300 after only 65 thousand miles or so. I think. After some mechanical failures he felt it was time for a new one. I’m still rocking my 19 year old GTS. Runs fine. Some recent extensive maintenance and wrench twisting should keep it running until I can’t ride anymore. There’s a happy thought.

The story on this ride though was Andy, Paul, and I were gathering for breakfast, then riding to Belleville, Pennsylvania to meet another scooter rider. It’s odd how Vespa scooter relationships develop.

A few things were unexpected.

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Vespa GTS Scooter: Transition to Spring

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Vespa GTS scooter outfitted with winter gear.
Outfitted with winter gear.

Unburdening the Vespa GTS Scooter

A month ago I decided it was time to remove all the gear from the scooter that keeps me warm and toasty in cold weather. The Tucano Urbano muffs and Termoscud apron. A few days of warmer weather and a gut feeling it was time had me reach for the tools and return the GTS to its normal naked self.

Five minutes of work and I’m ready for warm weather.

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