Scooter in the Sticks

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

Scrutinizing Vespa Riding

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Emma has her eye on me.

baby in strollerGranddaughter Emma had a watchful eye on me today.  Not sure if it was my striking good looks, the bumblebee colored riding jacket, or interest in scrutinizing Vespa riding that had her attention.  The steady, thoughtful gaze had me wondering what was so special.

Vespa scooter parked in townFirst idea to come to mind was the difference between riding for pleasure and riding as general transportation.  Both are possible with a scooter or a motorcycle and the difference is really the choices made by the rider.  There are lots of pleasure riders in the world.  Perhaps the majority of riders fall into this category.

Riders who use their machines as transportation are common but in my opinion a decidedly smaller group.  I see few motorcycles in the grocery store parking lot or at the dry cleaners.  And I have to admit I don’t understand why.  A ride across town to pick up a loaf of bread at the bakery is just as satisfying as a ride across the valley to breakfast.  I’ve found extensive pleasure and solace riding to work or using the Vespa for errands and chores.

Pre de Provence Argan Body ButterOne stop allowed me to surprise Kim by picking up some PRE de PROVENCE Argan Body Butter — one of the preferred massage creams in our house.  It’s just the sort of thoughtful gesture riders make for their significant others.  The common misconception is that we are singularly and selfishly obsessed with riding at the exclusion of all other concerns and needs.

That’s a riding myth.

Vespa GTS scooter in Boalsburg, PennsylvaniaThe surprise was on me when I got home — Kim already had a supply of Argan Body Butter.  Riders are likely familiar with the welcome thrill of hearing they’ll have to mount up and head out into the world again to properly complete a task.

Back at Bella di Vita in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania I corrected the situation and acquired another spousal favorite.

150808_vespa006The correct choice in this case was a jar of Cote Bastide Fleurs D’Oranger Body Cream — an alternative and slightly more lavish choice.  But since it easily fits in the topcase of the scooter I figured what the heck.  Just another pleasant experience of riding.

Thinking back to my granddaughter Emma this is probably exactly the kind of thing she was thinking about when she was carefully scrutinizing Vespa riding.

28,000 Miles on a Vespa GTS Scooter

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Odometer of Vespa GTS scooter showing 28,000 milesDuring a ride this morning I noticed the odometer on my 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie scooter rolled over to 28000 miles.  Considering I seldom take long rides I was pleased with the miles I’ve gathered on the scooter.  It also reminded me of the relative durability of the machine and I’ve seen reports on the ModernVespa.com forum of riders far ahead of me with 50K, 75K miles and higher.

Considering the abuse I’ve dished out through years of salty winter riding and many miles of dirt and gravel the Vespa has performed like a champ.  I’ve gone through a lot of tires and oil changes, a fuel pump, a couple batteries, drive belts, brake pads, and that’s about it.  Mostly wear items.

Since I bought the scooter I’ve ridden a lot of different machines from BMWs to Ducatis to URALs to Truimphs.  And after all these miles on a lot of different machines and I still love the Vespa.  For me, it’s the perfect ride.

Here’s hoping there’s another 28ooo miles in the scooter and in my old body!

The Vespa Experience

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Dom Chang of Redleg’s Rides sent me a link to this tribute to the Vespa scooter in cinema.  As I watched I realized how far I am personally from the common perception of the Vespa experience — one that’s decidedly urban, young, romantic, eclectic and a bit frenetic. It’s easy to see why motorcycle riders may dismiss the scooter culture as something foreign to what seems at times something about speed, power, machinery and technology.  Apples and oranges.

I watched the video three times hoping to see myself in there somewhere and save for one scene where a young man is swerving back and forth on the road enjoying the feeling of moving through the world, I felt like I was watching a cultural phenomenon that passed me by.

Maybe if I had a Vespa when I was seventeen I might feel differently. Maybe it’s just the same as learning about my ancestors — there’s a connection biologically but the lives and experiences are from another time…

 

A Scooter Video on a Cold Morning Ride

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Writing about riding a scooter or motorcycle in the winter is one thing. Showing it in video gives a more visceral experience. On this particular morning I planned to ride despite sub-zero temperatures. On a sunny day, despite the cold, it’s not so bad.  Have a look at this scooter video and imagine what a decision to ride the Vespa in the winter might look like…

Riding in cold weather isn’t for everyone and should be approached cautiously. When asked I always tell people don’t do it, especially if you’re impatient or if you don’t think you can radically change your riding style.

Often it’s best to just stay at home.

Vespa GTS scooter on a snowy winter ride

Generally speaking — I advise against riding in the snow.  It requires so many changes in behavior, technique and mindset that most riders I’ve met just aren’t willing to make.

Riding a Vespa Scooter is Different for Everyone

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Vespa GTS 250ie scooter along Spring Creek

The first late summer morning where the temperature dropped to 50F, chilly enough to use the liner in my winter riding jacket, the bright sun adding just enough warmth to temper the cool air making its way inside jacket and pants.  The leaves are starting to fall as the fall equinox approaches.  Before long the warm, sleepy summer rides will give way to the more bracing rides of fall. Over the years a pattern has emerged showing my riding mileage increases as the temperature decreases.  Riding a Vespa scooter is different for everyone I guess.

Vespa GTS 250ie scooterFor me, riding continues to be a solitary experience taking place in the quiet, empty places in central Pennsylvania.  At one point in time the ride was about the machine but that faded a long, long time ago.  Now it’s become a form of meditation, at times simple and free and others difficult, puzzling, and moving into the unknown.  There is an element of self-surrender and introspection, probably the closest I’ll come to mysticism in this life.  Strange what a ride can become.

Vespa scooter in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

I’ve ridden enough motorcycles to know that the experience would eventually move in the same direction.  On the Vespa I just get there quicker.  Still, those moments of mystery are short lived and fleeting.  One moment I’m flying and the next I’m so hungry that all I can think about it finding somewhere to eat.  And this day I ended up at Cool Beans Coffee House in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.  My bad luck that they are closed on Sunday.  And worse as I did the mental gymnastics of the next best food stop my phone rang sending me off in another direction all together.  And so it goes, even the most innocent rides on the most mundane days can swing from sublime to routine, sometimes in moments, others in miles.  Regardless of what the experience is for me I want more, an undeniable craving to be in the world, on the road, air rushing by in a shimmering shaking of living.

Honda motorcycles in shipping crates

As I worked my way home I came upon this odd collection of covered shipping containers, a motorcycle wheel revealing the cargo.  The eighteen motorcycles, or I suppose there could be some scooters too, are waiting to provide their rider with a jumping off point for the body, mind and spirit.  Riding a Vespa, or anything else for that matter, will be different for everyone.  But ride long enough and the machine will vanish and something else will creep into your mind, a flight of fancy that’s unlooked for but mesmerizing.

At least that’s been my experience…