Scooter in the Sticks

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

Video: Restoring Balance with an Evening Vespa Ride

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I continue to be surprised at the breadth and weight of things that occur on a daily basis that throw me off balance. A story I read in the newspaper, a comment read on a website, or the irrational machinations of my imagination that gnaws on a wide range of dystopian possibilities.

There are tools that help in restoring balance. Meditation. Journaling. Walking. Reading. Sitting with my wife. Talking with a friend.

And of course, riding. Restoring balance with an evening Vespa ride is almost like magic.

I share this video in hopes it will remind you of the power that machine may have in your life.

An interpretation of my experience on a short evening Vespa ride.

VIDEO: Ordinary Rides

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Not everyone has the interest or opportunity to ride across a continent. Or any number of other adventures possible on a scooter or motorcycle for that matter. Time, expense, circumstance, or lack of interest can effectively remove such rides from the realm of the possible. Despite such limitations, you can have a great time on ordinary rides.

I’ve found that the experiences I once considered essential items on an ever lengthening bucket list were, for me, just a distorted version of consuming and buying in the belief that happiness and fulfillment lay that way.

A recent ride through familiar places reminded me of how little is necessary for me to have an adventure.

Just some of the thoughts and feelings that occur while riding.

This is my eighth VLOG posting of the ten I planned to do before evaluating if there is any reason to continue. They remain interesting puzzles to solve but I fear my lack of verbal tendencies may make them difficult to continue to produce.

Despite those concerns, I continue to experiment and explore what might be possible.

VIDEO: Moments of Wonder

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Riding has sharpened my ability to see and appreciate the world around me.

Appreciating What’s Right in Front of Me.

On foot with a camera, or just riding my Vespa scooter, my perception of the world around me grows. I see more. Appreciate more. And in the end, find contentment in even the most stressful situations.

I place few requirements on myself during these jaunts and journeys. Slowly traveling, loose plans, and a minimum of tools and technology.

Vespa GTS scooter parked along a rural road.
My Vespa GTS scooter as part of a painter’s landscape.

What happens when you ride?

Can you be content on short rides through familiar landscapes or do you require travel to distant places? I suppose what works for one may be a bore for another.

For me, I try to have few expectations of my rides and even fewer for the experience.

Riding Alone and Solitary Adventure

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Vespa GTS scooter along Pine Creek
Peering at my Vespa scooter and beyond into adventure.

One of the things I love the most about riding is the solitary experience. Riding alone provides space from the mental and emotional distractions that can dim my awareness that I am living a blessed life. On these solitary rides, it’s easy to feel a sense of adventure, especially when traveling in the more sparsely populated areas of Central Pennsylvania. It’s during those rides I am having an adventure.

I’ve always admired the work of writers who share their stories of solitary adventure in the wilderness or at sea. Reading Edward Abbey and Colin Fletcher led me to my own solitary hiking and backpacking adventures. Being dependent on no one but myself fuels a level of excitement and satisfaction but let’s be honest, my solo adventures, on foot, and on the road have taken place in the safe confines of the Eastern United States.

A few days ago I came across a video by a young woman named Noraly who describes herself as a 32-year old, Dutch, solo-female traveler – currently on a mission to travel the world by motorbike!

One particular scene at about 11:40 into the video where she comes upon a torrent of water rushing across the road and plunging off a cliff gave me the chills.

Frightening video. Courageous woman. She must faith — in herself, and in other people in the world. One note — I’m amazed she never swears or curses!

If you fancy yourself an adventure rider, or dream of creating your own adventure, this video is worth watching. Mud, dirt, gravel, rain, heat, cold, dogs, protesters and more await.

She’s riding alone through places like Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan. And generally across the planet. As I watched one of the videos I realized I could never do what she does. I have neither the courage or pluck to venture into the unknown alone.

I’ve enjoyed watching the films with Ewan and Charlie traveling across the globe and I know they faced challenges and hardships. So do the men and women who undertake the guided adventures of myriad ride companies. But being alone. That’s different.

The people who quit their jobs, sell everything and venture out into the world are a different kind of human being. I admire what they do. I could never do what they do. At best I can live vicariously through the stories they share.

Here are a few others you might want to check out if solitary adventure interests you:

Mike Saunders — 69,000 miles on his Honda Ruckus

Stephanie Yue — on the road with her Vespa GTS 250

Lois Pryce — epic solitary rides on her Yamaha XT225 Serow

Walter Muma — in 1978, a 3-month 11,500-mile (18,660 km) journey by moped from Toronto (Ontario, Canada) to Yukon (Canada), Alaska (USA), and up the Dempster Highway to Inuvik, NWT (Canada), and back to Toronto.

Part of me would love to see my name on that list. But it’s just not me. My adventures will remain casual, safe, and in my mind.

Be well, be safe, and enjoy the road!

VIDEO: The Thrill of Riding a Vespa Scooter

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I’ve struggled to share with people the experience I feel while riding a Vespa scooter. The video below is an attempt at presenting the emotional energy of riding as I do.

I fully realize that different riders will have different experiences. Speed and following the perfect line along a winding road may be the pinnacle of experience for one while a leisurely wandering rings the bell for another.

This video reflects my experience. The thrill of riding a Vespa.

A statement on what riding a Vespa scooter means to me.

I have to confess a level of reluctance in posting this video. All of them in fact. I’ve become comfortable over the years writing about my experiences, how I feel, and what I think. But putting my voice to the writing has changed things. It feels more exposed and open. More personal perhaps. Maybe revealing more than I intend.

So bear with me as I experiment technically and emotionally.

I hope each of you is surviving whatever unique demands the COVID-19 pandemic has placed upon you. Be safe. Be smart. So you can ride another day.