Scooter in the Sticks

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

VIDEO: Flying Like a Bird (not on a Vespa)

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My friend Dan Leri sent a link to this video this morning asking if my friend Paul Ruby had one of these. I replied he has two. Seriously though, the short flight recorded in this video is nothing short of an amazing achievement. Every now and again I need to be reminded of the summits people attempt. For one person a ride on a Vespa in cold weather, for another soaring like a bird over the Grand Canyon.

Click the full screen button on the lower right.  It’s an HD video and more powerful at a larger size.

Sam Abell, Photographer, on Patience, Passion and Slowing Down

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Sam Abell is a photographer who I have admired for a long time. The passion he brings to assignments and stories is rare in a world bent on speed and media lifespans measure in hours or days. Listening to him talk about making photographs and spending more than a year to make one photograph had me wondering if I had the patience or commitment to pursue anything that way.

At the end of the video he reveals the photo and a story that happens afterwards.  I won’t reveal the ending but as he describes the man in the plane thumbing through the magazine I know that guy.  Me.

I need to slow down.

VIDEO: Off-Road Riding with the BMW GS

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I came across this video on Twitter and thought it did a good job reflecting what off the pavement riding is like with those big BMW GS and GS Adventure bikes. And a smattering of the smaller BMW dual sport bikes like the F800 GS.

I remember riding a 1970 Kawasaki dirt bike in far more serious terrain and places that I would never attempt with one of the big BMWs. Even so, this video makes riding off the pavement look great.

Failure and Imagination

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J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

I don’t often post non-riding items on Scooter in the Sticks but this video warrants a look.  Early this morning I watched author J.K. Rowling deliver a powerful message on the lessons of failure and the power of human imagination.  I expected Harry Potter but heard something more striking.  Rowling talked about imagination as a unique and special power.   

At the end of her address she offered a challenge to graduates that is equally appropriate to riders and their journeys.  Rowling  invokes the words of the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca:

“As is a tale, so is life, not how long it is but how good it is.”

So I guess I’ll continue to focus on the good trips.

I found this video quite by accident at Alison Day Designs.

How to Make a Vespa Scooter

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I saw this video on the making of a Vespa referenced on the Modern Vespa site. It looks so easy. Maybe I’ll make one myself tonight.