I finally came out of a sugar coma and was able to maneuver the Vespa onto the road. Getting older hasn’t sharpened by dietary sensibilities or my body’s ability to process the quantity or quality of refined sugar products I choose to ingest. It was a positive step to ride away from temptation yesterday morning under cloudy skies and temperatures around 40º F.

I had no idea where I was going, and not a whole lot of enthusiasm for the journey. That’s how I get when I am lying around the house overindulging. I forced myself onto the scooter. Barely.

My friend Paul surprised me this Christmas with a pair of Gerbing electric gloves. I was hoping to give them a good workout on this ride but that will have to wait for colder weather. I’ll post more details on how they perform later.

Aside from a brisk wind the weather was good and the roads were dry after a couple days of rain. Blue skies look amazing after nothing but gray. Everything looks bigger and more impressive. Since winter has only just begun officially I know there is a lot more gloom ahead.

I’m still amazed at how many new roads I find so close to home. This one cut across a ridge in an area I thought I knew well. A look when I got home at a topographic map revealed a wealth of unexplored township roads.

One small road began as a gravel track along a creek and then climbed upwards to this sweeping view. It was good to get out and stretch my riding legs a bit. Next time out will be easier.