Scooter in the Sticks

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

Riding in the Rain

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The heat was hot and the ground was dry.

Not sure why that lyric from America’s Horse with No Name floated through my brain as I sat down to write this post. Perhaps it was the heat of the past two days. Or the humid air flowing in the windows as the clock leans toward 2am. Regardless the reason, one thing’s for sure — riding when the thermometer eclipses 90F is unpleasant. For me.

And now I remember fondly a misty morning ride of a week ago. Nothing quite as pleasant as riding in rain during summer.

Mist over central Pennsylvania hills on a rainy morning.Morning Rain

An early appointment at Kissell Motorsports to have the rear brake pads replaced on the Vespa scooter had me on the road in a light rain with the temperature in the low 60s. Rain all night had cleared the roads of the oil and grease that seems to accumulate in summer which makes traction a bit more positive. Not that my laid-back riding style or the lightly traveled routes face challenges from the rain. Mostly there’s a flowing movie of misty landscapes that feed my imagination and create adventure in my head.Continue Reading

Vespa in the Rain

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Vespa in the rain outside of Kelly's Steak and Seafood in Boalsburg, PennsylvaniaRain, Thunder — No Problem

There’s something exciting about riding a Vespa in the rain.

A short ride to a neighborhood pub to pick up some prime rib sandwiches for dinner.  One of those tasks I see as another opportunity for a little adventure.  I could hear thunder approaching and a quick check of the radar map on my iPhone showed the storm already here.  But looking at the dark sky and the sparse rain drops allowed me to believe I had a few more minutes.

No surprise that there were no other motorcycles (or scooters) in the parking lot.  I saw two riders sitting at the bar.  A quick transaction and then back to the scooter.  Rain was just beginning to fall as I started the engine.

A few minutes later as I approached the safety of home the rain drops were big.  And loud.  For a moment I wondered if there was hail.

And then the adventure was over.  Two short miles total.  And it was fun.

Only on a Vespa.

Vespa Scooter in Rain

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Vespa GTS in front of Mount NittanyMist Along Mount Nittany

The best way to be riding a Vespa scooter in rain is between the raindrops.  Or during those moments when the sky softens and the rain won’t be described as a downpour.  No worries about visibility or hydroplaning on water-logged pavement.  Just a gentle recognition that the world is getting wet.

This post isn’t about the technical aspects of riding in rain — traction, visibility, weather protection — that sort of thing.  It’s merely a passing account of a short trip on a morning of gentle rain bordering on mist.  A commute to work with a detour to visit a new cardiologist.

The ride was a reminder of how great the world can look on those decidedly non-postcard days.Continue Reading

Appreciating Warmth

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Vespa GTS scooter near Bald Eagle State ParkAdjusting to the Cold

The march toward winter continues.  My spirit hasn’t accepted the change yet.  And my body resists both and cold and the ritual of donning heavier riding gear.  The lingering gnaw of a still tweaked back doesn’t help.  The world is dim and grey.

I have nothing good to say about any of it.

It’s easy to understand why men and women park their scooters and motorcycles for the winter and walk away from any joy or enlightenment that riding can present.  When the thermometer was pointing to 29F a few mornings ago I was asking myself why I would ever ride when it’s that cold.  Some would say I’m coming to my senses.  Or a grudging acceptance of the aging state of my body.  I see the wisdom in both.

Still, I want to ride despite everything.  Not riding is a decision I’m not ready to make.  It seems a surrender more ominous that merely parking the Vespa for a few months and doing something different.  It’s a turning point.  One of no return.  A realization that I’m leaving something in the past.

Forever.

Lest this post grow dark and dreary there is something positive which grows from the cold — appreciating warmth.

Appreciating warmth.

When the body awakens from the lull of warm weather the contrast between cold and warmth is startling.  Wrapping a cold hand around a heated grip is a luxurious feeling.  Or better yet around a cup of steaming hot tea.

Riding in cold weather teaches me to appreciate the lovely gift of being warm.

Miserability

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rural Pennsylvania road near Huntingdon FurnaceRoad Gone Sour

A perfect road for a ride on a scooter or motorcycle, winding through the woods and dales of central Pennsylvania in late summer.  A ride almost perfect if the temperature could be dialed back twenty degrees.  At 90F with humidity approaching the same number I’m close to surrendering.  Even choosing routes that keep me under the trees for much of the time doesn’t help much.

Bring on the cold weather please.  Or at least ratchet down the humidity. Right now it’s just pure miserability.

Scooters and soybean fieldPanorama Country

A stop not far from Spruce Creek so Paul can make a panoramic photo with his iPhone.  He’s got both a serious face and stance when he’s executing the sweeping movement.  Things are in flux for Mr. Ruby.  His Ducati Hypermotard is for sale on eBay. He’s purchased a used BMW R1200RT to ride across the country in the late fall, and he almost pulled the trigger on the purchase of a Vespa to replace the Piaggio Fly.

I can barely keep up.

Pulpit Rocks in Huntingdon County, PennsylvaniaPulpit Rocks

Walking a short way up the trail at Pulpit Rocks, even in the shade, was a tiresome, sweaty undertaking.  Paul remained at the road with the scooters while I explored a bit with the camera.  Nice place.  Need to come back when I’m willing to look around a bit more.

Vespa GTS scooter on winding roadWinding Roads

Even the great roads in central Pennsylvania that challenge the senses and skills — the hot weather melts into an amorphous blob of “so what, who cares…”.

On the bright side, I may have a bit more time to so some things I’ve been putting off as I leave the scooter in the garage.

Or maybe I can ride a little earlier in the day, or a little later.  What about you?  How do you cope with the heat and the miserability it causes?