Scooter in the Sticks

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

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?

Vespa Scooter in Rain

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Vespa GTS scooter in the rainRiding in Rain

It’s always a little different — rain.  And so is riding in it.  The quality of the rain, temperature, how I’m feeling, the tires on the scooter; they all have an effect on the experience of riding a Vespa scooter in rain.

The ride home from work, though like so many others, was unique for a dozen different reasons.  The rain stood out.  Anyone who rides in the rain on a regular basis knows what to expect and has learned how to respond.  The beginning of a rain event after weeks of dry weather often creates a slippery slurry of oil and other road film which can send a rider down in a hurry if not paying attention.  That’s decidedly different from riding after hours of a steady rain where the road is washed clean.

On this ride, everything conspired to create a perfect embrace; as if there was no place warmer and safer than being in that rain.  You may know the feeling, a time when you aren’t concerned with being wet or if the road is slippery.

That’s where I was.  No rush or hurry, no concerns for safety, just a pleasant ride in the rain.

I wish those rides were more frequent.

Riding in Rain

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Vespa GTS scooter and rain in dawn lightScooter in the Dawn Light

A slight mist, rain in dawn light, an inscrutable affection for the world revealed as the road passes underneath the Vespa scooter on the way to work.  I’ve stood here before many times looking back across the valley toward home, wondering where I’m going. It’s part of riding in rain.

The simple answer is I’m riding to work in a mix of mist and light rain.  The temperature is near 50 degrees and there’s no need for rain gear — my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket and Joe Rocket riding pants are more than adequate on this day.  I’ve still not donned the Rev’It rainsuit that lives in the topcase.  Such is the nature of the rain I ride in.

Go slow, pay attention to the road, that mantra plays in my head.

Vespa GTS scooter along highway wallScooter in the Concrete

There is a lot of concrete between home and office.  Though smooth in a car it only takes a moment on foot to realize how ragged and abrasive it really is.  Even my armored clothes seem insignificant reflected against that hard angry surface.

Pay heed riders — the road is not your friend.

Vespa GTS scooter on rainy dayScooter in the Mist

Riding in rain seems so simple but when I stop a moment to think about it there’s a lot of things to consider that seem to happen automatically now — enough experience has been tendered that needs and concerns are programmed like a second nature.  Just look at “15 Tips for Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain” by madmoto and you’ll have an idea of what may be involved.

There’s a quiet in the world when it rains, even in these light mists.  And in the quiet the imagination blossoms so that by the time I get to work the day seems like a wonderful adventure.

Are your riding experiences in the rain positive?

My Seven Types of Riding Weather

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Steve Williams with his Vespa GTS scooterConsidering the Weather

Weather is a constant consideration when riding though the precise nature of the weather affects how much attention I give it.  Even during the warm months the local weather can change dramatically during the day.  More than once I’ve been caught without adequate protection when a hot day turned remarkably cool after the sun went down.  Or tree lined roads winding along cold water creeks were far cooler than the open road under full sun.  Move into the cooler months and on into winter and at times I feel like a meteorologist.

To think about all this I divide riding weather into seven categories to help physically and mentally prepare for a ride.  It’s almost instinctual now but the mental checklists help avoid being caught in circumstances that are uncomfortable or dangerous.

Motorcycle rider cooling off on a 100F dayHeat

Made this photograph on my way home from a BMW rally in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.  A bright summer day with brutal temperatures at and above 100F.  I soaked myself thoroughly from heat to foot with water before leaving the rally for the 90 mile ride home.  Less than 10 miles out I was bone dry, parched and sweating profusely.  The wind blast at 55 mph was hot and miserable and had me stopping every ten miles to down another bottle of water.

When I see the forecast indicating temperatures above 80F I make sure I have lots of water and wear fully vented riding gear including gloves.  I also make sure to stop often regardless of my desire to tough it out.  Dehydration comes on fast in high heat.

And remember, all of these weather accounts are unique to me.  Every rider will have a different level of physical and mental tolerance.  What’s important, I think, is for you to find yours.

Vespa GTS scooter in the rainRain

Riding weather that calls for rain has me thinking of gear, temperature and the estimate of rainfall (intensity).  Staying dry is more critical in the rain at 35F than it is at 80F but both can fell an unprepared rider when fingers and joints get cold and cease to function as expected.  And if my core gets cold that spells danger because I’ll be focused on trying to fight the cold rather than pay attention to the road.

Riding in the rain can be pleasant if there’s not a lot of traffic to content with.  Estimating what will be encountered on the road is an important consideration for me.  And like most bad weather or situations that impair visibility — I have to slow down.  Easy for me but seemingly difficult for other riders and most drivers.  That mismatch in speed on the road is something to think about.

Vespa GTS scooter in the fogFog

I love riding in fog because of the visual mystery and magic in presents.  I also realize the risk is greater that other drivers won’t see me.  Or me them.  As with rain, I consider where I’ll be riding, the amount and speed of traffic, and the density of the fog.  There have been a few rides where I should have stayed home because I couldn’t see 50 feet in front of me.  That’s not a common fog here in central Pennsylvania.

Vespa LX 150 in winter at Seven Stars, PennsylvaniaCold

I consider cold weather to be anything below 40F down to -15F. That’s the cold weather riding range for central Pennsylvania. Physically it’s easily managed with the right gear. Mentally it’s more difficult and fraught with myth, fear and demands on expertise and behavior.

Cold affects a body.  If you can’t keep the cold air out and your body warm best stay at home.  It also affects traction.  Tires that are nice and sticky in warm weather can be surprisingly slippery on cold bare pavement.  It requires an adjustment in riding approach, even with a scooter.

All of this holds down below zero.  The only thing I’ll add is that I worry about the battery in real cold weather, especially if the scooter is sitting while I stop to eat.  To be sure I always have enough starting power I always carry an AntiGravity battery in the topcase.

Vespa GTS scooter on snowy roadSnow

Snow is generally, for me at least, the unfortunate occurrence when you ride in the cold.  I don’t often venture out when it’s snowing unless I’m absolutely convinced the nature of the snow and the amount is manageable.  Wet snow around the freezing mark is more treacherous than dry snow at 20F.  Having snow tires on the scooter makes a big difference as well.

My advice on riding in the snow?

Don’t.

sheet ice on the road during a Vespa scooter rideIce

This is just plain unpleasant but like snow something that can occur when riding in the cold. Personally, I prefer snow over ice but that’s just me. This scene appeared the morning after a warm thaw on the previous day with lots of water running across the road in lots of places.  During the night that water froze solid creating awful challenges to navigate walking over let alone riding.

I had to flat foot a step at a time with the engine off to get the Vespa across these hazards.  Can’t imagine doing it with a tall or heavy motorcycle.

If you’re riding, especially on a long trip in the winter, you’ll likely encounter things like this.  If you whip around a curve and encounter this, well, you’ll probably meet the pavement.

Vespa GTS scooter on a rural road in summerPleasant Riding Weather

This is my physical sweet spot for riding – 40F through 80F.  I can deal with any typical weather presented short of a tornado or lightning storm with two sets of gear — warm weather and cold.  The expertise has been honed from slow and deliberate experimentation and with it the requisite mindset to keep myself safe.

If you’re a Memorial to Labor Day rider you’ll likely only have to deal with heat and rain.  Push far before or after those dates and you’ll need to think about a lot more potential situations.

I have my own taxonomy and definition of riding weather conditions.

Do you do something like this too?

Riding Resistance

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The intrusion of work, life, age and weather conspire to build powerful physical and cerebral riding resistance.  As the interval between rides (or blog posts) grows, the energy required to regain motion increases as well.

Or so it is with me…

Snow covered drivewayEvaluating Snow

Our new snow blower, cardiologist recommended, cuts a fine path to push the Vespa scooter out of the garage and into the world.  I did the winter riding dance, testing the road surface, evaluated the quality of snow, traffic and forecast for more of the white stuff.

Riding a scooter or motorcycle in winter, especially in snow, demands a long checklist of considerations.  On this morning I stopped at “Snow tires mounted”.  My Heidenau snow tires are sitting in the garage waiting to be called to action.

It’s been a week since I went for a ride and already I’m feeling the resistance.

Vespa GTS scooter on wet rural roadFlights of Euphoria (or not)

Last weekend I abided the damp chill of a light rain and temperatures in the upper thirties as I wandered the countryside pondering thoughts trespassing my serenity.  Some rides are flights of euphoria while others chained to the noise of existence, the scooter, like a team of draft horses, part of a forced toil dragging my grey cloud spirit along in hopes of finding clearer skies.

View of snow from Pump Station Cafe windowRide Cancelled Due to Snow

The view from the Pump Station Cafe in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania as I write this post.  Part of me wishes the Vespa was in the picture.  Most of me is happy I drove the car.  What sort of Vespa adventurer does that make me?

I don’t care.  Contentment, serenity and attendant happiness arrived when I grew comfortable with my choices and actions.  Wish it hadn’t taken so long to get here.

Eight inches of snow are on the ground with more falling.  Deciding not to ride is a good choice.  Provides an opportunity to respond to a mountain of unanswered email, write a post, rub the dog’s bellies, make pancakes, and generally frolic in the little joys of being alive.

Except for that part about email.

Vespa GTS scooter in a farm field on a rainy dayCenter of the World

I know my photographs of the scooter in the center of an empty space are metaphors for my brooding on life — especially the pathway decorated with murals of aging.  I’m not sure what’s more thrilling; riding to these places, or thinking about them later.  It’s a gift finding joy in both.

Everyone observes their path differently.  A quote from the movie based on Larry McMurtry’s book Lonesome Dove that I’ve come to recognize:

“The older the violin, the sweeter the music.”
— spoken by Augustus McCrae

Steve Williams and his Vespa GTS scooterResistance is Futile

The scooter always takes me where I want to go.  I may not know the destination or the reason I’m on the road but there always seems to be a mysterious arrival at the right place at the right time despite the rocky mental roads along the way. Riding resistance has continued to melt as the call of the road becomes louder.

For now, the snow will keep the scooter in the garage while I attend to other matters.

All is well.