Scooter in the Sticks

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

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Vespa in the Rain

May 15, 2011 by Scooter in the Sticks 30 Comments

Sunday morning in a slow rain, meandering over familiar roads on my way to meet a friend in town.  I’ve stopped in this same place many times to gaze towards Mount Nittany, watch the landscape swallow up the road in an easy turn.  Twisting my boots into the pavement checking the traction, evaluating how much oil and scum was washed off through the night, gauge how far I could push the Vespa while riding though I never push very far.  Still, it’s comforting to know what to expect.

Made this image with the iPhone camera using the Camera+ app.  Processed the image in the HDR mode.  I continue to be pleasantly surprised at the technical and creative range of these devices.  Feel bad now that I dropped in on the pavement.  No damage save for another scuff mark.  Saw a student in town last week busily texting on an iPhone with a shattered front.  Didn’t seem to slow them down.

The rain slowed to a mist as I threaded my way through the alleys and streets of State College, my destination arriving too soon, the ride ending before I was ready.  Humes Alley is a favorite backdrop, old brick, hand lettered signs.  About as close as I come to an urban environment on any regular basis.

Prime parking for Saint’s Cafe — just twenty yards to the front door and never any charge.  At least not until the Borough decides to give me a ticket.  Or tow the scooter away.  So far Kelly Alley is my first parking choice.

Rainy days are for laying in bed or on the couch, reading a book, watching television, or indulging in some other sort of horizontal enterprise.  On the way home while making this picture I decided to pursue the bed despite how much I love the light on this kind of day. 

One last picture before home.  The monochrome nature of things in the rain almost prods me on to ride farther. 

Almost.  But there are naps to take and other things to do. 

That’s how to make good use of a rainy Sunday.

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Winter Creeping into My Heart

February 12, 2011 by Scooter in the Sticks 9 Comments

After watching the Dream Rangers video yesterday I could not keep myself from going for a ride this morning. Winter is slowly creeping into my heart and painting everything with a gray heaviness. A ride would chase away the cold.

The roads were mostly dry with salt and an occasional path of snow or ice. Staying on lightly traveled secondary roads allow for methodical management of these hazards.

Looking at the Vespa sitting in the ice covered scene above reflected exactly how I feel — I’m living in a world of cold. Maybe this is what Finland is like this time of year.

Returning home I realized I could ride a lot more than I do. I’m letting the cold weigh me down and whisper in my ear the many reasons to leave the scooter in the garage.

My dog Junior doesn’t let a little cold weather stand in his way of having fun. I need to take a lesson from him.

No more winter whining. Let’s ride.

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Riding When the Rest of the World Doesn’t

October 7, 2010 by Scooter in the Sticks 13 Comments

A couple weeks ago I stopped on the way to work to put on an extra layer to keep the cold away from my tender flesh. Less than perfect weather does seem like a good reason to stop riding when minor fashion adjustments make flying down the road a pleasure. It must be too much of an adjustment for a lot of riders.

Here I am in Maine. Sustained winds of 25 knots are blowing in off the ocean with gusts up to 38 knots. That’s around 44 mph for non-nautical types. A fresh gale. Rain stings when it hits your face. It’s hard to walk. And you hope nothing comes flying off the beach in your direction.

Just like setting off on the Vespa when the temperature plummets I head out on the beach for a walk to Perkins Cove about a mile away. I have the right gear. There is a fine little café where I can get in out of the weather and have something hot to drink. Arriving in Perkins Cove, wet yet satisfied in the same manner when I return from a winter ride, I find the café closed. Everything is closed and aside from a few storm peepers inside their cars there isn’t a soul outside.

The experience gave me an excellent opportunity to justify and rationalize my riding (and walking) behavior. Standing on a promontory looking out past the waves I remembered sailing through similar weather just 30 miles off shore on my way to Peake’s Island, Maine.

Maybe it’s a good time to re-evaluate risk.

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Grey Riding

January 18, 2010 by Scooter in the Sticks 14 Comments

I was struck how colorless the world can be during my ride to work. Makes sense how those shades of grey can pile on to your brain in winter. A glimpse of blue sky and sunshine is cause for celebration. The grey on the ground reeks havoc on the metal and machinery and I’m sure it was responsible for the failure of my rear brakes. All that salt silently chewing and gnawing as those fine machine parts. Perhaps I should wash the Vespa once in a while. I missed the blue moon at the end of December.

It was nice to ride without snow on the road. The only other two-wheeled vehicle in the parking lot was a colleague’s Yamaha Vino. He got the good space.

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Where Have All The Riders Gone?

September 30, 2009 by Scooter in the Sticks 24 Comments

Watch the temperature drop below 60 degrees and all the riders disappear. It’s just the scooters at work. At least today. The leaves are falling and autumn is coming on with a vengeance. I’ve been busy at work and at home and time seems to evaporate.

For now I have to be content with my commute to work.

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Archives

Fun in the Mountains

Honda Trail 125 motorcycle

Fun with the Honda Trail 125. (CLICK IMAGE)

A Sample of Vespa Camping

Vespa GTS scooter along Pine Creek

A trip north along Pine Creek. (CLICK IMAGE)

Riding in the Rain

Vespa GTS scooter in the rain

Thoughts on rain. (CLICK IMAGE)

Snow: An Error in Judgment

Vespa GTS scooter covered in snow

A snowy ride home. (CLICK IMAGE)

Demystifying the Piaggio MP3 scooter

Piaggio MP3 250 scooter

Understanding the MP3. (CLICK IMAGE)

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