Scooter in the Sticks

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

Chasing the Flurries: A Small Vespa Adventure

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A 2006 Vespa GTS 250 scooter parked in a field as it begins to snow.
The last stop for a photograph before returning home.

Wading Through Weather Decisions

Deciding to ride continuously throughout the year requires some honest looks in the mirror. It’s easy for me to equate what I was able to do 15 years ago with how I am today. And when today means I’m 70 years old I had best be rigorously honest about my riding abilities and limits. I’ve told myself that there will be no more riding in snow and probably no riding below the freezing mark. Seems a reasonable boundary to embrace. So how is it that I found myself riding through a series of snow squalls with the thermometer hovering at 32F? Was it a bad series of assessments based on the weather forecast or did I let my pride and ego get the better of me?

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Winter is Coming… and I’m Riding My Vespa

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Vespa GTS scooter along a rural road.
It’s colder than it looks.

Cold Starts

Looking out the window it appears to be a fine morning to ride. Bright sunshine and no wind. Stepping out onto the deck provides additional information — it’s cold. 49F cold. As the dogs run round the garden I imagine what gear I’ll need. Merlin jacket, neck gaiter, long underwear under my jeans, insulated gloves, and my riding boots. In a few moments I have a plan and it feels warmer already.

Winter is coming. I want to be ready. Ready to ride.

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Is It Time to Stop Scooter Riding in Winter?

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Is riding a Vespa in winter only for the young? I wonder…

An April Snow Squall

It’s hard to figure that one day the temperature is 70F and a couple days later it’s snowing again. That’s the kind of April we’ve had.

I went for a ride during the last squall to run a few errands and I was left with the feeling that I’ve had enough winter riding. Perhaps it is age, or a particularly bad day mentally, but whatever was in play had me bemoaning the difficulties of riding in winter.

On this ride it was particularly cold — right around the freezing mark. And the snow wasn’t piling up on the road. But the temperature, moisture, and slush had an effect. The visor was difficult to keep clear and the slush was bad enough that I could feel a wheel slip now and then. I just was tired of the fight.

I made a video of my reactions and thoughts about winter riding. It may be my last. Or at least the last ride in snow I make. I say that now. Who knows what next winter will bring.

15 Years of Winter Riding

Stubborn Winter and Riding

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Snow and ice on car windshield.
Fresh ice and snow dashed any hopes of riding.

Riding Hopes Dashed

Before I opened my eyes I could hear the snowplow clawing along the pavement, telling me there would be no time on the scooter or motorcycle today. I’m weary of the cold air biting at my flesh, the gray skies drowning the color from my sight, the realization I’ve become a prisoner of the harsh whims of nature.

The dreaded wintry mix had arrived and there was nothing I could do. Winter and riding regress into memory and on into myth. I’m so tired of it all.

Yet I realize I am powerless over the weather. Winter and riding are merely a pipe dream of an adventurer growing smaller in my rearview mirror. I’m sliding toward fair-weather riding and I don’t like it.

I need to ride.

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Sorry About the Swearing

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I’ve uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel. I found myself engaged in an impolite exclamation. Sorry about that. Shit happens.

I follow the Itchy Boots YouTube channel as she rides around the world in all sorts of challenging situations. And perhaps what surprises me most is that she never swears. Not when she dumps the bike. Not when she gets a flat. Not when a customs agent gets annoying.

I strive for that kind of serenity.

Anyway, here is the latest video. I’m enjoying the creative change videomaking brings. It’s far more difficult for me than shooting still pictures and writing. But the creative challenge is invigorating.

If you like the video or want to see more of them, jog over to YouTube and subscribe.

Riding with Paul and his Triumph used in “Terminator 3.”