Scooter in the Sticks

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

Riding-Based Winterization

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Vespa GTS scooter parked along a rural road on a foggy morning.
A pause to admire the fog and the scooter.

Accepting Colder Weather

It’s no secret that I ride in cold weather. There may be a growing element of secrecy regarding my feelings about doing it. While the 2006 Vespa GTS 250 scooter is still ready and willing to head out in the coldest weather I cannot make the same claim. Each year as winter approaches I feel a greater resistance to abandoning the warmth and comfort of home so I can continue with my annual riding-based winterization program.

The idea of parking the machine for five or six months did not sit well. Too many warm days during the winter that I would want to ride. And plenty of freezing days where the roads were dry. Twenty years ago I swear I never felt cold. Now I am chilled lingering too long in front of an open refrigerator. But if I am going to avoid draining fuels, pulling batteries, or adding Stabil to tanks, I need to keep riding.

The best method for me now is to start early, ride often, and ease into the cold.

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Inspiration Versus Desperation

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Rural Pennsylvania road in winter.
I hear the call.

A Gray World

Eventually, reliably, the gray gloom of winter gets to me. Moving outdoors to walk or ride changes from a looked for dose of recreation and enjoyment to a heavy trudge of resignation. Keeping all five machines in the garage “winterized” through consistent riding becomes work. Why riders drain the fuel and pull the batteries from their scooters and motorcycles gets clearer every winter.

I hear the call of the road still. And I find myself torn between inspiration and desperation. Feeling thrilled to get out despite the cold and desperate for the weather to warm. Lately I’ve found myself spending entirely too much time in mental whining about the state of the weather and the challenges it poses for riding.

Standing on a familiar road I am trying to convince myself there is no salt.

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Vespa GTS Scooter at 6-Degrees Fahrenheit

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Vespa GTS scooter parked on a snowing lot.
Nice to arrive at a heated diner.

Questioning My Decision to Ride in the Cold

The plan was to meet a friend for breakfast as the Sunset West Diner. Watching the weather forecast and the predicted low temperatures I wondered whether I could ride my Vespa GTS Scooter at 6-degrees Fahrenheit. I’m older and less tolerant of the cold. And my mind doesn’t see the same exciting challenge in facing adverse weather as it once did. Still, I have my moments.

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Frigid Rituals in Life and on a Vespa Scooter

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A Vespa GTS scooter parked on a snow covered field.
Testing the limits of the scooter.

Invisible Power

As if propelled by some magical invisible power I find myself once again staring at my scooter in the snow. A vaguely familiar frigid ritual that often I don’t understand. It’s cold, 16F when this photograph was made, and my mind is relaxed in a manner difficult to access while sitting at home warm and cozy.

I’ve often wondered whether the physical challenge that comes with enduring the cold and managing the enhanced risks of riding below the freezing mark somehow ignites a flame that has no equal in any other aspect of my life.

A frigid ritual of which the rewards far outweigh the risks.

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A Vespa Video Christmas Card

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A Holiday Tradition

I try to produce some visual riding expression of the holiday season and take a moment to thank everyone who reads, watches, and otherwise connects with the things I post. I was a bit worried this year because the lack of snow removes a helpful element to show the spirit of the season here in Central Pennsylvania.

An unexpected few hours of snow at 33F last week provided the window of opportunity to shoot some video for this year’s Vespa video Christmas greeting.

Thank you everyone for the support you give. I wish you and your families and friends the best for the holidays and the coming New Year.

steve williams