Scooter in the Sticks

Desire Comes Before the Ride

Scooter in the Sticks — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Google Maps, My Go To Distraction The desire to ride is nearly constant. It would descend into obsession if not for age, wisdom, and experience working together to manage neatly into my life. And usually the desire to ride runs far ahead of any plan and while others might spend time watching the news or […]

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Does Riding Make You Grateful?

Scooter in the Sticks — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Morning Experiences Waking up, splashing warm water on my face, entering the garden with the dogs, I always find two things — excitement at what the day may bring, and gratitude to witness it. Something unfamiliar when I was still working and mornings were a chaotic rush to try and strangle the day into submission. […]

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Exploring a Mysterious Road

Scooter in the Sticks — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Can I Get There? There’s a road not far from here that I’ve spent considerable time thinking about, looking at maps, reviewing satellite imagery, and searching for first-hand accounts of whether it’s passable. I know where the road might lead — to the ridge top where I have ridden many times. And I know a […]

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Important Update for Email Subscribers

Scooter in the Sticks — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone, I’m writing to let you know that I’ve recently moved my email notifications away from Mailchimp and directly over to WordPress Jetpack. Since I run this blog purely as a hobby, I wanted to simplify things and make sure the setup stays clean and hassle-free. What this means for you: If you want […]

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How Far is Too Far for Breakfast?

Scooter in the Sticks — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Group Photo I look at this photograph with gratitude for having friends to share the journey. On motorcycles and scooters and in life. And for me at least the expression on my face says a lot. I didn’t realize my face was adorned with a big, dumb, grin. The four of us left home this […]

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Don’t Let the Old Man In

Scooter in the Sticks — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Cool Air and a Heavy Sky Being old isn’t just a physical state. It is a state of mind. And if I want to remain “young”, especially in the face of physical decline, I need to push away the feelings that life is finished when I wake with more aches and pains than usual. Sounds […]

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Making Sense of Life with a Vespa ET4 Scooter

Scooter in the Sticks — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Learning on the Road No matter how diligently I work at managing my life it persists in being messy and chaotic. I used to believe that there was a simple solution, a process by which I could forever be free of the noise and just relax and be happy. Definitely one of those beliefs emerging […]

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Upgrading to an Aerostich Darien Riding Jacket

Scooter in the Sticks — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Biting the Bullet Here I am sporting a stiff, shiny new Aerostich Darien jacket. I’ve been aware of Aerostich since I began riding again in 2005 but at the time it seemed an extravagance I neither needed or afford. After the first time I dropped my Vespa LX 150 during a snowy ride to work […]

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The Utilitarian Vespa GTS Scooter

Scooter in the Sticks — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

My First Child I don’t claim favorites. Every scooter and motorcycle in my garage has a unique character and capacity to create a great ride. My 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie scooter occupies a special place in my heart. It’s been with me through thick and thin. We have ridden together through ice and snow, dirt […]

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A Jaunt in the Rain

Scooter in the Sticks — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Breakfast Ride Rained Out The plan was to ride to breakfast. The weather report the night before indicated rain later in the morning. I had the Himalayan in the driveway and ready to go when it started to rain. Gently at first but then falling heavy enough that rain gear would be needed. I’m getting […]

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