Scooter in the Sticks https://scooterinthesticks.com/ Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 03:25:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 71084491 Frustration and Gratitude https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/frustration-and-gratitude/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/frustration-and-gratitude/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11913 The Mental Merry-Go-Round Over and over I’m reminded that there’s little profit in holding too tightly to my plans. It was demonstrated again as I prepared for a long ride with my friend Paul and proceeded to rip the tire valve from a rear tire of my W650 before even leaving the driveway. Hugely frustrating […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/frustration-and-gratitude/feed/ 6 11913 How is a Scooter Different from a Motorcycle? https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/how-is-a-scooter-different-from-a-motorcycle/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/how-is-a-scooter-different-from-a-motorcycle/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11931 Boots for Every Ride Whether on a scooter or motorcycle my rides begin the same way by putting on boots and other riding gear. Then checking out the machine to make sure everything is working as it should. I’ve met more than a few scooter riders who believe a scooter is inherently safer than a […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/08/how-is-a-scooter-different-from-a-motorcycle/feed/ 4 11931 Learning Via Boneheaded Moves https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/learning-via-boneheaded-moves/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/learning-via-boneheaded-moves/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11892 A Chain of Unfortunate Coincidence My poor Kawasaki W650, tied down to the ambulance on its way to Bestline Powersports for surgery. Many thanks to my friend Dave for driving the bus. How awful it is to be saddled with an aging man as a riding partner. A guy who can strike a blow to […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/learning-via-boneheaded-moves/feed/ 14 11892 An Ordinary, Mundane Ride https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/an-ordinary-mundane-ride/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/an-ordinary-mundane-ride/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11882 I’ve Been Here Many Times Before Expectations can trip me up if I cling to them too strongly. Thinking a ride has to be some sort of exceptional adventure is the sort of thinking that can rob me of opportunities that are anything but an adventure. Those days when I only have an hour to […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/an-ordinary-mundane-ride/feed/ 10 11882 Call Me Mr. Bonehead https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/call-me-mr-bonehead/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/call-me-mr-bonehead/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11873 An Unfortunate Incident The 2001 Kawasaki W650 still looks pretty despite an unfortunate fall in the driveway. Clearly a result of a misstep on my part though I am still a little perplexed at the chain of events. The bike was idling on the side stand, choke out for the initial start, and I was […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/call-me-mr-bonehead/feed/ 16 11873 Confidence Inspiring Motorcycle https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/confidence-inspiring-motorcycle/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/confidence-inspiring-motorcycle/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11855 The Honda Trail 125 Drivable Trail signs make me a little nervous when I’m riding my Himalayan. Unless I’m certain of what’s ahead, and especially if I’m alone, I generally don’t ride on past those signs. That’s not the case with the Honda. I almost can’t conceive of a road or path that I won’t […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/confidence-inspiring-motorcycle/feed/ 6 11855 Riding and the Meaning of Life https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/riding-and-the-meaning-of-life/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/riding-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11843 Why We Ride A fine marketing slogan that swept through the Moto-world a few years ago with the predictable declarations of freedom and escape. I don’t deny those things for they are certainly present, but there is something larger at work as I ride. On the surface, I rolled the Kawasaki W650 motorcycle out the […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/riding-and-the-meaning-of-life/feed/ 12 11843 The Power of Fog and Riding https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/the-power-of-fog-and-riding/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/the-power-of-fog-and-riding/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11827 Powerful Motivator Fog still has power over me. Awakening at 5:30 AM and catching a glimpse of that magical murk drives the sleep from mind and body and I am ready to ride. Or more precisely, ride so I can document the world I seldom see. The one shrouded in fog and stripped of the […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/the-power-of-fog-and-riding/feed/ 6 11827 Fog, Fuel, and a Long Ride to Breakfast https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/fog-fuel-and-a-long-ride-to-breakfast/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/fog-fuel-and-a-long-ride-to-breakfast/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11783 Morning Fog A few things were different on this ride. It was the first foggy morning in a long time. I love riding in fog. Mostly because photographs appear more dramatic and ethereal. I wasn’t sure how Dave felt about it but since he was waiting on his motorcycle when I arrived at his house […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/fog-fuel-and-a-long-ride-to-breakfast/feed/ 13 11783 Riding in the Shimmering Heat https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/riding-in-the-shimmering-heat/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/07/riding-in-the-shimmering-heat/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=11796 Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Ride It was already pushing 90 degrees when I rolled the W650 out of the garage this morning. The National Weather Service has been in full panic mode, warning everyone to stay inside like the world is ending. I almost took the car. I had every excuse ready: It’s too […]

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