Scooter in the Sticks

My Secret to More Relaxed Riding

June 27, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 16 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter on a quiet road — A quiet moment with the Vespa GTS scooter.

Quiet, Relaxed, Serene

Almost from the beginning I have enjoyed riding my scooters for two reasons. First, they’re fun. And second, it’s relaxing. Fun was no problem. It just came naturally. But it took some time to learn how to find relaxed riding.

And perhaps the biggest step toward that goal, toward relaxed riding, was learning to pull over on the road and let faster traffic move ahead leaving me free to then meander and take in the sights.

I made this video to highlight some of the things I’ve learned in my pursuit of more relaxed riding.

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For the Love of Dogs

June 20, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 19 Comments

Belgian Sheepdog laying with a Jolly Ball. — Aiden is the newest dog in our family.

Restoring Balance to the Canine Force

After the passing of our dog Junior at the end of March, my wife and I discussed whether or not to get another dog. As we get older, the thought is that a young dog may outlive us. And the work involved in training a puppy seemed more work than either of us wanted to take on. So reluctantly we decided that our remaining dog Lily would be our last.

But after a few weeks of watching Lily grieve over Junior’s absence and become increasingly anxious about being without a canine companion, we reached out to the breeder from which we got Junior and Lily.

And that conversation led to Aiden joining our family.

Falling in Love All Over Again

June 14, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 28 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter along a country road. — All things feel new again on a fragrant spring morning.

Reminded of the Good Things in Life

I fell in love with a Vespa scooter the first time I rode one. And now, after some neglect and a wandering eye, I’m falling in love all over again.

It continues to amaze me how my mind and body are transported into a different state of being by this silver scooter. Standing along the road, breathing the moist fragrant spring air, and feeling startingly present in the moment, I know what a gift it is to be able to ride.

Learning Off-Road Riding at 67 — OUCH!

May 27, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 26 Comments

Two motorcycles at an overlook in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. — The view from Winklebleck Vista in the mountains of central Pennsylvania.

Easy, Peaceful Riding

A recent ride in the mountains on my Royal Enfield Himalayan provided me with wonderful opportunities for personal growth. Specifically, a close look at the limitations of my off-road riding skills. And learning off-road riding skills.

My rider ego had its knuckles cracked with a ruler as I discovered the gap between off-road riding fantasy and the physical realities of that activity. During a recent relaxed ride in the central Pennsylvania mountains, a choice of a “drivable trail” led to riding lessons that are painful at 67 years old.

Before moving on, I need to thank Eric at “Kraken’s Garage and Adventures” on YouTube for the title of this post. He said it gets directly to the point! And indeed he’s right. Learning off-road riding at 67 was painful.

Is It Time to Stop Scooter Riding in Winter?

April 29, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 10 Comments

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.