Scooter in the Sticks

Shreve Stockton and Lessons on Life

June 15, 2015 by Scooter in the Sticks 4 Comments

Most people probably know Shreve Stockton as the creative energy behind The Daily Coyote, a blog about Stockton’s life with an orphaned coyote pup replete with engaging pictures of “Charlie” on a daily basis. She’s also authored two books, and made a cross country trip on her Vespa ET4 scooter which she chronicled on her Vespa Vagabond blog.

Stockton recently gave the commencement address to the College of Natural Sciences at Colorado State University. The video stream shows the entire commencement ceremony but you can scan ahead to 22:11 where her presentation of a life lesson begins. It’s personal and a powerful reminder of how we may make decisions that don’t always work to our benefit. It’s worth hearing by all of us and not just those newly minted graduates.

She talks about pain, the lessons she’s learned in dealing with it, and suggestions on how a person might move forward. Her address is, as she notes, short and sweet.

The address reminded me a bit about another that was equally personal, and powerful — JK Rowling’s 2011 commencement address to Harvard University.

Both are worth a listen, especially if you’ve ever faced personal struggles that caused you to question your path.

The Brief But Magnificent Opportunity

June 7, 2015 by Scooter in the Sticks 31 Comments

Central Pennsylvania riders are blessed with a seemingly endless supply of winding roads — the one in Bald Eagle State Forest.

I thought of my father this morning while riding through the dense green of Bald Eagle State Forest. He would have been 87 today had years of hard work in mines, steel mills and cigarettes not claimed his lungs and life eleven years ago. As a boy he and my mother would take me to places like this on picnics or to just walk — a reflection of my mother growing up in the Alps in a “walking” family.

Riding a Vespa scooter through the empty places in central Pennsylvania affords space to let the mind wander, entertain dreams and fantasies, and face the pressing questions of the moment. And there’s the quiet thrill of flying along on two-wheels, the sense that my spirit is expanding beyond the body and I feel connected to the world. At those moments I’m painfully aware of the brief but magnificent opportunity life really is.

Vespa GTS 250ie along road in Brush Valley, Pennsylvania.

I remain enthralled with the Vespa — form and function. On two lane roads, my route of choice, it performs as well as any motorcycle at legal speeds and can exceed them by 20mph — fast enough for any responsible rider.

My father would never have approved of my riding. All pleadings and schemes to acquire go-karts and mini-bikes, motorcycles and BB guns were repeatedly rejected. Perhaps being an only child played into my parents strategy. His feelings about motorcycles were clear — they were dangerous and unnecessary toys and nothing more. Only fools and people with issues had them.

I do have issues.

Vespa GTS 250ie scooter in Sugar Valley

The road seems long. A camera lens can exaggerate perspective to trick the viewer. The mind can do the same thing as a lens, distort reality. Where I once believed the road is long, now I’m not so sure. I’ve always known that distance isn’t a requirement of a rich ride on the scooter. Same holds true of life. How many miles traveled is less important that the quality of those miles.

I saw many Amish buggies on the road this morning but resisted the urge to make a clever image of that archaic method of transportation with the Vespa. The Amish endure enough peeping from the English.

Lost in on the road, winding through the forest.

A Harley-Davidson motorcycle rumbled past me while I made this picture and I watched them carve through these turns. For the next 12 miles the road twisted and turned through hairpin turns and provided plenty of gravel strewn bends to keep things interesting.

My dad drove like I ride — slow and with few concerns for others on the road save for common courtesy. If he were a rider I like to think he would be on a Vespa and wave to other riders regardless of their riding choice.

Fuel and water stop.

With 70 miles of winding road behind me the scooter needed a drink and so did I. My new diet has kept me out of many of the greasy haunts I would have patronized. Now is fuel, a few glugs of water from a bottle, and a banana or apple. No more hearty bacon breakfast choices.

Vespa GTS 250ie scooter on gravel road.

Who knows where the road will lead. Circumstance and choice guide routes and outcomes. I often don’t really know why I end up at the places I do.

Vespa at the end of the road.

Often little gravel byways and path dry up or are gated closed. The Vespa isn’t something I want to tear through the brush to continue on with an exploration.

My father was neither an explorer or traveler. When he taught me to hunt we were always on familiar territory. I didn’t inherit that trait from him and instead have my mother’s travel instincts — to move on from place to place and not worry about the outcome. It explains many of our travels in Europe without destination or hotel arrangements.

We did just fine.

A stop for water and to munch on a few baked potato chips — the meal of salt lovers…

Some roads feel like tunnels slowly drawing me into something but I’m not sure what. The Vespa was fine but I felt tentative. And that’s ok sometimes.

Sometimes you just need to keep riding until you find what you’re looking for.

Not sure where things will lead. It’s good to have a vantage point to see ahead, if only for a a short distance. So I’ll keep going and see where I end up and take advantage of the brief but magnificent opportunity afforded by life.

Night at the Opera (I mean Moto Hang)

June 4, 2015 by Scooter in the Sticks 22 Comments

Each of us have our own priorities at event. Doesn’t matter if it’s a wedding, family picnic, or a motorcycle gathering, something will catch our attention. This evening at the Boalsburg Moto Hang I was obsessed by what I cannot have — a magical, delightful, soul soaring all grass fed beef. Figures Ken Hull would raise the hot dog bar just when a heart attack rules out any such sweet obsession. This one was destined for home and my wife Kim.

Seems like yesterday when I was a kid with few cares and space to enjoy a soda and a dog. This young man arrived at the Moto Hang on the back of a Vespa ET4 and quickly found the refreshments which included homemade chocolate chip cookies. He passed on the beer.

For the rest of those in attendance I think other things drew their attention. Like motorcycles.

Paul Ruby seems to always show up with something unique. This time with a 1940s style Triumph built from a 2009 machine. Solid rear end now along with a lot of other “vintage” modifications. It’s going up for sale on eBay.

Lots of other machines on display like this vintage Honda.

I have no idea what this is. A guess would be Yamaha. Looks tall. Looks complicated.

Lots of shiny chrome around too. Good for photos but not sure what else.

I’m not sure when a motorcycle falls into the “vintage” category. I tend to use whenever something is older than my kids. Not sure where this Honda Goldwing falls. If it’s a pre-1980 version then it’s vintage in my book.

This Triumph Bonneville appears from time to time. I told the owner if I was going to steal a motorcycle at the Moto Hang, this would be the one.

When I arrived there were only 15 or 16 motorcycles and two scooters. The night was young though.

Ken Hull was showing Mark (left) a picture I posted of him on his Vespa smoking a cigar. A lot of motorcycle gatherings offer the fragrance of petrochemical fuels and lubricants. The Moto Hang has the sweet incense of a cigar.

Nice to talk about a wide range of subjects and motorcycles without anyone ringing the “we don’t talk to you” bell. The Moto Hang has something for everyone.

This is the front fender of Robert’s dual sport Suzuki that he recently rode around the world — 20,902 miles. Impressive ride.

By 6:15pm there was no room for motorcycles in the alley and they started lining up along the street.

By 6:30pm they were lined up almost to Main Street. I even saw a trike this evening.

Three Vespa scooters made the trip this evening — evidence that all are welcome. So if there are any shy scooterists in the area there’s no need to shrink before the motorcycles.

It was a good night even without a hot dog…

The Boalsburg Moto Hang

June 1, 2015 by Scooter in the Sticks 24 Comments

Only the roughest, toughest riders come to the Boalsburg Moto Hang. Jeff, chief mechanic at the Boalsburg Car Company, epitomizes the eclectic persona evident at the event. This Wednesday the Moto Hang gathering at Ken’s Moto Shack & Lounge begins at 5:30 and will go till 7:30. All riders are welcome regardless of what machine the wheels find themselves attached to.

If you’re in or around State College, Pennsylvania maybe you’ll want to take a ride. This Google Map will show directions or plug the address below into your GPS:

203 East Main Street
Boalsburg, PA 16827

Ken’s Moto Shack and Lounge is behind that address — the corner of Academy Street and Rockeys Alley.

The Moto Hang has a decidedly un-biker gang feel. Lots of motorcycles but the rider’s interests and focus are broad with something for everyone from racers to adventurers to scooter riders. The informal nature of the gathering along with the unexpected machines and people who show up make for some interesting conversations.

During a recent Moto Hang, Paul Ruby showed up with his “new” Cushman scooter — a retired Traffic Unit vehicle used by Penn State’s Parking Enforcement Team. Ruby picked it up at a salvage auction has has big plans for his latest scooter. Weird thing — it’s titled as a truck. Go figure.

I wouldn’t mind owning a BMW airhead like this vintage example. One of the cool things about the event is you have a chance to see a wide range of machines and get some first hand information about them. For anyone thinking about riding, buying a new or used machine, or just has questions about motorcycles or scooters, this is a good place to be.

Cigar smoking scooter riders aren’t common but are part of the rider ecosystem of the Boalsburg Moto Hang.

Riders come and go all evening. Don’t feel bad if you can only stay a few minutes. Just stop by and introduce yourself. Ken Hull (center) is the founder of the event. Make sure you say hello.

John suiting up in his spiffy Klim riding gear before departing. With the long days upon us there is still time for a nice ride before dark AFTER the Moto Hang.

Dave Dix rides off on his BMW adventure bike as the evening winds to a close. On other evenings he arrived on a Honda scooter or Moto Guzzi (I think). So whatever you’re riding (or not riding), stop by and say hello!

The Vespa Experience

May 31, 2015 by Scooter in the Sticks 12 Comments

Dom Chang of Redleg’s Rides sent me a link to this tribute to the Vespa scooter in cinema. As I watched I realized how far I am personally from the common perception of the Vespa experience — one that’s decidedly urban, young, romantic, eclectic and a bit frenetic. It’s easy to see why motorcycle riders may dismiss the scooter culture as something foreign to what seems at times something about speed, power, machinery and technology. Apples and oranges.

I watched the video three times hoping to see myself in there somewhere and save for one scene where a young man is swerving back and forth on the road enjoying the feeling of moving through the world, I felt like I was watching a cultural phenomenon that passed me by.

Maybe if I had a Vespa when I was seventeen I might feel differently. Maybe it’s just the same as learning about my ancestors — there’s a connection biologically but the lives and experiences are from another time…

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