Scooter in the Sticks

A Story on Motorcycle.com

August 8, 2014 by Scooter in the Sticks 20 Comments

A few weeks ago I received an inquiry from an editor at Motorcycle.com indicating interest in publishing the text and photographs of one of my blog posts. While not quite like Ed McMahon showing up at the door with a giant check, it was one of the highlights of my blogging career — a glimpse into the world of motojournalism.

When I think of Motorcycle.com the image of the Suzuki on the right comes to mind long before my Vespa. I was thrilled that a reflection of a riding experience fueled by a scooter would find an opportunity in such a venue. Depending on interest, traffic and comments I suppose there might be an opportunity to contribute again and share my views and experiences on the road with a scooter.

Riding is not a singular experience and just as there is room for a wide range of machines on the road, so it goes with a mainstream website like Motorcycle.com. If you have a moment check out the post and let them know what you think. It’s always good to mix a Vespa in with the Harleys, Ducatis, Hondas and Yamahas!

RIDING AND THE TASTE OF FREEDOM on Motorcycle.com

The Tyranny of Responsibility

August 4, 2014 by Scooter in the Sticks 12 Comments

A ride seems so simple, just roll the scooter or motorcycle outside, get on, thumb the starter and go. Escape down the road with scarcely a concern for anything but the pavement passing below your feet, wind pushing against your body, and everything is perfect in the world. It should be so simple but the tyranny of responsibility, that collection of grown up chores and tasks conspire together to make the simplest pleasures seem childish, inconsiderate and selfish. At least it seems that way at the end of a long day when energy levels are low and frustration is high.

With one driver in the house last week retrieving the Vespa from Kissell Motorsports (technician Chad installed a new drive belt, rollers, pads along with a change of engine and transmission oil) was a planning adventure to beg rides, take buses and walk to various locations.

My dog Junior is a faithful teacher, ever reminding me of the power of setting any business aside and taking time to watch the sunset. Except when there is a cat nearby or food is involved, he is a remarkably relaxed creature. Taking a few minutes to do the same myself certainly helps ease the burdens of a day.

A morning photos of daughter Aleta’s Yamaha Vino scooter on its way to get it’s annual safety inspection, part of the choreographed dance that would lead on towards retrieval of the Vespa. I had forgotten how capable the Vino is on our local roads.

Examining the long shadow I cast while launching tennis balls for the dog I’m reminded of the power I do have to control what I do and don’t do. Sometimes it takes a different look at myself to figure out what’s going on.

Reflective moments during a busy week are more common for me during visits to cafes and coffee shops. And of course rides. Unfortunately this past week the scooters were unavailable and I just had a lot to do.

Piled up, one chore, one task, one appointment piled upon the next, even the Sunday morning photography discussion could damper any sparks of creative thought. Paul continues to appear with inkjet prints made during a wide range of activities and travels.

The best I could must we some quiet reflection on the images being shared and a small amount of personal berating at not yet returning to the darkroom to produce new work. Instead I remain under the thumb of chore and task. I’ve come up for air though and the rest of the week looks brighter and less clouded by grown up responsibility. Maybe I’ll even ride to work tomorrow…

Riding in the Rain

July 24, 2014 by Scooter in the Sticks 17 Comments

Leaving work late only to find it starting to rain and facing a decision to ride without or without raingear. My Revit rain suit has remained unused for over a year as I continue to choose wet over dry. Laziness is at work, at least partially as the thought of unpacking and donning the suit seems dizzying. And a rough part of me just likes getting drenched. I suppose every rider has a different dance when considering riding in the rain.

Riding west towards the setting sun and approaching rain revealed little of what would happen. Roads wet but not drenched left a slippery film cabable of dispatching the best rider in a weak moment. Sudden flares of sunlight easily blinds the unprepared daydreamer. A few minutes inside a store on the way home had me wondering if I would ride wet or dry.

Minutes later sweeping along a backroad towards home confirmed the wisdom of my choice to leave the rainsuit untouched. The lone trees that punctuate the farm fields throughout Pennsylvania reflect the care and functionality in place by farmers of previous generations. Those trees were often left in place to provide noontime shade for a team of plow horses while the farmer walked back to the house for lunch. Few were left with painters or photographers in mind 70 years down the road.

One last stop to admire the late day light painting the landscape before turning the Vespa towards home. Some days you get wet and others leave you dry. I was glad to miss a downpour and the need to pull out the rain suit. Just a bit too tired and worn to think too much about the rain.

Embracing the Grey

July 20, 2014 by Scooter in the Sticks 32 Comments

A grey cloak has been pulled over central Pennsylvania for the past few days forcing a rather dramatic decline in the number of scooter and motorcycle riders on the road despite temperatures remaining in the 65F to 75F range. The skies have threatened rain and squeezed a few sprinkles of water and an occasional drizzle but otherwise the road is open for those ready to embrace the grey. Some of the most magical scenes are shrouded in the dim, dull light.

I suppose there are strong reasons not to ride on days like these.

I don’t want to get wet.
Hard to argue with that because even with good rain gear you will still likely get a little wet.

It’s dangerous to ride when it’s wet.
Again, hard to argue with that statement. I refine it a bit myself and acknowledge the risk on wet roads and in the rain do increase. It requires an honest evaluation of conditions, experience, skill, and willingness to assume the increased risk. That process comes through practice and is definitely now something any of us does naturally.

I don’t want to get my scooter or motorcycle dirty.
Yes, it will get dirty, the chrome will have water spots. What can I say?

For me, aside from the quality of light on these grey days, one of the attractive reasons for riding is the lessening of traffic in general, at least on a weekend. It’s not just riders who stay at home, a lot of people take to the couch on the grey days. I remember some years back the kids and I went to a water slide park on a day like this. The temperature was in the 80s but it looked as if it was going to rain. We went and were pleasantly surprised at how few people were there. Instead of long lines to the tops of the slides we could slide down and run right back to the top and slide down again all day long without waiting for anyone.

A side benefit of grey.

Traffic is so light, especially moving into the Rothrock State Forest, that I can park the scooter in the road for a picture. Underneath the forest canopy protects the road from some of the rain that washes away the slickness that develops when things first get wet. The pavement stays damps longer and you need to be careful on these tame looking paths lest the scooter rotate onto the ground.

Photography is far easier on a grey day where the light is completely diffused with no huge range of contrast from direct sunlight battling with deep shade.

This picture represents the biggest risk I took during this ride. Wandering off into the woods for a picture I almost walked into one of the thickest patches of poison ivy I’ve encountered. The magic of photography belies the darkness from which the picture was made. Lots of light on the road but nearly black under the trees. I’m glad my eyes had adjusted enough to see the poison…

The ride ended with me having the chance to photograph one of the plants that Kim has helped me learn to appreciate, Verbascum thapsus, or what some refer to as great mullein or common mullein. It grows throughout the United States but was brought into the country in the 1700s from Africa. On a grey day it looks great to me and almost pushes the ride from my mind.

So the grey shrouded ride ends or ever narrower paths. And it never did rain.

Riding and the Taste of Freedom

July 17, 2014 by Scooter in the Sticks 18 Comments

Three things happens to me when I’m riding a scooter or motorcycle — I pay closer attention to the world, taste a bit of riding freedom, and a get just a little bit smarter. At least that’s what I tell myself.

Riding alone, I almost always end up at a place where I can enjoy a simple pleasure, often something chocolate and a cup of tea, and time alone to watch the world go by, perhaps write a few things in my journal, and let my mind unwind and run free. How often does a person get to feel that way, the kind of freedom you have as a kid where time doesn’t have meaning and your life seems like it’s your own. Riding provides a glimpse of what life could be like and makes it clear how hard it is to come by.

There is a lot to see on the road beyond the obvious hazards and risks from vehicles, animals and pavement challenges. A rider always has to manage those and guard against complacency and a wandering mind lest disaster creep near. That’s one form of paying attention and it is a valuable skill. But there’s another level of attention that I experience as a dim filter being peeled away from my eyes revealing a world previously hidden. Everywhere there’s something to see — every scene and space is mysterious and holds secrets to uncover.

Riding along on the Vespa I find myself exploring spaces and paths because I know I’ll find something — dumped construction waste in which the raw materials for the latest garden installation might spring, or a plant, rock or other treasure is revealed as I step away from the scooter to look in the weeds. My eyes sharpen and intuition whispering “look there, look here…” guide part of the journey.

The number of stops I make to explore or make pictures is excessive and obsessive. It drives my decision to seldom ride with anyone lest they grow annoyed, frustrated and worse. I’ve found other photographers are the best to ride with; they’re generally curious and have something to do when I stop.

The exploring does leave me just a bit smarter. While wandering at one stop along a trout stream I saw this poster warning of the dangers of New Zealand Mudsnails — an invasive aquatic species that is troubling the area. Until I saw this poster I had never heard any of this and I live close to such a stream. Riding away I know the importance of stopping aquatic hitchhikers.

This ride took place on July 5th. Looking at the picture I’m certain each and every one of you sees the obvious lesson derived from a stroll around the area.

You see it, on the left, the corn. Look at the corn and something is revealed. Well, maybe not, maybe I have special insight having spent the last 35 years working for the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. An early indoctrination by someone, probably a farmer I ran into on an assignment, instill some words in my head that are still with me involving how you assess the growth of corn. The rule of thumb was that the corn should be “knee high by the Fourth of July”. Well, unless it grew overnight that corn was near my shoulders. So I learned something. Either that rule of thumb is wrong, or something is going really well with this corn variety.

And so the ride went, eyes wide drinking in the world, free as a bird and tasting freedom, and maybe just a little smarter in a Jeopardy sort of way…

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