Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.
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.
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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.
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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.
Ugh. It’s raining, it’s snowing, it’s hot, it’s cold. The change of seasons introduces so much change and confusion that it seems appropriate to commence a springtime blog cleaning.
Springtime blog cleaning is a softer way of saying “get your shit together Steve.”
Yeah, I need to do that. At least maybe shave and get a haircut.
There’s a lot going on and some of it stands in the way of riding, writing, photography, blogging, vlogging, and a host of civilian activities like rewiring light fixtures in the basement and garage and completing plumbing work in the bathroom.
Life is good.
Continue ReadingJunior was a great dog. Words can’t really describe how grateful I am to have shared part of my journey with him. Dog owners will understand. Those who have not shared life with a dog or are uncomfortable with them, may not appreciate the connection between a person and an animal.
I’ve struggled with my feelings for Junior and could not carry them around for long. My long practiced solution is to write them down, or in this case, express them more visually.
Life does move on, even if not always with the people and animals we love.