Scooter in the Sticks

The Art of Being Alone

January 10, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 47 Comments

Vespa GTS 250ie on a rural road. — Alone on a ride.

Clearing the Mind

Being alone is the only reliable way I’ve found of clearing my mind. It may take place in a chair by the window in my office, on a walk through the woods with the dog, or on a ride on my Vespa scooter. The common connection is that I am by myself, alone with my thoughts, and slowly unwinding whatever confusion, pain, or suffering I’m carrying.

For a long time, I saw the need for being alone as a defect in my character, some personal lacking reinforced by the messages from media, marketing, and society that implied the highest and best experiences take place with other people. And my choice to turn in a different direction seemed to be something for which to make excuses or hide. But eventually, I embraced the fact that I am an introvert and that I gain energy when I’m alone. And I see my energy drained in stimulating environments involving other people.

I’m not saying I can’t or won’t socialize with other people, but I require time being alone. And riding the scooter or motorcycle has provided a wonderful opportunity to accomplish it.

Winter Motorcycle Riding

January 7, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 28 Comments

BMW K75 motorcycle on rural road on a winter day. — Winter motorcycle riding brings many challenges.

Cold Weather Concerns

With the thermometer hovering at 40F and the roads mostly dry, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to ride the motorcycle to drive the moisture from the oil, exercise the battery, and make room for some fresh gasoline. And like so often is the case when I decide to “take a quick ride” to keep the motorcycle in good riding condition, I neglect to weigh all the conditions related to winter motorcycle riding.

For me, what I usually neglect to consider is my physical readiness to ride a motorcycle in cold weather. And for most riders, 40F qualifies as cold.

The first ride of the season is always problematic for me. I get cold easily and regardless of how well I gear up, it’s a shock to my system. And on this day, I made a few estimations of necessary gear that were just wrong. Maybe 5 years ago they would have been right. But not now. Time is taking its toll.

Part of the attraction of winter motorcycle riding for me is the competition that’s created between me and the elements. That competition has pushed me to ride in extremely cold weather, snow, ice, and places I probably should have made other plans.

So that’s often how it starts; a quick ride to accomplish some imagined task, a look at the weather with a self-confident “I’ve got this,” and a hurried donning of gear with little serious evaluation of what’s to come.

Regardless, it was a fine winter day to be out in the world on a motorcycle.

On Down the Road: 2022

January 1, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 32 Comments

The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.
Aldous Huxley

Steve Williams portrait in the woods. — A self-portrait during a walk in the woods on New Year’s Eve.

I love the quote by Huxley on solitude. Not so much to think of myself possessing a powerful and original mind, but rather to excuse my life long attraction to solitude.

I’m not sure if it’s a result of my genetic programming, the fact I grew up an only child, or just an accident or circumstance. What I do know is I’ve spent a lot of time apologizing for wanting to be alone.

But I’ll save this topic for another post. Right now I want to take a moment to consider the year which has raced by, and the new year ahead.

And to wish anyone reading these words my best wishes for a happy, safe, and satisfying New Year!

A Vespa Ride on Christmas Day

December 28, 2021 by Scooter in the Sticks 30 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter on a rural road — A Vespa ride on Christmas Day is a tradition. Having good weather was a welcome winter gift.

Scooter Riding Traditions

I can’t say for sure if I’ve gone for a Vespa ride on Christmas Day each year I’ve owned a scooter, but I would not be surprised if that’s true. This year the thermometer was inching toward 50F and offered no suspense or anxiety that some Christmas Day rides in the past have delivered.

It was good to get out and just let whatever noise, concerns, or bothersome thoughts I might have evaporate into the atmosphere as I rolled through the world.

Riding is Magic

November 4, 2021 by Scooter in the Sticks 25 Comments

It’s always a surprise what triggers me to write an essay for Scooter in the Sticks. This time it was dragging the garbage can to the street for pickup and seeing frost on the car.

BMW K75 motorcycle parked by the Mid State Trail in fog. — A magical, foggy morning on the motorcycle.

There are hints that winter is approaching; leaves descending from trees; geese honking overhead; squirrels and chipmunks growing fatter and fatter as they store the peanuts we put out for the birds. And now frost along with a faint bite on skin that rattles awake ancient programming in my DNA that whispers deep in my brain, “you better get ready…”

Those feelings sometimes emerge while riding, especially when conditions turn toward the surreal or become physically challenging. It happened one morning when I was riding the motorcycle into the mountains and encountered fog.

I discovered (again) that riding is magic.

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Clearing the Mind

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