Have not had the scooter out in a week. The roads are covered in salt debris, gravel, patches of snow and ice and I am not willing to chance riding right now. The scooter rests comfortably in the garage and there will always be a warm day here and there during the winter to ride.
Riding alone
If given the choice I prefer to ride alone. I used to think it was because I’m anti-social or deficient in skills necessary to interact with others but I have come to realize I relish time alone. Riding by myself is an opportunity to completely disconnect from the world and just be present with myself. I see, smell, and hear things that I would completely miss if I was concentrating on staying in my lane so someone can ride along side me or that I don’t run into the scooter in front of me. It’s ok once in awhile but the big does of riding needs to be by myself.
When I do ride with a group I always take the last position. That way I can just linger along, stop, do whatever I want. If I lose them… oh well.
When I was considering the scooter one of the big selling points I was hearing from others was the social nature of scooter riders. I have found that to be true. But I think I have remained (at least in terms of riding) a loner…..
The picture above was taken on one of my many “by myself” rides.
Breaking 2000 mile mark on the Vespa
I planned to ride 60 miles this morning to Altoona but because of the threat of rain I chose to ride around locally. First stop was Barnes and Noble to check out the latest photography books and perhaps have something to eat. One the way I pass a quarry that I always find interesting to look at. The scooter makes it so much easier to stop and look at things than it does in a car…
Riding my Vespa with snow in the air
Went out this morning despite calls for snow. As long as the road is dry and I can see the pavement clearly I feel comfortable riding.
I made this image to prove the Vespa looks fine in snow. The yellow riding jacket is my nod to visibility. I like riding alone and in the winter the traffic falls off even more. Now all I need is some warmer gloves and I’ll be all set.
Riding a Vespa LX150 at 20 degrees F.
Planned to ride to work this morning with the temperature a chilly 12 degrees. Was already to go until I found the black ice on the driveway and road. Took the bus rather than chance a spill in the dark on a spot of ice.
Got home and took a ride. By then the air warmed to 20 degrees and the sun made it possible to see the ice. Rode down to the Pump Station Cafe for a piece of chocolate pound cake. I really like the fact that you can park the scooter just about anywhere. I just ignore parking spaces….