Scooter in the Sticks

The Physicality of Riding

December 2, 2019 by Scooter in the Sticks 21 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter along the road on a murky morning. — Out early on a wet, cold morning gets the blood pumping.

Riding is Not Exercise

I’ve struggled to rationalize it otherwise, but the cold stare of reality shows few qualities of exercise while riding a scooter or motorcycle. Yet there are strong physical qualities that, for me, raise riding to a physical act of purpose and action. I was reminded of this effect while riding the Vespa to breakfast on a cold, murky morning.

It was wet but not really raining. A mist that was cold enough to cause visor troubles and have a hand continually wiping it clear.

Riding was an ongoing physical act.

Giving Thanks

November 28, 2019 by Scooter in the Sticks 18 Comments

Wisp of clouds in a blue sky over a mountain top. — Looking to the sky for gratitude and Thanksgiving.

Gratitude

This is a story about riding a motorcycle and giving thanks.

It’s easy for me to overlook the good things in my life. I blame the rush and chaos of everyday living, but the truth is — giving thanks is a habit I’ve not fully developed. Just as Ebenezer Scrooge learned to keep Christmas in his heart every day of the year, so should I learn the same in regard to Thanksgiving.

I ventured out on the motorcycle on a fine, crisp November morning at 35F. Gazing into a blue sky I felt gratitude for having another day to live.

The underlying, original motivation for Thanksgiving may have been pure, but my experiences of the day growing up were one of holiday, complete with family traveling to be together, a huge meal, arguments at the table followed by football on television and grown men asleep in the living room.

There’s nothing wrong with any of that. But a fundamental ingredient was absent the day — gratitude.

Vespa Scooter on a Sunny Day

November 14, 2019 by Scooter in the Sticks 9 Comments

Embracing the Last Warm Days of Autumn.

A scene from three weeks ago as my friend Paul and I made the most of one of the last warm days of autumn. Riding a Vespa scooter on a sunny day remains one of the fine, simple pleasures of my life. Looking at the picture I’m reminded of how grateful I am to have a fast friend who pushed me into riding. Life would be dimmer had I never climbed aboard a Vespa.

Cold Weather Riding Limits of the BMW K75

November 12, 2019 by Scooter in the Sticks 14 Comments

Autumn leaves — Most of the leaves are on the ground now. What’s left is the coming of winter.

Cold Weather is Coming

The lyrical autumn scenery has faded into the stark reality that winter is coming. The leaves have fallen and soon they’ll be raked, burned or forgotten as snow falls along with the temperature.

I have this motorcycle now and am wondering what I’ll do with it this winter. Will I keep it in service or put it to sleep until spring. Those questions have been on my mind. All depends on the cold weather riding limits of the BMW K75.

Haunted in the Autumn Landscape

November 10, 2019 by Scooter in the Sticks 27 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter on a rural road — Riding through the autumn landscape and memories of the past.

Sometimes Riding is Secondary

Do you set time aside to take in the autumn landscape? To remember times in the woods?

The autumn landscape in central Pennsylvania is nothing short of stunning. I’ve been witness to the symphony of color and fragrance for 47 years — on foot, riding a bicycle, from within an automobile, from the air and astride a scooter or motorcycle. Of all the ways I have enjoyed these landscapes the most compelling has been with the Vespa scooter.

On this particular day, I was not concerned with the ride beyond its ability to move me into the world. I wasn’t thinking of performance, lines through curves or anything like that beyond remaining safe and aware of the road. I just wanted to take in the scenery.

How often do you “watch the woods” and look at the autumn landscape? Or any landscape you happen to live in?

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Riding is Not Exercise

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Gratitude

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Embracing the Last Warm Days of Autumn.

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Cold Weather is Coming

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Sometimes Riding is Secondary

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