Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

Rage Against the Dying of the Light

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Snow covered carSnow Again: Dying of the Light

After a few clear days I can hardly stomach more snow. Dylan Thomas wrote, “Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.” While I can’t say the snow feels like death, I do feel the rage at the dying of the light. Again.

The East has been hit by one more winter storm. While we only got six inches of snow it was enough to dash the spirit and ground the Vespa scooter.  Riding a scooter in snow is tricky business.Continue Reading

Another Day in Paradise

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Vespa GTS 250 scooter on rural roadLong Road of Gratitude

It’s not lost on me how lucky I am in so many ways.  Riding the Vespa scooter through the central Pennsylvania landscape provides a quiet space for relaxation and reflection.  And in that space I’m aware that life is good.  For most of it my health has been excellent.  I have a supportive family and friends.  A long career has given way to a comfortable retirement.

Just another day in paradise.

There have been times I’ve tried to convince myself that it’s all a result of my own planning and hard work.  Without a doubt I have planned and worked hard.  But the many things to be grateful for are fragile gifts and could easily have evaporated if not for some large measure of good fortune.

I’ve been thinking about this since learning of fellow scooter rider and blogger Orin O’Neill’s struggle with unfortunate economic circumstances and a need to relocate to a more affordable part of the country.  He’s looking to the wider world for support through a GoFundMe campaign.Continue Reading

Modest Riding

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Vespa GTS scooter on a snowy dayOn the Road — Often and Always

When I started riding, it was all about the exhilaration of flight over the road. The pure physical stimulation of piloting the scooter was intoxicating to the point that nothing much else matter. Over time, riding infected thought and deed. My brain was always scheming and looking for an excuse to ride. Didn’t matter if it was hot outside or if there was snow on the ground. The Vespa scooter and I found our way into the world. In that obsession an appreciation of modest riding developed.Continue Reading

Vespa in Mud

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Vespa GTS scooter along deeply mudded roadMud

Riding a Vespa in mud isn’t a great idea.  The small wheels and street tires can bog down and leave the scooter motionless.  Worse, you run the risk of sucking wet stuff into the air intake which is quite low on the scooter.  The only plus side is the relatively light scooter (compared to a big adventure bike) can be pushed or pulled out of the muck.

Fortunately, in this case I could easily ride around the mud.  But I’ve been on a number of muddy roads that did not offer that option.  In almost every case I was able to continue onward, however ugly, without incident.  Only a couple times that I remember did I have to turn back.  Usually because of deep water associated with the mud.

So, checking my list of things the Vespa doesn’t do well:

  1. Deep, watered mud
  2. Speeds in excess of 80mph
  3. Production of ear splitting noise

That’s about all I can recall at the moment.  I’m sure there are more but right now I just don’t care…

Warming to the Cold

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Steve Williams and his Vespa GTS scooterCold Hands

After a winter ride in the sunshine at 29F the most memorable part of my ride were cold hands.  Induced by the gloveless needs of self-portraiture.  Still, for a moment, it was gratifying to face the sunlight, allowing it to kindle hopes that spring and warmer rides aren’t far off.  Just as I’m warming to the cold.  And working to drive through the mental doldrums of winter.Continue Reading

Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

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