Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650
Spring BathIt’s a sure sign of spring when I finally decide to spray the salt and grime off the Vespa. The temperature rose into the sixties and it was time to pull the Termoscud apron off the scooter and run down the street to the car wash. Doesn’t take long to remove evidence of winter riding with a high pressure cleaning wand.
From a distance the scooter still looks ok.Continue Reading
Dogs Love SnowMy dogs love snow. They don’t seem to tire of it or complain about the weather. They have lessons to teach. Me, I’m complaining. Just when I thought the snow was done for the season I woke to six inches of the white stuff. If it wasn’t so beautiful I would have been despondent.
Lily raced through the garden, everything heavy with wet snow, with typical reckless abandon. As I trudged along I knew I was going for a ride. The temperature was right — a hair above freezing which would me the roads at worse would be slush or slightly snow covered. Perhaps even just wet. So one last winter riding adventure.
This must be the last real snow of the season. So of course it was time for a snowy Vespa ride.Continue Reading
Light and FogThe earth here is surrendering the moisture gathered during winter. This is the time of year for heavy fog and murky light. Morning walks with the dogs provide ample opportunity to look toward the fog shrouded mountains and ponder routes for the Vespa. I’m drawn to the mystery yet hold some rides at arms length while considering the risk. Usually I’ll find myself on the road in fog but sometimes I’ll be muttering that I should have stayed home.
Crossing the summit of Tussey Mountain vision was a problem; the fog itself shrouded the road, and the moisture gathered quickly on the helmet visor, both working to make me squirm a bit in the seat.Continue Reading
Mesmerized by SunlightBlue skies and sunshine mediate any resistance left to winter. A ride in to town at 24F didn’t seem cold at all. The heated grips, mitts, heated insoles and Tucano Urbano Termoscud apron weave their magic to make the cold seem incidental to riding. So much so that I have to remind myself there’s still a chance of ice on the road.
So it is with winter Vespa riding.
Regardless, I’ve surrendered to the cold and choose to ride as I can. Turkey vultures glided overhead as I rode into town, momentarily taking my focus away from the road as I watched those quiet scavengers do their work. And suddenly I’m parking the scooter and on my way to Saint’s Cafe.Continue Reading
Snow Again: Dying of the LightAfter 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