Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Vespa on Wet Roads

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Vespa on wet roads

Note to self:  Roads are slippery when wet.

Gray, gloomy and a mist-cum-drizzle situation as I heaved tennis balls around for the dogs this morning.  Since it wasn’t cold I decided to go for a ride.  I know what’s involved having a Vespa on wet roads. As I backed out of the driveway my boot slipped on a bright yellow maple leaf reminding me of the challenge of wet roads.

Unlike many rides the one this morning had a list — pharmacy, non-specific ride, Vespa dealer for motor oil and filter, and then home. Enough rain had fallen that any superficial oil and grease were washed away and a close eye on the pavement revealed few leaves that could hamper traction but a close eye was required for most of the ride.

Vespa parked at Pennsylvania State GamelandsKnow your surroundings.

While the Vespa on wet roads was my primary focus I was aware of other potential risks. In less than 48 hours these woods will be crawling with deer hunters.  Pennsylvania’s two-weekSo firearms season for whitetail deer will see somewhere in the neighborhood of 750,000 hunters in the woods on Monday.  Despite wearing a florescent yellow riding jacket, I tend to avoid riding through our state forests for awhile.

Vespa on wet roads

The Vespa on wet roads.

Water gathered quickly on the camera while making this photograph but not enough to prove a dangerous soaking.  With the temperature steady at 49F during the entire ride managing the traction challenges along with any physical discomfort was simple.  Shedding just a bit of normal speed was enough to manage the ride.

Wet winding country roadSo many great roads to ride in central Pennsylvania.

I have so many pictures like this.  The “s” shape informs the Scooter in the Sticks logo.  Pennsylvania is the land of winding roads.  Any ride, whether in the rain or snow or on a sunny day, can provide a myriad challenge to a rider’s skills.  Those same challenges work to provide a thrilling ride along with the possible danger. When asked why I ride in less than ideal weather I respond on managing risk and how I enjoy riding too much to stop.  But when I think about it — the road in this picture (and many like it) and what it means holds the key to why I ride.

Maybe you have your own reasons why you make decisions to take on added risk.

 

 

Slippery Scooter Tires

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Vespa is back on the road.  Muffler resurrected, winter tires in storage, battery rejuvenated, and a brand new pair of Kenda tires mounted for warm weather.  As all riders should know there is nothing quite as useless in terms of traction as a new pair of tires.  Combine that with wet roads and it’s just a slippery mess.  You always want to watch for slippery scooter tires.

Breaking the tires in will wait for dry pavement.  Instead just a quick trip down the street to the Pump Station to pick up a brownie.

That’s scooter riding adventure.

Perseverance, Weakness and the Question of Riding

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Vespa GTS scooter along wet rural road

The sound of rain falling as sleep fades and the day takes form draws pictures in my head — of mystical worlds shrouded in sheets of water and mist on some mornings, and others, like today, of toil and drudgery as I drag my mind and body through the relentless discomfort the weather presents.

Today I awoke to the latter.  Standing along the road with my little camera, happy and recognizing the fragile nature of being alive, how could I let a little rain move my mind into a state of reluctance at donning some riding gear for a handsome journey to work?

Vespa GTS scooter on farm road in the rain

The rain was fell lightly during the ride as the clouds thinned across the valley.  An hour earlier the only reasonable choice for commuting was the van and it’s steel and glass encasement isolating me from the world.

In 10 months I’ll commence my sixth decade on earth and the event gives rise to questions of age and waning strength and perseverance in the face of resistance.  I take comfort in the example set by a neighborhood bicyclist who pedals into town daily throughout the year — and he must be in his 90s.

Vespa GTS scooter on rural farm landscape in rain

So I managed another ride to work with a few detours and diversions and the inevitable whispering of “take the day off and ride…”.

Instead a last picture of a round bale in the lane and onward towards Penn State’s Beaver Stadium and the office.

It was a good day to ride.