Scooter in the Sticks

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

Vespa GTS Scooter — A Chore Runner

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Vespa GTS scooter parked in the shade in a bank parking lot.
Successful chore running means finding the shady parking spot.

The Right Choice for Errands

Of the scooters and motorcycles in my garage, the Vespa GTS scooter is my first choice for running errands. Why? Because it is utterly simple to use and it has more than enough power for any situation I will encounter. And among all the things it is good at, it is the perfect chore running machine. And on this day I had four chores to accomplish.

By the time I arrived at the bank to deposit a check I was already appreciating why the Vespa GTS scooter was the right choice.

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Avoiding Chores

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Vespa GTS scooter is self wash bayAvoiding the Obvious

Almost any chore can be undesirable or oppressive.  The difference between that and something that done with ease, or better, an action that provides a reward, is attitude.  At least I like to think of it that way and not just a matter of laziness.

Washing dishes, mopping a floor, raking leaves — just some of the activities that can provide, when my head is in the right place, a quiet meditative experience.

Not so washing my Vespa scooter.  I never enjoy that chore.  In a post titled Annual Vespa Wash I confess to a “…pathological disinterest in maintenance…”.

I can’t remember the last time I washed the scooter.

Vespa GTS 250ie scooter in snowWhy Clean When You Can Ride.

Riding is the important goal and there are enough things that intrude (health, weather, work) that I have no control over that I don’t want to manufacture more things that will keep me off the scooter.  At least that’s the delusion which animates my spirit. And I accept the genuine possibility that it is a profound character defect that exacts a price in dollars.

But so far, I just don’t care.

2017 Brave, Bold Blogger Challenge

This post is part of a month long writing prompt challenge conceived by Kathy at Toadmama.com.

Open Road

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open rural road with a Vespa scooterPerfect Saturday

Clear skies, open road, Vespa.  The perfect Saturday morning.  Almost.  One element is missing — time. Looking down the road I see nothing but possibilities. A quick look at my to-do list and I grudgingly accept this ride will be short.

Regardless, even a short ride is good.  Allows me to set the tone for the weekend in a relaxed manner.  As long as I don’t resent not being able to follow the road over the horizon.

watermelon and baguette on Vespa scooterPerfect Carrier

The Vespa can handle a lot of cargo.  Under the seat, hanging from the purse hook, in the topcase, on the front rack or strapped on the seat.  If a rider is inclined you can do things most people would consider a little crazy.

At least it seems that way to me.

I’m a creature of habit.  Summer time means watermelon. Lots of it.  And breathing means bread.  Preferably a crusty variety.  And whatever I get I always gnaw on it before it arrives home.

That’s what a perfect Saturday ride looked like this time.

Elegant Vespa Utility

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Vespa carrying a long baguetteBeauty and Bread

On the way home from work I stopped at the Boalsburg Farmer’s Market to grab some things for dinner.  All my choices fit under the seat or in the top case save for the long baguette.  Can’t believe in all the years I’ve been riding and getting groceries I’ve not faced the baguette dilemma — how do you handle the classic long bread?

Having no beret didn’t help.  I remembered the famous image of a man and young boy riding down a tree lined road with a baguette strapped across the back of their bicycle.  After searching the scooter for a few seconds I realized the front rack not only is capable of hauling watermelons, it can carry bread as well.

Can there be an expression of elegant Vespa utility than that?

Strangled by Circumstance

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Vespa parked along College Avenue in State College, PAIn case you wondered why the posts have dried up I’ve not been abducted by aliens, I’ve not had another heart attack and I’ve not entered a monastery.  I’ve just been strangled by circumstance.

Among the many things that have diverted attention away from the Vespa and riding has been a transition to a new job managing digital education.  Part of that includes developing 50 or 60 online training courses by July.  And a few other things.

And the holidays and family attract time and attention.  Two dogs constantly ask for me and I have my own personal regimen of post heart attack dances to attend to.

Vespa scooter illegally parkedEven the pictures of the Vespa seem a bit strangled by stuff.  I’ve not ridden as much lately and that’s never a formula for joy.  But I still ride when my brain allows, when I’m not strangled by circumstance.

At the Pump Station in Boalsburg, PAMost rides of late have taken me somewhere to relax, reflect, eat and write.  But nothing I can share here.  Just the regular ravings of an old man resisting the draw to go quietly into the night.

I do have some photos to share and some stories about riding in the frozen fog we were blessed with for a week or more.  For now though, I just want to check in and say hello.