Scooter in the Sticks

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

Tucano Urbano Termoscud: Beating Back the Cold

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Vespa GTS scooter with Tucano Urbano Termoscud apronReady for Winter

Almost.  Still need to mount the Heidenau K66 SnowTex tires.  But I have to say the Tucano Urbano Leg Lap Apron Cover Termoscud for the Vespa GTS really makes a difference in terms of keeping the frigid winter air at bay. And in typical style, I finally acquired a tool others have been suggesting for years.  If nothing else, I’m slow to heed good advice.

I’m still not able to make any long rides but I have been using the Vespa to run errands.  The temperature has been cooperating in a manner that provides a clear picture of the Termscud’s cold busting power.  Instead of the layers of polypropylene long underwear, jeans and my heavy insulated over pants, the Termscud allowed me to comfortably ride with jeans alone at 25F.  I’m not often impressed with moto accessories but this had me smiling.Continue Reading

Snow Day

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Snow covered car in snowy drivewayWorst Snow Storm of the Season = Snow Day

Years ago, this amount of snow, eight inches or so, would not raise an eyebrow or concern.  Life would continue on.  The school buses might run a little behind schedule but otherwise it would just be a regular day with snow added to the mix. When I looked out the front door I was greeted by this scene.

Between the weather media and the government the fragrance of disaster and emergency fill the minds of anyone who listens.  The schools were closed.  Activities at Penn State were cancelled.  The coffee shop down the street was closed.  But the roads were mostly clear.  I could have taken the Vespa out for a ride by noon.

But this was the worst snow storm of the season.  We had a snow day.Continue Reading

End of Winter Riding

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Man's shadow on a plowed farm fieldSeeing My Shadow

On Wednesday morning the sky was clear and the air warmed quickly from a 27 degree start.  The brilliant sunrise painted a crisp shadow on the farm field along the road where I parked my Vespa scooter.  By noon the temperature was in the fifties and my delusion of spring strengthened.  Two days later, right now, just after midnight, the temperature is plunging into the teens with a brisk wind.

Spring has deserted me.  As with the groundhog who sees his shadow, more winter is coming. And more winter riding.

Vespa GTS scooter at sunriseWarm Weather Fantasy

My well-worn Vespa GTS scooter still glistens in the early morning light. At this time of year I often stand in beams of sunlight on my face, absorbing heat, believing my body is generating Vitamin D and putting me in synch with the natural rhythm of the world.

This stop, just three miles from home, has provided many opportunities to worship the sun.

Vespa GTS scooter along rural roadBig Sky Country

This is about as big as the sky gets.  Nothing compared to the Midwest or West.  Aside from views from hilltops, you never really get a sense of the larger horizon.  At times it’s a claustrophobic world.

The scooter doesn’t care and I don’t either.  I am happy to ride whenever I can and look forward to warmer weather.  Right now, I have little hope of riding in the morning.  The dogs don’t want to go out.  I probably won’t either…

Vespa Below Freezing

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Vespa GTS scooter parked along streetEmbracing Cold Weather

There’s been some cold, gray days lately.  Add wind and it get miserable.  The transition from warm weather to cold has grown more difficult the past few years.  In part because of physical changes, but mostly mental hurdles of my own creation.  Riding a Vespa below freezing has changed.

I converted this photograph to black and white because it more accurately reflects the way I have been feeling lately on the road with the scooter.  No wonder or joy.

Saint's Cafe in State College, PennsylvaniaFog and Steam

Made this photograph right after I arrived at Saint’s Cafe.  The frozen lens on my little Canon G15 camera immediately fogs up when it comes in contact with the steamy air of the coffee shop and gives the picture a little misty look.

If there’s one thing about winter riding that is still exhilarating it’s coming in from the cold.  The wonderful feeling that comes from heat remains something I look forward to.

Steve Williams, Vespa rider, reflected in windowReflecting on Cold Weather

I used to like cold weather.  Something’s happened though.  A litany of nagging physical issues has turned cold weather into a nuisance.  At times worse — a danger — to my body.  Some might wonder why I even consider riding when it’s cold.  I can only confess an attraction to the challenge.

Looking at myself reflected in a window in a local bank I wonder who I am.  Or am becoming.  If I park the Vespa for the winter — that’s not a good omen.

For me.

Vespa GTS scooter on rural roadRelearning How to Ride in Cold Weather

It’s easy to ride in the winter on clear roads with no traffic.  But that’s not alway the environment I ride through.

On the way into town I was reminded of how suddenly things can change on the road.  Not far from the house is a big intersection with a traffic light.  I’ll normally move through at 45mph.  Fortunately, the light turned red and I had to stop.  As I slowed I could see a sheet of ice stretching across both lanes and extending about 15 feet into the intersection.  Had I hit that at 45mph, well, I like to tell myself I would have just let the scooter roll straight through but I’m not sure that would have worked.  It was difficult to navigate across at a crawl when the light turned green.

Winter riding lesson — even when the roads appear clear and dry you need to be scanning and looking constantly.  I wasn’t.  Haven’t fully dusted off my winter riding skills yet.

And I probably won’t for awhile.  The Vespa is off the road for a bit — perhaps into next year.  But that’s a story for another post.

How Do I Decide to Ride the Scooter in Cold Weather?

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frost on a car windshieldIce in the Morning

It’s been getting colder the past few mornings. The cars are coated with frost, subtle reminders of the ice and snow to come. It’s been cold enough that my body and mind strive against each in consideration of a chilly ride to work.

If you’ve ever wondered how a decision is made to climb aboard the Vespa when the thermometer nears the freezing mark, here’s a short reflection of my own rationalizations.

I starts almost the moment I wake. Eyes open, body slowly unwinding in slow stretches and groans, a physical coming back to life that leads to a dim assessment of, “How do I feel?”.

From there the mental ramp up begins. My knee-jerk thought is, “I want to ride.”. It’s mindless and without evidence to support it and perhaps similar to a lot of behaviors that are automated but shouldn’t be. It’s at this point that research begins to support or deny a conclusion on whether I will ride or now.

Almost simultaneously I’ll be thumbing the iPhone to my weather app while running costume choices for the ride. Long underwear? Sweater, or perhaps some extra layers? These considerations happen quickly, almost subconsciously.

The show plays a strong role in the process with the steamy water driving away the chill which speaks loudly to choose the car. Aside from serious illness, a hot shower in the morning can almost convince me that anything is possible. It’s a vastly under-appreciated pleasure.

Dog number one joins me in bed as I struggle to pull on polypropylene long underwear and heavy socks. It’s not long before dog number two arrives to nose and nudge me toward decidedly non-riding priorities.

bittersweet berries at dawn in a gardenBittersweet Morning

Kim is thrilled we have finally established non-invasive, native bittersweet in our garden, the fiery red berries warm the eyes on a cold morning.

Out the back door and into the morning air for the first time it would not be uncommon to think how nice it would be to drive to work.

The dogs force a morning march to embrace their desire to breathe in the day, send messages to other creatures capable of reading their signs, and celebrate the physicality of being canine. This march is comprised of laps around the yard along a series of walkways and paths of both human and dog construction. One lap comprises an eight of a mile.  In a short time I’ll gain a half-mile of walking in the yard.  I wonder how often others pace their properties.  Our turf turned woodland provides a walk in the woods.

female Belgian Sheepdog laying on pine needlesBelgian Sheepdog Companions

By the time Lily decides to take a break during the walk and ball throwing, I’ve come closer to a decision on whether to ride.  I’ve either become invigorated by the cold or beaten down by it.  On this morning I’m already on the road in my head.

Vespa GTS scooter along interstate highwayScooter on the Freeway

Cold weather riding, scooter or motorcycle, is always made easier by bright sunlight.  On the way to work I stopped along the freeway to soak up some sunshine.  A vitamin D stop. These stops also afford the opportunity to make adjustments to gear to more effectively manage the cold.  Heavier gloves, tightening sleeves to minimize air flow and other weak spots that allow cold air to get to tender skin.

Vespa GTS scooter and Mt. NittanyCrisp, Clear Mornings

I’m almost always glad I’m riding on a cold day.  The challenge of overcoming the environmental conditions sharpens my senses and imbues a feeling of being in control of my destiny.  If only for a short time.

While I counsel a lot of people to not ride in the cold, especially when the temperature is near or below the freezing mark, I have to admit it is a satisfying experience to overcome the weather.

It won’t be long now until the snow tires go on the Vespa…