Scooter in the Sticks

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

Riding on Warm Nights

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Vespa GTS scooter parked on the street in State College, PennsylvaniaAppreciating the Evening

As the daylight lingers a little longer each day the drastic cooling that takes place in winter and early spring slowly goes away.  And suddenly I realize I’m riding on warm nights.  Completely comfortable physically seems to allow more focused attention on the air — the warmth as it flows across my chest as I ride. It’s also filled with a vast collection of smells and fragrances — honeysuckle and Russian olive flowers perfume the evening air.  And moving across the landscape I can feel the subtle changes in temperature as the Vespa scooter cuts through invisible rivers of air flowing downward across the valley.

A hand clad in thin leather feels the throttle directly, so different than winter with heavily insulated gloves. I feel myself flying, soaring, enjoying every moment of the ride, free from the past six months of battling the cold.

Riding on warm nights.  I feel good.

I feel free.

Riding a Vespa Scooter

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Vespa GTS scooter at Pennsylvania Military MuseumThinking About Riding

After a week without riding,  I rolled it out of the garage, to test how far my still sore back has healed, and to quiet a mind grown restless from not being able to fly.  Trapped in a riding-less life, it’s odd to observe how much mental space is consumed by riding.  From waking in the morning and thinking about what gear might be appropriate to ride to work to gazing at night sky while the dogs run in the garden and wondering if it would be a good night to ride — it can seem like riding a Vespa scooter has taken on an unhealthy bite out of consciousness.

It’s like an addiction, gnawing at restraint, whispering rationalizations to reform reality, providing false evidence to gain what it wants — to be moving along on the road.

I took a short ride this evening,  through the village and on to the park, a riding researcher collecting data coldly disconnected from desire and want.  The prognosis is positive yet issues persist.  An intentional “bump” triggered a groaning response from my back.  Getting the Vespa on and off the center stand wasn’t a problem.  Mostly, no issues or concerns.

Another night of sleep and I may be able to ride a Vespa scooter again.

Odyssey in the Sticks

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Honda Ruckus scooterScooter in a Scooterless Day

The Vespa sat at home while I drove the Honda Odyssey to the dealer for it’s annual Pennsylvania safety inspection.  One of the service people rode their Ruckus scooter to work which provided a maintenance dose of scooterness.

I’ve always admired the looks and capabilities of the 49cc Honda Ruckus.  I can imagine one in my garage.

Aside from that brief glimpse my day would play out without a ride on two wheels.  It’s something every rider must deal with from time to time.

dusk on a wet roadPerfect Vespa Landscape

Rain passed through the valley  washing away some of the heat leaving a fine glow on the wet roads.  I forced myself to appreciate the glowing landscape and pull the van off the road for a photograph.  Standing in the middle of the road I was imagining the Vespa parked in that glow, headlight creating a poor of warm light on the wet pavement.

Not going to happen though.

Odyssey in the sticksOdyssey in the Sticks

It’s hard to imagine a blog build around life with the Honda Odyssey van.  I’m certain I could find ways to photograph the vehicle in a compelling manner but is there enlightenment behind the wheel of a minivan?

It was good to stop and look around, appreciate the evening, and think about tomorrow.

Wait.  I have to take the dog to the vet in the morning.  There’s more Odyssey in the Sticks for me…

Evening Riding

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Vespa GTS scooter at sunset

Riding at Sun Down

Often, I feel a sudden burst of mortal awareness as the sun nears the horizon. The end of something. Or perhaps the beginning. Life with the lizard brain is never easy to predict or understand — just relentless in it’s march of survival and desire.

I look to the sky whenever I feel stifled or trapped by a mind refusing to disconnect from the trials of a day. The tapestry of clouds and light kindled a need for the camera and a desire to go for a ride. Even a short journey through familiar ground.

A short time on the road.  Evening riding.

Pausing on the approach to the expressway to make a photograph I wondered at the longing for rest as I looked at the open sky. Riding, the Vespa is my counselor, questioning and directing a conversation no one can hear. It’s why I ride.

Vespa along freeway with truck

Flying the Expressway

Odd choice to ride on the expressway. It was the fastest route to what big sky we have; glimpses of what the landscape is like in the flatlands. Open and looking at heaven.

And then a monster roars by. The modern era bear or Tyrannosaurus. It’s hard to dismiss the destructive power of a large truck hurtling just a feet away. A potential embrace too awful to imagine.

Yet I continue to ride.

And enjoy it.

The joy of evening riding.