ice cream Archives - Scooter in the Sticks

A 2001 Kawasaki W650 motorcycle parked along a highway. — Alone on the road, I don’t often know where my thoughts will lead.

Why We Ride

A fine marketing slogan that swept through the Moto-world a few years ago with the predictable declarations of freedom and escape. I don’t deny those things for they are certainly present, but there is something larger at work as I ride.

On the surface, I rolled the Kawasaki W650 motorcycle out the door to ride to breakfast. Alone, on a hot day, by myself. A simple act with nothing much on my mind as I pulled the choke and thumbed the machine to life.

And almost instantly I was climbing up the Allegheny Front on a road I generally avoid.

Evening Ride

At 5:04 p.m. an alert vibrated the iPhone sitting on my desk warning of a severe lightning storm and calling for the evacuation of two athletic stadiums on Penn State’s University Park campus. For once my decision not to ride because of the weather made sense. Three hours later the weather cleared and the Vespa was fully engaged in an important mission. The line of fire across the sky signified the importance of the task at hand.

Traveling at Dusk

Swift movement at dusk through the central Pennsylvania landscape inspires a heighten sense of risk; Bambi is lurking just beyond the green fringe, waiting to intercept the feckless rider. As missions can push limits it’s important to remain attentive, focused, and bring all skills and powers to the task at hand.

Vespa GTS scooter on rural road during an evening ride

Fragrant Air

Fragrance and fluctuation of air temperature seek to move the mind from the eye to the nose like mythological sirens luring the unsuspecting towards the rocks. A few words of silent meditation refocuses concentration on the mission at hand, interrupted by the sharp pierce of a mosquito’s proboscis through my cheek.

On the Vespa goes.

Vespa GTS scooter parked after an evening ride

Silent and Swift

Only minutes left, moving silently across the parking lot, like a special operator in a hostage rescue, hyper-focused, committed, single-minded. Moment by moment the number of possible decisions shrink until I’m face-to-face with the target. Time slows as I move like a shadow with singular intent.

Mission Notes

Mission complete, target secure, two pints of fine frozen dessert — Ben and Jerry’s and Talenti — on route to a Friday evening summit with my significant other. It was a productive evening ride.

Even the little trips are fun and full of surprises. Life is always an adventure on two wheels. Life is better with a Vespa scooter.