Scooter in the Sticks

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

Aimless Wandering

by 31 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter in fog along railroad tracksWandering Along

The past few weeks have been a collection of exquisite riding weathers — fog, warm days, cool mornings.  For many riders it would open the door to long rides and adventure.  I wish I could say that’s what I’ve been doing.  But I’ve been doing some aimless wandering, on foot and on the Vespa scooter, but it’s not so much about the physical act as it is about engaging the senses.  Relishing the perceptions of being out in the world.

I stood for a long time at this railroad crossing gazing at the edge where what’s visible disappeared into the fog.  I wasn’t looking for anything; just feeling life flow around and through me.

That’s often the case when I’m riding the scooter.Continue Reading

See the World

by 18 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter at sunset along a rural roadRoad of Life

The ride is not always the end in itself.  Sometimes it’s an excuse for something else.  For me, that excuse is a desire to see the world.

After a day at work, or in some situation where I’m cut off from “the world”, I feel the pull to get out and away and experience the thrum and sound of the places and people who I share this space.  The Vespa scooter as it winds it’s way along roads and through towns, the places it delivers me to drink tea and watch the people around me, it is the perfect tool to serve up a dose of the world.

The rain moved out of the valley by the end of the day and the long light as the sun neared the horizon painted a dazzling portrait.  Riding the scooter along the rural roads near home entertained the senses — the sweet smells of flowers and grass, the sound of birds lost in twitterpation at the end of a day, and the mesmerizing scenes that unfold mile after mile.Continue Reading

Restorative Powers of Scooter Riding – or Motorcycles

by 54 Comments

Portrait of Vespa scooter rider Steve Williams reflected in mirror

Canon G15 6.1mm 1/1000 @ f2.8 ISO 100

Riding Reflections

This will be a short post.  It’s premise and conclusions obvious to many who already ride a scooter or motorcycle.  To others, and perhaps most of those men and women who are thinking about riding, the idea that riding has any sort of powers or rewards beyond transportation or recreation may not even register in their thinking.

I don’t want to preach.  I’ve long ago understood that what I believe, the actions and approaches that work for me, may be utterly useless for others.  We each walk (or ride) our own path and come to understand and embrace what we will regardless of what others accept or reject.Continue Reading

Ride More, Worry Less

by 25 Comments

Ride More, Worry Less graphicRiding Realizations

Riding alone provides extended opportunities to think.  It’s one of the unlooked for benefits of riding that partially fuels my year round riding.  That thinking serves to clear out the noise and cobwebs that collect between my ears on a minute by minute, hour by hour basis and can lead to a wonderful variety of concerns, frustrations and generally annoying states of mind.

Spending time on the Vespa is good medicine for the mind.  That prescription provides relief that can be described in four simple words — ride more, worry less.

Comfortably reclined in my first class easy chair this evening, I spend some time inspecting those words.  I’m generally skeptical of slogans and other textual pablum that infests the interwebs.  But this one, it works.  So off I went to create a graphic reminder of the discovery I’m sure has already been made by thousands of other riders.  To non-riders still grinding their teeth in the comfort of their SUVs, or talking to the terribly under-skilled drivers in other vehicles, I can only suggest their is a path available to improve your mental wellbeing that doesn’t involve Pilates, yoga, therapy or drugs.  It merely calls upon you to step away from the maddening crowd and say you’ve had enough.

That and a scooter or motorcycle.

A Walk in the Woods

by 27 Comments

Danner boots on walkerThe Boots Are Made For Walking

Sometimes it’s good for the soul to take a walk in the woods.  It works the body, it works the mind.  Afterwards, whatever was chewing on the spirit is often gone.  Just a mile down the road from my home is the Stan Yoder Memorial Nature Preserve, a fifteen acre plot of land in Boalsburg that was rescued from development by the community.

It’s a good place to wear out my Danner hiking boots.

Trail in the Stan Yoder Memorial PreserveInto the Woods

This time of year the preserve is generally empty save from the birds and small mammals that live there.  Signs of deer and bear can also be found from time to time.  But mostly it’s quiet and provides a measure of solitude for anyone with a few minutes to walk.

Trail at the Stan Yoder Memorial PreserveDown the Trail

Each time I walk through the preserve I’m reminded of how rejuvenating a walk in the woods can be.  It’s not unlike a ride on the Vespa scooter only a bit more physically challenging.  Often I’m here with a dog.  I’m thinking in the future I may bring along lunch and just hang out and breathe…

Dog log bags at the Stan Yoder Memorial PreserveDog Log Support

I always travel with plastic bags in my pocket.  But for those dog owners that forget you’ll find a couple reminders and resources to keep the preserve free of canine land mines.  I didn’t see any on this walk.

Bench at the Stan Yoder Memorial PreserveSitting

For a lot of people this place must be a bore.  No ball fields or tennis courts.  No picnic pavilions with barbecue grills or tennis courts or swing sets.  There’s nothing to do.  In a world of frenzied activity and chaos a park like this is a romantic anachronism.  How many people want to sit alone on a bench in the woods and write poetry anymore?

View at the Stan Yoder Memorial PreserveThe Woods

I would have loved this place as a kid.  These days I would be shocked to see any kids here without their parents.  Different world now.  In all the years I’ve been coming here I bet I’ve not seen a dozen people.  I wonder what that says…

2017 Brave, Bold Blogger Challenge

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