Scooter in the Sticks

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

Fading in the Rain

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Working with a laptop computer in a coffee shopWriting while fading in the rain

An afternoon apart from the office, a mistaken sense of freedom fueled by a dream of riding the Vespa.  Somewhere.  Anywhere.

Sitting in the Pump Station Cafe in Boalsburg, I can feel myself fading, eyes heavy and the desire to crawl in bed and disappear over powers and thought of riding.  Especially in the rain.

Like a sleeping potion, rain and gloom can reach inside and massage my soul into worldly submission.  Thought, movement, awareness — all adrift in a thick sea of sleepy pleasure.

Hot tea in paper cupAttention to detail

Next to me stands a cup of hot tea.  Wisps of steam dance wildly.  Tiny beads of moisture line the rim.  I can barely look let alone watch.  My fingers crawl across the keyboard in a slow march as my brain drains away onto the screen.

Soon I’ll take a sip of tea in hope it restores my soul and leads me into green pastures.  If I’m blessed, I may even find myself riding.

Somewhere.
Anywhere.

laptop computer and cookiesNo Vespa pictures

For a moment I wonder if I’m on a path to another heart attack.  Or just getting old.  Either way, my eye is on the two chocolate chip cookies to my left.  A personal failure to leave them uneaten for some reason.

There are no Vespa pictures and no adventures on the road.

The temperature is perfect as the hot tea strikes my tongue.  A simple pleasure; like a hot shower, rubbing a dog behind the ears, or riding a scooter or motorcycle along an empty road with only the echo of worldy concerns in my head.

The cookies are like a drug, straightening the spine and I reach for the camera. I wonder if climbing mountains or riding across continents can exceed the ecstasy of a good cookie?

The effects are wearing off; the arrival of more people and the attendant din of humanity can only agitate and cause a migration.

The Vespa is at home in the garage.  The rain has slowed to a drizzle.  Brand new tires may be slippery.  The evacuation of Penn State students at the end of the semester have the roads ugly with four-wheeled machines.

Rain clouds overheadRain clouds overhead

I have no idea where to go or what to do.  A familiar feeling, one I’ve come to appreciate for the unknown adventures in that place.

Nothing is happening.  Anything is possible.

Anything.  Even if I’m fading in the rain.

Vespa in the Fog

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Vespa at a rural intersection on a foggy morningFoggy Morning

This photo was made on the way to work just a mile from home on a less than direct route.

There’s a ritual that blooms each morning with the return to consciousness. Eyes scan the room, hand reaches for the water glass and the dog stirs in anticipation of a new day. Simple moments gather momentum from bed to shower and on toward the back door; two dogs now prancing as if today will be the best day ever.

Ever.

During those moments I glance out the window, a sneak peak of the story that might unfold in the next minutes and hours. When I see fog, like the dogs, I prance. Edging toward the end of the 62nd year on earth I feel lucky that I can be pushed to prance. The crashing of waves on a rocky coast, a sudden rainbow after a storm, tall white clouds against a strong blue sky — each has the power to unleash a dancing sprite that still breathes inside. Riding a scooter has added years to that dancer’s life.

And my own.

The prospect of riding to work in the fog causes all to fade in anticipation of the grey shrouded world of mystery and imagination. An ordinary, pedestrian trip from home to office becomes an epic journey of struggle and revelation.

I love riding a Vespa in the fog.

Vespa and fog breaking over a mountainClearing Skies

Some of the most dramatic landscapes are revealed beneath a clearing sky.  Sometimes those moments are fleeting as the clouds break for an instant allowing the light to change.  And then it’s gone.  I’ve watched the weather move through the Nittany Valley for over 40 years and it still holds my attention.

Riding a Vespa in the fog provides more opportunity to see the landscape that I ever did in a car.

Vespa in the fog along a rural roadAlong a Murky Road

Absent a horizon I can imagine roads stretching across great distances, I feel my spine stretch and stiffen, girding myself for adventure if only on a miniature scale. Riding has switched on genes first programmed when prehistoric ancestors pursued mastodons and saber toothed tigers — business of life and death that few riding on the roads of America ever approaches. For a few minutes I am more, greater than my self. Riding provides a lavish physical and emotional connection to the world. Fog transforms it to a realm of magic.

Vespa in the fog on a rural gravel roadRiding in the Fog

Let no rider be lured by fog’s siren song onto the rocks. There is much to tend in the real world — concerns for visibility both by the rider of others and others of the rider. Fogged visors and slick roads add to the challenge.

And the risk.

I never tire of considering risk. I value my life and respect the threats to it but I do not dwell on unfortunate coincidence or disaster. I never ask, “What if this happens to me?”. I always ask, “What if I have to stop riding?”

It’s a dark world in which I can’t ride. I know it will happen someday.  Choosing to stop riding is as puzzling to me as people who surrender their dog or cat to the pound because they purchased a new carpet. Things change.

Riding is indelibly etched in my DNA and has waited for decades to surface. There are no cures or 12 step programs. Only the burden of desire carried each day that claws inside whining and snarling to ride.

Fog only stirs the beast.

What ignites your riding desire?

Riding in Rain

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Vespa GTS scooter and rain in dawn lightScooter in the Dawn Light

A slight mist, rain in dawn light, an inscrutable affection for the world revealed as the road passes underneath the Vespa scooter on the way to work.  I’ve stood here before many times looking back across the valley toward home, wondering where I’m going. It’s part of riding in rain.

The simple answer is I’m riding to work in a mix of mist and light rain.  The temperature is near 50 degrees and there’s no need for rain gear — my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket and Joe Rocket riding pants are more than adequate on this day.  I’ve still not donned the Rev’It rainsuit that lives in the topcase.  Such is the nature of the rain I ride in.

Go slow, pay attention to the road, that mantra plays in my head.

Vespa GTS scooter along highway wallScooter in the Concrete

There is a lot of concrete between home and office.  Though smooth in a car it only takes a moment on foot to realize how ragged and abrasive it really is.  Even my armored clothes seem insignificant reflected against that hard angry surface.

Pay heed riders — the road is not your friend.

Vespa GTS scooter on rainy dayScooter in the Mist

Riding in rain seems so simple but when I stop a moment to think about it there’s a lot of things to consider that seem to happen automatically now — enough experience has been tendered that needs and concerns are programmed like a second nature.  Just look at “15 Tips for Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain” by madmoto and you’ll have an idea of what may be involved.

There’s a quiet in the world when it rains, even in these light mists.  And in the quiet the imagination blossoms so that by the time I get to work the day seems like a wonderful adventure.

Are your riding experiences in the rain positive?

My Seven Types of Riding Weather

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Steve Williams with his Vespa GTS scooterConsidering the Weather

Weather is a constant consideration when riding though the precise nature of the weather affects how much attention I give it.  Even during the warm months the local weather can change dramatically during the day.  More than once I’ve been caught without adequate protection when a hot day turned remarkably cool after the sun went down.  Or tree lined roads winding along cold water creeks were far cooler than the open road under full sun.  Move into the cooler months and on into winter and at times I feel like a meteorologist.

To think about all this I divide riding weather into seven categories to help physically and mentally prepare for a ride.  It’s almost instinctual now but the mental checklists help avoid being caught in circumstances that are uncomfortable or dangerous.

Motorcycle rider cooling off on a 100F dayHeat

Made this photograph on my way home from a BMW rally in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.  A bright summer day with brutal temperatures at and above 100F.  I soaked myself thoroughly from heat to foot with water before leaving the rally for the 90 mile ride home.  Less than 10 miles out I was bone dry, parched and sweating profusely.  The wind blast at 55 mph was hot and miserable and had me stopping every ten miles to down another bottle of water.

When I see the forecast indicating temperatures above 80F I make sure I have lots of water and wear fully vented riding gear including gloves.  I also make sure to stop often regardless of my desire to tough it out.  Dehydration comes on fast in high heat.

And remember, all of these weather accounts are unique to me.  Every rider will have a different level of physical and mental tolerance.  What’s important, I think, is for you to find yours.

Vespa GTS scooter in the rainRain

Riding weather that calls for rain has me thinking of gear, temperature and the estimate of rainfall (intensity).  Staying dry is more critical in the rain at 35F than it is at 80F but both can fell an unprepared rider when fingers and joints get cold and cease to function as expected.  And if my core gets cold that spells danger because I’ll be focused on trying to fight the cold rather than pay attention to the road.

Riding in the rain can be pleasant if there’s not a lot of traffic to content with.  Estimating what will be encountered on the road is an important consideration for me.  And like most bad weather or situations that impair visibility — I have to slow down.  Easy for me but seemingly difficult for other riders and most drivers.  That mismatch in speed on the road is something to think about.

Vespa GTS scooter in the fogFog

I love riding in fog because of the visual mystery and magic in presents.  I also realize the risk is greater that other drivers won’t see me.  Or me them.  As with rain, I consider where I’ll be riding, the amount and speed of traffic, and the density of the fog.  There have been a few rides where I should have stayed home because I couldn’t see 50 feet in front of me.  That’s not a common fog here in central Pennsylvania.

Vespa LX 150 in winter at Seven Stars, PennsylvaniaCold

I consider cold weather to be anything below 40F down to -15F. That’s the cold weather riding range for central Pennsylvania. Physically it’s easily managed with the right gear. Mentally it’s more difficult and fraught with myth, fear and demands on expertise and behavior.

Cold affects a body.  If you can’t keep the cold air out and your body warm best stay at home.  It also affects traction.  Tires that are nice and sticky in warm weather can be surprisingly slippery on cold bare pavement.  It requires an adjustment in riding approach, even with a scooter.

All of this holds down below zero.  The only thing I’ll add is that I worry about the battery in real cold weather, especially if the scooter is sitting while I stop to eat.  To be sure I always have enough starting power I always carry an AntiGravity battery in the topcase.

Vespa GTS scooter on snowy roadSnow

Snow is generally, for me at least, the unfortunate occurrence when you ride in the cold.  I don’t often venture out when it’s snowing unless I’m absolutely convinced the nature of the snow and the amount is manageable.  Wet snow around the freezing mark is more treacherous than dry snow at 20F.  Having snow tires on the scooter makes a big difference as well.

My advice on riding in the snow?

Don’t.

sheet ice on the road during a Vespa scooter rideIce

This is just plain unpleasant but like snow something that can occur when riding in the cold. Personally, I prefer snow over ice but that’s just me. This scene appeared the morning after a warm thaw on the previous day with lots of water running across the road in lots of places.  During the night that water froze solid creating awful challenges to navigate walking over let alone riding.

I had to flat foot a step at a time with the engine off to get the Vespa across these hazards.  Can’t imagine doing it with a tall or heavy motorcycle.

If you’re riding, especially on a long trip in the winter, you’ll likely encounter things like this.  If you whip around a curve and encounter this, well, you’ll probably meet the pavement.

Vespa GTS scooter on a rural road in summerPleasant Riding Weather

This is my physical sweet spot for riding – 40F through 80F.  I can deal with any typical weather presented short of a tornado or lightning storm with two sets of gear — warm weather and cold.  The expertise has been honed from slow and deliberate experimentation and with it the requisite mindset to keep myself safe.

If you’re a Memorial to Labor Day rider you’ll likely only have to deal with heat and rain.  Push far before or after those dates and you’ll need to think about a lot more potential situations.

I have my own taxonomy and definition of riding weather conditions.

Do you do something like this too?

Rain Riding

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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.
Soren Kierkegaard

Vespa GTS scooter on winding wet roadWith rain riding, the road is long and often dark.

Especially during the last week.  Rain and heavy overcast has created what can be an oppressive environment for riding both physically and mentally.  Rain riding often asks for a little extra from a rider to get on the road and stay safe while there.

Stopping along the road to make a photograph gives you a chance to examine the pavement you’re riding on.  A few steps, a drag of the sole of a boot along the road surface provides a sense of traction and the limits to work within.

And I’m always looking at the landscape in which my life unfolds.  On some days it can feel like a scene from a movie.

Vespa scooter alongside bicycle pathThe universe provides reminders that it’s not a movie.

Like finding a new bicycle path as a hint that some of my motorized riding could be transitioned to body powered travel in recognition of a healthier way of living.

I looked at my pink mountain bike today and considered riding it for a fleeting moment.

Vespa GTS scooter and farm landscapeThe world is a big place with magic everywhere.

I feel that but know it hasn’t always been the case.  Something changed that has allowed me to see the world differently.  I like to ascribe that change to riding the Vespa but I could just as easily credit my camera which has forced a continual visual engagement.

If pushed I would probably say the advancement of years has made everything more precious.  Looking around I realize how fleeting it all is.  Riding provides a front row seat on the world.  Getting older provides the patience to watch the show.

Round bales in a farm fieldReality is strange.

Riding across the valley south of State College brings a rider through some open, rolling agricultural areas.  The round bales almost seemed like some new form of livestock as they sat in the corn stubble.  The scene feels more like a painting than a photograph.

Vespa scooter and a foggy apple orchardYou can never see everything.

Fog and mist shroud the ridge tops obscuring the view. Imagination fills in the gaps and I’m always imagining Brigadoon.  Funny how stories stick in your head and trigger a desire for something magic to happen.  I have a long list of daydreams.

Vespa GTS scooter at the Pump Station Cafe in Boalsburg, PAThere is rest for the weary.

By the end of the ride, just shy of 50 miles, I was feeling the dampness and chill seep into my body.  Not painful or uncomfortable but enough to allow genuine appreciation of a hot drink in a warm place.  It’s easy to imagine travelers moving through the wilderness 200 years ago by wagon or horse and coming upon an inn at the end of a long day.

And so I sit with my hot tea staring out the window and imagining other lives and times, all because of a little rain riding.