Scooter in the Sticks

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

Ride to Work 2016

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Vespa GTS scooter in open fieldOn the Ride to Work

It was pure coincidence that I rode to work on Ride to Work Day.  After two weeks off I left early enough for a leisurely commute and stopped to make one photograph during a small rustic detour.  At 7:30am the temperature was already above seventy degrees.  It was a near perfect ride to work.

Ride to Work poster 2016Ride to Work Day

Only later in the day did I realize it was Ride to Work Day.  Judging by the small number of motorcycles and scooters I saw on the road today it’s hard to imagine there being much traction to the idea of commuting on two wheels.  There are a zillion practical reasons why commuting in a car or truck is the common choice while the perception of two-wheeled commuting is inconvenient and downright dangerous.  And motorcycles and scooters are, well, toys.

As long as the machines we love are looked upon by much of the public, and our elected officials, as toys and recreational vehicles, we shouldn’t expect much in the way of support or respect.  Perhaps the Ride to Work effort will add to the voices of riders in America.

I know there are a few things I would like to see happen.  Selfish things.  Traffic lights that respond to a scooter.  Paint used for road lines that doesn’t become slippery when wet.  Parking spaces for motorcycles so I don’t feel bad taking up an entire space with my scoot.

Just to name a few.

I wonder, if we were making a list, what kind of concerns would we tally up as riders?

Midday Wander

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Vespa scooter with Moto Guzzi motorcycleRide to Work

With the arrival of warm weather comes more competitors for the three motorcycle spaces outside my office.  There are alternatives but it’s nice to be fifty steps from the door.  The scooter and Moto Guzzi are strangers to me.  Being this close it’s easy to jump on the Vespa for a quick errand or midday wander.

At lunch time I hauled a banana and water bottle and rode off for some quiet time on the road, food, and an energy charge before tackling an afternoon of work.

Vespa on bright sunny dayBlue Skies Are Calling

I have absolutely no expectations during a midday wander other than getting back to the office to work on a presentation.  The rest is an exercise in consumption of blue skies and warm air — a testament to just one aspect of riding a scooter.

I wonder how many riders take off at lunchtime for a a little ride?Out

Vespa in a grassy fieldOutstanding in the Field

The scooter is actually parked on the road.  Careful placement of the camera makes it seem like the Vespa is outstanding in the field — unique and alone — which is true.  There are scooters.  And there is a Vespa.

By the time I parked the scooter again and got to my desk I had a fresh perspective on life and the presentation.  Nothing like a midday wander to reset the creative engine.