Scooter in the Sticks

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

Treasure of Experience

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Vespa and BMW motorcycle in a drivewayRainy Morning

I was glad I decided to wear my winter riding jacket on this cool, wet morning. It would be mid-afternoon before the temperature rose to the point where I found it necessary to open the jacket vents. And it would also be clear that the ride was a treasure of experience.

Arriving at my friend Paul’s house the plan was to ride south for breakfast. A light rain had me wondering if it wouldn’t be best to go somewhere local to avoid a drastic change in the weather.

Sometimes venturing out under a cloud of uncertainty, weather or destination, just doesn’t feel great.

Still, we rolled out onto the road with only a vague notion of where we were going.Continue Reading

Weekend Rituals

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Vespa GTS scooter parked in State College, PennsylvaniaFamiliar Ground

I can’t count how many times I’ve parked my Vespa here. An act so common that I’ve taken dedicated motorcycle parking for granted. For as much as I blabber about riding helping to be present and aware of the world, I’ve somehow forgotten to be grateful for this gift from the parking gods.

Gratitude is a powerful force. It can move a dark world into the light. I recently spent ten minutes making a list of the things for which I’m grateful. Just a quick, anything that comes to mind, list. I’m grateful for hot showers, chocolate, family, friends, money in my pocket. I’m grateful for a sunny day. Things like that. It’s a bit startling to see how much came to mind.

Next time I’m complaining about the cold, and allowing it to stack up with a lot of other negative crap, I may look at that list again. And steer clear of the dark place.

Especially with a new battery in the Vespa — I have nothing to complain about.Continue Reading

Modest Riding

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Vespa GTS scooter on a snowy dayOn the Road — Often and Always

When I started riding, it was all about the exhilaration of flight over the road. The pure physical stimulation of piloting the scooter was intoxicating to the point that nothing much else matter. Over time, riding infected thought and deed. My brain was always scheming and looking for an excuse to ride. Didn’t matter if it was hot outside or if there was snow on the ground. The Vespa scooter and I found our way into the world. In that obsession an appreciation of modest riding developed.Continue Reading

Vespa in Mud

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Vespa GTS scooter along deeply mudded roadMud

Riding a Vespa in mud isn’t a great idea.  The small wheels and street tires can bog down and leave the scooter motionless.  Worse, you run the risk of sucking wet stuff into the air intake which is quite low on the scooter.  The only plus side is the relatively light scooter (compared to a big adventure bike) can be pushed or pulled out of the muck.

Fortunately, in this case I could easily ride around the mud.  But I’ve been on a number of muddy roads that did not offer that option.  In almost every case I was able to continue onward, however ugly, without incident.  Only a couple times that I remember did I have to turn back.  Usually because of deep water associated with the mud.

So, checking my list of things the Vespa doesn’t do well:

  1. Deep, watered mud
  2. Speeds in excess of 80mph
  3. Production of ear splitting noise

That’s about all I can recall at the moment.  I’m sure there are more but right now I just don’t care…

Vespa Scooter Rider

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Vespa GTS windshield on a cold dayAcclimating to the Cold

It was a bracing morning. Perhaps too cold for a Vespa scooter rider. Could see the steam rising from the furnace vent, a sure sign that it was cold. As I pulled on my heavy winter boots the heavy frost on the car windshield was another reminder of the cold. At 1F I trudged along with the dogs wondering if I should take the Vespa for a ride.

There were reasons to venture out — blood tests for my next visit with the doctor, food, fuel for the Vespa. But the morning temperature was too low for my brain to negotiate a ride with my body.

By early afternoon it was a balmy 20 degrees — perfect for a little riding and errands. First stop was to pick up some MRI reports. The normally indifferent staff at the medical facility seemed to perk up a bit when I walked in with my flourescent green riding jacket with helmet in hand. When you ride in winter — people notice. Non-riders notice.Continue Reading