Note to self:  Roads are slippery when wet.

Gray, gloomy and a mist-cum-drizzle situation as I heaved tennis balls around for the dogs this morning.  Since it wasn’t cold I decided to go for a ride.  I know what’s involved having a Vespa on wet roads. As I backed out of the driveway my boot slipped on a bright yellow maple leaf reminding me of the challenge of wet roads.

Unlike many rides the one this morning had a list — pharmacy, non-specific ride, Vespa dealer for motor oil and filter, and then home. Enough rain had fallen that any superficial oil and grease were washed away and a close eye on the pavement revealed few leaves that could hamper traction but a close eye was required for most of the ride.

Know your surroundings.

While the Vespa on wet roads was my primary focus I was aware of other potential risks. In less than 48 hours these woods will be crawling with deer hunters.  Pennsylvania’s two-weekSo firearms season for whitetail deer will see somewhere in the neighborhood of 750,000 hunters in the woods on Monday.  Despite wearing a florescent yellow riding jacket, I tend to avoid riding through our state forests for awhile.

The Vespa on wet roads.

Water gathered quickly on the camera while making this photograph but not enough to prove a dangerous soaking.  With the temperature steady at 49F during the entire ride managing the traction challenges along with any physical discomfort was simple.  Shedding just a bit of normal speed was enough to manage the ride.

So many great roads to ride in central Pennsylvania.

I have so many pictures like this.  The “s” shape informs the Scooter in the Sticks logo.  Pennsylvania is the land of winding roads.  Any ride, whether in the rain or snow or on a sunny day, can provide a myriad challenge to a rider’s skills.  Those same challenges work to provide a thrilling ride along with the possible danger. When asked why I ride in less than ideal weather I respond on managing risk and how I enjoy riding too much to stop.  But when I think about it — the road in this picture (and many like it) and what it means holds the key to why I ride.

Maybe you have your own reasons why you make decisions to take on added risk.