Scooter in the Sticks

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

Into the Woods

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Vespa GTS scooter on a forest road
A stop in the woods as I made my way toward the top of the mountain.

Exploring in Spring

With the arrival of spring new roads and path open for riding the Vespa. With the melting of mountain snow, I can head into the woods again. Riding on dirt and gravel is not the first choice for most scooter riders. My Vespa GTS performs adequately only because my style of riding is slow and steady. Neither the tires nor suspension allow me to race along as I might on a dirt bike.

Still, I was excited to venture through the woods and on into the mountains. The approach on paved roads offered the familiar sense of flying I’ve felt before, but when I adjustment to the gravel roads was like moving in slow motion. The road and landscape come into sharp focus and I seemed to be seeing everything.

It’s these startling shifts in perception that happen while riding that keep me riding.

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Signs of Spring

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Vespa GTS scooter in car wash baySpring Bath

It’s a sure sign of spring when I finally decide to spray the salt and grime off the Vespa.  The temperature rose into the sixties and it was time to pull the Termoscud apron off the scooter and run down the street to the car wash.  Doesn’t take long to remove evidence of winter riding with a high pressure cleaning wand.

From a distance the scooter still looks ok.Continue Reading

Time of Plans and Projects

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Vespa GTS and spring blossomsStarting Up

The world is a luxuriant tapestry of spring flowers, the fragrance of spice viburnum and honeysuckle fill the air and there is a sense of endless possibility after the long winter.  Riding becomes easy with many rewards to the spirit and body.  No wonder it gives rise to the time of plans and projects. Lots of things are starting up.

How did a lightness of feeling turn into one of organized action? I dream of being a kid when laying in the grass watching clouds was serious business — interrupted only by the arrival of the milk truck with it’s treasure of pint bottles of chocolate milk.

Parked in a field at the Pennsylvania Military Museum, it’s easy to see and smell the signs of spring. Great weather for riding but spring always seems to be my slowest riding season.

At least it feels that way.

Vespa GTS reflection in parking lot at workRide to Work

Most rides are to work — the six to eight mile jaunt, depending on route, that leaves the Vespa parked outside my office building.  In my head, my dreams, I’m not parked here but somewhere else — flying through the world.

My lizard brain is driving me to get things done — at work, at home — survival and responsibility. Rough calculations indicate I might need to wheel 20 cubic yards of river gravel into the garden soon as part of a modification driven by dogs.  Turf in shade is delicate and can’t withstand the pounding and skidding of dog paws.

I felt a twinge in my back when I thought about shoveling and hauling so much gravel in a wheelbarrow…

Vespa at a construction siteWhich Way to Go?

Construction lays bare the earth below.  Riding can do the same thing to mind and body.  Never know what you’ll find simmering below the surface.  So many choices — check that — so many demands calling right now.  Hard to know which way to go.  Especially in the time of plans and projects.

Don’t know which way I’ll go.  Perhaps it’s time to retreat to the darkroom again.  I have film to process.  The chemicals are ready.

Who knows what the day will bring.

That’s the best part of the adventure right?