Scooter in the Sticks

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

Swiftly Craved Ride

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Vespa GTS scooter in muddy field at duskWings of Desire

Cold, raining and the approach of night — individually each reason enough to stay home and safe.  Yet off I went on the wings of desire, a swiftly craved ride striking me from the warm embrace of a reclining chair, mind sudden burning with one thought — to be on the road.

It’s been weeks since I’ve been on the Vespa, illness sapping strength and desire and rendering me a mortal, non-riding man.  How dim that life…

And suddenly the desire to ride flamed again.  Who can ignore that call? Even if it leads to a field of soft mud…

Vespa GTS scooter in Boalsburg, PennsylvaniaFading at the End of the Day

I’ve walked this sidewalk in Boalsburg hundreds of times in all weathers and times of day; with dogs and friends, view cameras and Leicas.  It’s home and I’ve yet to tire of it.  Can’t fathom to call to stop the Vespa and stand again looking; as if it’s the last night of my life.

I can only think I’ve been inside for too long.

Vespa GTS scooter at a Sunoco stationPragmatism

A fuel light on the Vespa’s instrument cluster returns me to earth and the local Sunoco station to add some high octane fuel to the tank.  Part of me wants to keep riding — east or west, it doesn’t matter whether other than to stay on the road.  But there’s business to attend to that I can’t, or shouldn’t ignore.  The cold, damp air has started a cough, another pragmatic reminder that a swiftly craved ride may mask another goal — completely recover from the illness that’s dogged me for nearly two weeks.

So off home in the dark for food and work and chores — each made a bit more handsome as seen from the vantage point of smiling rider.

Do you suddenly stand up and venture into the gloom for no good reason other than a craving to ride?

Vespa on Wet Roads

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Vespa on wet roads

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.

Vespa parked at Pennsylvania State GamelandsKnow 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.

Vespa on wet roads

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.

Wet winding country roadSo 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.