vespa riding Archives - Scooter in the Sticks

Rotating Through Scooters and Motorcycles

October 22, 2024 by Scooter in the Sticks 16 Comments

scooters and motorcycles in a garage — My little fleet of scooters and motorcycles.

Too Many Scooters and Motorcycles?

How did I come to have five two-wheeled machines in my little one-bay garage? For fourteen years I was content with a single scooter for all my riding. At least that’s what I told myself, an unconscious dishonesty masking my true feelings and desires — a machine for every riding occasion I might engage.

I can be impulsive buying things that suddenly seem essential to my well being and quality of life. There’s a trail of impulsive purchases through my life from cameras to guns and fountain pens and books. Rather than deal with whatever emotional chaos that’s in front of me I seek the quick and exciting fix of buying things.

Looking at the scooters and motorcycles in my garage, frequently looking and thinking about them, only one borders on an impulsive purchase — the Honda Trail 125. Unlike other impulsive purchases that still sit unused in their box, the Honda has turned out to be a welcome addition to my riding life.

On the other hand, having five machines brings with it expense, maintenance, and other issues of ownership.

Scooting into Autumn

October 30, 2023 by Scooter in the Sticks 6 Comments

Sunrise at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. — Sunrise in mid-October.

Suddenly Autumn

Something has changed over the years regarding the onslaught of autumn and winter. I remember my first hunting trip with my father at 13. It was opening day of Small Game Season in Pennsylvania and as we got out of the truck it was snowing hard. It was mid-October. Long before I was scooting into autumn on a Vespa.

I quit hunting over 50 years ago but the memories of being in the woods with my dad remain fresh. And I remember many cold, wet, snowy days. But now mid-October seems like a lazy summer doldrum day as the sun rises over the dew covered grass as the dogs and I make our morning journey.

The picture was made two weeks ago and autumn emerged suddenly turning green leaves into a warm palette of red, orange, and yellow. And now the leaves are pouring onto the ground to soon reveal the harsh skeleton of winter.

I’m glad I’m aware of the changes. For a lot of my life I was distracted and focused on other things.

I Need to Go for a Ride

January 24, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 18 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter on a rural road. — On the road between calm and chaos.

Morning Chaos

These photographs and reflections are from a ride I made this past September 2021.

There is a short time interval between the calm and quiet of waking in the morning and the sudden jolt of frenetic chores, tasks, and running around. If I manage an hour of quiet time I feel blessed. And as the day continues to unfold and the chaos increases I find myself frustrated by what seems to be biological programming to shut down and do nothing. And it’s in those moments I think, “I need to go for a ride.”

It’s that thought that often has me dropping everything and heading out the door to save my soul. I let the Vespa do the heavy lifting.

The Art of Being Alone

January 10, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 47 Comments

Vespa GTS 250ie on a rural road. — Alone on a ride.

Clearing the Mind

Being alone is the only reliable way I’ve found of clearing my mind. It may take place in a chair by the window in my office, on a walk through the woods with the dog, or on a ride on my Vespa scooter. The common connection is that I am by myself, alone with my thoughts, and slowly unwinding whatever confusion, pain, or suffering I’m carrying.

For a long time, I saw the need for being alone as a defect in my character, some personal lacking reinforced by the messages from media, marketing, and society that implied the highest and best experiences take place with other people. And my choice to turn in a different direction seemed to be something for which to make excuses or hide. But eventually, I embraced the fact that I am an introvert and that I gain energy when I’m alone. And I see my energy drained in stimulating environments involving other people.

I’m not saying I can’t or won’t socialize with other people, but I require time being alone. And riding the scooter or motorcycle has provided a wonderful opportunity to accomplish it.