Scooter in the Sticks

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

Vespa Off Pavement

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Vespa GTS scooter along gravel road in Rothrock State ForestRider, Tires or Vespa?

Last year I could easily ride the scooter along a stretch of gravel road like this at 35 to 45 mph without much trouble.  Now at 25mph I’m backing off the throttle. Have I changed?  After some more focused investigation this past weekend I’ve come to the conclusion the tires I now have on the Vespa aren’t much good when you leave the pavement.  And they may explain why I unexpectedly dropped the scooter recently on some steep, loose shale.

So I headed out into the Rothrock State Forest just a few miles from my front door; nearly a quarter million acres of forests spread across the mountains of three counties — perfect for testing a theory:  Heidenau K61 Racer scooter tires don’t perform well with the Vespa off pavement.

Vespa GTS scooter at overlook on Thickhead MountainOverlooking the World

By the time I arrived at the overlook on Thickhead Mountain I was hot, sweaty and ready for a monkey grip — that’s a banana for those of you not from Altoona. After only a dozen miles on dirt and gravel at a variety of speeds I’ve concluded the tires are exceedingly not well suited off the pavement.  They wander in the loose stuff which is to be expected, but they do the same on well packed gravel and dirt.  So much so that I had to reduce my speed by at least 20 percent to feel safe.

Steve Williams in Rothrock State ForestOld Man on the Mountain

Like a smart dog I seek shade and water on hot days.  But I do so with the knowledge that my tires deman an extra amount of attention when riding off the pavement.  Maybe next time around I’ll finally spring for the Kenda K761 dual sport tires I’ve been talking about for ten years.  Back in 2006 I was talking about them back in 2006 on Gary Charpentier’s Rush Hour Rambling blog — the source of my winter riding disease.

Now that I’m older and wiser I hide from the sun.  This winter we’ll see if I hide from the snow.

Riding Sets You Free

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It’s as if no one can touch you when you ride…

Vespa GTS scooter on the open roadLure of the Open Road

No matter how many times I see the road reach out into the distance I still get a thrill.  In this place, I experience a sense of freedom.  It keeps me coming back.  On the road no one can touch me.  Cares and concerns melt before the wind and pavement.

I’m certain that riding sets you free.

My friend Paul Ruby and I were going on “a little ride” to breakfast.  Stopping in the eastern end of Penns Valley so Paul could look at an old pickup truck I had a chance to survey the road ahead leading through Woodward and Hairy Johns and on toward Laurelton.

Vespa scooter and Ducati Hypermotard motorcycle in the mountains of PennsylvaniaIn the Mountains

Pennsylvania has mountains.  High places covered by a hardwood forest with threads of roads twisting and turning through a fern, rock and moss paradise.  Riding introduces you to truth.  Sometimes uncomfortable.  When I started riding a Vespa 15 years ago I could still scramble up these rocky hillsides to make a photograph.  Now it’s a careful trek with the knowledge I could easily break a leg or ankle.

Or maybe I just need better boots.

This picture was made just a few miles from where I dropped the scooter.  I was still worried that something bigger might be wrong than the handle bars being out of alignment.

And we hadn’t even had breakfast yet.

Vespa scooter on a sharp curveNo Grids

There are no grids of roads in central Pennsylvania as you climb through the Appalachian Mountains.  If I think about them more than a moment I have trouble imagining how they ever came into existence.  Or how people made their way through this part of the country 200 years ago.

The Vespa was tracking fine through the most severe turns and curves and any concern I had for the alignment issues faded.  The scooter really is at it’s best in this environment.  Just watch out for the loose gravel that seems to be everywhere.

Paul RubyPaul Ruby

Departing the Carriage House Restaurant in Mifflinburg, Paul can’t pass up an empty pack of L&M cigarettes as an opportunity to pose.  I didn’t spend enough time directing him into the proper Euro grimace.  And we really needed a pack of Gauloises cigarettes for the right Ducati feel.

All the photographers I’ve known enjoy being photographed.  Paul is no exception.

Ducati motorcyle and Vespa scooter together on a rural roadCloud Drama

The skies played tricks on the mind the entire ride.  Heavy clouds and darkness followed by bright sun and dazzling colors.  Riding through that constantly changing illumination just makes the whole experience seem surreal.  And I’m an actor in a play bent of flying free.

Riding sets you free.

Ducati and Vespa along the Susquehanna RiverPause Along the Susquehanna River

Surveying the view of the river I notice Paul is tossing his helmet in the air.  I didn’t ask and he didn’t say but I suspect it was his idea to make the picture more interesting.  I just wondered how he would feel if he dropped it and the helmet rolled of the edge to the riverbank below.

He never dropped it after numerous tosses.  Don’t lend him your helmet.

Scooter and motorcycle on the roadRiding Sets You Free

The weather was perfect and the low humidity provided rare summertime views to the horizon.  The ride was great even if breakfast consumed 147 miles.

I’m addicted.  Or at least suffering a compulsion that drives me out the door and onto the road.  I hesitate to count the hours I spend riding.  Or thinking about riding.  If riding sets you free how come I can’t stop?

When I ride in the snow or sub-zero temperatures am I free or in denial?

Right now, I don’t care.  I just want back on the road.

Official Geezerdom

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Dogs offering birthday greetingsHappy Birthday Daddy

The dogs greeted me with reminders of the big day — geezerdom and eligibility for Social Security all coming together in a cosmic event.  There’s a full moon in the sky as I write.  I still remember throwing rocks at plastic soldiers dug into a road bank after school. Shooting photo assignments for the Daily Collegian at Penn State seem like they happened yesterday.  And now suddenly, without warning or explanation, I’m 62 years old.

The dogs think it’s just another day.  You have to love them for that.

There are no Vespa photographs in this post.  I rode to work today but didn’t feel the urge to make any photographs of the scooter.  It’s a holiday.

Shadows of the dog and I on a late day walk in the parkIt’s Late in the Day

Long shadows indicate the end of the day.  I see a metaphor for the position I occupy on the course of my life.  A birthday offers an opportunity to think about what’s ahead.  Lily and I walk in the park, a chance for me to exercise and her how to walk on a leash.  I’m averaging 12 thousand steps a day.  She’s not doing so well on the leash.

Progress not perfection.

Sunset and Mount NittanyWatching the Sunset

Late in the day Junior and I take a walk to the top of the hill to watch the sun go down over Mount Nittany.  Behind me a full moon rises to later illuminate the night.  Kim bought me a Nikon DSLR camera and two lenses for my birthday.  After years of lugging big, heavy professional cameras I’m looking forward to a smaller, lighter version — the D3300.  I’m excited to entertain the next steps in my photographic journey.  Personal and reflective.  No art directors or clients.

Just me and the world.

So far, it’s been quite a party.

 

On To Breakfast

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Vespa GTS scooter along rural roadClear Morning Ride

Off early with friend Paul Ruby for a ride on to breakfast.  The night before I curled up with my tattered DeLorme Pennsylvania Atlas & Gazetteer pondering routes to various eating establishments.  Usually I know where I want to go.  Other times I have to explore maps until something surfaces as a destination.

By the time I met Paul this morning I had decided on a little ride to The Dream in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.  The last time I was there was in the 1970s when it was then known as Dave’s Dream.

At 8am the weather was perfect and the Vespa running as well as ever.

Ducati Hypermotard and Vespa GTS scooterDucati and Vespa

There are many routes to Hollidaysburg.  I was hungry, the roads relatively empty so I chose one where we could cruise at 55mph or faster. Paul’s Ducati Hypermotard was up to it so I figured, “What the heck”.

An intentional effort to not stop for photographs quickened the trip to breakfast.  Moving across three counties in a cool morning is a pleasure.

Vespa scooter and Ducati motorcycle at The Dream in Hollidaysburg, PennsylvaniaThe Dream Restaurant

The Dream is fancier that my usual breakfast haunts.  The food was fine but it lacked the rustic character I enjoy in smaller, out of the way establishments.  I don’t suspect it’s a biker hangout or destination for long distance riders.

Paul Ruby and Bob DionisA Vespa Connection

Paul got my father-in-law Bob involved in scooter riding when he sold him his Vespa ET4.  It was a creampuff then and is now under Bob’s watchful eye.

Paul Ruby and Vespa scooterRide and Wait

It’s no secret I prefer riding alone.  Mostly because I want to stop and look around, make photos and live without calling or rule.  That’s easier alone.

Paul waits a lot for me and his Ducati could obviously travel much caster.  Still he waits as I scramble up direct roads for one more picture.

Scooter Country

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Vespa GTS in scooter countryThe World is My Oyster

There are times on the road, alone and on the way home, that everything feels completely familiar.  It’s my own world.  Scooter country.  As good as that feels, it can lead to a comfortable disregard of everything and end not seeing anything.

Pulling off the road, turning off the Vespa and walking around for a few minutes brings things back into focus.  Such is an end of the week ride home.

Vespa GTS scooterSunny Day Ride

The weather has been exceptional this week.  Even with the rain.  Combining that with the already perfect machine I’m lucky enough to own and I’m just whistling through life.  I’ve been riding the GTS since 2007 and have ridden almost 32 thousand miles.  Spend that much time with something and still love it, that’s special.

I wonder if every rider feels the same way about their machine?

motorcycle parkingVespa in Normal Life

Everything feels normal, plain, unexceptional.  That’s comfort.  A quick phone call for take out and a short ride into town and I’m picking up dinner.  The scooter makes it all easy.  And fun.  Chores and errands seem like little adventures on two wheels.  No moto-manufacturer will ever advertise the power their vehicles have over the mundane tasks of living but that’s one of the best parts for me.

Things I must do rendered enjoyable. Life is good on a Vespa.