Scooter in the Sticks

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

The Big Pinch

by 13 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter at a medical facilityMedical Vespa

After a week of no riding, I made my way to a Saturday afternoon visit with a local medical facility to have some blood drawn for tests.  I’ll be visiting my cardiologist for the first time since I had my heart attack last year.  Only makes sense to see how the red stuff is doing in response to changes in living.  Diet – check.  Exercise — check.  Stress reduction — check.  Sleep.  Well, sort of check.

Haven’t ridden since that little jaunt.  Back is still stiff and there’s enough sudden weakness that leaving the Vespa in the garage makes sense.

The only thing noteworthy about the trip was the big pinch.  Sitting in a chair in the lab the phlebotomist had my arm tied off with a piece of rubber tubing, wiping throbbing veins as she scrubbed skin with alcohol, all part of a familiar drill.  And then, as she focused her gaze on the vein she says, “Big pinch”.

Big pinch?  What?  My mind races immediately wondering what is about to happen.  Every other time I’ve had blood drawn they say “Little pinch”.  Little.  As in small, insignificant.

Little pinch.  Not big pinch.

As my mind is racing I see the blood filling glass tubes.  Wait.  What?  That’s no pinch.  Didn”t feel a thing.

After a short interrogation she tells me she doesn’t like to disappoint anyone so she crys, “Big pinch!”.  No one is disappointed when there’s no pinch.

The highlight of my riding week…

Ride or Work

by 17 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter parked outside Ag Engineering Shop at Penn StateEdward Hopper Scene

I want to be a painter, working in oil, shuttered away in a solitary studio, alone, sparked by dreams of a Vespa and the road. When work and life intensify my head goes to secret places.  Some days it’s a question of ride or work.

Resorting to my secondary scooter parking space earlier in the week when the usual space was teeming with othersand began the walk to my office.  Looking at the Vespa stand amidst the Penn State campus scene I couldn’t help think it was a view Edward Hopper may have appreciated.  And from there my mind was off n the races.

So it’s been these past couple weeks.  Distracted or consumed.  Both stifling any desire to blog.  This entry is a test of self will.  Took days to create this drivel…

Vespa parked outside an engineering shop at Penn StateBusy, Noisy, Cluttered

The title refers to the thought patterns in my head and not the engineering shop that I chose to park next to.  I’m hoping for a clearing soon.  Perhaps another ride in the morning to see if I can break free and feel a little more fluid.  The sweltering heat and humidity of late isn’t helping though.

Tomorrow is another day.

Ride on to victory!

Just Thinking

by 23 Comments

Steve Williams portrait by Paul Ruby

Photo by Paul Ruby

Lost in Thought

The past couple weeks I’ve had a lot on my mind — everything from retirement to installing a freeze-proof faucet on the back deck.  When my head gets full of ideas and wants to ruminate I’ve learned to sit back and let it happen.  Resistance is futile.

My friend Paul made this picture while we were waiting for breakfast at a little cafe in Millheim, Pennsylvania.  We were on a little photography adventure sans scooter or motorcycle.  The forecast called for rain and nastiness.  I remember thinking while sitting there that it was a pretty nice morning and I should be on the Vespa.

Vespa GTS scooterRiding the Vespa

I’ve ridden some over the past two weeks but just haven’t felt like posting anything.  Sometimes a ride sharpens awareness and focus that writing a blog post is simple.  They almost write themselves.  Other times, like now, there are no ideas.  My fingers are making a forced march upon the keyboard in a stream of consciousness effort to post something before going to work. Call it an exercise in willpower and hope.  Hope that I can leave the mental wrestling behind.

Made this portrait of my trusty Vespa GTS 250ie (vintage 2006) on a foggy morning along PA26.  Not enough fog to create any interesting imagery.  I remember feeling disappointed because I could see…

Vespa GTS scooter on a rough gravel roadRutted Roads and Little Wheels

The Vespa isn’t a great performer on rough and rutted roads.  The little tires jolt and jostle as they plunge into the depths.  Unless it’s my aging body demonstrating the decline in shock absorbing tissue in my joints I’ve been thinking that I may need need shocks on the scooter.

Staying on the pavement provides a fluid, flying and smooth ride.  Not sure why I keep heading down trails intended for something other than a Vespa.  My desire to explore is strong but at times brings my choice of machine into question.

Maybe I just need different tires.  And shocks.

Vespa GTS scooter in a pastureVespa in the Grass

Trees.  I’m always attracted to them.  Especially ones standing alone.  I suspect the same attraction applies to the Vespa situated by itself in so many photographs I make.  Perhaps a reflection of my own tendency to want to be alone.

This past weekend I wandered through a dizzying crowd of people and machines at a Harley event. It’s no place for thinking or reflecting.  Or even being yourself.  I imagined for a moment I was at a casting call for Sons of Anarchy.

One of the things I like best about the motorcycle and scooter riding communities is how diverse they are.  I like to think at some basic level though we’re all brothers and sisters on our respective rides…

Vespa GTS scooter on a farm laneWhere Am I Going?

A frequent question both on and off the Vespa.  And one that I don’t often find a satisfying answer.  For the past couple weeks I’ve been thinking about where I’m going.  It’s not a good place to linger.  Perhaps with this post I can move on to other things.

Maybe it’s time to ride to work…

Shedding the Noise of the Day

by 19 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter at sunsetEscape

After a long day, as the day slows but the head still spins, a ride on the Vespa makes a world of difference.  Doesn’t matter where I go or what I see — just the sensation of movement and air flowing across skin — that changes everything.

Made this photograph two miles from my front door.  I watched the sun fade and the evening deepen.  Rivers of cool air crossed the low spots in the road.  I forgot who I was.  I didn’t care.  The feel of my hand wrapped around the throttle made me feel organically connected to the machine.  And I wouldn’t let go until it was dark.

It was a ride to nowhere to leave behind everything.

Sometimes shedding the noise of the day is all that matters.  Riding makes it simple to achieve.

Why aren’t you riding?

Pokemon Go Alternative

by 12 Comments

Vespa GTS and Ducati Hypermotard along a shady roadPastimes and Obsessions

I see people everywhere, in town, on my dog walks and along the road when I’m riding — faces buried in their Smart Phones connected to what I imagine — Pokemon Go.  For those living under a rock, Pokemon Go is a new mobile game based on the classic Pokemon game and uses a variety of technologies and approaches (GPS location and augmented reality to name a couple) to create a game where you have to move and explore to reach your goals.

Move and explore.  Sound like riding a scooter or motorcycle.  I’ve heard a lot of funny comments, criticisms and head shaking disbelief aimed at the Pokemon Go players.  But as I think about it the same is probably going on between non-riders as they look at those ego-driven, risk taking, crazy motorcycle riders.  Scooter riders get a pass because people seem to think they aren’t dangerous and completely safe.

Another form of ignorance but a topic for another day.

I downloaded Pokemon Go last night to see first hand what the fuss was about.  During the setup process they inquire of your age.  I thought I was going to see a message stating I was too old to play the game.

After just a little time with the game I can see why people may get obsessed — there’s an interesting discovery and reward system that happens as you venture through the real world on foot.  I’ve read that for some people the game has revealed to them their towns and communities.

Just like a ride on a scooter or motorcycle.

My friend Paul and I were on a little exploration of our own — a trip to the weekly livestock auction in Belleville, Pennsylvania.

Vespa GTS scooter at the Belleville flea marketAmerican Bazaar

One of the nice things about riding a scooter or motorcycle in central Pennsylvania is always being able to find a place to park.  Even if it’s in the weeds.

The Belleville Livestock Auction is a weekly event at a fixed location where you can buy and sell livestock in the auction barn or take part in the outdoor market where everything from produce to DVDs to guns are sold.  Like the bazaars of the Mideast and Africa, this is an American version.

Father and son at the Belleville Livestock AuctionCulture and Commerce

The wares offered are as varied as the people who come to buy and sell them.  I didn’t see anyone playing Pokemon Go — probably because of the weak to non-existent cell coverage, but there’s plenty of opportunity to walk around and discover.

Amish buggies at Belleville Livestock AuctionAmish Faction

Belleville is in the heart of Amish country so it’s no surprise to see horses and buggies everywhere.  And just as the English scour the market for treasure so do the Amish.  I saw a small cadre of young boys bartering for a haul of fireworks — loot that transcends religion and culture.

Belleville Livestock Auction flea marketThe Crowd

Lots of people gather in the summer heat searching for bargains and necessities.  Paul and I wandered along toward breakfast at Margie’s Restaurant.

Marijuana bagsLive Free or Die

There’s a definite streak of independence in parts of the market.  One vendor had an extensive collection of marijuana sacks for sale along with a host of other symbols outside the mainstream.  Eavesdropping on conversations I thought I would hear some conservative leanings but in terms of the presidential election everything I heard was a similar disgust and dismissal of both candidates.  At least the ones talking out loud.

Vespa and DucatiReedsville Market

A few miles down the road we stopped at another outdoor market with a different collection of wares.  For someone like me who’s hoping to rid his life of stuff these markets offer only deeper sinking into the mud.  Paul found a light he plans to mount on his ’64 Vespa.

American flagFlag and Folksong

I generally shy from crowds and events like these — an intentional move away from the noise and chaos of assemblies of people.  But when I do find myself wandering such places I try and take in the details.  I can’t remember the last time I saw someone playing the accordion.  This fellow was there to entertain.

The ride provided a fair amount of discovery and exploration — something like Pokemon Go but different.  The wandering through the markets provided some exercise too.  If someone doesn’t want to play the game, maybe a scooter or motorcycle would be a fine second choice — a Pokemon Go alternative.

Just go for a ride.