Scooter in the Sticks

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

Last Winter Ride

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Vespa GTS scooter parked in State College, PennsylvaniaMesmerized by Sunlight

Blue skies and sunshine mediate any resistance left to winter.  A ride in to town at 24F didn’t seem cold at all.  The heated grips, mitts, heated insoles and Tucano Urbano Termoscud apron weave their magic to make the cold seem incidental to riding.  So much so that I have to remind myself there’s still a chance of ice on the road.

So it is with winter Vespa riding.

Regardless, I’ve surrendered to the cold and choose to ride as I can.  Turkey vultures glided overhead as I rode into town, momentarily taking my focus away from the road as I watched those quiet scavengers do their work.  And suddenly I’m parking the scooter and on my way to Saint’s Cafe.Continue Reading

Rage Against the Dying of the Light

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Snow covered carSnow Again: Dying of the Light

After a few clear days I can hardly stomach more snow. Dylan Thomas wrote, “Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.” While I can’t say the snow feels like death, I do feel the rage at the dying of the light. Again.

The East has been hit by one more winter storm. While we only got six inches of snow it was enough to dash the spirit and ground the Vespa scooter.  Riding a scooter in snow is tricky business.Continue Reading

Warming to the Cold

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Steve Williams and his Vespa GTS scooterCold Hands

After a winter ride in the sunshine at 29F the most memorable part of my ride were cold hands.  Induced by the gloveless needs of self-portraiture.  Still, for a moment, it was gratifying to face the sunlight, allowing it to kindle hopes that spring and warmer rides aren’t far off.  Just as I’m warming to the cold.  And working to drive through the mental doldrums of winter.Continue Reading

Promises of Home

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Vespa GTS scooter along rural road in winterThe Gray World

Drifting through the melancholy gray of winter with little desire to ride or write. The scooter moves through its cold morning stutters to support whatever weak explorations I mount. And then, mostly, my mind is full of promises of home. Home, warm and resting, until some change of mind and thought takes hold and I once again freely move along on the Vespa.

Despite the gray I do ride. The bitter cold has been replaced by the murk that rises from the thawing landscape. My forlorn spirit crying for light. On the road, on foot, or seated with hot tea in solitude — my mind seems to wander through sadness and loss.Continue Reading

Reflections from a Cold Morning Vespa Ride

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Vespa GTS on cold morning Vespa rideCold Morning

I’ve finally gotten to the point where the cold doesn’t stand in the way of riding the scooter.  As long as the road is reasonably clear of snow and ice I’m good to go.  This morning the thermometer was pointing to 5F at sunrise.  With no wind and clear skies it almost felt warm.

So I’m good with the cold.  The Vespa — not so much.  It doesn’t want to idle well below 10F.  Have to keep some throttle on or it will stall.  Time to do some mechanical investigation I guess.  But that minor irritation aside, I was off for a morning of appointments and meetings.Continue Reading