Scooter in the Sticks

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

Scooters, Dogs and Motorcycles

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Vespa ET4 scooter along a wet rural road.
Riding in the lush wetness of summer.

Riding in the Rain

There has been ample opportunity to ride my scooters and motorcycles in the rain this summer. In past years everything would be dry and brown in August from hot weather and too little rain. But rain this summer has kept everything lush and green.

I have to confess that my normal summer doldrums in regard to riding has eased because of the rain. Lower temperatures, less sunshine, and some mild rain has gotten me outside.

Both my Vespa scooters are well suited for jaunts in gentle rain. And the lightly traveled roads add to the gentle and relaxed riding I’ve come to expect from my Vespa scooters.

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Change and Choice

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Riding Panacea

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle on a mountain road in the forest.
Finding that peaceful, easy feeling.

Looking over the blog posts of the past year reveals a steady decline in the production of stories, essays, and messages along with the attendant photographs that have been a stable of Scooter in the Sticks for 15 years.

Any deep investigation of this trend has been avoided, passed off to the realm of riding where an imagined revelation would occur and provide a solid, succinct roadmap for the future of Scooter in the Sticks.

I’ve been generously rewarded by riding my scooters and motorcycles. Insight, understanding, and clarity revealed during a ride have not been uncommon. But to think riding is a panacea that can replace thinking and hard work is simply not true. At least for me.

So I’ve been struggling with what to do with this blog.

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Sorry About the Swearing

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I’ve uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel. I found myself engaged in an impolite exclamation. Sorry about that. Shit happens.

I follow the Itchy Boots YouTube channel as she rides around the world in all sorts of challenging situations. And perhaps what surprises me most is that she never swears. Not when she dumps the bike. Not when she gets a flat. Not when a customs agent gets annoying.

I strive for that kind of serenity.

Anyway, here is the latest video. I’m enjoying the creative change videomaking brings. It’s far more difficult for me than shooting still pictures and writing. But the creative challenge is invigorating.

If you like the video or want to see more of them, jog over to YouTube and subscribe.

Riding with Paul and his Triumph used in “Terminator 3.”

Winter Vespa Riding Video

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I just uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel filmed during the recent ride shared in the last post. I’m uncertain as to how, or if, to share the videos here. They seem so different that the essays I write about rides and riding. Perhaps I’ve not given enough time or thought to the making of videos. At this point in time, they are frustrating projects as I struggle with hardware, editing software, and finding a voice. Oh, and on top of that some sort of content that’s worth watching.

Still, it’s an interesting creative puzzle and I plan to continue for a while.

If you like the video or are interested in having me make more, please subscribe on YouTube.

That will give me some indication if anyone is interested in me further developing videos about riding scooters and motorcycles and all that entails.

So without any further conjecture, here’s the video on winter Vespa riding…

Winter Vespa Riding — my reflections of the madness.