Vespa Ice Racing and the Power of Studded Tires

With a lot of discussion lately focused on snow and riding I took a look around YouTube and found a short film that explores some of the possibilities of riding on snow and ice.  The first look at a winter equipped Vespa takes place at 2:09. Take a look at some of the scooters racing around the track in Germany -- Those aggressive studs make it possible to really lean into a turn!

The video was produced by the S.I.P. Scooter Shop in Germany.

The Vespa 946 -- the new Vespa Experience

I have to admit that this new Vespa 946 is a marvel of design if not utility. And with a price tag in the United States of nearly $11K I have to wonder who will buy them. Still, Piaggio does a fine job of building the Vespa mystique with this ad...

Institutional Risk

I saw this video for Central Institute in Australia this morning. Recruiting students is serious business at educational institutions and the approach and manner in which this is done varies wildly. Central commissioned two former students to make a video that would speak to potential students. Time magazine calls it "perhaps the best technical school recruiting video ever.".

It's definitely different than anything I've seen in the recruiting world and I can't imagine the conversations with school officials that must have transpired to get it approved. Vomit, curse words, beer and death are topics not usually associated with schools trying to attract new students.

Risk. Is it part of success?

VIDEO: Flying Like a Bird (not on a Vespa)

My friend Dan Leri sent a link to this video this morning asking if my friend Paul Ruby had one of these. I replied he has two. Seriously though, the short flight recorded in this video is nothing short of an amazing achievement. Every now and again I need to be reminded of the summits people attempt. For one person a ride on a Vespa in cold weather, for another soaring like a bird over the Grand Canyon.

Click the full screen button on the lower right.  It's an HD video and more powerful at a larger size.

Sam Abell, Photographer, on Patience, Passion and Slowing Down

Sam Abell is a photographer who I have admired for a long time. The passion he brings to assignments and stories is rare in a world bent on speed and media lifespans measure in hours or days. Listening to him talk about making photographs and spending more than a year to make one photograph had me wondering if I had the patience or commitment to pursue anything that way.

At the end of the video he reveals the photo and a story that happens afterwards.  I won't reveal the ending but as he describes the man in the plane thumbing through the magazine I know that guy.  Me.

I need to slow down.

VIDEO: Off-Road Riding with the BMW GS

I came across this video on Twitter and thought it did a good job reflecting what off the pavement riding is like with those big BMW GS and GS Adventure bikes. And a smattering of the smaller BMW dual sport bikes like the F800 GS.

I remember riding a 1970 Kawasaki dirt bike in far more serious terrain and places that I would never attempt with one of the big BMWs. Even so, this video makes riding off the pavement look great.

Failure and Imagination

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

I don't often post non-riding items on Scooter in the Sticks but this video warrants a look.  Early this morning I watched author J.K. Rowling deliver a powerful message on the lessons of failure and the power of human imagination.  I expected Harry Potter but heard something more striking.  Rowling talked about imagination as a unique and special power.   

At the end of her address she offered a challenge to graduates that is equally appropriate to riders and their journeys.  Rowling  invokes the words of the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca:

"As is a tale, so is life, not how long it is but how good it is."

So I guess I'll continue to focus on the good trips.

I found this video quite by accident at Alison Day Designs.

How to Make a Vespa Scooter

I saw this video on the making of a Vespa referenced on the Modern Vespa site. It looks so easy. Maybe I'll make one myself tonight.

What Goes on in Your Head?

A friend linked to the video below on Facebook. I thought it was a riding video and I guess it sort of is. Made me wonder about what moves through my brain while moving down the road. I'm certainly not thinking about the things that concern Mordeth13.

Most of the time I am moving away from any concerns at all and just soaking in the visual experience. But everyone's different. And maybe if I was riding through traffic like this fellow who made the video I would have different concerns too...

A Vicarious Ride on a Classic Triumph

Riding in Alabama - 74 Triumph Bonneville..still running strong from Casey Lee on Vimeo.

Stumbled on this video completely by accident. Took me back to the sounds and sights of my youth. Thought it was worth sharing...

Revisiting Risk

Morning Fall
by Edward McGinty

I've been working on a piece related to risk and the potential price of riding. It's the sort of thing that makes family and spouses uncomfortable but bears consideration by anyone who ventures out on two wheels. Denial is not a useful tool in managing risk.

I've reposted the Morning Fall video that I shared over two years ago. It helped me think about risk and consequences and has focused my attention (again) on managing my skills and expectations wisely. If you have not seen it before it is worth watching. And if you have, maybe it will rekindle your own desires to be a better rider.

I should be posting my new risk piece over the weekend.