Riding in the Fog

It's been foggy every morning for the past week and I've wanted to have a look at the world with my camera. The rush to work didn't allow enough time so I was happy to wake up this morning to another fog draped world.

I was concerned about visibility but at the speeds I was traveling on secondary roads it was not a problem.


I remember driving on the Interstate in fog and barely being able to react in time when a vehicle appeared. But that was at considerably higher speeds. The biggest challenge this morning was keeping my visor clear.

I rode to the next town to buy some gas and then out along Spring Creek towards the Airport.


Other than a couple of trout fisherman I did not see anyone on the road. The landscape was quiet and like something out of Brigadoon. By the time I rode up out of the valley the sun was beginning to burn off the fog. I stopped at an old rural church to have one last look before blue sky and sunshine ruled the day.


One last ride to the grocery store to pick up a few things and then home. I probably should be walking or riding my bicycle in the morning for some much needed exercise, but damn, I really enjoy riding the scooter...

Weekend Riding

Things have been so busy...

Aside from my daily commute I have not been riding alot. So much to do, summer is racing away, and I barely have time to get to everything. I have been lax in my posting here too.

On Monday, Labor Day, I took a hundred mile ride just to see the countryside. Road over Pine Grove Mountain and headed east towards Belleville. I had hoped the antique store in Mclevey's Fort would be open. I love looking at the stuff this guy has. He has lots of camera stuff and sometimes has the really odd items. On this morning I had to be content looking in the windows...

The ride through the forest and over the next mountain and down into Belleville was relaxed. Big Valley opens into a wide landscape of agricultural enterprises.


This area is heavily populated with Amish but I resisted any urge to photograph my Vespa being passed by a buggy. Maybe next time. I did stop just to appreciate the lush green fields.

On the way home I stopped to eat a breakfast sandwich and have a drink of water. The shady area along the road was real nice. I really enjoy being alone with my thoughts on the road.


I have my camera ready to go out in the morning. We have had heavy fog the last few days but the rush to get to work has precluded any photography. If it is foggy in the morning I hope to find some magic in the landscape.

Do It Yourself Maintenance

When I changed the head gasket and timing belt on my Mazda truck about four years ago I swore I would never again work on a motor vehicle. The one time high school romance of laying under a car sweating and cursing and getting rust in my eyes and a full time fragrance of petroleum oozing from my hands was gone.

So why am I wrenching on the Vespa? Short answer----it is part of the riding experience. Not a requirement but I feel connected to the scooter in a way I don't in a car. And to fill out that connection I need to know how to perform some simple maintenance and repairs. So I started with changing the engine oil and transmission oil.

True to every other mechancial task I embark on I find I do not have the right tools. I scratch my head at this because I have a giant Craftsman tool case, the one on wheels that you can put air tools and sledge hammers into. (Sledgehammers are for emergency use) The thing is stuffed with sockets and wrenches and so many odd tools that surely I am ready for anything.

Surely not.

Almost everything I have is SAE. The scooter is metric. I have a simple collection of metric sockets and wrenches that range up to 19mm. The oil plug is 24mm. Adjustable wrench can't quite grab because the oil filter is in the way. Can't get the oil filter off because I don't have an oil filter wrench that small. You see where this is going.

In a fit of focused rage I twist the filter off with my bare hands. I am startled that I could free it without leaving any flesh of protruding metal. The adjustable wrench does not have enough leverage to break the plug free---no doubt coroded tight from salt from winter riding. A moment of insight brings a big SAE box wrench that sort of fits and I break the plug free. Oil drained, filter replaced, oil added and I am finished. I feel comfortable that I could do this laying along the road with a minimum of tools.

The rear hub oil requires a 6mm insert. I use an Allen wrench and pliers to break it free. By this time the engine is cooling and the transmission oil drips like sap from a tree.

Next time the change will be quicker, smoother, I'll know what to expect and I will have the right tools. I am ready for something more complicated in another 1000 miles---spark plug and drive belt.

I feel better about the scooter right now. And I feel better about my place in the riding experience.

Raingear and Tires

I woke to perfect weather for a couple experiments. Rain and heavy showers. I recently acquired my new First Gear Kilimanjaro 4.0 jacket and I wanted to see how it performed in the rain. My third rear tire is down to the wear bars and I wanted to check traction on wet roads with less than ideal tread. The temperature was in the low 70’s so I removed the liner before pulling the jacket over my new, red, Top Secret Scooter Club Rally t-shirt. I rode up the street in a driving rain and I knew that by the time I returned home I would know for sure how reliable this new coat would be. I also was wearing my Tourmaster Overpants and Wolverine Leather boots. While the pants are supposed to be waterproof I know by previous experience that they leak through the seat after an hour or so in a hard rain. Nothing serious when the weather is warm but perhaps problematic if the temperature was 35.

The first thing I noticed was I could feel the rain pounding my skin. My old sailing foul weather gear was thick and worn over my armored coat insulating me from any physical sensation of the raindrops. But without the liner the rain stung a bit until I got used to it. I never went faster than 50 but I bet it would be hard to take at a sustained speed of 60 or more. Thank god for scooters. After two hours or riding in sustained rain the First Gear jacket kept me dry and warm. The only wet spot was wear my shirt was tucked down into the pants.

When I shed the overpants my jeans were soaked through the butt and down to my knees. At first I shrugged it off as the leaky seat. When I was hanging the pants up to dry I realized the top zippers were open and water was probably pouring into the openings. Oh well…

I hung up the jacket to dry and it felt odd. The right outside pocket was full of water---about 16 ounces. I left that flap open and water shed by the jacket flowed right into the pocket. The pocket liner is waterproof! The lesson for this is to make sure the gear is properly rigged. Good rule for sailing. Same applies to riding.

I noticed no problems with the tire either in traction or it’s ability to push through water without hydroplaning even with the reduced tread. I really like the grip and feel of the Pirelli SL38 tires but I want more mileage. The annual safety inspection is due in September so I will have a Continental Zippy 1 tire mounted on the rear this time. Hopefully I can get an extra thousand miles out of one.

Only saw two riders on the road, or at the Sheetz store pumps more precisely. Two Harley riders with significant others on the back. They were part of a poker run though turn out was bad. This is probably the hardest rain I have been in and the Vespa was a champ. I slowed considerably on the twisty roads and ran the high beam to help others see me. The bright yellow jacket really does leap out of the grayness.

My First Scooter Rally

After much apprehension I decided to take part in the Top Secret Scooter Rally in State College, Pennsylvania. That doesn't seem like a big deal considering I am a member of the Top Secret Scooter Club and that the rally was taking place practically in my back yard but I just wasn't sure if a rally was my cup of tea. The quick answer was that I had a great time.

About 25 scooters made their way to State College either under their own power of riding on trailers. Everyone got together on Saturday morning at our local Vespa Dealer, Kissel Motorsports, to get ready for the ride out to Bald Eagle State Park where we would have a picnic. This was the first time I ever road in a big group and not only was it fun but I also have a better understanding now of why a gang might get together. On the road the group becomes a big organic organism of its own. You sort of take over the road. Real different from all the lone riding I do.

There was a diverse group a people at the rally and there were lots of interesting stories about rides and scooters. Mike Giblin rode his 50cc Vespa ET2 up from Gettysburg, a two hour drive by car over some pretty big mountains.

He described the ride on a 50cc scooter as an oscillation between motor vehicle and bicycle. I found a lot in common with his thoughts about riding. "The ET2 forces me to truly budget my time. Every choice of route and ride is important and you have to pay attention." It is exactly how I feel about my own riding. As a member of the Three Mile Island Scooter Club he also garnered the "Best Modern Scooter" award. His scooter had that beautiful pearl finish.

Sarah Sheber took top honors for the longest ride to the rally covering 207 miles traveling from Philadelphia on her Bajaj scooter.

It was her first long ride which she described as, "Good, beautiful, challenging." When I asked what her next adventure would be she replied, "The ride home!"

There were a lot of vintage Vespas and Lambrettas at the rally. Anne Cox (right) is seen here with her blue 1976 Vespa TS125 scooter talking with Amy Wesa. (Amy is a Ph.D. cancer biologist who happened be driving the truck and trailer that the blue Vespa traveled on from Pittsburgh.

It was amazing the breadth of backgrounds of the people attending). Anne's Vespa took top honors for "Best of Show". Judging had to turn on the wicker basket mounted on the rear rack.

There is too much that went on to put in this blog. More pictures will be available at Scoot.net and I am working on an article to send to one of the scooter magazines. But if you are considering a rally I think you should move ahead with scooter speed!

The Top Secret Scooter Club did a great job putting their first rally together. A lot of credit goes to the core organizers and other members who helped make the rally a success. They're seen here in front of Paul Ruby's big blue van which served as the sag wagon for any scooters that died on the ride.

From left to right are Corey Maass, Ralph Womeldorf, Brooke DiLeone, Antonio Moore, Cliff Hixon, Ryan Badowski, Lindsey Cecelia LaBella and Paul Ruby.

Best Rally Ever!

Winter Riding Preparation

Now that the temperature has plummeted below 90 degrees F I figured it a fine time to begin preparing for the onslaught of winter. The Vespa is in good shape and will be mechanically prepared, and I am mentally ready for the drop in temperature, but if there was a weakness in my winter riding it had to be riding gear. I need three things---winter riding jacket, heavy winter gloves, and new riding boots. After long consideration of a variety of jackets I purchased a First Gear Kilimanjaro IV jacket. Waterproof, armored, insulated, lots of pockets, and yellow and black too!

I tried it out for the first time on Saturday when I went for a ride with my father-in-law Bob. The temperature was 49 degrees when I left the house at 7:30AM and I pulled the new jacket on over a T-shirt. Felt warm and comfortable at 60 MPH and in my completely unscientific manner figure the coat would be warm down to about 35 degrees with just the T-shirt and easily down to 10 degrees with my long underwear and windproof Mountain Hardware jacket underneath. And no need for any raingear!

The big surprise was that the jacket was comfortable as the temperature warmed and it was not until it hit 74 degrees that I thought it might be time to open some vents. I think for the money this will be a fine jacket for my needs. Next on the list in a pair of Tourmaster Winter Elite gloves.

The ride took me 50 miles to meet Bob at a Sheetz convenience store in Bellwood. From there he led me up the mountain into the watershed area of the Tipton Reservoir, one of Altoona's water supply areas. The road wound through the forested areas of one of our State Game lands before cresting a high valley and beautiful lake.

I made this image of the two Vespas waiting in the shadows.

Ten miles further down the road we stopped for breakfast at a little country diner. A small group of Harley's and other V-twin bikes were parked outside and when I passed the table of riders on my way to the bathroom they all gave me a nod which I can only read as some acknowledgement of being out on road so far from town even if it was on a scooter.

Bob still enjoys his scooter and I made this picture of him when we stopped to look out over Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park.

We wandered through the hills for another hour until I took my leave and rode back home. Another 140 miles of riding. Vespa ran well, new jacket was perfect, and I soaked up some more riding that I can only call magic.

The Seduction of Power

Since I purchased the Vespa I have fretted over the adequacy of its 149cc engine in terms of performance and durability. A quick look at the riding world tells me that nearly everyone else on the road has opted for more power. The same evidence exists in the cage world. Obviously need and experience points to larger and more powerful machines.

There are a few people on the road with scooters, bicycles, or walking but it hasn't done much to calm my fear that I made a terrible error in chosing a scooter. This past weekend I got up early and decided to ride for about four hours. The ride provided some interesting data related to my concern with power.

On the road at 8AM heading east for a quiet, relaxed ride. Five miles from home I notice my glove box is hanging open and my registration and insurance information are gone. Luckily a retracing of the 5 miles found the paper laying on the road at around mile 1. This sort of thing used to drive me out of my mind but I found this little side adventure just more reason to ride.

I rode up Brush Valley and turned north at Livonia to cross the mountains towards the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The roads seemed abandoned with almost no traffic until I neared Lock Haven. I stopped at a Sheetz for a breakfast sandwich and while sitting outside in the shade three Harleys rode up each carrying a passenger. I always marvel at the physical prowess of people who can ride with short sleeves when the temperature hovers around 60. I'm wearing overpants and a windbreaker under my riding jacket.

After breakfast I ride through Lock Haven and head north on Route 120 which hugs the river into the mountains. I have the road to myself and wonder why they bother paving it. I catch up to a group of Goldwing riders and lose them only when I make an illegal stop on a bridge to make a photograph.

I decide to ride up to the top of Hyner View which looks out over the river valley. It's about a 1300 foot climb along a winding road.


Saw no one along the road or at the overlook despite the fact that the weather was beautiful. As I left I passed a lone BMW rider at the bottom of the mountain.

From there I rode on to Renovo, an old lumber and railroad town.


I'm not sure what people do in Renovo now. I suspect most commute to Lock Haven or other places of employment.

I cross the river and head south through Sproul State Forest. This road is remote. No powerlines, no houses or buildings, just empty. My kind of place.


A few whitetailed deer walking on the road reminds me to slow down and pay attention to detail. This is not the sort of place you want to be falling down. Last week a rider lost control of his bike and went off the road. He was found several days later after the birds and animals had some time with him.

Passed a lot of old and abandoned businesses and I find the slow decay of our past intriguing.


Pennsylvania is loaded with areas undergoing this kind of transition. It's good to see before it ends up a commercial cobweb of Wal-Mart, Lowe's and Home Depots without a sliver or personality or community.

Without going into a lot of detail the ride was relaxed and with the exception of climbing one hill at 40 MPH I never felt I needed more power. Still the power issue remains. And I can't quite figure it out. Here is what I know. In terms of performance the Vespa will out swerve and out stop most more powerful bikes on the road. Both these activities are definitely safety features. It will not give throttle response to "speed away" from trouble. I remain dubious about this as a safety feature. I have heard the same thing about cars over the years---"I need that power to pass". Yeah right.

Moving away from the purely safety issues into speed issues I think bigger engines are at there best. If you want to ride on limited access highways at sustained speeds of 60 MPH or more a little scooter is not the choice to make. If you need to commute at cager speeds then you need power. But I don't want to ride on those roads and when I do it not to rapidly get somewhere but more a change of pace. I rode on I-99 on the way home but had to get off after one exit because a bee got under my helmet. I hate hearing that buzzing sound when the thing was sort of trapped near my ear.

The last consideration for power is image and ego. We all know the drill and it applies to cars and motorcycles and the lure and seduction of power is evident all around us---money, homes, clothes, stuff, and cars and motorcycles. This "need" is personal and each of us have to make our own decisions.

Does the scooter have enough power? Depends on what you want to do and what you expect. For me, today, it is fine. Tomorrow? Who knows....

Time to go for a ride.

Sailing to Northumberland

I decided last night that I would ride to Northumberland, Pennsylvania to visit with a few friends. Because the weather forecast called for temperatures near 90 I was up early and on the road at 6:40AM. I rode five miles before I saw another car and ten before a car came up behind me. The road was smooth and the air temperature was near 70 degrees---perfect riding weather.

The sun was stuggling to push through the morning haze and fog making the landscape look like something out of a fairytale in places. I'm always amazed at how many things I can detect while riding that are completely lost driving a car. The fragrance of fresh cut hay, manure, pine needles, a lingering campfire from the previous night... And I can feel the air temperture change as I move from the open landscape into the forest. This image was made not far from a spring fed lake which is frigid year round. I could feel the air temperature drop significantly as I neared.

I often liken a scooter ride to sailing. Both are limited in their ability to push faster. Both require patience and attention to many variables to achieve optimum performance. Every rise of the road, change in the road surface, breeze or appearance of vehicles all suggest adjustments and corrections. At times when I see the road stretch out in the distance it reminds me of looking out over the bow of a sailboat in the ocean---all that to cover and I can't go any faster....

The Vespa performed flawlessly. I cruised between 45 and 55 MPH depending on where I was. As I neared Lewisburg I caught up with an SUV which I followed for a few miles until I got to US 11/15. The temperature was rising and the haze worsened which was apparent from the overlook about the Susquehanna River.




I traveled more rural/agricultural roads on the way home. My neck was cramping a bit and I stopped a few times to stretch. Not sure if I'm old, out of shape, or just slept badly last night.







I hoped to ride through one of the covered wooden bridges that I know exist in the area. Without a map I wasn't sure where they were but did come upon one that was closed. Everything gets old I guess and these wooden bridges are no exception. I'm sure it would have supported my scooter.

The only really bad part of the whole ride was it coming to an end. While I put another 140 miles on the scooter it didn't seem to be enough to sate the desire to keep riding. Maybe I need to take a trip of several days duration to cleanse my system of riding...

Top Secret Scooter Rally

The local scooter club (of which I am a member albeit not a good one since my loner ways keep me off by myself most of the time) is having a big scooter rally on August 18-20 in State College, Pennsylvania. If you like rallys and riding in the absolute sweetness of rural landscapes then this is a must event.

In addition to all the usual rally activities you'll have the chance to see a lot of scooters both vintage and modern. To register for the rally go to this link:

Top Secret Scooter Club Rally

And to check out the scooter club website:

Top Secret Scooter Club

There is a link on that page to the club's discussion list in Yahoo so you can join that as well.

Back to the idea of the rally. If you have been reading this blog very long you have probably figured out that I like riding alone. I like to stop when I want (and I stop a lot) and I don't enjoy riding in a military assembly. Add to that my semi-aversion for crowds and a rally just doesn't add up to fun for me. It seems a lot like a wedding or big party....

That said I do realize I am in a tiny minority and most riders love these kinds of get togethers. A guy at work told me about a big event of BMW riders that had thousands of bikes. Thousands....

Anyways, don't be like me. Get yourself to this rally. The ride to State College has so many wandering backroads that it will be sublime. And once you get to State College you can adventure through everything the scooter club and a college town (Penn State) has to offer.

I'll probably be at the rally with my camera. Gives me something to hide behind...

5000 Mile 2006 Vespa LX150 Review

This is going to be a long post, but it is 5000 miles worth of stuff afterall...

Last week marked one year of Vespa ownership. I also saw the odometer turn 5000 miles and I thought it would be an appropriate time for a review of the scooter. I’ll discuss the following:

Mechanical Reliability
Performance
The Ride

Mechanical Reliability
The LX150 is solidly built and 5000 miles of use has only seemed to improve it. With the exception of a clogged carburetor almost right out of the showroom (a small fleck of rubber from the fuel line dislodged during assembly and clogged the float valve) it has started every time I pushed the starter button. I’ve ridden the scooter in temperatures close to 0 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees. Rain, snow, fog, ice, humidity---whatever Mother Nature dished out the Vespa took it in stride.

Fuel economy has been consistent at around 68 miles per gallon in my town/suburb/rural commute. On the open road with steady throttle I have achieved as high as 90 miles per gallon.

Maintenance costs have been predictable and reasonable. I’ve had the oil changed at the 600 mile break-in period and then again (too early) at around 3000 miles. The maintenance schedule is a bit hard to pin down with Piaggio’s Warranty Book differing from their Owners Manual and both differ from the Vespa Shop Manual. I looked at everything and chose my own schedule that is in the happy middle of the three.

If there is an unexpected element in the scooter it has been tires. I am on my third rear tire now with each needed to be replaced with 2400 miles on them. The front tire still seems almost new. Granted the smaller tires turn more than bigger ones but I was surprised at how fast they wear. Replacing the rear tire is more complicated than the front so the cost to have it done is greater as well. The tire and tech time cost me $99.34. At the rate I ride that’s at least a hundred dollars a year for tires. More the years I have to change the front. I’ll pay for that out of fuel savings.

I have run the same tire---a Pirelli SL38 120/70-10. These tires are sticky and have excellent traction in all weather. The only dicey performance is off road on gravel roads but I suspect my skill is more suspect than the tires. I’ve heard of longer lasting tires but the feel of the Pirelli’s are fantastic.

I plan to start doing my own maintenance, not out of a concern for cost but more because I want to understand how the thing works. The engine and related systems are simple and straightforward and I don’t expect any problems. If I do there is a wealth of support out there in the Modern Vespa forum. Worst case I’ll have to drag my partially dismantled scooter to the dealer so that they can have a good laugh.

Performance
The LX150 is a solid performer within my expectations. On a flat smooth road it will easily haul my 190 body along at 60 MPH as long as I care to travel at that speed. It has gone faster in cool air and tucked down low I have seen the speedometer indicate 70.

Acceleration is smooth through the entire speed range though I slight slowdown in acceleration between 45 and 55 MPH. Hardly noticeable unless you’re racing a car away from a traffic light. From zero to 35MH it is quick!

I had some apprehension about tire size and how that would affect the quality and safety of the ride. I can say with confidence that it does not seem to matter at all. The ride is surprisingly smooth and the little tires allow the Vespa to corner well and provide excellent swerving ability. At the speeds the scooter travels it is an extremely nimble and agile machine. I am wary of potholes and rough roads and gratefully there are not a lot of scooter eating holes in Central Pennsylvania. I have hit a few and the scooter has not dropped into oblivion or high-sided me onto the pavement. The small tires have handled sudden gravel filled absences at 45 MPH without incident. Respecting the size of the tires and what they can handle is important. I have consistently underestimated their ability.

Another performance advantage for me of the LX150 is the two hand brakes instead of the hand and foot brake configuration on a motorcycle. I can get both hands on the brakes fast and really control stopping power better than I could with the foot brake. The Vespa simply stops fast.

One last performance feature that you never hear much about is the ability to haul groceries and other kinds of “stuff”. I can now easily haul 8 bags of groceries on the scooter using the built in bag hooks, under seat compartment, and rear rack with bungee cords. If I set my mind to it I bet I could increase that number by 50 percent. The Vespa performs reliably as transportation and as a utility vehicle. This is not just another pretty machine for sunny day use followed by diaper rubs.

The Ride
This is the real reason I bought this thing. What began as pure fun has transformed into a minor miracle of personal peace. Regardless of riding conditions, no matter how hot or cold a smile always comes to my face when I ride. I find the attention required to ride safely strips away the concerns of the day---things melt from my consciousness and I am left living in the moment. The ride is a contemplation of machine, body, and mind. I find a serene place.

Riding also provides an opportunity to pursue mastery. Not the simple definition of getting good at something but rather the definition of mastery outlined in George Leonard’s book “Mastery”. Leonard describes mastery

“It resists definition yet can be instantly recognized. It comes in many varieties, yet follows certain unchanging laws. It brings rich rewards, yet is not really a goal or a destination but rather a process, a journey. We call this journey mastery, and tend to assume that it requires a special ticket available only to those born with exceptional abilities. But mastery isn’t reserved for the super talented or even for those who are fortunate enough to have gotten an early start. It’s available to anyone who is willing to get on the path and stay on it---regardless of age, sex, or previous experience.”

The Vespa offers a chance to pursue this path and it reaches far beyond simple definitions of riding. It is a challenge personally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I am grateful to have stumbled upon it….

I’ll post my next review at 10,000 miles.

Don't Forget to Ride to Work!

If you are reading this most likely you own a scooter or motorcycle, or have dreams of having one. Wednesday is Ride to Work Day--- a day for each of us to stand up and show our solidarity as riders and demonstrate to our friends, drivers, legislators, police officers, transportation planners and designers, insurance companies and everyone else that riders are everywhere and that we deserve consideration as people who share the roads with cars and trucks.

No need to go into all of the benefits of riding. Let's just say we'll have a little nicer place if more people shed their fear and began to ride....

Ride to Work on Wednesday July 19th!

See you on the road.

Too HOT to Ride???

Until yesterday I thought the only weather that I had to consider not riding in was heavy snow and temperatures below 5 degrees fahrenheit. But I'm now wondering what my high temperature limit is.

It was hot yesterday but I didn't really pay much attention since I spent most of the day inside with air-conditioning or in my darkroom in the basement which seems to always hover around 72 degrees in the summer. Towards the end of the afternoon I had to ride into town and pulled on my regular riding gear----mesh jacket and Tourmaster Overpants over my jeans, helmet, gloves and earplugs.

Out of the driveway and down the shady street with the visor up and I feel a nice breeze on my face. Pulling out on the main road I put the visor down and travel west into the sun. Immediately it feels as if I am in an oven and the air coming through the mesh jacket is just hot. I run my errands and pass the bank which shows the temperature to be 101 degrees fahrenheit. I don't trust those readings but I know it was hot as hell. I made another stop and just the time it took to take off my helmet I felt baked. Any extended riding would be a challenge wearing the overpants. And I think I would be compelled to have the visor cracked open too.

For a sunny day I did not see many riders---one other scooter rider on a shiny Vespa ET4 riding with T-shirt and short pants, and two Harleys with shirtless, helmetless riders. The book we looked at in the Experienced Rider Course said to "dress for the ride, not for the crash." I'm not sure this is what they meant.

I've considered buying a second pair of riding pants that are mesh---no waterproofing, just abrasion protection and some armor. Until this ride I didn't think I would need them. I'm getting ready to leave for work and the forecast calls for even a hotter day today. The ride in will be fine but coming home could be as hot as yesterday. I think I'll take a lot at some new pants over lunch....

Experienced Rider Course

Today's the day. And it is raining hard right now. Supposedly the Experienced Rider Course will occur rain or shine. The Vespa and I are ready to learn how to better manage ourselves and the threats presented by the road and other drivers. I'm looking forward to the experience and will let you know how things go.

Have been riding everyday but have not found the energy or ideas to post anything new. My Vespa turned 1 year old this past Tuesday and the odometer turned 5100 miles. I will post another review of machine and ride soon.

LATE UPDATE!


I completed the Experienced Rider Course and I passed! Imagine my surprise when the instructor appears riding a Vespa PX150. All the demonstrations were done with his bright red Vespa and I felt right at home. I was the only Vespa student among the Harleys, sportbikes and assorted other machines. Everyone had a good time, learned a lot and polished their riding skills.

It was dry but hot. Six hours in the open with temperatures in the humid mid 80's was about all I could take. The Tourmaster overpants came off and I rode in jeans. Figured I wasn't going to be falling down or crashing. The scooter makes short work of all the exercises and its nimble handling and tight turning ability allowed me to race around the course. At the end of the day I put on almost 25 miles just on that riding range. I'm now a card carrying experienced rider.

Independence Day Ride

The holiday found me out on the road early exercising a bit of personal freedom on the scooter. Riding alone allows me space to think about things like independence and freedom. Without going into a long reflection I'll just say I'm grateful for the freedom afforded to me through the diligence, work and blood of the past 231 years.

Flags lined the main road near my home. The red, white and blue leaped from the grey morning. For the rest of the day I saw flags draped from houses, painted on barns, stuck to bumpers of trucks and generally bursting forth across the landscape.

I had no destination in mind and struggled a bit to find the path the scooter (me) wanted to travel. Eventually I headed south towards Spruce Creek stopping several times to consider if it was time to put on my raingear. Each time the expected downpour did not come and I continued on. The road ran along the creek and old Pennsylvania Railroad tracks (now Norfolk Southern I think) and I was delighted to see a freight train move through the woods in a gathering mist that had me thinking "Brigadoon". Eventually I came upon the limestone quarry owned by New Enterprise Lime. I've always been fascinated by a good ravage of landscape and this was no different. I could spend a lot of time wandering around a mine...





Riding over the hill and away from the quarry into the open farmlands the rain finally came. I stopped to put on my raingear and make a picture. Five miles later I realized I must have dropped my lens cap. Back I ride and there it is laying in the middle of the road. Making photographs with gloves on has thrown off my ritual of lens cap care. The entire feel of the process is off and I guess I will have to develop a new mode of working.

I rode across the valley and began up the next mountain until the paved road ran out and became a little track with the fabled "No Winter Maintenance" sign. To the experienced traveler that sign means "You're on your own, we don't do nothing with this road". As the road became muddier and I realized where it was headed I decided to turn back and go another way. The rain stopped allowing me to make another photograph without dousing the camera and also ditch the raingear.

Probably the most magical part of the ride was along a road I had never been on through the considerable forestland holdings of the American Eagle Paper Mill. I assume they will eventually chop everything down for pulpwood but this day the light, the mist, and the forest were just amazing. I must have stopped a dozen times just to marvel and the atmosphere.

Something weird must have happened in that forest because I got absolutely lost. I usually always have a good sense of direction but this time I had no idea where I was and was heading the opposite direction I thought I was when I finally saw a sign with something vaguely familiar.

I was about 45 miles from home when the rain started to come down hard.

I stopped one last time to photograph a group of cows who gathered to watch me cloak myself in bright yellow. From there the run home was wet but comfortable. I stayed dry and had a leisurely ride to complete my personal celebration of Independence Day.

Exposed to the World

After days of rain the clear dawn promised a quiet ride. I left early to give myself time to wander through the countryside before the ride transformed into the commute to work. Air cool with remnants of fog burning away in the morning sun. My Vespa moves smoothly over the empty roads that move along the floor of Brush Valley. I find these rides quiet my thoughts and help me engage the day. I feel the changing flows of air, some warm, some cool as I ride. The fragrance of wet plants and moist soil fills my head. These moments are distilled to the graceful movement of the scooter and I as we move over the road.

I stopped to make this photograph when I saw the sunlight in my rear view mirror. I'm grateful to recognize these moments and I doubt I would see them in a car. I am exposed to the world on the Vespa.

Riding has a utilitarian function in my life. On mornings like this it reaches far beyond transportation or recreation to something sublime.

Rain Riding Review

It seems like most of my daily commutes to and from work for the past week have been done in the rain. I find a quiet calm riding in the rain. It requires me to be prepared physically and mentally and the normal focus that occurs during riding is turned up a notch. Riding home today I could not help think of the times I have been sailing in bad weather. The feeling is the world has been reduced to basic elements---weather, the boat (or scooter), the water (road), and me. Everything else falls away. It is a good place to be.

My Vespa LX150 shows no ill effects from the consistent wetness either mechanically or cosmetically. It starts as normal and performs well even in torrential downpours. It also takes in stride the day long sits in the rain parked outside my office waiting for the ride home. I have a new Pirelli rear tire and it performs well even in water covered roads without any sign of instability or hydroplaning.

I have seen few motorcycles or scooters during this wet weather. The hassle of preparing drives many riders to other means of transportation. A few have expressed concerns with the dangers of wet roads and reduced visibility. As a photographer I am used to looking at objects and I have to say that I think the scooter is actually more visible in the low contrast grayness of this sort of weather. The headlight and taillights really stand out in this palette. I seen no evidence of drivers not seeing me. I am much more worried when the weather is clear, especially in the morning and evening when sun light is shining directly into driver's eyes.

I did learn a lesson today related to riding gear. As I said it was raining quite hard on the way home. I could feel my pants getting wet under my Tourmaster OverPants. Usually I do feel a bit of soak through in the seat but this was something greater. When I pulled into the garage I realize I forgot to zip the crotch shut and seal the Velcro flap. It was open like an air scoop sucking in water the whole way. Other than that the pants shed everything on the outside. When I stopped to take this picture the water was pouring off me. My camera got drenched in a few seconds but cleaned up nicely at home.

For any of you contemplating riding in the rain I'll offer two suggestions. Ride slower, especially in turns and where you are not sure what the road surface is like, and plan your routes carefully to not put you in situations where you feel compelled to ride at speeds greater than you are comfortable with. The cages don't seem affected at all by the weather. Their speed is constant, sort of like the North Star.....

Riding in the Storms

Saturday finally saw a let up in the storms and rain of the past few days. By afternoon it was nice and I stopped to photograph the clouds across the valley. I left the house prepared for rain but the grey skies heavy with moisture never let loose as they have been. On Thursday night I was out when a storm blew through with hail and lightning. I ducked inside for the worst of it but still had to ride in a drenching rain and watch the lightning in the distance.

I had a little video camera stuffed in my camera bag this morning and thought I would see what it takes to make a little riding video. You can see the results of the video by clicking the youTube link below.



Yesterday I rode to a local eatery to have lunch with my friend Gordon. After a hearty lunch of bacon, eggs and fried potatoes we headed to Starbucks for tea and dessert. Gordon followed in his Ford Explorer and made this picture of me in the rain.








Things have been uneventful---just riding and enjoying the summer.

Finding a Way Through the Noise

I added a video clip to this post. The link is at the bottom of the page. First a little background.

A few days ago I posted on loud exhaust systems. The noise I’m referring to here is mental noise. The noise generated by work, responsibility and the business of carrying on a life on a day-to-day basis. People call it different things, my favorite being Gary Charpentier's term “Existential Gravity” (Forgive me Gary if I am using it incorrectly). Gary’s blog, Rush Hour Rambling, touches on these issues from time to time.

Noise has an effect on everyone, but for some it’s profound. It may be worse for those who have glimpsed life without it and recognize its heavy weight on their spirit and how pervasive it is.

The video “Why I Photograph” explores noise and tedium and how I use photography as a way to manage its effect. The camera is a tool that has forced me to slow down, pay attention and see what's going on around me. The experience of using a camera is remarkably similar to what I experience riding the Vespa. The tether to the noisy life is cut and for a short time I am tuned to another channel.

“Why I Photograph” is one of many short videos I have made. I have considered producing a video around riding the Vespa. No wheelies or burnouts, but something that explores what I get out of riding.

Anyways, if you want to see the video stream you’ll need Apple QuickTime Player version 6 or higher. It’s a free download from this link:

DOWNLOAD QUICKTIME PLAYER

Link to video “Why I Photograph”

Loud Pipes

My Vespa is in the shop for a rear tire change. I noticed the past couple days the tire pressure would drop about 12 PSI through the day. On the morning departure the rear tire would show 34 PSI on the gauge. Checking again at the end of the day would show 22 PSI. Could not find any obvious punctures, screws, or nails but the air was going somewhere. The tire was ready for replacement anyways so I'll feel better about riding on a new one.

But getting to loud pipes...

I didn't have a way home from the Vespa dealer (Kissell Motorsports) so I asked if they had a loaner scooter. I was joking but Cody Kissell said "Sure." I left with a 2006 Vespa LX150, same color, 19 miles, AND an aftermarket Scorpian exhaust system. It's their dealership's Vespa demo scooter. Kissell's is a great place and has lots of Vespas in the showroom. I feel fortunate to have them so close.

As soon as the demo scooter kicks over you know something is different. It has a low rumble that seemed to recall the sound of the little Sunbeam Alpine sports car down the street where I grew up. Nice sound. But man, once you give it some gas it is loud.

I rode two blocks and stopped to check my earplugs because it was so loud---almost uncomfortable. I felt embarassed riding through the residential neighborhoods. I came upon one of the municipal work crews standing by their truck and as I approached they all turned and watched. They started laughing as I got nearer, I'm sure a reaction to my macho posturing with this Scorpian exhaust. If you want to be loud and obnoxious just get a big V-Twin.

To be fair I thought I should pay attention to performance. Since the scooter only had 19 miles on it I did not ride it over 40 MPH. I did not notice any difference in acceleration or power, only the incessant roar in my head from the exhaust noise piercing my -32dB foam earplugs. I realized that I really enjoy, no expect, the quiet serene sound while riding. So for a few minutes I had joined the "look at me, look at me, look at me" club.

A quick check of the Scorpian website revealed this:

"All the people involved in the design, development and manufacturer of Scorpion products are passionate racers. Because of this we know what you, The customer, expects.
GREAT QUALITY
GREAT SOUND
GREAT POWER"

Sound is obviously important to lots of people. Some like it loud, some like it quiet. Count me in the quiet column.

I'm waiting for the call that my new tire is on and I'll ride the Vespa Hog back through town. Children will cry, men and women will shrink away, I shall ride in magnificent glory. I suppose that's how it should be but I know I'll just feel embarrassed.

Riders Beware

I just returned from a township meeting where the question of connecting a new development to the existing neighborhood streets was discussed. After much legal discussion of what could and could not be done I realized the core issue was the increased number of vehicles on the street. And an increased number of vehicles means more men and women who drive too fast, too distracted, and too dangerously. This is the transportation epidemic in America.

Every ride on the highway places me within the world of the truck and automobile which I identify as potentially dangerous. And I am never sure what is going on in the minds of the drivers and ride accordingly. I should add that motorcyclists are just as able to bring dangerous and irresponsible riding habits to the highway. These habits transcend the vehicle. I read in the paper today that Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was in an accident while riding his motorcycle and was taken to the hospital in serious condition. No helmet. He was quoted in one story as saying Pennsylvania recently amended it's 35 year stand on requiring helmets making them optional. That change was a nod towards political pressure and not safety. Riding without a helmet is dangerous but I recognize it is a permitted choice. I'll choose to keep putting on the helmet.

Ben Roethlisberger Story

What triggered this entry was my ride to work this morning. I passed the place where Bohdan Kulakowski, 63, of Boalsburg, was struck from behind while he was riding a bicycle near the ramp leading to the Mount Nittany Expressway. There is a bicycle and cross along the road as a memorial to his life and end. It is alleged that the man who hit him was legally blind but still driving. The district attorney seems to be preparing to charge this person with something that could land him in prison for seven years.

Bohdan Kulakowski update

I asked myself why a person who knew they could not see would continue to drive and the answers were troubling and illuminated much of the poor behavior I see on the road.

There is no getting around the fact that driving makes us feel powerful. We are masters of movement and life. It means freedom. I hear that word often used with motorcycles but is it real freedom or merely a hint at its existence. An escape from the grind and wheel of earning a living and carrying on the business of existence. It's no wonder that anyone who loses the right or ability to drive is devastated. Our power identity is wrapped up in it. It is difficult or impossible to maintain our lifestyle without it. We are reduced to our physical presence without aid of machine. We are no one. Only those sure of themselves can manage the transition to life without mechanized movement.

As life bears down on this hungry consumer culture that is never satisfied, can never go fast enough, that can never get what it needs, is it any wonder that those troubled thoughts and feelings appear on the road in the vehicles that become the mechanized personas of each of us? Obviously there is a great range from gentle souls to maniacal psychopaths. And everything in between. I'm not sure what persona a Vespa is masking.

So each time I venture on to the highway I have to remember that each vehicle is a representation of the lives of the human part of it, and that part might be unaware, disconnected, angry, blind, drunk, depressed, incompetent, or hopefully something far brighter. Riders beware. It is not simply an activity of technique and rules. It is a complex and subtle human experience with all the light and darkness that people possess.

The Fork in the Road

Life is an endless series of choices. From the time we get up to the moment we go to sleep---what do we wear, eat, listen to on the radio, call on the phone, and on and on. I left the house this morning around 8AM with no particular destination in mind. As I rode I could feel the conflict between the part of me that wants a plan and reasoned argument for that plan and the other part of me that just wants to let go and see what is revealed.

When I came upon the fork in the road it became clear what was happening---an internal conflict was underway between a mindset that surrenders to rote routine and another that wants to be wide awake, experiencing each moment, and making conscious decisions as they are required. Riding on two-wheels forces me into the later state of mind. I cannot disconnect while riding the Vespa like I can while driving. My body and mind are actively engaged in the ride. I am consciously deciding what speed to travel at, which line to take in a curve, examining what may be behind a tree or what the driver at the intersection ahead might do. My body works together with the scooter to execute each move and I am completely alive and present. This underlies the "thrill" of riding.

What I find most amazing is that riding opens the door to this kind of awareness in other parts of my life. I find myself more present in all situations. When I drive now (something that is less and less frequent) I see the road differently. My riding awareness transfers to the cage. The conscious decision making stretches into the workplace and home and I find myself more content and less angered when things don't work out like my automaton mind expects. It is a subtle gift of riding.

The ride today was rich. I left thinking the temperature was in the mid 60's and would stretch into the 70's but a half mile from the house I realized it was cold. Returned to get more clothes and had to put my rain jacket on about ten miles from home because I still didn't have enough. So much for planning.

I rode towards Huntingdon Furnace where I passed this old mill building.

Central Pennsylvania has many such buildings and I am also wishing I could go inside to look at history. This one like most was sealed up tight. I continued towards Sinking Valley and rode over the Kettle and down into Altoona to stop and say hello to my mother and father-in-law. Scooter Bob for those regular readers. When I arrived my nephew James was washing his car and told me that Bob and Patty had gone with some friends for a bicycle ride. He told me the area they were to be riding in so I thought I would ride in that direction.

The ride home was lovely through the winding secondary roads along the Allegheny Plateau. I passed several groups of bicycles but didn't pass my in-laws---or so I thought. When I got home there was a message from Scooter Bob asking if I had ridden through Riggle's Gap. I did and of course one of those groups contained Bob and Patty. All those bicycle riders just look alike.

The sun came out though the wind never stopped blowing hard. The Vespa gets buffeted about so you need to hold onto the grips. I stopped to make a photograph of the lush greenery along the roads. It is an amazing time of year.

The odometer showed I rode about 110 miles this morning. My heart and mind are ready for a longer ride. I've been turning over in my head a ride to Akron, Ohio to visit my father's grave. It is about 200 miles away via the Interstate highways; longer taking the roads the Vespa is comfortable with. I have not been there since we buried him over three years ago. He never liked me riding motorcycles. I thought I could show him that they the Vespa, and I, are OK.

Back to Work

After two weeks vacation it was back to work again. After several days of rain and grey skies the world opened up. The fog, light, and glistening dew on the grasses were a welcome sight as I made a few detours on my way into campus.

I have absolutely nothing of note to report about the Vespa or riding. I will say that I am preparing to take the plunge and do some (perhaps most) of my own maintenance. I have a service manual for the scooter and it seems like the right thing to do as part of my effort to keep things simple. Simple transportation, simple repairs, simple understanding.

More to come as this adventure unfolds.....