Cold, Cold, Cold

I know in a couple months I'll think 35° F is positively balmy. But tonight riding home from a meeting I felt cold. Granted that I did not have my ski mask on so the cold air cut into my neck in the gap between the helmet and jacket causing a strong ache at 50 MPH. Stopped at the grocery store for a few things and a welcome chance to let my flesh thaw. Tomorrow morning the weather forecast calls for 30° so I will definitely cover my tender neck meat as Napoleon Dynamite refers to it.

The ride to work this morning was fantastic. Windy, cold, leaves blowing everywhere under an ominous grey sky. Halloween weather. I expected a witch to fly overhead. Or something out of the Exorcist to happen. I love this weather.

Not much else to report and I want to go sit with Kim and eat popcorn. The new tire is worn in and performs like a champ. The Vespa seems ready for winter. And I have all the motorcycle spaces to myself at work.

Keeping a Motorcycle or Scooter Clean

I washed the scooter yesterday in part because it was dirty, but mostly because I was taking it into the shop for its annual Pennsylvania Safety Inspection and to have a new rear tire put on. I felt embarrassed at how dirty the thing had gotten from the past month of riding in rain, mud and dirt. The Excalibur Gray Vespa paint really does a good job hiding the dirt but when you get up close or look underneath at the engine......

Here is a shot of the underneath of engine that I posted on the Modern Vespa forum to indicate where the oil drain plug is. That dirty thing to the right is a week old oil filter.


So I hosed it down and washed it up and cleaned most of the underside, at least as much as I could stand before getting bored. All of this is leading to a question of those of you who read and ride. Am I nuts not washing and shining this scooter more often? I definitely have a long history of slim attendance to cleaning. Don't get me wrong, I do attend to maintenance and mechanical issues, but keeping something shining bright and new just bores the hell out of me. I would rather be riding.

All of this applies equally to my cameras, home, garage, garden, computer hard drive, basement, toolbox and dog. With the Vespa I've really tried to be different but if I wash it once a month that's a lot. I wash my truck maybe three times a year. The last time a friend who borrowed it washed it because it was too dirty for him. It is a truck. It was made to haul wet concrete right?

Anyways, back to the Vespa. I know lots of riders of motorcycles treat their machines with extreme care and patience. My eyes glaze over as they describe some new cleaning product that does a fantastic job but be careful you don't let it linger too long on this or that. I've never seen them with their bike when it didn't look like it came right off the showroom floor. Not a single scratch from riding down a too narrow path in the woods. No mud spray from the last rain. Just shiny. It's like those people I see in the neighborhood who are always dressed up. Never once do they appear dirty or unkempt. They have lawn services....

So, advise me readers. What am I missing here? Am I sending my scooter to an early death by not keeping it sparkling? Isn't it enough to spray the salt off in the winter? Or am I just a lazy man and don't realize it....

Exposure Followed by Sanctuary

Yesterday morning's commute to work took place in a damp, cool fog. Awareness heightens when the riding environment presses more strongly - rain, cold, darkness, fog, wind, or even traffic. That awareness is as if a light has been turned on in a dark room. It's quietly exciting and it's something I have always been drawn towards. When I stop to make photographs I am often searching for evidence of that change in awareness and try to capture the elements responsible for the change. The shift in awareness is consistent while riding. I've also encountered in sailing in the ocean in foul weather or backpacking in the winter. It occurs on walks with my wife on cool nights in our neighborhood while looking at the stars. But with riding it always happens and since I ride almost everyday I get to see the world a little differently with great frequency.

I stumbled across a passage in a book I am reading, "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner, that clearly describes the physical, spiritual and emotional response that I experience and I thought I should share it with you.

"...walks along the shore amid tempests of wind and rain, with a fire and a cup of tea and the sure affections of a sheltered house afterward. Exposure followed by sanctuary was somehow part of Grandmother's emotional need, and it turned out to be the pattern of her life."

Reading that passage things came together for me in one of those moments of clarity. A pattern has existed in my life. I push myself through exposure to the elements, through physical challenges but there is always a promise of sanctuary at the end of the road. A cup of tea at a cafe, a warm house, a cozy sleeping bag, a dry cabin on a boat. I ride for the shift in awareness, I knew that, but now I know that there is an additional element that is essential to me - the sanctuary of shelter, friends and family.

Autumn Rides

This is my favorite time of year. The landscape transforms almost overnight into a paradise of color, fragrance and light. The other morning I was out early with my dog walking near Bear Meadows, a lovely bog area. Mist and rain softened the emerging reds, yellows and oranges.


This morning I found myself traveling along a gravel road through long stretches of drying corn. Autumn is everywhere and I hope to see it on foot and by scooter as much as possible. I'll share pictures as I get them but get out there yourself and see things first hand. For those of you who live in places that don't have such dramatic seasonal changes stay tuned.

Scooter Economics

The real economics of riding aren't at the pump; they are gathered when you make a decision to replace your four-wheeled vehicle as the main choice of transportation. Without that decision the scooter remains a toy, object of recreation or occasional transportation item.

There is no doubt I save at the fuel pump. My Ford Ranger gets about 20 miles per gallon. The Vespa gets around 68. On the highway the difference is even greater--- 24 vs. 90. Some quick math. Last year I rode the scooter about 7000 miles. My truck 1200 (at least 600 of that put on by friends or family needing a truck). The truck uses regular fuel so let's use 2.30 per gallon for calculation. Total fuel cost last year (using city mileage figure)--- $138.00. Pretty cheap. The scooter on the other hand using premium fuel at 2.50 per gallon cost $237.00. Still pretty cheap.

Now had I put all 8200 miles on the truck the fuel cost would have been $943. More but not a terribly troubling number. The focus on fuel is really not where the real economics lie. The real economy of scooters is when they become a replacement vehicle that either does not require the purchase of a four-wheeled vehicle or it extends the useful life of that vehicle. I spent $4500 on the Vespa out the door, tax, and license. The truck was over four times that cost. My wife and I have three vehicles--- VW Jetta, Ford Ranger truck, and Vespa. If we can eliminate the need for the Ford the economic benefits are huge in terms of purchase price saved, maintenance, insurance, fuel. There is also a big benefit if I can extend the useful life of the four-wheeled vehicles.

All of this starts to touch on personal preferences and comfort levels with style, age of vehicles, etc. I could go out an buy a 500-dollar junker and drive it and perhaps be cheaper than the scooter.

And a good economist would probably factor in health risk and medical expenses in the event of an accident. I don't want to even try to estimate that other than the scooter is probably a lot more expensive.

After all the thinking about this stuff I end up with a couple of observations. First, I hate thinking about money. Second, my decision to ride was not based on economics. Third, for me the economic benefit of riding is a welcome one and real based on our family's driving, riding, and ownership parameters. Because we keep vehicles until the wheels fall off we are able to amortize costs over a long period of time.

I hate thinking about money. What about you? Does a scooter or motorcycle save you anything?

Time to ride.

Simple Living

I took a slightly longer route home this evening from work, one that would take me away from the frantic traffic longing to get home. Car upon car, truck upon truck, SUV upon SUV all queued to get to the freeway entrance to hurtle north, east and west. The Vespa took me another path---one that is slow and deliberate, no hurrying. In one small village I was happy to see new asphalt finally smoothing the road surface and placing the manholes at road level rather than four inches above. I cruised along slowly until approaching the line painting truck applying double yellow to the black road surface. I hung back a considerable distance not wanting any yellow over spray coating my Vespa. I was content to just enjoy the air and scenery until such time the truck stopped painting and pulled over. I'd get home when I would get there. I was throwing slow back at a day that often wants fast. Our whole culture prompts us to rush and be impatient. The scooter is definitely a step off that roller coaster if you want to revolt.

The light glowed yellow as it lowered in the west sky. The foliage is beginning to change and I just love the smell of fall in the air. I had to stop and take some pictures. Again, the scooter seems to keep showing up. I promise that I will start posting some non-scooter pictures for those of you who may be more interested in photography.

Sensory Rewards

A scooter (or motorcycle) offers a unique gift to those who choose to ride. A choice. It doesn't matter what you ride, but it does matter that you ride. It presents the rider to the world to embrace the visceral experience of light, air and space. The ride energizes the soul, heightens awareness of being alive and craving more.

This morning I was aware of the crispness of air and light, the warmth of the light hinting at the slow change from summer to fall. I chose a more rambling route to spend as much time as I could on the road before having to be at work.

The ride home was equally rewarding. The coolness gave way to warmth to create a balmy air and the strong sunlight licked across the goldenrod to produce an electric yellow swath of color.


Even the tin man seemed to come alive in his field. What a fine day to ride, if only for the short trips to and from work.

New Old Vespa

The only scooter I rode today was my friend Paul's new 1964 Vespa GL. He recently acquired several boxes full of parts for around $600 which became the blue scooter you see here. Compared to my modern Vespa it is a strange contraption. Neat to ride around but would not want to take it on the long rides I like to undertake.

No battery in this Vespa, just a kick starter. The two stroke engine means mixing oil at every fill up and my driveway attests to the seal leaks in the transmission. No mirrors or turn signals, just an engine mounted to a frame. I suppose it could be an object lesson in simplicity. I know there are a lot of vintage aficionados out there but for my taste no thanks. Pretty, cool, but not utilitarian enough.

Paul also rides a Suzuki DM 450, a Harley Fatboy, 1964 Mercedes Sedan, and a 1976 Ferrari of sorts. He also had a Vespa ET4 until selling it to my father-in-law. Sometime soon I suspect the two of us will head out on the scooters to terrorize the local communities.

Riding and Photography

My two passions and a new path. Since I bought the scooter my photography has taken a decidedly Vespa direction. My camera points less frequently at the Pennsylvania landscape except as a backdrop for a portrait of the scooter. My wife Kim appears in fewer photographs that was the case for the past ten years. I sold my 8x10 Zone VI field camera and all related gear because I could not see hauling it around on the scooter (I still had a truck mind you). The darkroom is a seldom-visited place as I now seem to be shooting digital color almost exclusively. The Vespa seems to have turned my photographic pursuits upside down.

I've found the only way to get a handle on problems is just jump in and work. I often don't follow that advice but in this instance I have made a decision to write, ride, and photograph and not question the results. Already I have seen the flame of desire flicker to pick up the camera more often when the scooter is not in sight. I'll use this blog to report the results as I go. Immersion is the plan. Who knows where it will lead.

Left this morning even though the weatherman was calling (again) for rain. None materialized though several times I was sure I was about to be soaked. Temperature was hovering around 50 and the air was wet again -- and gray.


I love this kind of weather. I rode over two mountains to the west of here towards Black Moshannon State Park and the surrounding area. The park was almost empty and the lake was quiet and misty.


By the time I got home I had traveled 86 miles but not before stopping at the new Unionville Cafe for bacon and eggs.


For me that is the quintessential riding meal.

Seeing More

It was 45 degrees when I left this morning to run some errands. The brisk air clears my eyes and mind making it easier to see and appreciate the world around me. I sense a heightened awareness while riding in lower temperatures as long as my body stays warm. It is no fun shivering on the scooter. This morning I took the long way into town by traveling south into a rural area with a lot of flat and rolling farmland. The soybeans are ripening and even in the overcast light the yellow orange foliage leaps out of the landscape. Leaves are beginning to change here and there. In a month the entire forest canopy of Penns Woods will be aflame.

I really rode pretty slowly, a scooter version of a leisurely walk. I pulled over many times just to look or take a picture. It reminds me of Sunday drives with my parents so many years ago. I enjoy being a tourist. Riding allows me to feel that way every time I get on the scooter.

I stopped at this old barn. I remember when it appeared more active as a part of an ongoing agricultural enterprise 25 years ago.


I didn't notice it going to sleep even though I have driven by it many times in a cage. Maybe I was adjusting the radio each time...

I always stop for the lone tree in a field.


For those that don't know and wonder why a single tree would be left in the middle of a field it was to provide shade for the plow horses at lunchtime. Can't say I have seen any John Deere's parked under a tree lately. I will keep my eyes open though.

Cold Night Ride

Cold again this morning. It is taking me time to acclimate to the lower temperatures. I passed a guy on a new red BMW today with no helmet and short sleeves. I'm bundled in my winter riding gear and full-face helmet. I'm cold when the temperature dips below 70. This evening the temperature is hovering around 49.


Despite my discomfort with the cold I look forward to riding in it. Call it a personal challenge. I had to run into town tonight and the ride home after dark was great. One of those crystal clear still cold nights. Riding through the countryside in the dark on freshly paved and lined roads illuminated by the single headlight is wonderful. The high beam on the Vespa LX150 is amazing---I swear it lights the road better than my Ford Ranger.

The ride was quiet and uneventful. I stopped in the little town where we live to try my hand on shooting a hand-held shot lit by streetlight and an oncoming car. When I got home something pretty cool happened. I was telling Kim how much I enjoy riding (she hears this a lot) and how beautiful the night was. Her reply? "I think I need to get myself a scooter."

Yep. She said it and I intend to hold her to it.

Riding Towards Winter

Today was the first morning since last winter that felt cold. Dark gray sky and rustling trees formed a strong reminder of what's coming. I used to look forward to winter. Now I have to prepare for it --- mentally and physically. I have begun preparation for winter by purchasing a cold weather riding jacket. Still want to buy the Tourmaster Winter Elite gloves to try and manage my hands better. And the scooter needs a new rear tire and a drive belt. Both will appear in the next couple of weeks. From that point on all that's left is the mental preparation for the cold.

Last winter I would feel a rush of excitement when I departed in below freezing temperatures. It was a personal challenge and even though I might only be riding for a dozen miles it did seem like me against the elements. It felt good. One of the many gifts of riding.

One of the biggest challenges for me in winter is getting up while it's still dark to go to work. My body and mind scream for me to stay in the warm bed. Willpower is required to push the scooter out of the garage in the dark and start it up. I have trouble with transitions even knowing how great it feels to be rolling down the road.

For those of you who ride only in warm weather and put your machines in storage for the winter you might want to give it a second thought. There is a rewarding feeling riding in the cold. You need the right gear and an open mind but worth a try.

Time Flies

Something odd happened when I entered my fifties. I began to read the Obituaries more. And I would see names I recognized. People I knew, some I called friends. I'm not the first person to wonder about their mortality or count the number of years left to some "reasonable" expectation of active life, but still it's strange. Recently I read of the retirement of a fellow scooter rider in Florida who for the past couple years I have put on a pedestal in my head. He was in his mid-sixties when he began to ride and rode his scooter from Florida to Alaska and back. Was going to do it every year.

And suddenly I read he is selling the scooter---a change in health ending his riding. The circumstances don't matter but the lesson (for me) does. Don't wait. Act now. Ride now. I have a lot of dreams that I put on the back burner for a better time. And what's worse I have a lot of regular things I would like to do, hardly dreams, that I put on the back burner with them. So maybe it is time for a bit more action and a lot less procrastinating.


My wife and I have talked about this. We want to take more time for ourselves. For the things we enjoy. Riding is one of those things for me. So I am going to ride, if only a few extra miles to see the setting sun. Stay tuned for more activity here!

Balancing Riding and Life

I'm not doing a good job. I'm certainly not doing a good job attending to this blog. The balancing act between the various responsibilities and interests in my life has been difficult of late and my riding has been limited exclusively to utilitarian travels between home and work, work and home. There is no doubt that I love the commute, but it is so short. I want to find time, no, make time, to have more riding adventures. Any of you expert jugglers have any ideas feel free to share them...

It has been foggy almost every morning for the past week and the world is magic. I took the camera out on Saturday and wandered on foot just drinking in the scenery. I'll post a few of these pictures here now.


don't have a lot of time right now to do more than let you know that I have not fallen off the world or given up contributing to this blog.


I am certain I will again find energy, motivation and time to ride, write and photograph.

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.