Living (and riding) with Less

I left this morning with only a direction in mind. No plan or destination just a quiet connection between myself, the Vespa, and the landscape. I headed East on Route 192 which I found had recently been repaved and was clean and smooth. The road was virtually empty and I cruised along at 50MPH enjoying the varied fragrances off fresh cut hay, Dames Rocket blooms, and the occasional drift of cow manure, a smell I always associate with my grandfather’s home in Bavaria.

At Madisonburg I turned north to cross Nittany Mountain. Streams of cool air mixed with warmer areas as the Vespa and I climbed through the oak and hemlock forest. The range of temperature changes are just lost to you in a car.

At the top of the mountain you can look out across the ridges. Down the other side the road winds along Roaring Run Creek and through a narrow gap until I arrive in Lamar. I stop at the Flying J Truckstop for $2 worth of gas. The only other motorcycle in the lot if a shining burgundy Honda Goldwing. It is loaded with gear for a trip but I never see the rider.

I head north to Mill Hall and ride along some small township roads that head into the Allegheny Plateau region. Traffic doesn’t exist and the day is calm. I’ve been thinking about the Vespa and what I give up riding it instead of a larger motorcycle. The idea of “giving something up” has been bouncing around my head for a few weeks now. Reading Thoreau’s “Walden” I came across this passage:

“The nation itself, with all its so-called internal improvements, which, by the way are all external and superficial, is just an unwieldy and overgrown establishment, cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense, by want of calculation and a worthy aim, as the million households in the land; and the only cure for it as for them is a rigid economy, a stern and more than Spartan simplicity of life and elevation of purpose.”

As I rode I thought not that I was giving something up as much as I was turning the consumption drive upside down. Things were simple this morning while riding. The scooter is simple. The demands it makes of me are clear and with purpose.


I found this little church far from the main highway. It was built in 1894 and still serves a congregation though I was left wondering where they came from. I rode along the hilltops and took in a variety of fine views.

I had traveled about 60 miles or so by this time and decided to ride to Bald Eagle State Park to eat my lunch. The last leg of my trip was a run down Interstate 99. I wasn’t sure if I should but traffic was so light that I thought what the hell.... The Vespa managed well and only a few cars passed me. At one point I passed a State Trooper with a radar gun and I was at the head of the line. Luckily I was only going about 60 MPH but the posted speed was 55. Pulled into the driveway and the odometer said I went 85 miles. A nice Sunday morning ride.

The Utility Vespa

My Ford Ranger spends most of its time parked in our driveway collecting pollen from the trees. It used to be my vehicle of choice to get me to work, to run errands, and tool around the countryside looking for pictures. On a good day the big V6 engine would get 17 mpg. That's on a good day. Since last July the mileage has trickled to nearly nothing and I go for months between fillups. Nice.

Everyone knows that motorcycles and scooters are fine ways to save on fuel so there's no reason to flog that horse. But I think it is worth pointing out that they have some utility to them as well beyond pure transportation. You can haul things on them with a little patience and planning.

I had a lot of errands to run today and I wanted to stop at the grocery store for the weekly haul. I decided that I would use the Vespa instead of the truck for the grocery run figuring how hard could it be to carry a few bags of groceries. Besides, I had already hauled a few on short trips. As I moved through the store with my cart I tried to visualize the volume of stuff I was buying and how and where I would stow it on the scooter. And as usual I ended up getting more stuff than I planned.

I arrive at the Vespa with six bags of groceries. And I still have to stop for a gallon of milk and some heavy cream. And my bag of Hartley's Potato Chips. With a little effort I manage to get two bags and a six-pack of black cherry soda under the seat. I used two long bungee cords to string and secure three bags at the rear of the seat and on the rear rack. The last bag hangs from the hook at the front of the seat. I could have hung two more bags. The gallon of milk in the glass bottle sneaks under the bungee cord on the seat and pushes me a bit farther forward on the seat. I could have probably gotten it under the bag on the rack but that would be work.... Heavy cream and potato chips were stuffed in the hanging bag and I was off.

I traveled about 10 miles with the groceries and everything was fine save for a bungee cord through the middle of my loaf of Italian bread. I can live with that.

My point is that the scooter has real, usable, capabilities and I was left wondering if I could live my life without that truck. It's paid for and doesn't cost much now save insurance and some routine maintenance. And it is good for things like hauling big rocks and junk. And it does function as a second vehicle should the Jetta go south for some reason. But man, the Vespa really delivers. It's not just for fun, it is the real deal! You just need to alter your expectations a bit so you don't get pissed off because it takes a bit longer...

A Fork in the Road

A brief follow-up to some of the safety discussions of earlier posts. Each of us come to a fork in the road where we are faced with a choice. In regard to safety I have absolutely no control over the road or the other drivers and riders I encounter. I know that I am left with a simple choice---to take personal action to protect myself and manage risk myself or to scream into the wind that others should look out for me and manage themselves appropriately.

The choice for me has been easy and its price low. The only requirement is that I keep making the choice for the entire journey.

Switching gears now to off-road riding on the Vespa LX150. A couple weeks ago I was riding on a country road that switched from smooth asphalt to dirt. I proceeded about one quarter mile before turning around not wanting to ride the 15 miles in dirt before hitting pavement again. I decided to experiment on gravel a bit and find the Vespa floats uncomfortably on loose gravel. I have Pirelli SL38 tires design for the street and that accounts for most of the issues. A more aggressive tread design would probably improve performance. I could manage 15 to 25 MPH on the Vespa without it feeling as if it would lay itself down---a far cry from the speeds I could manage as a kid on a dirt bike.

So I can’t recommend the Vespa as a dual-sport tourer....

Riders vs. Cagers: Is this the real battle?

Conventional wisdom in part of the two-wheeled community says that drivers of cars, trucks, and SUVs are irresponsible in their driving skills, habits, and temperament when it comes to concern for motorcycles and scooters. Rider risk has risen dramatically in the past few years and stories of near misses and irresponsible drivers abound. I’ve had my own close encounters and I confess they trigger primal mental responses and leave me wondering about the enemy. But therein lies the fallacy, that the four-wheeled vehicle and operator are the problem. Perhaps they are merely a symptom of something larger and more insidious.

Whether you drive or ride it takes only a few moments on the road to understand how much aggressive energy exists. An even closer look reveals a deep level of selfishness and self-centeredness in many riders and drivers alike that transcends the mode of transportation. It’s every woman or man for themselves. While riding I see people weaving through traffic at dangerous speeds to move up several spots in line at the next light and arrive at the parking lot a few minutes before those left behind. Drivers punching at their Blackberrys to read the morning email or talk on the cell phone just to catch up with a friend. Others are like zombies, tied tightly to the wheel of life bearing upon them. And riders are not immune to the selfishness. They race from light to light, hurl their sportbikes around curves and cars at startling speeds, raise noise levels to deafening places in anguished howls. All along the highway is bad energy and it plays out as heightened danger for everyone and riders in particular.

Our culture has us mesmerized with promises of happiness with the next purchase, promises of freedom with the next larger engine, of serenity around the next corner. And the more we chase the farther away we are and the more we spend and chase in a viscious cycle. We risk enslavement by those things that promised us more time, freedom and choice. Computers, cellphones, email, iPods, digital cameras---all packaged with a promise of a fuller life yet the result often seems to be a frenetic, isolated, unsatisfied state. On the road it translates into something ugly and dangerous.

It’s easy for me to point a finger at careless drivers while I’m riding and make no mistake there are some that are dangers to themselves, their families, and everyone else who crosses their paths. Cellphone users are the drunk drivers of the next decade. Who knows what must-have tools and features will appear in the next generation of vehicles for an “improved” driving experience only to deliver an even more disconnected and angry group of people.

I worry about all of this because the risk is palpable and ever present. Sad stories are everywhere. Lest you think that blame falls on drivers it’s obvious riders bear a burden themselves for being selfish and stupid. A quick look at www.ride2die.com is a stark reminder of riding danger. A more extended look reveals plenty of rider responsibility. It has many lessons to give for riders and drivers alike. Before visiting the site, be warned it is disturbing and graphic.

I’m always left asking what I can do myself. I toy with ideas of advocating public pillories for drivers who use cellphones while driving or riders who ride at excessive speeds or create excessive noise. Instead I’ll work to manage risks on the road. I registered for the MSF Experienced Rider course today, and I’ll turn off the cellphone while in the car. And it’s not about riders against drivers, it’s about all of us making more considerate choices. It won’t make a perfect world or perfect road, but I guess it’s a start.

RAIN: To ride or not to ride

We are in the middle of a week or more of rain. The sky is full of water and most of the motorcycles have found shelter. I seem to be the only one on the road and brings me to this post----riding in the rain, or more to the point, the decision process that results in wet weather riding.

This past weekend my friend Paul and I planned to ride north to visit some motorcycle dealers so that he could investigate his next bike. We both know the forecast called for the possibility of rain but decided to wait until daybreak to make a decision about the ride. At 7AM I get the call as I am putting on my riding gear and getting ready to ride to the Waffle Shop to have breakfast before heading out of town. Paul is on the phone as is concerned that its already sprinkling and the day will be wet. He decides he doesn’t want to ride his Harley in the rain but still wants breakfast. Twenty minutes later he has his short stack and side of bacon and I am working through scrambled eggs.

My first rain riding observation came with the phone call. Paul and I had two polar opposite reactions. For him rain was a negative. For me it was a positive. I was excited at the prospect of rain. I have always enjoyed hiking, walking, driving, photographing, just watching the rain provided I am outfitted properly. It has continued with the Vespa but in a slightly different way. Riding in the rain is peaceful and quiet in the same way it is while hiking. But riding in the rain presents special challenges. They are a lot like those presented in the snow without the weight of the cold. Recognition of the road surface becomes more important as everything on the road becomes a film or paste waiting to have a little scooter tire slide through. Route decisions change as I consider speed and visibility. The mental effort increases to manage the riding risks. And I find myself hurrying to take up the challenge. Fair weather riding seems a bore at these moments.

Conventional riding wisdom is to not ride in the rain, snow, night, etc. It also says to wear a helmet. Each person makes there own decision. Personally, I would rather manage riding in the rain than riding without a helmet. Not sure how you manage that one....

After breakfast I rode a bit under 100 miles moving through the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania into the Allegheny Plateau. The rain was variable from a steady drizzle to nothing more than threatening clouds. A fine morning. On the way home I passed the local Triumph Dealer, Kissell Motorsports, and saw the Triumph Factory Truck at the place with about a dozen or so new motorcycles waiting for riders. I have to confess that I have had my eye on the 900 Scrambler for no other reason that it looks cool. I don’t need it and certainly can’t afford it right now but gee, free ride, go ahead and torture myself. So I’m standing at the registration table ready to put my name on the list for the open Scrambler when it hits me---I like the Vespa and I don’t need any thing else. So like Galadriel turning down Frodo’s offer of the Ring, I pass up the Scrambler ride---I pass the test and remain content with the Vespa.

It was raining hard this morning when I got up. Felt the stir of anticipation at being able to ride to work in the rain. Took a slightly longer route, partially to avoid traffic but mostly to enjoy the fog and rain. I stayed dry save for two small leaks in the inner thigh area of the TourMaster Overpants. I think I might have left the flats open because that has not happened before. The photo was taken outside of town on one of the little rural roads that I can use to wander around town. Saw one other motorcycle on my ride, a Honda ST1300 I think. I have seen this guy before. Today he was riding with a full helmet, jeans and a sweatshirt. He had to be dripping wet. The other time I saw him was on a 40-degree morning wearing a T-shirt and jeans. He must be an animal…..

The Effortless Ride

I've posting nothing since last weekend though I have ridden everyday. My rides have consisted of commutes to work, trips to the store or bank, and also a few rides that were simply effortless journeys with neither purpose or destination. A few mornings ago I had some free time to ride. I got up early with detailed plans in my head on where I would ride and what I wanted to see. It did not take long for me to realize that these plans were noisy in my head and I felt some resistance to the ride.

Resistance is not something I associate with riding. Mowing the lawn, washing dishes, paying bills I resist. Riding I don't. I pulled over along the road for a few minutes just to make sense of what was going on and the answer was to just abandon my plans. And off I rode with absolutely nothing in mind. At each turn or intersection I sort of followed some unseen guidance rambling through streets and roads. I thought of the Family Circus cartoons that would show one of the boys wandering home from school on a long and circuitous route.

The ride took me to places I have seen many times and to other places I have not. I road slowly through an old cemetary looking at headstones and stopping to photograph an old shed/outhouse (a two seater). I realized that there are times I need to follow a flow that denies planning and decision.

The weather has been wonderful most of the week. Thursday saw a threat of rain when I left for work but did not begin until I was leaving for home. The roads were incredibly slick from the oil and water foaming across the pavement. I would drag my boots at intersections and was amazed at how little traction there was. Slow turns and careful riding made the trip uneventful. The sky opened up about two-miles from home to really drench everything but I remained dry and warm in my riding gear.

This morning the sun came out to give the landscape a glow only possible after a rain. I made the photograph at the top of the page in that light. With the weekend ahead I'm not sure where the scooter will end up. I do know I need to pay a trip to the dealer to look at another rear tire. Thirteen hundred miles and its all worn out...

The Joy of Vespa Ownership

Behold the thankful joy of a new Vespa owner! I asked my father-in-law Bob (right) and my friend Paul to pose for a picture with the scooters and Paul’s Harley Fatboy and this is what happened. I guess Bob was excited about his first extended ride. Poor Paul was caught off-guard as he tried to get something out of his eye. And the 2004 Vespa ET4 that Bob is now so happily riding most recently belonged to Paul.

Paul and I met at 7AM at a local convenience store to make the 60 mile ride to Altoona to deliver a new battery for the ET4. The morning was clear with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees when we left. Traffic was light as we left town and dwindled to almost non-existent as we got deeper into the rural roads that meandered through the valley towards Warriors Mark. The few cars that did see us probably thought the Vespa and Harley were an odd pair, sort of like the cartoon with the big bulldog and little yippy sidekick. I took the lead on my Vespa since I knew the roads a bit better than Paul but I couldn’t help wondering if he wished he could have traveled faster. He didn’t say and I didn’t ask.

We made a quick stop for bacon and eggs outside of Tyrone and then moved on to Altoona. We got the battery into the ET4 and it started right up. Bob put on his helmet and riding gear and were off on his first real ride outside the neighborhood. I took the lead with Bob behind me and Paul following in the rear. I figured I could set a pace that was conservative enough for our new rider and Paul could watch from behind. We moved through town on busy streets and then onto more open roads to the local Suzuki dealer so Paul could shop for something to replace the Vespa. From there we road east on US 22 to Holidaysburg and over the mountain to Altoona. Bob seemed comfortable and relaxed on the ride and the only thing I noticed was a tendency to forget to cancel his turn signals.

We decided to keep riding and go over the “Kettle” into Sinking Valley. I had forgotten how windy this road was and Bob later referred to it as a “driving test”. He also remarked how glad he was to have the face shield on the helmet having been hit twice with stones from passing cars. Forty-five miles from his house we stopped at a greenhouse so he could look at some plants. I had to get home so Paul and I kept riding north while Bob decided to wander back home.

I noticed how many fragrances were in the air—lilacs, pines, fresh cut grass, dead animals, etc…. I miss all of that in a car. Seeing the picture of her dad and listening to my description of the ride caused my wife Kim to say that she wants to get a scooter! I would love to be able to ride together. Now I have to get my daughters and mother-in-law on one too!

The day was just fantastic and everyone had a fun, safe ride.

Riding to Work and Riding to More Work

I ride to work everyday. The direct route is 5.5 miles from garage to parking space. On days when I’m not in a hurry I take the 12 mile lollygagging meandering wanderer route---a morning meditation ride. The direct ride to work can be routine at times though there always seems to be something different to see, smell, or hear. I missed all that on the bus or in the car.

Once at work the scooter usually stays parked all day unless I have an errand to run at lunchtime. Any additional travel for work takes place in a four-wheeled vehicle of some sort. Dealing with the riding gear and such made me think twice about going to meetings on the scooter because I am usually in a hurry or someone else is coming along with me making the scooter an inappropriate choice. On Tuesday the opportunity to ride to more work presented itself because the fleet vehicle I normally would use was unavailable.

We had a video crew coming into town to work on a project that involved traveling to a variety of locations. The best was a 15 mile trip over Pine Grove Mountain to the Stone Valley Recreation Area. The Vespa managed the mountain at 45MPH going up and glided down the other side at 60MPH. The twisty road to the park was fun too and I basically could get there as fast as any of the crew.

At the end of the day everyone packed up to leave and I walked over to the Vespa to see two guys with V-Twin bikes giving it the once over. These guys were in their 60’s and in full leather biker attire, no helmet, big boots, and just out for a nice afternoon ride. We had the usual conversation that included shock that I needed a license to ride the Vespa on the road, shocked that I would drive it “this far”, amazed that it could go so fast, and enamored of its fuel economy. A bit more conversation revealed that one of them had ridden a Vespa years back in Vietnam and thought it was a hoot. They also confessed that their “other bikes” were Gold Wings. I think they could fit a Vespa into their lives. Black leather, a beret for the stop at a coffee shop---they have Vespa written all over them.

The ride home was different. Coming up the mountain I ran into traffic---some big logging trucks lumbering up the road at 20MPH, no place to pass, everyone waiting patiently for them to get to the top only to find them lumbering down at the same speed. So I didn’t feel so bad anymore waving cages around me when I could only go 45MPH. After getting down the other side there was more waiting for the road resurfacing crew but all in all it was a great ride and a great day.

I shot a picture of the scooter on the way home to show the smoke from the forest fire nearby. It took firefighters two days to get on top of it and the town I live it had a weird yellow glow at times when the wind brought the smoke our way.

The Viral Vespa

Just as a friend passed on the Vespa infection to me I've passed it on myself---to my father-in-law. He purchased a 2003 Vespa ET4 on Friday which I happily made the 60 mile delivery ride to his house on Saturday morning.

It was around 29 degrees F when I left at 6:30AM, colder than I thought it would be, so I had to make a few more stops than planned to warm up. I had breakfast at the Family Chill and Grill in Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania and that just made things worse as all the blood move towards my stomach to chew on the eggs, bacon and homefries.

The Vespa ET4 is a great scooter and this particular one is flawless and well-maintained. It is a wonderful cream color with warm leather highlights on the seat, cowling, and topcase. Performance was about the same as my LX150 with two recognizable exceptions. The engine had a deeper sound at highway speeds and it also seemed more responsive to the throttle with smooth, direct acceleration. Subtle but I could tell the difference.

The family is not entirely thrilled about Pappy getting this scooter. All the usual safety concerns have come up. I've communicated a lot of information to him about the risks and his responsibilities to manage them. He's in great shape and has been an avid bicycle rider for a long time so the transition to scooter won't be difficult. I think he'll have a great time riding around town on his new Vespa.

Media Coverage

A young man from the local PBS affiliate, WPSU-TV, did a little piece on the Top Secret Scooter Club this evening. I listened carefully to the questions he asked everyone and those questions draw a little picture of what people think of scooters...

"Why did you buy a scooter instead of a real motorcycle?" and "How do you feel at the gas pump when buying gas?" And always "How fast can you go?" I'm not sure what they'll make if it but I'm always fascinated by how people perceive the Vespa.

This Friday evening at 11:30 PM on WPSU-TV. We'll see....

April 25---A Birthday Vespa

I was going to get my baby a Vespa for her birthday. What could possibly be better than that??? Alas, she seems to have no interest at all! I've begun thinking there was a mix up at the hospital---how could she possibly not want a scooter....

I put together this collage as I struggled to understand her nature on this day of celebration of her birth. She loved Bucky the Wonder Horse and her Big Wheel so I thought the scooter would be a natural progression. Oh well, at least she likes chocolate...

But I love her anyways and extend to the scooterless child a Happy Birthday!

Scooter or Motorcycle?

My Vespa LX150 transported eight tomato cages home from the store today. Could easily have transported twice that….

Making choices can be simple or difficult. Issues of right and wrong are instilled early and give each of us a foundation on which to make choices. Consumer culture can add series of messages providing other foundations on which to make decisions, decisions that seem appropriate and personal. Making a choice between a scooter or motorcycle to many in a simple one and basis on a solid foundation. For a moment I want to look at some of the rationale that may stand behind these choices.

Traditional arguments in favor of scooters suggest economy, reliability, and ease of use. Arguments against them and in favor of motorcycles are performance, capability, and safety in a wider range of road types. I won’t debate these points.

Decisions are personal and as such it seems something personal should enter into consideration of a choice between motorcycle and scooter. My own criteria for making a choice had little to do with the arguments suggested above but instead teeter close to a moral and philosophical belief exposed only after riding a friend’s Vespa ET4.

Initially my plan was to purchase a new Triumph T100. I’ve always warmed to Triumph’s classic look. After spending a weekend on the Vespa ET4 something happened that caused me to question why I was choosing the Triumph and what I discovered was the basis for my personal decision.

I had recently taken a new position as part of a management team. My new responsibilities created more chaos and noise in my life than I had anticipated. Everything seemed to speed up and I was always trying to go faster to get everything done. Seeking advice from others it was suggested that the way to deal with the every increasing pace of things was to turn in the other direction and slow down in order to catch up. Suspicious of this line of reasoning I finally made the leap of faith and “slowed down” only to find myself accomplishing more. One of life’s paradoxes…

In the showroom looking at the Triumph sitting next to the Vespa I ask myself “What will happen if I choose the scooter and am forced to slow down?” Will something positive emerge from a choice that seems a negative? Choosing the Vespa embraced intentional slowness, intentional challenge, and would be a step away from the mainstream of riders here in central Pennsylvania. The scooter can travel as fast. A Saturday afternoon ride on a motorcycle would be a major day long event on the scooter. The scooter would present more challenges and frustrations----direct Interstate routes available to a motorcycle would be unreasonable on a scooter so more circuitous routes would have to be found. And owning a scooter would be seen by most other males as a toy, a poor bastard cousin to a real motorcycle. I would be an outsider.

It’s been eight months since I purchased the Vespa. 3500 miles later I can say that the same paradoxical choice that eased my professional life has delivered benefits on the road. Each 10 mile trip on the scooter becomes a challenge to be handled and thought out, something that would be a yawn for a motorcycle. A 100 mile ride is an adventure of body, mind, and spirit. It has kindled a passion not just for riding, but for almost everything I do. The lack of power and performance makes everyday riding a lesson in being alive.

One last observation about scooters and motorcycles. I’ve watched the culture of riders carefully---speech, dress, machines, and actions. There is a spirit and culture among many riders of independence and self reliance and it is well deserved. But there is also a tendency to not stray farm from normative behavior whether it be choices of when to ride or what to ride. Choosing to ride a scooter of any kind is outside the comfort zone of many---it does not allow you to conform and leaves you an outsider. Riding in winter is another step outside normative behavior. A scooter is NOT for someone who is uncomfortable being different, riding another road, being a rebel. For those who need to blend and conform, that’s what Harleys and Hondas and cruisers and sportbikes can offer among many other things.

I’ve pondered the addition of another machine, a motorcycle, but I’ve finally concluded that it has nothing to offer me today.

Riding to Work

I rode to work everyday this past week---almost right to my office door. Reflecting on the week has reminded me of some of the more powerful benefits of riding to work. Parking is cheap and easy. The permit is $24.00 per year and I can park in any designated motorcycle spaces around campus. I’m fortunate that there are three spaces against my building. Since I get to work early I always get the first space. I have displaced some other rider who used to park there I suppose, but there are more nearby.

I put a gallon and a half of 93 octane fuel in the Vespa this week for about $4.50. The same amount of travel in my Ford Ranger would have been considerably more. And a parking permit is $34.00 per MONTH. There is no doubt that the scooter is more economical.

Nothing of great note on any of the rides. The mornings were cool, in the 30’s, and the rides home were warm, usually in the 70’s. I have to admit I enjoy riding in cooler weather than warm. Not much time for any “recreational” riding since I have been preparing to hang my MFA Thesis Exhibition. With extensive help from my daughter and friends it is all on the walls of the gallery and ready for the reception this evening. With this work behind me I am looking forward to developing a Vespa/riding/rider/landscape photography project. Just have not figured out what it will be….

Hurtling Towards Eternity

Hurtling is not a word one would associate with a Vespa. It implies speed and energy resevered for more massive and powerful machines. This morning I was walking the dog in a park along US Route 322 when a Harley Davidson Ultraglide went by. This road is four lanes but not limited access and the speed limit is 45MPH. I looked over when I head the motorcycle coming---a green machine with a white haired rider, no helmet, short pants, and leaning back in a comfortable cruising postion with feet up on high cruising pegs. He was in the left lane and closing fast on a line of cars in the right lane. The cars were moving at around the speed limit. The Harley was easily traveling 20 to 30 MPH faster than the cars as he roared by.

I stood there watching and wondered what he would do if one of those cars decided to pass and pulled in front of him. What were his options? And I thought about how I ride. I endeavor to ride defensively and manage the risks that I identify on the road. Passing a line of cars is always a risk I assume responsibility for and plan an "out".

I'm amazed at how much faith some riders have in the behavior of others on the road. I don't trust anyone. I won't say I ride with by backside clenched to the seat but I am wary of what could happen next. The performance nature of the Vespa LX150 won't allow for the range of situations that a motorcycle can get into but it has sufficient power to find trouble. And I guess this points to the fundamental question I ask myself today---am I over doing things?

I've been thinking of the accident that claimed the life of motorcycle safety expert Larry Grodsky and am reminded of how many things are outside of our control that we at least should do what we can about those that are.

Larry Grodsky obituary

I ride defensively always, even on isolated country roads. As the weather has warmed I am still wearing armored clothes when the rest of the riders I see are in jeans or less. Before I purchased my Tourmaster Overpants I rode with jeans. Now the thought of nothing between my legs and the pavement but a bit of denim is unacceptable. Now, everytime I get on the scooter I have on leather boots, jeans, Tourmaster armored overpants, shirt, Mountain Hardwear Windproof jacket, Triumph Armored Mesh Jacket, gloves, earplugs, and full helmet. More if its cold or raining. A lot of stuff to put on for a run to the grocery store. But I have made it a habit, a ritual, and I am confortable.

A motorcycle rider asked me recently why I had so much on for just a scooter. I thought about it for a second and said "because when I hit the pavement it doesn't care whether I have high-sided from a Vespa or a Ducati."

I had a nice ride this morning. Dark clouds threatening rain but just beautiful. The roads were largely empty and passed several other riders enjoying the day. Rode about 50 miles around the local area through such notable communities as Centennial, Stormstown, Loveville, Half Moon and Scotia. Central Pennsylvania is just a motorcycle heaven...

Official Vespa Commuter

I made it official and surrendered my $5 a month bus pass for a yearly motorcycle parking permit that costs $24 annually. I have been commuting by Vespa through the winter but was resisting giving up the pass. That meant parking in town and walking to my office---a hike of almost a mile. It was probably good exercise but I got tired of the rush so now I can park right next to my office.

There are only three motorcycle spaces and because I get to work early I have displaced one of the other commuters. I saw one of the Harley riders pull up next to my scooter and look it over. I wondered if he has planning to toss it aside to make room for a real machine….

There were thunderstorms through the night and I had decided that a ride in a heavy rain would be good for the soul. Everything was wet at 5:30AM but when I left the house at 7AM there was a clear sky and the mist was giving way to an absolutely beautiful morning. I stopped along the way to shoot this photo with Mount Nittany in the background.

By the time I left work it was raining hard. I had my raingear and the ride was fun. I was dry and careful and there was not a lot of traffic. About halfway home the rain stopped and the sun came out. Just a great day to commute!

Riding and Release

I just returned from a short ride. My goal was to inspect a large rock and consider ways to move it from a farm field to our garden. The result was a relaxing ride through the local neighborhoods while the sun went down. I could tell spring was near because I could smell the scent of fresh mowed grass. Moving along the roads I could feel all the energy and activity of the day leave me. A simple gift of riding the easy ride...

Moratorium on Riding --- or so it feels...

This past week has marks the beginning of a decline in my riding. I'm preparing for graduation. I have been working on a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree as a part-time graduate student for a number of years and at the end of this semester I'll finally (hopefully) graduate. Between my work schedule, family, and school it feels as if riding is a luxury. I did manage to ride to the meet-up of the Top Secret Scooter Club on Monday. This took place less than a half mile from my home so obviously I had to take the six mile route to get there. It was raining hard when I left and my Gill Raincoast and Tourmaster OverPants worked nicely. I hate to say it but I sort of enjoy riding in the rain....

And of course there were commutes to work too but nothing really exciting took place. Just the joy of riding.

The image posted here I decided to use on the invitation postcard for my MFA Exhibition which opens on April 22. There won't be any scooter pictures in the exhibit but I really liked the shot so I figured what the hell. One person commented that it looked like I pick my pictures up along the road. I've thought about that and there is some truth to it. I certainly find my pictures while traveling whether literally or figuratively--through the world or through life.


Everything in my show will be black and white. Other than the pictures I post here all my work is done on film. The majority of the show will be comprised of images I have made of my wife Kim over the past seven years.


I will also have a small installation of landscape photographs which reflect the world I see through my wandering. As I continue working I feel a project emerging from my riding. I just don't know yet what it is....

Vespa 4, Dogs 0

Yes, that's the score. For all of you scooter doubters a Vespa LX150 can outrun a dog quite handily and I now have the direct experience to offer testament.

The weekend was lovely and Sunday morning was bright and a balmy 55 degrees Fahrenheit at 9AM. I left the driveway with a general inclination to proceed East through Penns Valley. The police politely detoured me to make way for a bicycle race but other than that I largely had the road to myself. I wandered through the rural countryside at a leisurely 25 MPH looking at the fields and cows and trees have a good old time. As I rounded a curve I caught a flash in the corner of my eye and looked to see a brown dog racing towards me on a collision course. After the initial primal dog attack reaction my training took over and I twisted the throttle just a bit up to about 30MPH as the dog closed on my I rolled off the throttle to throw off his intercept timing for a moment. As he hit the brakes to adjust I rolled on the throttle and sped right by him. He was a barking running beast growing smaller in my rear view mirror. Vespa 1, Dog 0.

Not a mile down the road came another even larger beast running at me from behind a house. I did the same thing this time but tried a more dramatic slowing and sure enough the dog's timing was wrecked, he tried to recover and at that instant I sped past him. This poor guy was so confused that he fell over himself trying to get after me. Vespa 2, Dogs 0.

I met one more dog on the run a few miles later and this one fared the same---a twisting confused mass of legs and feet watching another scooter get away. Vespa 3, Dogs 0.

The last dog encounter occurred while I was stopped taking the above picture. I still had my helmet on and earplugs so it took me awhile to recognize that a barking critter was slowly making his way towards me. He was about 150 feet away when I saw him. I finished with the camera, stowed it under the seat, pulled on my gloves and called out to Fido who just barked more. I started the Vespa and I guess the roar of the 150cc engine just scared the life out of him because he shied away and started trotting back home, still barking, but accepting the risk of approaching any closer to my obviously powerful machine. Vespa 4, Dogs 0.

So, for any of you who are concerned about the Vespa being unsuited for the road, underpowered for emergency situations like this, well, get over yourself. A Harley could not have performed any better.

The Curse of Safe Living

Something started percolating in my subconscious last night that boiled over into awareness this morning while walking my dog on the mountain near our home. I was looking at Pat Hahn’s book “Ride Hard Ride Smart” at Barnes and Noble. It’s a serious and in depth look at riding risks, techniques, and management strategies for riding. It’s a good book. There was a chapter on night riding and when I turned to that section it was short with an admonishment “Don’t do it”. Don’t ride at night. The risk is too great. I think this is where something happened in my subconscious. I turned to the index and looked up “snow”. Nothing. The book is excellent despite that admonishment or the fact that I didn’t find any mention of riding in snow. But then there wasn’t any mention of hauling pigs or plywood on the back of a bike either so maybe my expectations are a bit out of line. Anyway, this is not about the book, it is about safety.

I was walking on the ridge trail with my dog five miles from the highway. It was raining and no one is up here. This is the place where Kim broke her leg on the way down the trail and I had to carry her a mile back to the car before I could take her to the hospital. I started thinking about all the books and articles I have read about hiking safety---don’t walk alone, always have the ten essentials, you could die just a mile from home. From there comes don’t swim alone, don’t walk after dark in that place, it’s too cold and you could freeze. I suddenly realized that some of the things I do that I have been considering “normal” might be unsafe. Safe. Safety. Is that what a reasonable American is expected to want? And suddenly I am engulfed by an explosion of thoughts about our culture, government, and lives.

We are obsessed with safety in almost every aspect of our lives. Our commercial culture breeds on our fear promising safety in everything from the tanks we drive to the soap we wash our hands with. Alarms and air filters and water purifiers. Double security locks, guns and pepper spray. Fire companies, cell phones, 911, police, rangers, soldiers, spies. Food, exercise, diet. We want to be safe from everything and everybody. And maybe the desire is natural and healthy. But the culture it has spawned seems a bit questionable. It wants to insulate us from experience. It wants us to see the world as a dangerous place to avoid rather than deal with. It allows us to deter our safety to others with little need for personal responsibility. It enables us to drive unsafely because we have a big vehicle with 8 air bags. We can disconnect from the impact our desire to be “safe” has on others in everything from pollution generated in the manufacture of household chemicals to the actions of our government in foreign lands.

I have always admired the writing of James Fenimore Cooper, Edward Abbey, and others who write about people who embrace the environment around them as humans who are part of it in spite of resident dangers. Perhaps I wax romantic here but I believe placing such a high regard on safety without considering the possibility that we become less human, less passionate, less demanding of ourselves in the process. I’m not an adrenaline junkie and I don’t take risks just to take risks. But I do take risks that I don’t have to intentionally because they are a part of the life I am living. Riding at night is just one of them. Hiking alone is another. And I believe I am a better person because of it.

Vespa LX150 Riding Review

The weather was beautiful today and the temperature climbed to near 60 for the ride home. I took a detour through some farm fields where this picture was made.

With the scooter odometer turning 3000 miles today I thought it a good time to review performance, construction, quality and riding characteristics after months of use. Here goes….

I have to mention the selection process I went through in acquiring the Vespa LX150. I had my heart set on a new Triumph T100 last summer. I had been looking at it for months and I had decided to purchase one. My friend Paul suggested I try his Vespa ET4 over the Memorial Day weekend just to try out a scooter. I wasn’t really interested but he offered enough times that I felt it rude to not take him up on his offer. I hadn’t ridden it more than a mile before I was hooked. I thought I would hate not having a clutch and being able to run through the gears. The twist and go automatic transmission was a delight. Having both brakes at my fingertips was nice as well. The scooter was extremely nimble on the road with it’s small tires and I did not notice any stability issues at the speeds the scooter was capable of producing. During that weekend I dismissed any thoughts of the Triumph and decided on the Vespa.

I should add here that if you decide to purchase a Vespa (especially if you are a man) you had better be sure you have the courage to own one. It amazes me how many other men pick at the scooter, at me, at both together, as some sort of less than manly contraption that insults at a primal level. Or so it seems. Again, if you want one, you better be sure of your masculinity.

The Vespa LX150 has a 149cc Leader engine manufactured by Piaggio and has been a solid performer since I bought it. The only problem I had was at 12 miles the thing would not start and the dealer had to pick it up and take it to the shop. Turned out there was a tiny piece of rubber from the fuel line that must have been nicked off during assembly and clogged the carburetor jet. They removed the clog and the scooter has run flawlessly for the next 3000 miles. It starts immediately in all weather. I’ve ridden down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The engine runs smoothly and provides surprising acceleration for such a small scooter. The automatic transmission is smooth as well. Gas mileage is consistently around 68 miles per gallon. Top speed for me at 190 pounds is around 64 miles per hour on the flat with no wind. A bit faster if I tuck down. The brakes are exceptional with the front disc brake providing great stopping power. The body assembly is tight with no rattles or noises. The Vespa is a quality machine. The only complaint that I can muster is I wish the glove box were watertight. I have not seen any leakage while riding in rain but when I wash it and spray the hose in that direction I’ll find water inside.

The real positive points for me are the styling and the ride. The look of the Vespa LX150 is classic. Piaggio has done a fantastic job bringing the style to the new scooters and you either like them or you don’t. I like the fact that it stands out and is not something you see everyday around here. The ride is pretty amazing. I feel as if I am flying through the landscape but at speeds where I can actually appreciate what I’m seeing. It’s not a cruiser or sport bike but it is fun. I’ve ridden it on trips of 100 miles through back roads and farm lanes and I feel like I’m aware of every sight and smell. It is not a freeway machine though I have ridden it on the Interstate at times when traffic is low but a good general rule would be to stay on two-lane roads. I would have no fear riding it for hundreds of miles; I just need to accept that the ride will not be the fastest. The scooter is a rambling and meandering machine.

The only accessory I’ve added is a folding rear rack for $150. It allows me to add some luggage when the need arises. This spring I plan to add tent and sleeping back for a little scooter camping. Maintenance costs have been what I would have expected. At 600 miles and the end of the break-in period I had the dealer change the engine and hub oil and check all the other things they check. At 2500 miles I had a rear tire put on (those little tires wear fast), oil change, valve lash adjustment, check brakes, etc. Cost for that was a bit over $200 dollars. The next service will be in 1000 miles.

Final thoughts---- The Vespa is a well-built, solid performer. It is reliable and will last for years. It is not cheap as scooters go. Mine ran $4500 out the door with tax and license. The decision to spend on a Vespa for me was tied to styling. I wanted the Vespa look.