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.....

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…..