A Deer and Riding Story

Morning Fall

Since my Vespa is still in my garage as I narrow down the potential problems I wanted to share this video with you. The landscape reminds me a a forested area near here that I ride through and has many deer. While I slow to almost a crawl I have seen groups of riders fly through the area seemingly indifferent to any danger the deer pose. This film is a reminder for the need to make good decisions while riding.

The film, Morning Fall, was written and directed by Edward McGinty and submitted to the Moving Pictures Short Film Contest.

Karma and a Riding Misadventure

Maybe I watched too many episodes of My Name is Earl. I figured if I did something nice for someone Karma would take care of me and that winning lottery ticket would blow up against my riding boot. Sitting on the back of my friend Paul's truck at the end of the day 60 miles from home I was rethinking the Earl model.

I have been on vacation during the holidays but until yesterday didn't really take a long ride and with the weather warming into the 40's I figured now was the time, especially since I just did all the maintenance on the scooter. I departed around 9AM under cloudy skies and a 28° F temperature. The grass and cars were covered in frost but the road was dry. I bundled up in my riding gear and was off. I had my Mamiya 7 camera along to shoot some black and white landscape pictures --- the official start of a new project. The plan was to explore some really open spaces along Nittany and Sinking valleys. The sun was trying to push through the cloud cover creating a glow in the sky and on the frost covered fields.



While shooting this picture a gentleman from a nearby home trotted over to ask about the Vespa and share that he had an ET4. What better omen for a great ride than running into a fellow Vespa owner! We talked for a few minutes and then I was off towards the more remote sections of the valley.


The light continued to glow and warm. Stopping to take pictures, pulling off my mittens and exposing them to the cold air was taking it's toll on hand warmth though and it wasn't long before I would preheat them on the headlight before pulling the mittens back on. There were a lot of neat little spots along the way including this old garage covered in signs and license plates.


I have passed it many times and always wanted to stop to make a picture. And these silos seemed to jump out at me when I went by requiring another stop for the big camera and a quick snapshot with the digital camera too.


I had decided to ride into Tyrone for lunch when a tractor-trailer driver flagged me down. He had a paper in his hand so I figured he was more interested in directions than in the Vespa. Two Vespa encounters in one day were too much to expect. The driver and his 14000 pounds of seed were lost and worse the place he was trying to find was about as hidden away as possible around here. I lent him my cell phone so he could get directions and as I watched his look become more puzzled and frustrated I asked for the phone. After a few minutes I determined exactly where the delivery point was and that this guy from Indiana would never find it. What else could I do but volunteer to lead him there. It was only about 10 miles in the opposite direction that I was now headed but heck I am always up for a change in plans. So he jumps into the cab and I get on the scooter and hit the starter button and it just whirrs. "Dead battery" flashes in my head. I get off and hit the kick-starter (yes, the Vespa LX150 still has a kickstart) a few times and the engine starts and off we go.

It was a nice ride especially with an eighteen-wheel escort behind me that didn't want to run me down. Once we hit the dirt roads though I was kind and he had a hard time keeping up. I had to stop a few times to make sure he was still there. We arrive at the agricultural enterprise and they are glad I led the truck there. It occurred to me then that they would have come and got him if I hadn't volunteered to lead him. Turned out that I was glad I did because I found some roads and places that were fine riding and offered lots of photo possibilities for my new project. The farmers have put up their snow fences but we haven't had any snow yet. They do make for nice pictures.

Lunch was out of the question now until I got to Altoona that lay over the far ridge and 12 miles to the left.


I was smart enough at this point to not shut the engine off when I was taking pictures. I figured I would check things out when I got to Altoona. The really smart rider would have ridden home to troubleshoot in his or her own garage. An hour later I pull into my in-laws driveway and go inside for a fantastic meatball sandwich.

The fun begins now as I try and get the Vespa running for the trip home. I had it in my head that the starter would not engage because the battery was low. Swapped the battery from my father-in-law's ET4 and the same thing. And my battery started his scooter fine. At this point I ask to use the computer and post on the Modern Vespa site for help and receive immediate help from the Technical Moderator Gary that I should run down the ground to make sure it is solid. He helped me troubleshoot but as the afternoon waned I figured it was time to truck the scooter home. I called my friend Paul who graciously offered to drive his truck 60 miles to get the scooter and me. Here you can see Paul on the left with my father-in-law Bob.


They both did a lot to try and get the Vespa running. We loaded up and headed for gas and a bite to eat, the least I could do.

It was dark when we left and suddenly we have no headlights on the truck. I'm beginning to wonder now what I'm being punished for. Karma is not with me. It wasn't until we got home that Kim put things in perspective for me. It was a great ride, I did a good deed, I met another Vespa rider, I had the opportunity to be with family, a good friend showed his friendship, I was home safe, and perhaps there was a reason for not riding home. Kim pointed out what I couldn't see because I was focused on what I wanted---the scooter to start---and wasn't seeing the bigger picture. This wasn't a misadventure but another adventure. It's all in the way you look at things.

The scooter is in the garage and the heater is running. Another adventure awaits.

Motorcycle Maintenance: To Zen or Not Zen

New drive belt, roller weights, spark plug.

After planning this work at 7500 miles I finally forced myself to do it at 8200. A friend commented that I did this for fun right? Fun? I can't remember the last time I had fun with a wrench in my hand but I bet it was in the 1960's. The only other reason would be to save money. It certainly saves on out-of-pocket expenses but once I factor in the time it takes any savings seems dubious. I'm not good but I am slow.

So why maintain the Vespa myself?

I've asked this question more than once lying on the cold concrete floor of our unheated garage trying to position my bifocals so I could see or each time I didn't have the right tool or part. Why do this work when it would be easy to schedule our local Vespa technicians?

I had to revisit Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig to find a more eloquent way to express the reasons I've engaged maintenance of the scooter. Chapter 2 is a great chapter wrestling with the idea of doing your own work. Pirsig writes:

"Here is the machine, isolated in time and in space from everything else in the universe. It has no relationship to you, you have no relationship to it..."

Pirsig rejects this notion and outlines the contemporary relationship most have towards their vehicles. A motorcycle or scooter is personal in a way a car can't be. Perhaps it is the inherent risk in riding, the physical exposure or vulnerability or the heightened awareness of the world that makes the machine more connected to me. I entrust my life to my scooter in a real sense and having a basic understanding of the basic mechanical functioning and maintenance seems a reasonable step to ensure a successful relationship. For me, I believe performing routine checks and maintenance of the Vespa keeps me honest, it keeps me paying attention, and it keeps me safe. And it makes riding richer. It makes sense to me in my head. Time will tell if it works in practice.

I'm no mechanic either but I don't want to feel helpless on the road should something happen. And I want to be able to repair failures myself on long trips that otherwise would spell the end of an adventure. Tires, drivebelt, ignition, cables, brakes, things that wear out or break. With the right parts and cooperation of a service station I could keep the Vespa on the road. The mechanical adventure. Not for everyone but I merely suggest you consider it. When I started this work I figured the worse that could happen is I would have to haul a half torn apart Vespa to the dealer to save me. A lesson in humility.

I'd like to say I enjoy this work but right now it is a challenge. Many years of greasy work under rusty old cars that I could not afford to have professionally repaired has soured my sense of mechanical adventure. But I won't let this stand in the way. The Vespa is a simple machine and almost any repair is within my ability with a bit of support or research. I purchased the Haynes manual for my Vespa and I also downloaded the Piaggio service manual and parts manual and had them printed and bound at Kinkos complete with waterproof covers that I can clean after using them.

The Modern Vespa forum is an extremely helpful place. More than once I've gotten stuck somewhere in the process, posted my question, waited ten minutes, got the answer, and went on my way. It's like having a mechanic on call! Check out this POST on changing roller weights. Towards the end you can see my frustrated self appear begging for help. And you can download all the service manuals HERE. I can't say enough about everyone who is part of that forum. Gary, the Technical Moderator (aka addicted), not only has extensive experience but he also provides therapy for the fearful as he lately did with me! It's worth joining if only to make it easier to follow the posting or do research on your Vespa or Piaggio dreams.

I did take the scooter out for a short test run and all is well. Stopped by this big willow tree to make a picture.


Now it's time to test the Vespa some more!

Merry Christmas!

Some part of me expects to find the landscape covered in snow on December 24rd. It's hard to listen to Dean Martin on the radio singing "Let it Snow" or Johnny Mathis doing "Sleigh Ride" when it was 50 degrees and sunny yesterday. I didn't grow up on "Christmas in Dixie". The little kid in me wakes up and won't go to sleep during the holidays. I rent all the classics at the video store. My daughter and her boyfriend invited me to go with them to see "A Christmas Story" on the big screen at a new theater in town. It's still a thrill to bring home and trim a Christmas tree. Family and friends will gather this evening to spend time together in the best spirit of the holiday. It's from this place I want to extend my best wishes to all of you for a Merry Christmas!

Over the past year I've watched the number of visitors to Scooter in the Sticks grow and I am grateful for the network of riders who share their experience where and on their own sites. It's been a positive experience, a gift from all of you who read and post here. Thank you!

It's Christmas Eve and the Vespa is sitting quietly in the garage after carrying me yesterday on last minute errands before Santa arrives. Other than a brisk wind the riding conditions were perfect. I stopped along the Linden Hall road to make a photograph of the rural area I enjoy riding through.


Again, I wish all of you the best for you and your families.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Spirit vs. Riding Safety

Two days until Christmas. Everywhere I see bright faces and smiles, people shopping, families with children looking at decorations. Consumed by the magic of the season. Maybe the commercial part but I’m sure there are some more spiritual experiences too. Either way people are rushing, working, laughing, planning, buying, wrapping, talking, singing, and driving. Yes driving. After riding into town today I have to believe the heightened Christmas spirit and driving don’t mix too well with riding safety. Or maybe I am merely experiencing what is normal everyday life for those of you in more urban settings.

I left the house around 9AM this morning. The temperature was about 40° F and it was raining. Not hard but enough to keep the roads wet, generate a small bit of fog and mist to paint the world from a grey template. A fine day for a ride and an excellent chance to test the waterproof characteristics of the rain cover for the MotoFIZZ bag I now have on the rear rack. Riding down the road from my house I see a car coming down a side street to my left that ends at a stop sign. I have the right-of-way, I see the driver looking at me but the car is not slowing down. I ease off the throttle and cover the brakes as he rolls through the stop sign at 15 MPH and onto the road in front of me. I follow him down to the traffic light where he pulls up behind a truck waiting to turn left. I glide by him on the right and make a right turn onto the highway going towards town. I see in my rear view mirrors that the car turns right instead of left. I’m riding on a four-lane road with many connecting roads, lanes, and driveways and I always pay careful attention to everything on this stretch. Two miles down the road the car catches up to me as traffic slows for a series of lights. He is in the left lane and I in the right. Another half mile up the road he decides he wants to be in the right lane so he can make a right turn. I am presented with my first spiritual decision of the day. I can continue on the course I am on and effectively block his attempt to turn right. None of the cars are inclined to let him in. Or I can slow almost to a stop to let him in. I can tell you that in the past, in the pre-scooter days, I would not have let him in. Especially after the stunt he pulled earlier. I slow and let him in, he turns right and I follow him along up the hill. We continue on for about two more miles until he signals that he is going to make a right turn into an office complex. I have to go to the same place. I’m thinking he is worried now that some big mean scooter rider is going to pummel him in the parking lot. I smile to myself and go about my business without any further interaction or notice of the offending car.


Later as I am riding in town I feel as if I am dodging people and vehicles constantly. Everyone is talking and laughing and not paying a whole lot of attention to the road. I see a young driver in a white Ford Explorer chattering away on a cell phone as they pull across my path from an alley. They really looked happy, eyes all aglow, full of the Christmas spirit. Near disaster later as I am leaving town and a Jeep Grand Cherokee runs a stop sign at 35 MPH on a really busy street and me only 20 yards from the intersection. It was a surprise seeing that Jeep rush past in front of me, driver’s left hand holding the phone to their ear talking I’m sure about whether to buy the heating pad for Uncle Owen or just get him a pound of fudge. I’d take the fudge.

The real news here is not that drivers, pedestrians, and dare I suggest riders don’t always pay attention to the road. The more important news is that I don’t get angry anymore about these things. And not so long ago I could really generate some grudge and rage fuel from these sorts of things. While riding I have become more accepting of the inconsistencies on the road, and that generally it’s not personal. I have some expectations of drivers and riders but if they aren’t met, well, that’s OK. And I accept what those shortcomings could mean to my own wellbeing. I don’t really know if all those people are full of the Christmas spirit or not. But I know that I’m feeling it and it makes it pretty easy to be generous on the road.

The waterproof rain cover kept everything dry. I had a bit of difficulty at first figuring out the best way to cinch it over the pack. I left it sloppy in the back but by the end of the day I figured out how to have it nice and snug. I did worry a bit about leaving the scooter parked in the parking garage wondering if some enterprising thief would grab it for a present for some rider thief. After a few moment of consideration I decided that it’s only a bag and if it is going to be useful I will have to leave it on the scooter. When I returned it was still there. It was a good day.

Pre-Christmas Wandering

I've taken a few vacation days this year to have some time before Christmas to indulge in all the holiday business in a slower and more manageable manner. With the tree behind me and all the lights up on the house I've been focusing on last minute gifts. I don't want to share too much about that in case Kim should read this before the magic morning.

Yesterday morning it was sunny and 27° F, perfect weather to take the scooter out for a few errands. I really did have good intentions to take care of some business but the road has a way of drawing out the wanderlust in me and I had to take a few detours. I sort of rationalized that I might find an antique store in one of the rural communities I could ride through but when I turned off the paved road to follow a dirt road up on to the mountain I knew I was just having fun. The bright sun, cold clear air and the fragrance of conifers made the slow ride up the mountain a dream.

I should add here that this was also the first test of Kim's Christmas present to me --- a MotoFizz seat bag just recently arrived from AeroStich.


I opted for the folding rear rack on the Vespa rather than the hard topcase. But there are times when I want to have a little extra protected storage space and after a long search decided on this one. And Kim checked the naughty and nice list twice and determined I should have it. I first saw these bags on the Adventure Rider site and it seems perfect. This is the small version and has plenty of space for camera, windbreaker, gloves, thermos, and other odds and ends. Tiny compared to some of the saddlebags and hard cases I see on motorcycles but for the simple minded (that doesn't sound right) it is perfect. There is a good review of the bags by Bob Stokard of City Bike --- READ THE REVIEW OF MOTOFIZZ BAGS

Riding over the mountain and back down the other side I decided to take a route I had never visited on the scooter. I remembered this part of the valley as isolated and a place where failed farms had been absorbed back into meadows and woods. As I rode along it didn't take long to see a different transition in progress --- meadows and woods turning into homes, small estates and gentleman farms. One in particular had hundreds of acres of empty pasture fenced with 12-foot high fences. Seems this particular place had elk.


I only saw three in the whole place but the land did run over a ridge so there could have been hundreds somewhere I suppose.

This trend remained the rest of the ride. The sprawl of development just keeps growing and growing. As the roads get wider, smoother and straighter the easy of commuting makes homebuilding in more distance places palatable I suppose. There is still a lot of rural space around though and it makes scooting in the sticks a lot of fun!

Hauling a Christmas Tree by Vespa

I had been thinking for the past few weeks that I would bring my tree home on the Vespa this year from the local Christmas tree farm where we always get our tree. Or almost always. One year Kim and I decided we wanted to populate our yard with many Christmas trees. We didn't want to spend the money on balled and bagged live trees so we improvised. The students at our local University would be leaving for the holiday break and that departure would leave many beautiful Christmas trees on the ground next to dumpsters at the dorm complexes. A simple drive in the truck allowed a collection of about 10 trees. Some post holes dug around the yard and as if by magic a Christmas tree forest. But I digress.

Back to the wisdom of thinking I could transport a tree home on the Vespa. I rode out to the Tait Farm to choose this year's tree. When I pulled into the parking lot I was the only Vespa and my arrival triggered a friendly conversation about the wisdom of dragging a tree home on the scooter. I was not to be dissuaded. After all, I was only going to get a small five-foot Christmas tree. They sent me over to aisle 1A because this year I wanted a Fraser Fir. It didn't take long to find the perfect tree but it did take a bit longer to saw it down. The warm weather had the sap running and the handsaw kept binding in the wet wood. And aside on motorcycle riding clothes is in order. I have been riding for many months with the First Gear jacket and Tourmaster Overpants in all weathers and conditions but lying on the ground to saw down this tree made me dirtier than all those months of riding. I did the best I could to clean the mud off when I got home but I'm afraid the bright yellow of the jacket will show the battle scars of getting a Christmas tree. Again I digress.

The friendly folks at Tait Farm cleaned the tree up nicely on the tree shaker and then pulled it through something that compressed and wrapped the tree in twine. This was a first since in the past I just threw the tree into the back of the truck. The real fun started when it was time to leave. Everyone was laughing about me taking the tree home on the Vespa --- the good kind of laughing. I was asked if a picture could be taken for their Web site that I happily accommodated.


Now it was time to load the tree onto the scooter. In picking a tree I went with one I liked and it turned out to be seven and a half feet tall rather than five. No matter though, still not as wide as a Ford Excursion. The tree went on the rack easily and it took only two bungee cords to secure it in place and head home. I have to admit that it felt a little exciting, like I did when I was a kid and went with my parents to get a tree. More riding magic I guess.

Lots of smiles and waves as I rode out towards the highway. I had to make a choice here based on the tree. Turning left would be the most direct route home but would take me for a few miles in traffic wanting to go 60 MPH. Turning right would take me to a farm lane in a few hundred yards that would allow me to travel at a more reasonable tree transport speed. I chose right.

Out on the highway I did the few hundred yards at 50 MPH. Had I not seen the shadow of the tree on the road I would not have know it was back there at all. As soon as I turned onto the farm lane I regretted not taking the faster route.


The gravel road had been partially graded and had some really large loose gravel on it. The Vespa doesn't do well in that so I slowly rode along with the wheels floating in the gravel. Eventually the surface returned to its more normal packed gravel. When I got on the paved road home I easily managed 50 MPH and could have done so all day and the rush of air didn't seem to harm the tree needles. There was a lot of smiles and pointing from on coming traffic and I was glad I could spread some Christmas spirit.


A stop at the Pump Station Cafe for hot chocolate before going home was in order and gave me a few moments to reflect on what is sure to be a new Christmas tradition at our house. I'm hoping that next Christmas Kim and I will both be riding out to Tait Farm on our respective scooters!

Pulling into the driveway revealed the Vespa to be the growing workhorse in the family and by mileage along it is out in front of the car and truck. So, for any of you scooter or motorcycle riders who still need a tree and feel inclined to contribute to the Christmas spirit, grab a few bungee cords and head to your local Christmas tree enterprise and maybe you'll get to experience some of that magic reserved most of the time for kids!

Wrestling with Bumps in the Road

Some days something small can trigger an unexpected line of thinking

Life unveils bumps in the road and regardless of preparation it's hard to know how a person will react. The monster under the bed came become real. With riding it is the mishap on the road, the near miss, the crash, the untimely demise of a stranger focuses attention on the dark side of riding. Riders deal with these events in a variety of ways --- training, rationalization, denial or some combination that allows the ride to continue. Or not.

I know the risks in the same way a climber, scuba diver, or backpacker does. Careful preparation, assessment of skill and risk, and decisions made with my eyes open is what I try and do in riding and any other activity that moves me away from the relative safety of home. What I find curious is what happens after an unfortunate event, the kind that would have me asking, "Do I want to keep riding?" I believe I can manage the risk I assume to be safe while riding but I wonder how I would feel if something happened. I know more than a handful of people who have stopped riding after their first accident. I wonder if they suddenly became aware of new information or had they never really accepted the risk? Or was the prospect of riding again too frightening?

When I passed the half-century mark I began to wonder how many years I had left and what would I do if my health or well-being were threatened through accident or illness. I want to believe I would have no regrets and made my decisions with my eyes open. There remains a part of me though that wonders if I am kidding myself. I know we are all riding to the same place but it's easy to keep that destination hidden from view, from thought, from consideration.

The culture I see in magazines and television offer a bright, carefree and positive road for me to ride on if I want to pay the price. The sun always shines on that road and it's easy to believe only good things will happen. If I am honest about the risk I assume while riding I know that the sun doesn't always shine on the road. The possibility exists that I could pass under a gray cloud. There was a time that I would probably consider this subject morbid and not suited for polite conversation (or blogging). That thinking has given way to something different, an understanding that a ride down the road with my eyes open and mind fully aware of the good and bad is more human and alive than any yellow brick road I can conjure.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!
When I got up this morning I looked at the Midwest Scooter Enthusiast blog written by Roadbum. He has an excellent post that talks about learning to be still so you can pay attention to the world and your thoughts. I wrote about some of my thoughts while riding but Roadbum has really put his finger on something bigger. Take a few minutes to look at Sit Down and Shut Up.

Happy and Near the Wild Heart of Life

I borrowed this title from a line in Jon Krakauer's book "Into the Wild", an account of a young man who literally walks away from his life. The story describes a rebellion against the pressures of modern life --- a topic that permeates, to various degrees, many of the writings of motorcycle riders.

I am reminded over and over again the power riding has to pull the veil from the routine of living and the gap between life and living. Riding in cold weather tendsto strip away everything but the road, the scooter, and the actions I take. Life is simple and full of purpose making speed and lane position decisions, considering route and other vehicles, listening to the sound of the engine. It's in these moments that I realize how light I can feel and how heavy life can become through the decisions I make in the name of comfort, style, and conformity, all things related to consuming more and more things. Riding reminds me of the fleeting nature of things and the power of experience and action.

I'm thinking about the credit card advertisement that lists the prices of several items and then ends with something like "walking with your daughter in the snow - priceless". Maybe the other items in the list aren't that important and more time should be spent in action rather than shopping, acquiring, owning.

I stopped along this gravel road on the way home to look at the light in the woods as the sun went down and I remembered a statement made by photographer Edward Weston many years ago when asked why he did not own a car. He suggested that a person must weight the cost of ownership in terms of what he must give up in freedom to own something. He was speaking of how buying and ownership affects the need to use time to earn money. Weston was careful to weigh this transaction carefully so that he could pursue his life rather than spend it paying for things.

Being happy and near the wild heart of life doesn't come automatically. I think it has to be earned through careful and deliberate action. Riding safely requires careful and deliberate action and offers a practical method of experience that can move us closer to that wild heart of life.

Decisions: Riding in the Snow

The road in front of the house was completely snow covered when I got up. A check of the temperature showed 18° F. The wind was blowing at 20 – 25 MPH. I put my boots on and walked out across the driveway to check the road surface. Dry powder, no hidden ice, and pretty good traction. Decision time.

My plan was to not ride this winter in the snow but I have to admit there was a strong attraction to ride in this first snow of the season. I walked back into the house and asked what I should do. After a quick consideration of the road, the time (it was 7AM and traffic would still be light) and the strong desire to attempt the ride, I pulled on my Tourmaster Overpants.

The Vespa started easily and the traction on the snow-covered road was good for the first half mile. I stopped to make a picture (excuse the fuzziness, it was actually still pretty dark and I didn’t want to pull out the tripod) as the road turned from snow to a glaze of ice from all the traffic. Once I got on the main road it was chemically wet compliments of PENNDOT. I was grateful that there was almost no traffic as I slowly made my way to work. There were slippery spots here and there and stopping at one traffic light was a bit challenging and required my outriggers down to manage the slow stop/slide.

I arrived at work safely and aside from the carefully actions required of the ride the only other things of note was the difficultly with the visor fogging due to my heavier than normal breathing and how well the mittens worked to keep my hands warm. A little more snow should arrive this morning but the ride home should be clear. I wouldn’t want to do this in traffic.

The Darker it gets the Brighter the Ride

When I left my office today it was getting dark, colder, and there were a few snowflakes on the seat of the Vespa. I prepared to ride home feeling flat and unmotivated to do much beyond hit the couch and read a book. As so often happens the moment the scooter roars (you have to help me with the appropriate verb) to life a smile eases into my face and the weight of the day and 35 years fade from my frame.

Out in traffic I was content to take my place on the road with my fellow travelers and enjoy the darkening day. I made a detour into the small village we call home to visit Kim at the salon where she was having her cut. I had taken all the money. I went in without removing my helmet, went into the back where she was under a dryer writing in her journal and proceeded to try and have a conversation. Her ability to hear was drowned out by the dryer and I'm sitting next to her with a helmet and earplugs. We sort of waved at each other apparently understanding. I could tell by the smile on Kim's face that whatever was happening it must be good and I'm sure she recognized the smile on my face. I don't know what it is about the scooter but making all sorts of little stops to see things and talk to people just seems natural.

From there to Agostenelli's Market for some fresh bread. They have it fresh on Tuesdays and I just couldn't pass it up.

It's so good that I had to build a sandwich before even writing this entry. Not much gets between me and Scooter in the Sticks. So, the day was getting even brighter when I stopped in the town square to take a picture of the new Christmas decorations on one of the store.

From there a short trip home and happy relaxation. It's a great evening.

IMPORTANT TECHNICAL NOTE: Notice my first vertical picture today! I am growing more open to new things as I get older.

Selling the Cage

How often have you thought about getting rid of the cage and living life solely on two-wheels? It's a nice fantasy but I wonder if it isn't something best left in the fantasy realm. It certainly would require commitment and patience. I've watched my annual mileage drop on my Ford Ranger to about 1000 miles per year from around 10,000 the year before acquiring the Vespa. If I absolutely had to I could survive with only the scooter relying on the bus for days too harsh or dangerous which is what I do now. Days I don't feel comfortable on the Vespa are the same sort of days the Ranger doesn't do well in either.

I got up this morning for a ride in the bright sunny 25° F morning. The wind was gone and the bright sun confused my brain into not thinking it was cold. This picture shows what a cageless world would look like for usually this place is lined with them.

From there out across the valley and smiling because the new mittens are keeping my hands toasty today at even lower temperatures than last weekend even with a stop to gaze at the sky.

A stop at one of the local car dealers just to scan the window stickers of the used cars was an eye opener. I tend to buy vehicles at ten-year intervals and don't look much in between. Our VW Jetta is 11 years old now but with only 89,000 miles we'll try and run it along for a few more years. Walking from one sticker to the next I choked at the prices for used, I mean pre-owned, vehicles. I didn't even venture to the new ones.

We have two vehicles plus the Vespa. I don't see us with zero cages but I can see scaling back to one. Since both are paid for and in good shape I'll hold onto both and make a final decision when the time comes to replace something. I do have dreams of saving that extra cash. And even if I do need a second cage, maybe I can opt for the 500-dollar beater. There is something romantic about driving a beater car, especially in these days of perfect shiny cages.

Scooters, Motorcycles and Noise Reduction

Only a short ride into town today to run some errands and buy oil for the next oil change in the Vespa. It was windy and 33° F according to the display at the bank. New mittens were nice and warm and I had another uneventful ride. Since there isn't much to report I thought I would get something out of my head that has been floating around for awhile related to noise.

For a long time, shortly after 2AM a loud and obnoxious motorcycle would roar up the hill to our house, turn onto another street, and roar up the street. Each night it would wake us up so that we could follow the path until it finally disappeared into the silence of the night. I describe this particular motorcycle as obnoxious because the noise level was loud enough to make a loose pane of glass in the front door vibrate and if I was outside when it happened to make an appearance in daylight hours I felt like holding my ears. (actually I felt like doing something else)

On a warm Saturday morning at 9AM when I am relaxing with a cup of tea in the garden I can anticipate doing this with the sound of several lawnmowers somewhere nearby, a leaf blower cleaning a driveway, a circular saw cutting a board for a deck, a shop-vac cleaning the inside of an SUV and any number of other typical sounds. The neighborhood is a noisy place. This background noise blends together as a symphonic representation of non-urban America.

Enter the motorcycle - or scooter. Many ride through town and the neighborhood barely noticeable. My Vespa is so quiet that often the dog lying at the door awaiting my return doesn't hear me pull up. My friend Paul's Harley Fatboy is quiet too since he has left the factory exhaust untouched. And I should add that not all scooters are quiet. The vintage two-stroke scooters can be loud and spewing clouds of smoke and often exaggerated because they congregate in a flock. But they are less than occasional occurrences at best and tolerated more easily like a passing fire truck or helicopter. It's the large number or loud sport bikes and cruisers that comprise the problem population and where real change and improvement are possible.

There is a growing movement from the grass root level to the legislature to curb or ban loud exhausts or even motorcycles. I know the freedom and independence arguments but as noise levels increase there will be a growing outcry from the non-riding, property owning, and motorcycle averse voting population to have something done. Riding a scooter is about as innocuous as you can be without resorting to a bicycle or walking but a scooter isn't for everyone. For all other motorcycles from dirt bikes to big V-twin cruisers it is technically easy to make those machines acceptably quiet. The more difficult challenge always resides between our ears.

I stumbled across a site today that had a lot of links to noise related issues and it's worth some time to get up to speed on what's going on in various places and consider where you are in the equation. Maybe we can do something individually before Uncle Sam steps in and does it for us. Maybe it's just a matter of understanding, respect, and consideration for others. The kind of consideration we would all like to have on the road from other drivers. Maybe there's a chance to set a fine example.

AMA Excessive Noise Position

RideSTEALTH site

Riding in a Windstorm

First off the picture was taken a couple of mornings ago on the way to work and the sun appeared for a few moments just after dawn and I just had to stop and take a picture. It's like that with a scooter, you just see things that you miss in a cage.

I forgot the camera today so I couldn't photograph all the great stuff I saw. Those great images all got away. I've been working on a few posts but none are ready for release yet but I did want to share a few observations about the commute today. When I left the temperature was near 50° F with a slight breeze and heavy sky that was crying tears of rain and mist. The ride was uneventful and I arrived at work on time and in good spirits.

About mid-day I could see that the wind was picking up and a quick check of the weather forecast showed a storm front coming through with up to an inch of heavy rain and winds gusting to 60 MPH. I went outside to check my Vespa and since it was parked right next to the building it seemed safe from a fall and if it did fall it would go against the building.

When I left at the end of the day the rain had passed but the wind was howling. I was buffeted around just walking across the parking lot and the ride home was probably the most challenging of my Vespa career. More than once as I was moving through traffic at slow speeds I had to put a foot down to keep from being blown down. The wind was unpredictable and the direction kept changing. I stopped at the library and had to park the scooter on the street but not until I determined the wind direction and parked with the nose of the scooter into the wind. I feared returning to find it sprawled along the street.

The Vespa gods were with me and it stood up fine. The remainder of the trip home was even more difficult as I entered the faster traffic that is not fazed a bit at the wind. I on the other hand had to drop my normal speed by 15 to 20 MPH at time just to stay in my lane. I was fortunate that I hit lights a few times as they were turning yellow and I didn't have a lot of traffic behind me for short periods.

I was relived as I turned into the driveway unscathed and sat for a moment thinking about the ride. Compared to the snow and ice I've been on this gusty ride seemed out of control and almost unmanageable. Good to be home and have a cup of tea.

Winter Riding Glove Review

It was frosty cold yesterday morning and ideal conditions to test my new glove protection against the elements. For regular readers you are familiar with my tedious search for something to keep my hands warm. And my desire for something simple --- read that nothing electric. My searched ended on Friday when I purchased a pair of Black Diamond Mercury Mitts --- mittens for extreme cold.

A bit of history. Last winter I purchased a pair of Alpinestars insulated gloves to begin my cold weather riding. When the temperature dropped to 40°F the Alpinestars weren't warm enough and a purchased a pair of Tourmaster Cold-Tex gloves. I rode with these all winter but I should describe the experience.

My winter riding at sub-freezing temperatures with my Tourmaster gloves require frequent stops to warm my hands on the headlight or exhaust. At 30 degrees I can manage 15 minutes at 50MPH before my hands are painfully dead. More or less time depending on speed. For my daily commute where speeds are less than that I can suffer along down to 15 degrees. For long trips I plan my route with stops to get warm, eat, drink, and huddle around the muffler. Sort of like camping when I was a kid.

My hands have always been cold since I was a kid. This personal property worsened a few years ago when I developed frostbite on the ends of all my fingers while helping a friend move a stainless steel centrifuge in sub-zero temperatures with no gloves. This act is on my top-ten list of boneheaded actions.

So when it comes to winter gloves I am starting at a disadvantage --- genetically cold hands, frostbite history, and a rejection of modern electric technology. Just so you appreciate my challenge. I've done considerable research and inquiry about gloves on various forums and in person and I've found that estimating protection against cold is not an exact science and complicated my personal tolerance. And it seems as if manufacturers rate things against death or damage rather than my comfort level. But then again how can they determine that.

With that history in mind I can proceed with my story. It was a dark and dreary night and all the riders were sitting around the campfire when in walks Steve. And this is the story he told them...

In my search several gloves kept being recommended --- the Tourmaster Winter Elite, Tourmaster Polar-Tex, Orina 118, BMW winter glove, and generic snowmobile equipment. After some interaction with members of the Adventure Rider forum with people riding all winter in places like Alaska I realized that no glove on the market without electrics was going to keep my hands toasty in the weather I would be riding in. When I finally accepted this I turned towards mittens at the suggestion of Mr. Charpentier at Rush Hour Rambling.

When I couldn't find much evidence of snowmobile glove and mitten effectiveness I abandoned that search in favor of arctic expedition and snowboarding mittens. There was a lot of ratings and descriptions of the environments this stuff is used in. Snowboarders at 4000 meters in sub-zero cold traveling at 50 MPH. If it worked for them it had to work for me on the Vespa.

After abandoning consideration of the $200 Outdoor Research Alti mitts and other serious expedition down filled mittens I looked at the black diamond Mercury Mitts at our local outdoor outfitter --- Appalachian Outdoors. Waterproof/breathable liner, windproof, ten ounces of PrimaLoft insulation, and big gauntlets, I put down the cash and ended my search.


Yesterday morning, 8AM, 28°F. Perfect weather for my first test. I decided to ride 60 miles to my in-laws in Altoona to hand deliver an anniversary card.


I've made this trip many times last winter in comparable temperatures so I knew what to expect in terms of hand coldness. My goal was to ride to the half-way mark, the Family Chill and Grill, without having to warm my hands. Usually I would have to stop three to four times at this temperature.


With these new mittens I didn't have to stop to warm my hands. They weren't toasty but not painful either. I did stop twice to take pictures and holding the icy metal camera in my bare hands didn't help. But once the mittens were back on I could feel them warm rather than the steady decline towards pain in the old gloves.

Upon arrival at the Family Chill and Grill for a hearty breakfast my hands were cold but nothing I couldn't live with all day. And I was riding at speeds I normally would not ride on this trip --- 50 - 60 MPH. So I consider the new mittens a success and expect them to be fine for my kind of low speed adventuring all the way down to my 5 degree goal.

I should add that the bulk of these mittens requires some adjustment at the controls. The leather palms grip the brake levers nicely but you have to be more deliberate in moving your hands and fingers. After a few minutes of practice I was fine. The thumbing of the starter, high beams, turn signals and horn was easy.

My reward for the test was a too big breakfast. I thought I ordered bacon, eggs, homefries and toast when choosing the Country Breakfast.


Instead I got more of everything than I needed, plus sausage, plus pancakes. See what good mittens will get you!

Vespa LX150 on Ice

There it is, the first icy road of the season. Last night Kim and I took a walk around 11PM and it was foggy and wet. The temperature overnight dipped below the freezing level to turn everything to ice. The sun created a glittering wonderland. I didn’t think much about it since the sky was blue so I put on my riding gear and pushed the scooter out of the garage onto the driveway. It only took a few steps to realize it was covered with a thin glaze of ice.

I put the Vespa on its centerstand along the road and tested the pavement. Icy in spots and quickly turning to water where the sun was licking the pavement. After a moment of consideration I decided to ride to work on the scooter. I made my way down the street carefully and put both feet down when I hit a long shaded portion of the road that I knew would still be completely iced over. Once I hit the main road the sun was shining and it looked as if there was salt on it.

The remainder of the ride in to work was fine except for one more stretch unsalted and without sunlight. Arrived at work in good shape and the ride home promises to be excellent with clear skies and temperatures approaching 50° F.

Sharing the Riding Message

I suppose it's obvious that I have more than a passing interest in riding. What began as something I thought would be fun has become a defining act in my life. Like being a husband, father, employee, photographer. Riding is the normal transportation act for me now and I'm happy to report that it remains as enjoyable now as it did when I started.

I continue to have lots of people ask about the Vespa, riding, helmets, safety and a whole array of subjects that I usually can't do justice to in the short time available as I'm standing with a bag of groceries at the store or paying for gas at the station. Often I would tell people to visit a Web site or my blog to read more about their question but it was always a chore to try and communicate a URL. After seeing the promotional card for ModernVespa (thanks for the inspiration Jess!) I thought is would be a great idea for me to make a car for myself so that I can just hand a person one and say check it out for more information. My daughter Hannah was gracious enough to design and prepare the file for the card.

Thanks Hannah!

The cards arrived yesterday and they will allow me to quit quoting or scribbling a URL.

For any of you needing quick cards that are inexpensive you may want to give OvernightPrints a look.


I first heard about them in graduate school because a lot of the art students used them to print their show announcement postcards.

My dog is ready for her "dad's off work today so I'll get a long walk" walk. And to all of you who read here have a great day and a great Thanksgiving if you are celebrating.

Riding Gear Protection Rituals

The gray skies of the past week had vanished when I got up to ride to work yesterday. The sky was clear and the sun was dazzling as it burst over the horizon and illuminated the 26° F atmosphere. I had to stop just to look at the Vespa in light that was gloomy for a change.

At that temperature riding gear is important for protection against the elements. Riding to a few appointments I realized that I had a lot of stuff on and that it took some time to gear up for my ride and felt it worth a few lines here to take a look at the why and what of riding gear protection.

I always wear protective riding gear. This is independent of weather. As protection from a potential fall or crash I always have a full helmet, armored jacket, armored pants, boots, and gloves. For me this is the minimum. I see a lot of scooter pictures and ads showing riders happily zipping along with nothing but a half helmet and tennis shoes. It looks stylish but anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that a style horse I'm not. I'm perfectly content to wear the same thing everyday.

My point is not about safety or protection as much as it is about the ritual involved in gearing up everyday. And with the onset of cold weather I have even more stuff on. Yesterday morning I walked out to the breezeway where I keep my gear already dressed for work. I pull on my Tourmaster Overpants and then put on my Wolverine boots. Over top of my shirt I put on my Mountain Hardware windstopper jacket, push in my earplugs, and pull on a Mountain Hardware ski mask. Then the First Gear Kilimanjaro IV armored winter riding jacket. Off come my glasses, I pull on my helmet, put my glasses back on and last pick up my riding gloves from the toasty radiator and head for the garage. It takes a few minutes to put this stuff on. When I am at work and leave for a lunchtime errand I have to do it all over again. Each time I stop I have to take off the helmet, ski mask, and sometimes the earplugs if I need to hear well. And then put it back on to ride to the next stop. Until I developed a ritual around this it was a chore to gear up. It is a habit now and I am grateful for it.

I've spoken to other riders who comment to me about how over dressed I am and they express either their impatience at having to put so much on, it looks weird, or they like feeling "free" when they ride. I'm always left thinking that impatience, looks, and feeling free isn't a good trade off against an unprotected fall or crash. But that's just me. So I gear up.

I kind of like the look now. Sometimes when running into people as I enter my office I'll respond with a hearty "trick or treat" or use Gary Charpentier's "I'm a Power Ranger" line. That always gets a chuckle. Either way, I'm content with what I'm doing.

I do use earplugs almost all the time. I started because I wanted to protect my hearing but what I really like is the quiet. I can still hear the engine and surroundings fine but all the wind noise and high frequency noise is gone. I find I am less fatigued by a long ride and can pay more attention to the things that matter.

One last thing that was interesting yesterday. When I got to work I was the only two-wheeled vehicle. When I came out at lunchtime I was happy to see a Harley Dynaglide guarded by two Vespa scooters.


How long can it be until there will be swarms of Vespas?

The World is Constantly Changing

I left this morning not knowing where I would ride other than eventually I needed to be at Lowe's to buy a tube of silicone caulking for the bathroom. It's always something with a house. I decided to take a long loop to the north that would take me through some quiet places with a minimum of traffic. After a stop for fuel I rode along Spring Creek just to see the water. This is one of Pennsylvania's great trout streams and during trout season you will be lucky to find a place to stand. Being a loner I never understood the attraction of opening day either for trout or deer. Just a huge madhouse.

I stopped to look around at the water and rocks and sort of got lost for a while.


The quiet is magnified by the earplugs I wear and when I stand looking at the water my thoughts get loud. I wear the plugs to save my hearing but I definitely like the way they cut be off from the noise and make it easier to pay attention to thoughts.

Riding out of the valley and into the farmland above the creek I was struck by all the open land we still have. One big farm has been sold off and is now the beginning of an industrial park, something we have a lot of in Pennsylvania.


I'm not sure how successful they are but the local business leaders seem to think they are the answer to every economic woe. As I look out at the empty farmhouse I can't help but wonder how much land has to surrender itself to development before we're done. Big business, big houses, big stores. Growth is the Holy Grail. You don't have to ride far to see that the world is in a cycle of constant change.

Snow fences are emerging in preparation for the blowing wind and snow that sweeps across this area.


The skies seem to get darker every day as a reminder to prepare for winter.

I saw another old farm off in the distance and decided to cut across a field to have a look.


No "No Trespassing" signs and being Sunday all good farmers and landowners would either be in church or in front of the tube so I felt a good dose of trespassing was in order. The scooter just looks so tiny in the wide-open spaces of Pennsylvania. I can't imagine what it would be like in the West and Midwest. Someday.

All that was left of the farm was a silo.


The house was torn down and I suspect a developer has bought up this land as well to turn it into something great, another retirement community, some condominium cells, or perhaps another shopping plaza. There just aren't enough places yet to dump money. I rode away towards Lowe's and the tub and tile caulk and realized that everything is part of a cycle. The farms would give way to something else and that would give way to something else. Nothing is permanent if you're patient enough. I grew up on Neville Island in the Ohio River south of Pittsburgh. Almost the entire island was taken up by shipyards, steel fabrication companies, blast furnaces, coke ovens, tank farms, trucking companies, and chemical plants. A bustling industrial beacon employing tens of thousands of people. In a few short years in the early 1980's all of that vanished. Steel disappeared and the landscape changed again.
I stopped at the old Lowe's building to take this picture.


They were in business at this location for about 10 years or so. Now they have built a new facility and abandoned this site. It won't disappear as fast or easily as a farm but it will eventually give way. I hate to see the best landscapes surrender to development but money talks and walks. Too bad it doesn't think.

On the Road Again

After a week of fighting a cold I finally got back out on the road again. I did manage a short ride to work yesterday but this morning I was able to venture out for a few hours to ride and see the world. I'm still not one hundred percent healthy and because of it I felt the 38° F temperature more than usual. That aside I enjoyed being out in the world and feeling the connection to the landscape that riding offers me. The world is slowly surrendering to the coming of winter with gray skies and bare trees. Snow is forecast for tomorrow.

I had some chores to catch up on so my ride had several planned destinations. Gary Charpentier has been posting on Rush Hour Rambling about a diner in St. Paul. I remembered a ghostly diner parked out behind the garage of the auto mechanic we use and I thought I just had to take a closer look.


The shiny metal is in pretty good shape for someone who wants to take the plunge to open a classic dinner. The inside needs work but the basic structures are in place. Anyone thinking of a diner business? This may be your lucky day.


From there I rode to a local orchard for a fresh Red Delicious apple. I'm always amazed at how good an apple is when it's fresh. From there on to the local Vespa dealer to check out a moving sale they were having. I knew there wouldn't be anything I wanted but I have to look anyway. I only have two things on my want list---a small MotoFizz seat bag and a pair of snowmobile mittens. What happened to me? My list used to be pretty long. I guess I'm getting more content in my growing years.

I did have to make a stop at O.W. Houts to pick up some special hangers for a seven foot long photo construction piece I made.


Houts is one of those old, small town department stores that are fast going the way of the dinosaur. It's sad to see their parking lot so empty on a Saturday afternoon and knowing that Wal-Mart and Lowe's are jammed. Houts has the best hardware store anywhere around, a lumber yard that offers custom milling, a grocery store and meat department that you can find some pretty exotic stuff. Furniture, dry goods, garden supplys. I remember when it was the place to shop. The employees are adults who have made careers as sales people and many have been there for decades. I can't help but think their days are numbered.

I only had one more stop on my ride. Sneezing, sniffling, coughing, I made my way towards home to stop at Eddie Agostinelli's Market and Deli.


This local Italian place has great bread, sandwiches, pasta, cookies and more. Kim loves their lamb sandwiches and I had some pepperoni bread today.

By the time I got home I felt the cold sneaking back and needed to lie down and rest. Snow may fly tomorrow but I'm ready to go.