Seeing Things

I was on my way to the Vespa dealer to get a new rear tire and have the oil changed when I saw this horse standing by himself in a field. He was watching me approach. His ears were alert and I new he was paying attention. I pulled over and he walked up to the gate and even though I walked off to the side he kept staring at the scooter. Maybe he thought it was a distant grey cousin or something.

This is what I like about riding the scooter. I see things that I would never see in a car. And even if I did I would NEVER stop. Riding on the scooter has allowed me to experience the area that I call home all over again. Everything is new.

I just love riding.

First Rain Experience

I've been riding in cold and light snow all winter. Scooter functions fine and I am up to the task down to about 15 degrees. But I have just not wanted to go out in the rain---until today. The temperature was in the forties and the sky was a dark grey with intermittent rain. Mid afternoon the sun broke through and the world had that wet gold glow. I got on the scooter and was off.

Two miles down the road the sky grew dark and the rain started. I got wet but it was fine. If I was going to ride for long periods in the rain I would have to dress differently but for the 10 miles today my riding jacket and jeans were fine.

Made this photograph right after the first rain stopped and the next began. I will be using my foul weather gear from sailing next time.

Midnight Ride

At a few minutes before midnight last night I made a trip to the local video store about 5 miles away. The temperature dipped to around 30 degrees with a clear sky. I really enjoy riding at night when the traffic is minimal. I wonder if those who rode horses for transportation felt the same way? Just being alone and moving under the sky.

Still love riding the scooter. Glad I did not purchase the Triumph I had planned for.

The Cold is No Problem

A morning without slippery stuff---no snow or ice on the road. It was 18 degrees F when I left the house but heavy gloves and the right clothes cope with that. I was delighted to be able to ride the scooter. My ride home will be at a balmy 40 degrees and the sky is a nice clear blue. I am definitely looking forward to spring though so I can ride more often.

The scooter will go into the shop at Kissell Motorsports next week for its second oil change, lube and service. They are ordering a chrome rack for the Vespa too so I will able to carry some more stuff around.

steve

Leisurely Ride around State College

I got up yesterday morning and was faced with a weather forecast that said 45 degrees F (good)and a chance of rain shower (not so good). After stepping out the front door to test the air I decided I just had to take a ride. So off I go towards the local Sheetz store to put air in my tires. By the time I got there and the tires were warm I was up to the right pressures. The only other errands I had to run was a trip to the post office and then to Lowe's to pick up a toilet tank replacement kit---all that stuff inside the tank that makes it flush so nicely. But I digress.....

The Vespa is just fun to ride anywhere. Errands become adventures and after having this scooter for almost 6 months it as just as fun as the day I drove it from the dealer. I decided to take a short jaunt around some of the farms here and made this photograph while riding the farm lanes. The Vespa is not a dirt bike but does fine on the dirt and gravel if you don't have to drive like you're in a motocross race. And you can get knobby tires but that would just be wrong.

Last stop of the day was at a new Italian gourmet store with takeout food. Just another stop on the growing list of scooter destinations.

Still riding, accidentally deleted pictures

I have continued to ride when the roads are dry though around here that is becoming more and more rare. I took some pictures but accidentally deleted them from my camera before copying them to the computer. Man, they were great! *grin*

The Vespa is approaching 2300 miles so I am 300 away from my next oil change. Kissell Motorsports called to tell me they have the new rear racks in for the LX150 so I might have to have a look.

I took a shortcut home yesterday by using the freeway. I was moving along nicely at 60 MPH when I hit a huge crosswind. Good thing I was holding on tight otherwise I might have flown away. It was bad enough that I had to get off at the next exit and use the backroads. Even then the wind was strong. Really came up suddenly.

It's raining right now and is forecast to change to snow. The prediction for the morning is clear and 30 degrees so perhaps I can get some riding in then.

Other than that there just isn't much to report. Oh.... I did sell my 8x10 view camera and acquired a Mamiya 7. I can carry that along on the scooter. I still have plans to start some sort of scooter based/inspired photography project.