Simple Living

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

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

Sensory Rewards

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

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

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


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

New Old Vespa

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

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

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

Riding and Photography

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

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

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


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


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


For me that is the quintessential riding meal.

Seeing More

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

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

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


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

I always stop for the lone tree in a field.


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

Cold Night Ride

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


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

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

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

Riding Towards Winter

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

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

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

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

Time Flies

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

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


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

Balancing Riding and Life

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

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


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


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

Riding in the Fog

It's been foggy every morning for the past week and I've wanted to have a look at the world with my camera. The rush to work didn't allow enough time so I was happy to wake up this morning to another fog draped world.

I was concerned about visibility but at the speeds I was traveling on secondary roads it was not a problem.


I remember driving on the Interstate in fog and barely being able to react in time when a vehicle appeared. But that was at considerably higher speeds. The biggest challenge this morning was keeping my visor clear.

I rode to the next town to buy some gas and then out along Spring Creek towards the Airport.


Other than a couple of trout fisherman I did not see anyone on the road. The landscape was quiet and like something out of Brigadoon. By the time I rode up out of the valley the sun was beginning to burn off the fog. I stopped at an old rural church to have one last look before blue sky and sunshine ruled the day.


One last ride to the grocery store to pick up a few things and then home. I probably should be walking or riding my bicycle in the morning for some much needed exercise, but damn, I really enjoy riding the scooter...

Weekend Riding

Things have been so busy...

Aside from my daily commute I have not been riding alot. So much to do, summer is racing away, and I barely have time to get to everything. I have been lax in my posting here too.

On Monday, Labor Day, I took a hundred mile ride just to see the countryside. Road over Pine Grove Mountain and headed east towards Belleville. I had hoped the antique store in Mclevey's Fort would be open. I love looking at the stuff this guy has. He has lots of camera stuff and sometimes has the really odd items. On this morning I had to be content looking in the windows...

The ride through the forest and over the next mountain and down into Belleville was relaxed. Big Valley opens into a wide landscape of agricultural enterprises.


This area is heavily populated with Amish but I resisted any urge to photograph my Vespa being passed by a buggy. Maybe next time. I did stop just to appreciate the lush green fields.

On the way home I stopped to eat a breakfast sandwich and have a drink of water. The shady area along the road was real nice. I really enjoy being alone with my thoughts on the road.


I have my camera ready to go out in the morning. We have had heavy fog the last few days but the rush to get to work has precluded any photography. If it is foggy in the morning I hope to find some magic in the landscape.

Do It Yourself Maintenance

When I changed the head gasket and timing belt on my Mazda truck about four years ago I swore I would never again work on a motor vehicle. The one time high school romance of laying under a car sweating and cursing and getting rust in my eyes and a full time fragrance of petroleum oozing from my hands was gone.

So why am I wrenching on the Vespa? Short answer----it is part of the riding experience. Not a requirement but I feel connected to the scooter in a way I don't in a car. And to fill out that connection I need to know how to perform some simple maintenance and repairs. So I started with changing the engine oil and transmission oil.

True to every other mechancial task I embark on I find I do not have the right tools. I scratch my head at this because I have a giant Craftsman tool case, the one on wheels that you can put air tools and sledge hammers into. (Sledgehammers are for emergency use) The thing is stuffed with sockets and wrenches and so many odd tools that surely I am ready for anything.

Surely not.

Almost everything I have is SAE. The scooter is metric. I have a simple collection of metric sockets and wrenches that range up to 19mm. The oil plug is 24mm. Adjustable wrench can't quite grab because the oil filter is in the way. Can't get the oil filter off because I don't have an oil filter wrench that small. You see where this is going.

In a fit of focused rage I twist the filter off with my bare hands. I am startled that I could free it without leaving any flesh of protruding metal. The adjustable wrench does not have enough leverage to break the plug free---no doubt coroded tight from salt from winter riding. A moment of insight brings a big SAE box wrench that sort of fits and I break the plug free. Oil drained, filter replaced, oil added and I am finished. I feel comfortable that I could do this laying along the road with a minimum of tools.

The rear hub oil requires a 6mm insert. I use an Allen wrench and pliers to break it free. By this time the engine is cooling and the transmission oil drips like sap from a tree.

Next time the change will be quicker, smoother, I'll know what to expect and I will have the right tools. I am ready for something more complicated in another 1000 miles---spark plug and drive belt.

I feel better about the scooter right now. And I feel better about my place in the riding experience.