Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Can I Love Winter Again?

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Two Belgian Sheepdogs sitting outdoors in a light snowfall.
Lily and Aiden in the first snow of the season.

Facing the Cold

The first snow has arrived.  Light, decorative, a dusting that beckons of winter to come. The past month has offered unseasonably warm weather.  Riding weather for even the cold-adverse riders.  Yet the roads are largely empty of scooters and motorcycles save for those souls committed to continued riding.  Some I suspect have something to prove (except Dan).  Others may be victims of economics that offer no alternative choice of vehicles.

I tell myself I’m done with cold weather riding.  The lure of a warm home and soft chair become a subtle yet powerful addiction.  I surely would find myself powerless if not for two dogs who demand adventure regardless of how I feel or the weather outside.  So slowly I’m becoming more acclimated to the cold.  Day by day, walk by walk I notice a growing strength of resistance to the lowering temperatures.  And from that comes a willingness to leave the warmth of home and venture out on a scooter or motorcycle.

Even in the snow.

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Winter is Coming… and I’m Riding My Vespa

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Vespa GTS scooter along a rural road.
It’s colder than it looks.

Cold Starts

Looking out the window it appears to be a fine morning to ride. Bright sunshine and no wind. Stepping out onto the deck provides additional information — it’s cold. 49F cold. As the dogs run round the garden I imagine what gear I’ll need. Merlin jacket, neck gaiter, long underwear under my jeans, insulated gloves, and my riding boots. In a few moments I have a plan and it feels warmer already.

Winter is coming. I want to be ready. Ready to ride.

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Embracing the Cold: A Rider’s Journey

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Vespa GTS scooter fallen in the snow.
Pondering the combination of riding and snow.

Change is Inevitable

Age wreaks havoc on the plans and actions of youth. Gone are the days when choices of clothing and activities had little to do with the weather. Walking out the door into snow was a time to make snowballs and see how well my old Ford would do on roads clogged with ice and snow. Time has changed me. And with it my reaction to a cold morning. To continue to ride through the winter will require annual adjustments in mind, body, and spirit. Despite having ridden through many winters, it hasn’t become any easier to begin.

This is the beginning of my story on preparing for winter riding.

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Rotating Through Scooters and Motorcycles

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scooters and motorcycles in a garage
My little fleet of scooters and motorcycles.

Too Many Scooters and Motorcycles?

How did I come to have five two-wheeled machines in my little one-bay garage? For fourteen years I was content with a single scooter for all my riding. At least that’s what I told myself, an unconscious dishonesty masking my true feelings and desires — a machine for every riding occasion I might engage.

I can be impulsive buying things that suddenly seem essential to my well being and quality of life. There’s a trail of impulsive purchases through my life from cameras to guns and fountain pens and books. Rather than deal with whatever emotional chaos that’s in front of me I seek the quick and exciting fix of buying things.

Looking at the scooters and motorcycles in my garage, frequently looking and thinking about them, only one borders on an impulsive purchase — the Honda Trail 125. Unlike other impulsive purchases that still sit unused in their box, the Honda has turned out to be a welcome addition to my riding life.

On the other hand, having five machines brings with it expense, maintenance, and other issues of ownership.

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Riding in a Little Rain

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A 2001 Kawasaki W650 motorcycle parked in the rain.
All alone in the rain.

Choices

In addition to the certainties of death and taxes something else can be added to the list — we always have choices. They may not be good choices. Or pleasant. But they’re always there when needed. Like riding in a little rain.

Since retiring and not facing the changing personality of daily fluctuations in weather I tend not to choose to ride in the rain, snow, or bitter cold. But sometimes opportunity and circumstance collude to tempt me out into the world on a scooter or motorcycle. And on this day, a heavy overcast with barely a sprinkle convinced me that the risk of riding in a little rain on my 2001 Kawasaki W650 was a good choice.

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