Poet.... I've struggled for decades trying to read and understand poetry. I always see myself more a reporter of experience. I love Thoreau. Imagine the works he would have produced had he been born more recently and was also a rider...
We just moved back to my home country and my wife is really worried that I will get killed riding my Vespa out of respect for her I did not buy a new scooter. But I really miss it. Back in the US I hopped on my 300GTS for an errand and realized within minutes that I must have been in a poor mood. Riding a motorcycle / scooter does something to you. When I see a picture of me on my metallic blue 300GTS I can see the happiness. My loving wive recognized that it really makes me happy and agreed we only live once and should enjoy our happiness. This week we are going to a motorcycle show in Utrecht to check out various bikes more importantly scooters :-)
I understand the dilemma of a spouse's concern for your safety weighed against the joy riding can bring into a life. The decision we face is unique to each of us and there is no one right answer. Good luck as you pursue a return to the scooter world. I hope you find the happiness you desire.
This is a strong video for me because it seems more from the heart (and to a lesser extent from the head). So then as you are riding the scooter it feels like I’m riding the scooter. Not just because I have ridden that actual scooter and so has Bob but because the line that separates us seems blurry. When you are melancholy or nostalgic or reflective in your video, I am too.
G'day Sticky Scooterman. I'm still enjoying your videos, thank you for making them. An alternative I have for achieving what you achieve by riding is by playing a musical instrument. I embarked on my musical journey when I was 12: some 50 years ago. It works for me. I love riding my scooter and bicycles too, but picking up my current instrument (which happens to be euphonium) everyday and playing for pleasure is very cathartic.
Oh how I wish I could play a musical instrument. I've chased that dream my whole life from piano and guitar lessons as a kid through recorders, harmonicas, bamboo flutes, and guitars as an adult. Now arthritis in my fingers makes both guitar and flute or anything involving careful fingering impossible. I had my chances but squandered them... Thankfully I can still ride!
I totally get the therapeutic effect of "alone time" on the bike. I'm lucky enough to live where there is rarely snow to prevent me from riding, but don't have as many great backroads right outside my door as you do in central PA. However, there is great riding within an hour, if I just commit to it. Looking forward to your first video on your new Honda Trail 125!
It's a luxury to have good riding roads at my front door. Dumb luck on my part to be living here when I started riding. And now I would never move anywhere that made riding a challenge. I had planned to shoot a video on the Honda tomorrow but the melting snow and salt will likely keep it in the garage and have me on the Vespa again.
Was beginning to think you and the pups had run off into the wilderness! After seeing the snow and ice in the video, all is forgiven. I understand! Good to have you back. (Always good to see the pups, too, when you talk them in to some screen time!)
I was visited by a serious case of procrastination. The pups can only wish I was taking them into the wilderness. I'm all better now! I've been thinking about a couple video approaches for the dogs. They are real cooperative though with film making.
Hey Steve, another great inspiring video. Thanks for helping with my winter blues... It's illegal to ride in my state of Quebec Canada during winter... Even when the temperature warms up enough to justify a 30 min ride in the neighbourhood... That restriction is lifted on march 15th.. I can't wait!
I feel that pain of separation from a scooter a few months ago. Right after Thanksgiving, my Honda Metropolitan was stolen from me and was never recovered. For two months, I was without my scooter and my main means of transportation. Thankfully I was still able to get around on public transit but it felt like part of my soul and joy was ripped away from me. And the never ending gray skies of the Pacific Northwest didn't help my mood either. Thankfully I was able to get a new Genuine Buddy Kick recently and I have found my joy for riding once again. I am looking forward to the new adventures when I bring it back home to Tennessee in a few weeks.
Sorry to hear of the theft of your Honda. That kind of sudden event would certainly hurt me. I don't worry about vehicle theft around here, though I suspect it does happen. I have two scooters and three motorcycles in the garage now do there is always something to ride. But back in 2005 I had one scooter and I destroyed it. I was so discouraged without something to ride that I bought another a week later. The weather here and all the gray and gloom is often compared to the Pacific Northwest. I think Tennessee will offer a brighter riding environment. Good luck on your travels.
Thanks Steve, for another inspiring video. Your voice alone makes me feel relaxed. I too have a need to ride and feel lost if it is more than a couple of weeks, that I am unable to ride. Fortunately watching videos like this, goes some way to fulfilling my lifelong love of motorcycles. Thank you.
I used to be a guy that parked my bikes all winter. Since the Himalayan came along that has changed. I try to get out at least once a week when the temperature is over 40. Always try for 40 or 50 miles to help beat cabin fever.
It can be a challenge to ride in the winter for many reasons. Especially if you want to avoid sub-freezing temperatures and conditions that won't corrode the machine. As I get older I still have a strong desire to ride but my tolerance for the cold has definitely declined. Hopefully it won't decline so far that I have to stop. Have fun on those cabin fever busting rides!
I am not a winter weather person. I moved to the desert for a reason -- I'll happily ride when it's 110F or higher, but won't open my garage when it's under 50F. Now that I have a Vespa once again, though, I DO find I need to score some regular seat time. Glad it's not under 50F for more than a few weeks a year! Thanks for your always thoughtful videos, Steve.
I'm sort of the opposite. When the temperature climbs near 90F I'm done. I ride less in the summer. But i'm happy in the 40F to 85F range. Lots of days fit that space here. Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts. While I don't see us moving to the desert I have thought about warmer climates as I get older!
I have a propensity for staying occupied with all kinds of activities that are not necessarily negative behaviors but do often keep me from sitting quietly with myself and my own thoughts. Perhaps some of the healing that I experience when I ride is that I do have that time alone with minimal distractions to sort through those things.
Winter can really tear things up. I'm going for a ride with friends tomorrow and because the snow will be melting there will be lots of water running across salt covered roads creating a corrosive mix. I just bought a brand new motorcycle that I wanted to ride but decided to take the older Vespa instead. Easier to wash and already bruised by many winters.
Thought provoking indeed, I too have a Vespa ET4 with the 125 engine bought it a few years back with the intention of getting it roadworthy again and sell for profit. In the end I spent far to much time and money on the little scooter so started riding it to work I soon took my 600 Bandit off the road so much easier getting this bike out of storage and riding through traffic. Holidaying in Italy I saw them in every town we visited but I'm yet to meet another in the UK. Thankfully have a car when the weather isn't favourable but the bike stays roadworthy all year and yes having not ridden for 4 days certainly ready for a few miles of two wheeled therapy.
The Vespa ET4 is a lot of fun. It never fails to make me smile and it's utilitarian character make it perfect for almost anything other than the Interstate highways here. It is a capable therapist when I need therapy!
I had a 60 mile round trip commute, which meant being on a bike 12 months a year. Incidents are too numerous to mention, but include a hurricane and the onset of hypothermia. My last ride was October and I hope to get the bike out again beginning of March.
No hurricanes here where I ride but hypothermia is definitely a risk in the winter. I am very careful to gear up properly and can only remember once where I grew concerned. I'm not ready yet to retire the machines for five months every winter. Who knows what the future holds though...
@@ScooterintheSticks I had the misfortune of riding home from work in the great storm of '87. We don't classify them as hurricanes in the UK, even with 120mph winds. Trucks were falling like dominoes, and I had no control regarding the lane I was travelling in. Much of the journey was spent at track racing angles to move forward in a straight line. Watching roofs fly overhead kinda sticks with you. Ice keeps me at home nowadays, it gathers in the hollows faster than the highways dept can lay salt, and I don't bounce as well as I used to.
Great video. We don’t have that cold weather in Puerto Rico but I need to ride by the beach and in the sun in the weekends to start a busy week with energy.
Nice to see you slow-rolling on the 150. It will get you set for the Trail 125! For me, in winter, I find walking very therapeutic. Good for the heart too! Riding is nice, but it ain't exercise.
@@ScooterintheSticks The heel shifter is somewhat controversial. Some people just cut it off! You can use just the toe shifter. People also adjust the shifter down the spline one notch. It does take some adjustment.
Again, you’ve captured my thoughts regarding why I scoot. I say, “If ya know, ya know. If ya don’t, ya won’t.” I am a retired psychologist. This is therapy for some of us, therapy which keeps us moving. Cheers mate!
I agree, something that keeps us moving has a positive effect. I'm a happier, more relaxed man when I have some riding in my life. Take care and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Another thoughtful and thought-provoking video, Steve. There is one other alternative, one we made a couple decades ago: move away from winter. Yes, I know you appreciate the cloudy, misty, drizzly, (insert your weather favorite here), meteorological stuff. Probably as much as I appreciate that golden orb in the sky that warms my old bones. When we lived in the frozen northland (western South Dakota, in the Black Hills), there were extended periods of time that the roads were simply not safe to ride on two wheels. I tried it a couple times (see: I am trainable), and the bike suffered for it - horror as I watched my full dress HD "roll" (side over side, not on its wheels) down a snowy embankment off the driveway from our house in a canyon. It was around that time, I came to the conclusion that the winter sports we participated in didn't light up my soul like riding our motorcycles did... it wasn't a matter of "different activities for different seasons." When 5' of snow would fall over a weekend, there was NO opportunity to safely get a bike out of the garage. We did what any other sane (questionable) person would do: move away from winter. My plan: strap a show shovel to the front of the motorhome and drive south until someone asks: "What is that?" For 20 years, it was the Tropical Tip of Texas. And now that I am old enough that our daughter feels the need to see me regularly to gauge the decrepitness, we are in the Arizona desert. BUT - I can ride almost any day... and on those occasional "Baby, it's cold outside" days, I can stand to wait a day or three... so I can ride and my fingertips don't burn (a leftover from those winters in the frozen northland). Enjoy your rides, Steve - many of us understand. You do what you have to do. Ride safe, enjoy! Jim
I have to confess that I am slow to change. Even when the benefit of that change is obvious. Thinking of selling our home and moving just seems do daunting that I can't see ever doing it. No matter how much the cold bothers me. But then who knows what tomorrow will bring. Plus all our family is within a 50 mile radius. I do envy people in warmer weather sometimes Jim. Keep riding and posting videos so I can imagine warmer days!
@@ScooterintheSticks This move from the Tropical Tip of Texas to the Arizona desert was exhausting - seemed like the process went on forever. That said, now that we are settled in, we are enjoying the new home in the new environment... and some good twisty mountain roads just 15 minutes away. Family is important - that was the main impetus for this move: to be closer to our daughter and son-in-law. I'm guessing I'll be cursing the "warmth" once summer rolls around... we plan to get away for some good riding when it is at the peak of the heat here.
HI Steve, you nailed it. I feel exactly the same way right now. I don;t mind riding in the cold much but the salt does stop me. I am jonesing right now and cranky and procrastinating. I need rain. Thanks for keeping up the videos. ALways enjoyable.
Since my real winter Vespa is still in the shop I have to take the ET4 out instead. I don't want the salt on the W650, the Himalayan, or my brand new Honda Trail 125. Salt is nasty stuff on shiny parts. Glad you like the videos. More to come.
Lovely to see this, and to hear your well-composed thoughts about our shared winter plight. I’m in Western Washington, so I can eke out a ride in each of the 12 months with little trepidation. But winter is still winter and these aging bones do get creaky. Cheers …
Indeed, no matter how you slice things, winter is still winter. Right now winter is introducing me to mud. The garden is thawing and the dogs are providing the house with a fine dose of mess. And man do the bones get creaky!
Hi Steve. I really enjoyed this video - almost poetic. I am a year-round rider. Although I don't like the cold, it does refresh the soul and make one even more appreciative of the creature comforts when back home in the warm.
Returning from a cold ride definitely leaves me more appreciative of a warm home. It is easy to take creature comforts for granted. A ride opens my heart and my eyes.... Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the video. I appreciate them.
I was about to say it takes one of my motorcycles to lift my mood....but it doesn't. Even my two scooters will do the job. Although I'm waiting for the Trail Cub ride to see if it makes you smile.
The artist Daniel Pratt and the piece is titled, "This is My Love for You -- Instrumental Version." It is a piece available through the account I have for music I can use with RUclips videos.
Hello, Steve. You always make me think about the stuff in your videos in a good way, of course. I was thinking about general riding last couple on months and the transition to EVs. I have nothing against them but it seams that the governments part of the 'west' don't want us to pleasure ride. For them, we are parasites and riding should be just A to B. They don't say it directly but as you said, only a rider can understand.
I've abandoned my crystal ball. Whatever the future brings I will survive. As much as I love to ride my internal combustion scooters and motorcycles I value my serenity more. If the government takes them away, either directly, or through oppressive fees and taxes, I will survive. And find other things to make me smile. That said, I can't imagine any of that happening. Personal vehicles occupy a space close to guns. You're just not going to pry them away from people here in the United States. I plan to just keep riding until I can't. That's my objective reality.
Oh if that was always true. I suspect there's more myth than truth to that old adage. I agree that riding can have many benefits, but if you need therapy, a motorcycle won't suffice. My two cents.
I’m between a Vespa 150 and 300 not sure if the 150 will be enough power but kind of like the small frame Vespa most of the riding I’ll do is in town and country roads going 55-60 mph tops let me know your thoughts thanks
If I had to face roads where I was expected to travel a lot at 55 to 60 mph I would be more comfortable with the Vespa 300. If you do decide on the 150 you will likely find yourself waving people around you. I have certainly ridden my Vespa ET4 and LX150 at those speeds but there have been many occasions where I had to let people pass because I couldn't maintain the pace, there was a uphill grade, or traffic started going even faster. You'll have to decide how comfortable you'll be managing the road when you can't keep up. It's possible but frustrating at times. I'm fortunate here that there are many alternative routes. Often longer but also slower.
Steve you are getting dangerously close to being a poet. Maybe we should call you the Thoreau of the motorcycle. 👍🇦🇺
Poet.... I've struggled for decades trying to read and understand poetry. I always see myself more a reporter of experience. I love Thoreau. Imagine the works he would have produced had he been born more recently and was also a rider...
We just moved back to my home country and my wife is really worried that I will get killed riding my Vespa out of respect for her I did not buy a new scooter. But I really miss it. Back in the US I hopped on my 300GTS for an errand and realized within minutes that I must have been in a poor mood. Riding a motorcycle / scooter does something to you. When I see a picture of me on my metallic blue 300GTS I can see the happiness. My loving wive recognized that it really makes me happy and agreed we only live once and should enjoy our happiness. This week we are going to a motorcycle show in Utrecht to check out various bikes more importantly scooters :-)
I understand the dilemma of a spouse's concern for your safety weighed against the joy riding can bring into a life. The decision we face is unique to each of us and there is no one right answer.
Good luck as you pursue a return to the scooter world. I hope you find the happiness you desire.
You are obviously an intelligent man, I love the way you narrate your journey leaving us all in thoughts..
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them.
This is a strong video for me because it seems more from the heart (and to a lesser extent from the head). So then as you are riding the scooter it feels like I’m riding the scooter. Not just because I have ridden that actual scooter and so has Bob but because the line that separates us seems blurry. When you are melancholy or nostalgic or reflective in your video, I am too.
There is definitely a lot of memory and experience tied up in that little Vespa. And those memories can often become nostalgic as you say.
G'day Sticky Scooterman. I'm still enjoying your videos, thank you for making them. An alternative I have for achieving what you achieve by riding is by playing a musical instrument. I embarked on my musical journey when I was 12: some 50 years ago. It works for me. I love riding my scooter and bicycles too, but picking up my current instrument (which happens to be euphonium) everyday and playing for pleasure is very cathartic.
Oh how I wish I could play a musical instrument. I've chased that dream my whole life from piano and guitar lessons as a kid through recorders, harmonicas, bamboo flutes, and guitars as an adult. Now arthritis in my fingers makes both guitar and flute or anything involving careful fingering impossible. I had my chances but squandered them...
Thankfully I can still ride!
I totally get the therapeutic effect of "alone time" on the bike. I'm lucky enough to live where there is rarely snow to prevent me from riding, but don't have as many great backroads right outside my door as you do in central PA. However, there is great riding within an hour, if I just commit to it.
Looking forward to your first video on your new Honda Trail 125!
It's a luxury to have good riding roads at my front door. Dumb luck on my part to be living here when I started riding. And now I would never move anywhere that made riding a challenge.
I had planned to shoot a video on the Honda tomorrow but the melting snow and salt will likely keep it in the garage and have me on the Vespa again.
Was beginning to think you and the pups had run off into the wilderness! After seeing the snow and ice in the video, all is forgiven. I understand! Good to have you back. (Always good to see the pups, too, when you talk them in to some screen time!)
I was visited by a serious case of procrastination. The pups can only wish I was taking them into the wilderness. I'm all better now!
I've been thinking about a couple video approaches for the dogs. They are real cooperative though with film making.
Hey Steve, another great inspiring video. Thanks for helping with my winter blues... It's illegal to ride in my state of Quebec Canada during winter... Even when the temperature warms up enough to justify a 30 min ride in the neighbourhood... That restriction is lifted on march 15th.. I can't wait!
I didn't realize Quebec bans winter riding. That would be hard to get around. Best wishes to the celebrations on March 15th!
I feel that pain of separation from a scooter a few months ago. Right after Thanksgiving, my Honda Metropolitan was stolen from me and was never recovered. For two months, I was without my scooter and my main means of transportation. Thankfully I was still able to get around on public transit but it felt like part of my soul and joy was ripped away from me. And the never ending gray skies of the Pacific Northwest didn't help my mood either.
Thankfully I was able to get a new Genuine Buddy Kick recently and I have found my joy for riding once again. I am looking forward to the new adventures when I bring it back home to Tennessee in a few weeks.
Sorry to hear of the theft of your Honda. That kind of sudden event would certainly hurt me. I don't worry about vehicle theft around here, though I suspect it does happen. I have two scooters and three motorcycles in the garage now do there is always something to ride. But back in 2005 I had one scooter and I destroyed it. I was so discouraged without something to ride that I bought another a week later.
The weather here and all the gray and gloom is often compared to the Pacific Northwest. I think Tennessee will offer a brighter riding environment. Good luck on your travels.
Thanks Steve, for another inspiring video. Your voice alone makes me feel relaxed. I too have a need to ride and feel lost if it is more than a couple of weeks, that I am unable to ride. Fortunately watching videos like this, goes some way to fulfilling my lifelong love of motorcycles. Thank you.
I'm glad to help you bring the gap between rides. I do the same thing either content on other moto-channels.
Take care!
I used to be a guy that parked my bikes all winter. Since the Himalayan came along that has changed. I try to get out at least once a week when the temperature is over 40. Always try for 40 or 50 miles to help beat cabin fever.
It can be a challenge to ride in the winter for many reasons. Especially if you want to avoid sub-freezing temperatures and conditions that won't corrode the machine. As I get older I still have a strong desire to ride but my tolerance for the cold has definitely declined. Hopefully it won't decline so far that I have to stop.
Have fun on those cabin fever busting rides!
I am not a winter weather person. I moved to the desert for a reason -- I'll happily ride when it's 110F or higher, but won't open my garage when it's under 50F. Now that I have a Vespa once again, though, I DO find I need to score some regular seat time. Glad it's not under 50F for more than a few weeks a year! Thanks for your always thoughtful videos, Steve.
I'm sort of the opposite. When the temperature climbs near 90F I'm done. I ride less in the summer. But i'm happy in the 40F to 85F range. Lots of days fit that space here.
Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts. While I don't see us moving to the desert I have thought about warmer climates as I get older!
yes winter time in the North East sucks. Time lost to bad weather can never been reclaimed, so time to seek sunnier riding places.
I have a propensity for staying occupied with all kinds of activities that are not necessarily negative behaviors but do often keep me from sitting quietly with myself and my own thoughts. Perhaps some of the healing that I experience when I ride is that I do have that time alone with minimal distractions to sort through those things.
Riding has a way of stripping away all the distractions. It is definitely part of why I love to ride.
What you say, we Vespa dreamers feel it, but it's once you say it that we understand it... thank you for your wonderful videos full of wisdom, Sir.
Wow, thank you for your kind and generous words about the videos I share. As long as I continue to ride I'll continue to make videos.
Would it be possible to do otherwise ? ... I do not think so. See you soon for new adventures ...
Thanks for the video. Your thoughts about the therapeutic effects of two wheel riding made me look at used MC prices for a dedicated Winter bike.
Winter can really tear things up. I'm going for a ride with friends tomorrow and because the snow will be melting there will be lots of water running across salt covered roads creating a corrosive mix. I just bought a brand new motorcycle that I wanted to ride but decided to take the older Vespa instead. Easier to wash and already bruised by many winters.
VespaTherapy is a real thing!
Sure is!
Thought provoking indeed, I too have a Vespa ET4 with the 125 engine bought it a few years back with the intention of getting it roadworthy again and sell for profit. In the end I spent far to much time and money on the little scooter so started riding it to work I soon took my 600 Bandit off the road so much easier getting this bike out of storage and riding through traffic. Holidaying in Italy I saw them in every town we visited but I'm yet to meet another in the UK.
Thankfully have a car when the weather isn't favourable but the bike stays roadworthy all year and yes having not ridden for 4 days certainly ready for a few miles of two wheeled therapy.
The Vespa ET4 is a lot of fun. It never fails to make me smile and it's utilitarian character make it perfect for almost anything other than the Interstate highways here. It is a capable therapist when I need therapy!
Welcome back Steve 👋 I'm still riding in the cold however it's warming up down south. See ya next time
Thanks! The days are still cold here but the days are getting longer. So warmer weather isn't far off now.
Salt damage vs mental damage. Hee hee, I like that.
I have learned over the years that protecting my mental and spiritual well-being is far more important than any machine I own.
I had a 60 mile round trip commute, which meant being on a bike 12 months a year. Incidents are too numerous to mention, but include a hurricane and the onset of hypothermia. My last ride was October and I hope to get the bike out again beginning of March.
No hurricanes here where I ride but hypothermia is definitely a risk in the winter. I am very careful to gear up properly and can only remember once where I grew concerned.
I'm not ready yet to retire the machines for five months every winter. Who knows what the future holds though...
@@ScooterintheSticks I had the misfortune of riding home from work in the great storm of '87. We don't classify them as hurricanes in the UK, even with 120mph winds. Trucks were falling like dominoes, and I had no control regarding the lane I was travelling in. Much of the journey was spent at track racing angles to move forward in a straight line. Watching roofs fly overhead kinda sticks with you. Ice keeps me at home nowadays, it gathers in the hollows faster than the highways dept can lay salt, and I don't bounce as well as I used to.
Great video. We don’t have that cold weather in Puerto Rico but I need to ride by the beach and in the sun in the weekends to start a busy week with energy.
You have salt in the air! And hurricanes!
The therapy from riding anything is quite amazing. Whether that be a motorcycle, a horse, or even a ride on mower. Ride!
Yes sir, you're right!
Nice to see you slow-rolling on the 150. It will get you set for the Trail 125! For me, in winter, I find walking very therapeutic. Good for the heart too! Riding is nice, but it ain't exercise.
I took the Trail 125 on two short errands today. I need to further acclimate my heel to that shifter!
@@ScooterintheSticks The heel shifter is somewhat controversial. Some people just cut it off! You can use just the toe shifter. People also adjust the shifter down the spline one notch. It does take some adjustment.
Again, you’ve captured my thoughts regarding why I scoot.
I say, “If ya know, ya know. If ya don’t, ya won’t.”
I am a retired psychologist.
This is therapy for some of us, therapy which keeps us moving.
Cheers mate!
I agree, something that keeps us moving has a positive effect. I'm a happier, more relaxed man when I have some riding in my life.
Take care and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Another thoughtful and thought-provoking video, Steve. There is one other alternative, one we made a couple decades ago: move away from winter. Yes, I know you appreciate the cloudy, misty, drizzly, (insert your weather favorite here), meteorological stuff. Probably as much as I appreciate that golden orb in the sky that warms my old bones. When we lived in the frozen northland (western South Dakota, in the Black Hills), there were extended periods of time that the roads were simply not safe to ride on two wheels. I tried it a couple times (see: I am trainable), and the bike suffered for it - horror as I watched my full dress HD "roll" (side over side, not on its wheels) down a snowy embankment off the driveway from our house in a canyon.
It was around that time, I came to the conclusion that the winter sports we participated in didn't light up my soul like riding our motorcycles did... it wasn't a matter of "different activities for different seasons." When 5' of snow would fall over a weekend, there was NO opportunity to safely get a bike out of the garage. We did what any other sane (questionable) person would do: move away from winter. My plan: strap a show shovel to the front of the motorhome and drive south until someone asks: "What is that?"
For 20 years, it was the Tropical Tip of Texas. And now that I am old enough that our daughter feels the need to see me regularly to gauge the decrepitness, we are in the Arizona desert. BUT - I can ride almost any day... and on those occasional "Baby, it's cold outside" days, I can stand to wait a day or three... so I can ride and my fingertips don't burn (a leftover from those winters in the frozen northland).
Enjoy your rides, Steve - many of us understand. You do what you have to do. Ride safe, enjoy!
Jim
I have to confess that I am slow to change. Even when the benefit of that change is obvious. Thinking of selling our home and moving just seems do daunting that I can't see ever doing it. No matter how much the cold bothers me. But then who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Plus all our family is within a 50 mile radius.
I do envy people in warmer weather sometimes Jim. Keep riding and posting videos so I can imagine warmer days!
@@ScooterintheSticks This move from the Tropical Tip of Texas to the Arizona desert was exhausting - seemed like the process went on forever. That said, now that we are settled in, we are enjoying the new home in the new environment... and some good twisty mountain roads just 15 minutes away. Family is important - that was the main impetus for this move: to be closer to our daughter and son-in-law. I'm guessing I'll be cursing the "warmth" once summer rolls around... we plan to get away for some good riding when it is at the peak of the heat here.
HI Steve, you nailed it. I feel exactly the same way right now. I don;t mind riding in the cold much but the salt does stop me. I am jonesing right now and cranky and procrastinating. I need rain. Thanks for keeping up the videos. ALways enjoyable.
Since my real winter Vespa is still in the shop I have to take the ET4 out instead. I don't want the salt on the W650, the Himalayan, or my brand new Honda Trail 125. Salt is nasty stuff on shiny parts.
Glad you like the videos. More to come.
Lovely to see this, and to hear your well-composed thoughts about our shared winter plight. I’m in Western Washington, so I can eke out a ride in each of the 12 months with little trepidation. But winter is still winter and these aging bones do get creaky. Cheers …
Indeed, no matter how you slice things, winter is still winter. Right now winter is introducing me to mud. The garden is thawing and the dogs are providing the house with a fine dose of mess.
And man do the bones get creaky!
Hi Steve. I really enjoyed this video - almost poetic. I am a year-round rider. Although I don't like the cold, it does refresh the soul and make one even more appreciative of the creature comforts when back home in the warm.
Returning from a cold ride definitely leaves me more appreciative of a warm home. It is easy to take creature comforts for granted. A ride opens my heart and my eyes....
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the video. I appreciate them.
I was about to say it takes one of my motorcycles to lift my mood....but it doesn't. Even my two scooters will do the job. Although I'm waiting for the Trail Cub ride to see if it makes you smile.
I've only ridden the Trail 125 about two miles so far. I'm still acclimating to the heel toe shifter!
Nice video! I have a black 125cc ET4 here in Greece.
Thank you. Riding an ET4 is a gift in my life. I hope it is in yours as well.
Enjoying the video, always feel better after a ride. Who's doing the pickin'?, nice too -thanks
The artist Daniel Pratt and the piece is titled, "This is My Love for You -- Instrumental Version." It is a piece available through the account I have for music I can use with RUclips videos.
Great video thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Hello, Steve. You always make me think about the stuff in your videos in a good way, of course. I was thinking about general riding last couple on months and the transition to EVs. I have nothing against them but it seams that the governments part of the 'west' don't want us to pleasure ride. For them, we are parasites and riding should be just A to B. They don't say it directly but as you said, only a rider can understand.
I've abandoned my crystal ball. Whatever the future brings I will survive. As much as I love to ride my internal combustion scooters and motorcycles I value my serenity more. If the government takes them away, either directly, or through oppressive fees and taxes, I will survive. And find other things to make me smile.
That said, I can't imagine any of that happening. Personal vehicles occupy a space close to guns. You're just not going to pry them away from people here in the United States.
I plan to just keep riding until I can't. That's my objective reality.
I heard that you will never see a motorbike parked in front of a phsyk's office , riders don't need them.
Oh if that was always true. I suspect there's more myth than truth to that old adage. I agree that riding can have many benefits, but if you need therapy, a motorcycle won't suffice. My two cents.
Cold here in nj as well but i get out for 30mins or so
Thirty minutes is plenty of time for me to start smiling again!
great video Steve, what happened to the 250 le? just wondering?
It’s in the shop getting new shocks, brakes, steering bearings, and some routine maintenance. It should return soon.
I’m between a Vespa 150 and 300 not sure if the 150 will be enough power but kind of like the small frame Vespa most of the riding I’ll do is in town and country roads going 55-60 mph tops let me know your thoughts thanks
If I had to face roads where I was expected to travel a lot at 55 to 60 mph I would be more comfortable with the Vespa 300. If you do decide on the 150 you will likely find yourself waving people around you. I have certainly ridden my Vespa ET4 and LX150 at those speeds but there have been many occasions where I had to let people pass because I couldn't maintain the pace, there was a uphill grade, or traffic started going even faster.
You'll have to decide how comfortable you'll be managing the road when you can't keep up. It's possible but frustrating at times. I'm fortunate here that there are many alternative routes. Often longer but also slower.