On your Vespa?
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400 miles, San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Have you seen the movie "The Mist" where in the end... well I won't spoil it but a similar thing happened to me. I came down from SF to LA, and after the Lost Hills exit, the temperature dropped to 0 degrees celsius (from my Vespa gauge). (also, this is why the outside thermometer is so important, could mean having frostbite and not, at those temps, everything is too numb to tell) My feet and hands started to freeze so bad I thought I think I was starting to get frostbite. I was able to ride about 20 miles or so at 0 degrees C (at 70 mph) and just couldn't bare it. I dropped the speed to about 50mph but was still freezing. I pulled over to the side of the road to try to warm up. (this is in the middle of the central valley desert, absolutely nothing but dirt for miles, and stars in sight) I tried everything, including placing my feet on the exhaust. I felt like I was either going to stay there all night and freeze to death or grind it out to the next gas station and get some shelter. Of course the next shelter was only 5 or 10 more minutes away unbeknownst to me (D'oh!). I laid in the bathroom with my feet against the wall and warmed up with the hand dryer for about 20 minutes. The clerk gave me some plastic bags to put over my feet and I headed out. I mentally prepared myself to brave many more miles of 0 degree temps and the minute I step out of the gas station, the temperature rose back up to 10 degrees C and stayed that way for the rest of ride. It was one of the worst nights I ever had. anyways I just bit the bullet and ordered a termoscud blanket AND the muffs. (this is from a previous post but definitely fist the bill here) |
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Today I rode my Vespa about 330 miles from Memphis,Tennessee to Montgomery,Alabama. During the first 290 miles it was through moderate to heavy rain. Thankfully the temperature was near 70F.
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Hachi wrote: Today I rode my Vespa about 330 miles from Memphis,Tennessee to Montgomery,Alabama. During the first 290 miles it was through moderate to heavy rain. Thankfully the temperature was near 70F. |
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A few of my photographs from a trip I did on GST 250 from Canada to Mexico and back.
http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/search/?t=vespa+mexico Sergei |
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sergeibelski wrote: A few of my photographs from a trip I did on GST 250 from Canada to Mexico and back. http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/search/?t=vespa+mexico Sergei |
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noeltazz wrote: Hachi wrote: Today I rode my Vespa about 330 miles from Memphis,Tennessee to Montgomery,Alabama. During the first 290 miles it was through moderate to heavy rain. Thankfully the temperature was near 70F. |
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noeltazz wrote: sergeibelski wrote: A few of my photographs from a trip I did on GST 250 from Canada to Mexico and back. http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/search/?t=vespa+mexico Sergei Sergei |
Molto Verboso
![]() 2016 Piaggio BV-350
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Posts: 1879 Location: Virginia, USA, from London, England |
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sergeibelski wrote: noeltazz wrote: sergeibelski wrote: A few of my photographs from a trip I did on GST 250 from Canada to Mexico and back. http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/search/?t=vespa+mexico Sergei Sergei |
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
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Posts: 8758 Location: Annapolis, MD, USA |
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() 2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
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4000 miles from Maryland to Colorado and back in 95+F weather on a kitted LX.
Several heavy downpours on that trip, and chased across Kansas by tornadoes (although they never caught me). |
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Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
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Posts: 22659 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
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Moderatus Rana
![]() MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
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320 miles from Little Switzerland, NC to a Motel 6 at Richmond Hill. Pretty much steady downpour the whole way. Had planned to make it the rest of the way home but soon after crossing SC and getting on the interstate I started to shiver (rain gear leaked a bit, boots full of water and wet gloves) even though the rain was letting up. Figured I better bail and get dried out before I got dangerous.
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On my GTS 1200 miles to Amerivespa 2010 in San Antonio and back. Worst weather wastorrential rain one trip or 28f temp on another.
If it doesn't have to be a Vespa 4400 miles on BV 500 from Breckenridge Colorado to Amerivespa with detours to various national parks. Worst weather I've ridden in was on that trip - 50mph winds with gusts that would move the scoot I over a full lane. |
RIP
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About a 100 miles which for here is a long trip.
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Every day over the Blue Ridge mountains
I rode about 85 miles, everyday, all winter over the Blue Ridge Mountains. (That's what happens when you move from Chicago to Virginia and don't have a car and have to get to work)
One time the leg of my pants kept coming up and my ankle was exposed to the elements and I actually have a scar from the frostbite. |
Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() 2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
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The most intense was 1018 miles in just over 18 hours on a GT I owned for a year. I wanted to do an Iron Butt, just for fun, and chose a route that kept me on interstate highways the entire way. Jacksonville, Savannah, Columbia, SC, Charlotte, Raleigh, Savannah, Jacksonville. Beautiful weather that day.
For overall length of a single trip: On a Vespa, just over 2000 miles in eight days from Jacksonville to Franklin Tennessee, down the Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez, Mississippi to Biloxi to Jacksonville. On any two wheeler: Denver to Glacier NP and back to Denver in eight days in 2013. 2750 miles Worst weather is a little harder. I have ridden in some very heavy rain. The worst was at night returning from a club Tuesday dinner ride from a restaurant 20 miles from home. It wouldn't stop so I headed home in a torrential downpour. Puddles were huge and everywhere and you couldn't tell how deep. I just tried to miss them as much as possible and made it home safely. One incident regarding wind was a little scary. The bridges here are where the wind is always far worse than everywhere else. The tallest bridge is the Dames Point Bridge, about 175 feet high and only 10 miles from the ocean. One day the wind was blowing 30 to 40 mph across it. When going through the two towers, the wind was concentrated and almost blew me off the scooter. By far, the most afraid I have been on the scooter. ![]() |
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Ossessionato
A fracking cage sadly
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A few years ago I took off on a round-trip from Seattle to Chilliwack that started out freezing with think fog for the first, then gradually warmed up and became pouring rain, then it got mostly dry, hot and muggy. Nothing like getting frozen and sunburned in the same day.
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Hooked
2011 GTV 300 ie 2007 LX 150 2002 Suzuki Volusa
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Does THIS Count?
I don't have distance on anyone...hell I've barely got 700 miles total in my life so far.
I also doubt this is a record but I'm wondering if my max elevation of 7,900 feet would be allowed submission to this thread? I was forced to kinda cheat though...started off at 2,000'. This was on my 2003 ET2 50...barely broke 20mph on the steep parts but I made it to the 'top' (highest drivable point) of Mount Charleston. FYI - this site is awesome... http://www.doogal.co.uk/RouteElevation.php |
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wind,rain,hail,sun,bit more rain,sun,then more hail.......
Went out about three weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon, I remember it well, the mental scars are still with me, it was a nice day sun was out and all that, got my shorts on
Then about an hour into a general blast on the scooter it quickly turned into the most traumatic journey back, the hail was like being sandblasted and I chose the openfaced helmet (big mistake) ![]() In that 20 so mile journey I got it all Russ |
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voneschenbach wrote: A few years ago I took off on a round-trip from Seattle to Chilliwack that started out freezing with think fog for the first, then gradually warmed up and became pouring rain, then it got mostly dry, hot and muggy. Nothing like getting frozen and sunburned in the same day. FWIW, at our place near Breckenridge our garage is 10,800' passes another 1,000+ any direction but north. Been up to the top of Mt. Evans a couple times with elevation of 14,000'. |
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A fracking cage sadly
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cdwise wrote: voneschenbach wrote: A few years ago I took off on a round-trip from Seattle to Chilliwack that started out freezing with think fog for the first, then gradually warmed up and became pouring rain, then it got mostly dry, hot and muggy. Nothing like getting frozen and sunburned in the same day. FWIW, at our place near Breckenridge our garage is 10,800' passes another 1,000+ any direction but north. Been up to the top of Mt. Evans a couple times with elevation of 14,000'. |
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voneschenbach wrote: cdwise wrote: voneschenbach wrote: A few years ago I took off on a round-trip from Seattle to Chilliwack that started out freezing with think fog for the first, then gradually warmed up and became pouring rain, then it got mostly dry, hot and muggy. Nothing like getting frozen and sunburned in the same day. FWIW, at our place near Breckenridge our garage is 10,800' passes another 1,000+ any direction but north. Been up to the top of Mt. Evans a couple times with elevation of 14,000'. |
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Ossessionato
A fracking cage sadly
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Posts: 4000 Location: Seattle |
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cdwise wrote: voneschenbach wrote: cdwise wrote: voneschenbach wrote: A few years ago I took off on a round-trip from Seattle to Chilliwack that started out freezing with think fog for the first, then gradually warmed up and became pouring rain, then it got mostly dry, hot and muggy. Nothing like getting frozen and sunburned in the same day. FWIW, at our place near Breckenridge our garage is 10,800' passes another 1,000+ any direction but north. Been up to the top of Mt. Evans a couple times with elevation of 14,000'. |
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One day, 867 miles from Eureka Springs AR to Santa Fe, NM. There was just no place to stop for the night on the 412 across Oklahoma. 16 hrs
Trip: 10,100 miles last May, added 38 interior lower States to fill in the lower 48. Rte 66, Blueridge Pkwy, Natchez Trace, Grand Army of the Republic Hwy, Rte 2, NE, Beartooth Pass, Yellowstone, Columbia River Gorge, Pacific Coast, Pinnacles, Yosemite. 34 days. |
Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() 2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
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JHop wrote: Trip: 10,100 miles last May, added 38 interior lower States to fill in the lower 48. Rte 66, Blueridge Pkwy, Natchez Trace, Grand Army of the Republic Hwy, Rte 2, NE, Beartooth Pass, Yellowstone, Columbia River Gorge, Pacific Coast, Pinnacles, Yosemite. 34 days. I would like to try it some day. Maybe sooner rather than later. I have done some of it, part of the Blue Ridge, all of the Natchez Trace, Beartooth and Yellowstone. |
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![]() 2007 Vespa GTS250ie 2007 Buddy 125 Series Italia 2012 Ural Gear-Up
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Not all that long but five days riding to and at Amerivespa 2013 in San Diego (Just over 700 miles total). Worst ride by far was riding south on PCH past Laguna Canyon with waves breaking over the road and leaning 45 degrees to the right while going around a left hand turn with an estimated 80 mph cross wind. Talk about counter steer!
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saggezza di scala
2009 'Burma Shave' Red GTS 250ie
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saggezza di scala
![]() 2009 'Burma Shave' Red GTS 250ie
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Not sure of the time frame you're looking for...
Furthest in a day was 1040 miles in a hair under 24 hours. The high temperature during that run was 45C (113F). I commute about 160-170 km (100-105 miles) round trip on all but the most inclement days. One of those inclement days included a torrential downpour that turned into a freak snowstorm at about the midpoint of my commute home. I did the rest of the ride at walking pace with both feet 'skiing' the road surface for balance. |
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sergeibelski wrote: A few of my photographs from a trip I did on GST 250 from Canada to Mexico and back. http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/search/?t=vespa+mexico Sergei How long did the trip take each way? |
Molto Verboso
![]() '61 GS150Cushman '63 GS160, '74 Primavera, '77 Rally 200,'80 P200E '05 PX150,'13 946,'64 Vyatka VP150,'77 Vyatka-Elektron,'07 GTS250, '63Tula200M
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JHop wrote: One day, 867 miles from Eureka Springs AR to Santa Fe, NM. There was just no place to stop for the night on the 412 across Oklahoma. 16 hrs Trip: 10,100 miles last May, added 38 interior lower States to fill in the lower 48. Rte 66, Blueridge Pkwy, Natchez Trace, Grand Army of the Republic Hwy, Rte 2, NE, Beartooth Pass, Yellowstone, Columbia River Gorge, Pacific Coast, Pinnacles, Yosemite. 34 days. Are you Terminator? Humans can't do it. I can't do it even on four wheels. |
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DaveTCG wrote: sergeibelski wrote: A few of my photographs from a trip I did on GST 250 from Canada to Mexico and back. http://www.sergeibelski.com/blog/search/?t=vespa+mexico Sergei How long did the trip take each way? Sergei |
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"867 miles in one day on two wheels???????????? 16 hours in a saddle?????????? Are you Terminator? Humans can't do it."
Not so much. Anybody who has done an Iron Butt has been in the saddle longer , and many of the 'ballers on smaller scooters have ridden more hrs in a day. In my case, I just sat and the scooter did the work. I did not intend to ride this long. There just was no attractive place to stop. |
Molto Verboso
![]() '61 GS150Cushman '63 GS160, '74 Primavera, '77 Rally 200,'80 P200E '05 PX150,'13 946,'64 Vyatka VP150,'77 Vyatka-Elektron,'07 GTS250, '63Tula200M
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JHop wrote: "867 miles in one day on two wheels???????????? 16 hours in a saddle?????????? Are you Terminator? Humans can't do it." Not so much. Anybody who has done an Iron Butt has been in the saddle longer , and many of the 'ballers on smaller scooters have ridden more hrs in a day. In my case, I just sat and the scooter did the work. I did not intend to ride this long. There just was no attractive place to stop. I'll drive to Amerivespa this June, it will be about 15 hours trip (including quick stops) and definitely the trip back home won't be fun and easy if in very comfortable car. But i can't imagine myself riding that long on my PX. Maybe 5 h including breaks (the longest i've ever ridden (rally rides)would be ok but not longer and not alone. |
Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() 2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
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vyatka wrote: 867 miles in one day on two wheels???????????? 16 hours in a saddle?????????? Are you Terminator? Humans can't do it. I can't do it even on four wheels. |
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![]() 21 75th Anniv. Primavera, 10 GTS Super 300, 64 Allstate, 61 VNB, 61 GL, 61 Lammy LI 125 Mahi Shriner, 57 Lammy LD125
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Hachi wrote: Today I rode my Vespa about 330 miles from Memphis,Tennessee to Montgomery,Alabama. During the first 290 miles it was through moderate to heavy rain. Thankfully the temperature was near 70F. |
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Molto Verboso
Mia Dolce II 2017 GTV 300, Ragazzo Vespa 946, Il Pazzo BV 350, & Mia Dolce GTV 250 -sold-
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![]() Mia Dolce II 2017 GTV 300, Ragazzo Vespa 946, Il Pazzo BV 350, & Mia Dolce GTV 250 -sold-
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404 Interstate miles through pouring rain to get to the Meltdown Rally August 2012. Rained most of the way back, too. When I got back I bought a trailer and sold the BV 350.
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710 miles from Spencer, IA to Boulder, CO in a day and a half.....crazy strong winds which really sucked....until the hail started.
It was actually on a new tmax that I picked up in spencer and rode home. |
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