OP
@nightwing avatar
UTC

Contributor
2007 LX 150 (memories)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8577
Location: New Hampshire
 
Contributor
@nightwing avatar
2007 LX 150 (memories)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8577
Location: New Hampshire
UTC quote
Today I rode to get my LX inspected in a neighboring town, 11 miles away. Now, for me, that is a long trip. Don't laugh, I bought my LX 9 years ago and have only 2,700 miles on it. It sat all last year.

So, I geared up for the "trip" and headed out. Absolutely a beautiful day for a ride. Half way there, I realized that all the tension in my shoulders was gone and my arms felt like the jacket was the only thing holding them on.

The roadway was 2 lane countryside with elegant trees overhanging the road in spots. Caution is due because ruts and potholes can be shielded by the shadows.

Inspection takes only a couple of minutes. I paid, got my sticker and was on my way back home. I found myself not wanting to go home because the call of the open road and the beautiful day were very tempting. If I was ever going to run away from home, today would have been the day. If only I had packed some clothes...

However, responsibility got the best of me and I pushed the remote button and sailed into the garage without hesitation. I need to get my Goldwing inspected too and I may do it yet today or tomorrow.

Vespas should be available on a prescription basis. I can't think of a better coping skill than riding. It certainly improved my mental health today.
@madison_sully avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@madison_sully avatar
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7668
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Re: The Therapy Of Country/Rural Riding
NightWing wrote:
Vespas should be available on a prescription basis. I can't think of a better coping skill than riding. It certainly improved my mental health today.
Interesting business idea.... Scooter emoticon
@trespassersw avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
Piaggio BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 94
 
Enthusiast
@trespassersw avatar
Piaggio BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 94
UTC quote
I've always said that everyone should be issued a Vespa at the age of 16.
The world would be a better place.
@crazycarl avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2007 250 GTS, 1980 P200E, 2010 ThunderFly 190 (SOLD) 2015 Yamaha SMax (SOLD)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3522
Location: Springboro, OH
 
Ossessionato
@crazycarl avatar
2007 250 GTS, 1980 P200E, 2010 ThunderFly 190 (SOLD) 2015 Yamaha SMax (SOLD)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3522
Location: Springboro, OH
UTC quote
I find myself lamenting the end of a long leisurely country ride quite often.

For me, riding is very therapuetic.
@elvispa avatar
UTC

Addicted
GTS 300
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Posts: 817
Location: Pac NW
 
Addicted
@elvispa avatar
GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 817
Location: Pac NW
UTC quote
Me too.
I have had great rural rides, but the one that stands out in my memory was a long afternoon/evening ride heading south through rural Pennsylvania. Oh.
CrazyCarl wrote:
I find myself lamenting the end of a long leisurely country ride quite often.

For me, riding is very therapuetic.
@en82pg avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2010 PIAGGIO BV 500ie Tourer
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4644
Location: Lakeshore, ON, CANADA-Capestang,FR
 
Ossessionato
@en82pg avatar
2010 PIAGGIO BV 500ie Tourer
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4644
Location: Lakeshore, ON, CANADA-Capestang,FR
UTC quote
Just came back from one of those therapeutic runs.

Three hours along the lake road and then a jaunt down a paved lane way by a river. Spotted a red fox, two blue herons and a woodchuck. I helped an old snapping turtle over to the river. He'd been marching down the middle of the road. Concerned for his well being, even with the lack of traffic, I assisted him in his quest to get to the water.
Nothing like a ride in the natural world to refresh the soul.

Stopped at a little country store and got an ice cream bar before heading home.

A perfect end to a perfect day.
OP
@nightwing avatar
UTC

Contributor
2007 LX 150 (memories)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8577
Location: New Hampshire
 
Contributor
@nightwing avatar
2007 LX 150 (memories)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8577
Location: New Hampshire
UTC quote
OK, follow up. I just returned from the same trip to have the Goldwing inspected. A nice ride, but like making love with a condom on.

Vespa. There is no substitute.
@nautiker avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'14 Piaggio BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1018
Location: New Hampshire (USA)
 
Molto Verboso
@nautiker avatar
'14 Piaggio BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1018
Location: New Hampshire (USA)
UTC quote
I like exploring the old, secondary roads in NH (mostly Rockingham Co), looking at the old houses & barns... A brisk jaunt up Rt 125 is occasionally nice, too!

Scooter emoticon
@michael_b avatar
UTC

Addicted
GTS 300 ie - traded in; Honda CB300FA; Honda Ruckus scooter
Joined: UTC
Posts: 742
Location: Toronto, Canada
 
Addicted
@michael_b avatar
GTS 300 ie - traded in; Honda CB300FA; Honda Ruckus scooter
Joined: UTC
Posts: 742
Location: Toronto, Canada
UTC quote
Country/rural riding is the best. That's what motorcycling is really about. Unfortunately, in huge urban areas, as GTA (Toronto), it's hard to get to, and then tedious to return from (having to cope with 40 km of the city each way).
@colemillerkills avatar
UTC

Hooked
2012 Vespa S50 (Malossi 80)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 203
Location: Middle Georgia (478)
 
Hooked
@colemillerkills avatar
2012 Vespa S50 (Malossi 80)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 203
Location: Middle Georgia (478)
UTC quote
Nothing better than riding in Georgia country
UTC

Ossessionato
Piaggio BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2429
Location: Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma
 
Ossessionato
Piaggio BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2429
Location: Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma
UTC quote
Rural riding can be a blast. However, if people explore waaaayyy out in the country a few issues can eventually pop up.

Sometimes, "city people" will ride/drive out in the country, suffer mechanical difficulties, call the po-po, and.......not have a clue just where they are. In Oklahoma, at least, many rural areas just don't have much signage, so the conversation can something along the lines of:

Them: "I blew a hose and my engine quit. I need some help. Where the hell am I? I''m on a dirt road, right next to another dirt road that is next to a field. I think I heard an airplane about 15 minutes ago."

Me: "What was the last known state highway you crossed? Okay, did you cross a river? 'No?,' well that narrows it down just a bit. Did you by chance pass a white country church anywhere? Okay, good! Was it the Baptist, or the Methodist? Well, the steeple on the Baptist is larger than the one on the Methodist. Oh, I see your point..... Okay, that field you're next to, is it planted with soybeans, or with alfalfa? Ahh, you're from Tulsa, so you won't know." "Okay, I'm going to turn on a siren and you tell me if you can hear it. Okay, now I'm going to have another unit turn hers on and.......You can? Great! You must be near the old Dobson place. Resist the urge to eat any apples you may find growing on the trees....still too green." "Oh, and one more thing. Ol' lady Dobson still lives out there and she gets a bit suspicious of strangers out her way, so try not to look like you're from the federal government or anything, okay?"

"34, I'm sending you the RP's cell number so you can communicate directly. Clear."

And with that, another motorist/rider discovers the fun of being in the country, and finds out just what a new radiator hose can cost over in Haleyville........
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
That's why i live in the country. I love being around nature not houses and shopping malls. I used to commute 70 miles RT into Honolulu for work and it was worth every mile. I hear silence at nite,not car sirens, and traffic. One of my best rides is coming down the mountain on our windy road. Mountains to the left and the ocean as far as i can see in front of me. Just not a city person. Life doesn't get much better than that. 8)
UTC

Ossessionato
Piaggio BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2429
Location: Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma
 
Ossessionato
Piaggio BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2429
Location: Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma
UTC quote
^^^Having never actually visited Hawaii, I find it difficult to imagine anyone living "out in the country" there. Out in the jungle, out by the volcanos, out by the ocean, maybe, but not the country. I have no problem picturing very remote areas, just not what we call "country."
Of course, most of my knowledge of the state comes from watching episodes of Hawaii Five-O.....
@troutbum avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2012 Kymco Like 200i (Sold), 2018 FLSL
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2757
Location: San Jose, CA
 
Ossessionato
@troutbum avatar
2012 Kymco Like 200i (Sold), 2018 FLSL
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2757
Location: San Jose, CA
UTC quote
These days I pretty much stick to backroads/rural riding. Saturday morning I rode to San Juan Batista using nothing but backroads except the last 10 miles. By the time I returned home I put just over 90 miles on the scooter. Love the backcountry. Some roads I ride I'm the only one on it. i find it very peaceful and a great escape.
@dooglas avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13509
Location: Oregon City, OR
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@dooglas avatar
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13509
Location: Oregon City, OR
UTC quote
TroutBum wrote:
These days I pretty much stick to backroads/rural riding.
Absolutely my favorite ride as well. The back country roads of the Willamette Valley are lightly traveled, scenic, and definitely therapeutic. They never lose their charm for me.
@kiwirider avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2008 Piaggio FLY 125, 2014 300GTS Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 97
Location: australia
 
Enthusiast
@kiwirider avatar
2008 Piaggio FLY 125, 2014 300GTS Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 97
Location: australia
UTC quote
Great thread, finding ways to increase your personal happiness.....RESPECT!!
I am a bit hesitant to ride in the country because I think the vespa suspension might get on my nerves. However, if you sit back into the bike, metaphorically speaking, and let the suspension work, it is just fine. Work that one out? (I think it is because I can get stressed from work and get too critical of things that are really just fine).
So, I have no excuses and will endeavour to get out up into the Hunter valley this week.
UTC

Member
2015 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport / 2015 Primavera 50T
Joined: UTC
Posts: 40
Location: Alexandra, New Zealand
 
Member
2015 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport / 2015 Primavera 50T
Joined: UTC
Posts: 40
Location: Alexandra, New Zealand
UTC quote
I always look forward to going for a ride out in the country. Me time, a way from work and the kids. Just a wee loop, going nowhere.
@wheelbender6 avatar
UTC

Hooked
Genuine Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 224
Location: Houston area
 
Hooked
@wheelbender6 avatar
Genuine Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 224
Location: Houston area
UTC quote
My wife and I live in the suburbs, with crowded multi-lane roads and traffic lights. We haul our scooters out to small towns on the weekends to enjoy narrow, twisty country roads and local cuisine.
@nautiker avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'14 Piaggio BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1018
Location: New Hampshire (USA)
 
Molto Verboso
@nautiker avatar
'14 Piaggio BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1018
Location: New Hampshire (USA)
UTC quote
TroutBum wrote:
These days I pretty much stick to backroads/rural riding. Saturday morning I rode to San Juan Batista using nothing but backroads except the last 10 miles. By the time I returned home I put just over 90 miles on the scooter. Love the backcountry. Some roads I ride I'm the only one on it. i find it very peaceful and a great escape.
MMMM.... San Juan Bautista - I used to live in Merced, and passed by there on the way to Monterey/Carmel - what a lovely area.... I always think of "Vertigo" when I ride by there, too...
@dooglas avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13509
Location: Oregon City, OR
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@dooglas avatar
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 13509
Location: Oregon City, OR
UTC quote
wheelbender6 wrote:
We haul our scooters out to small towns on the weekends to enjoy narrow, twisty country roads and local cuisine.
^ ^ ^ BINGO ^ ^ ^
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
DOG "country" is relative. When my camera comes in Sept i'll get a video of my ride down the mountain. Sadly people are flocking out here and building. Crying or Very sad emoticon Livid emoticon Were trying to stop them. It's like putting your finger in the dyke but were trying. Not the country that i grew up in NY but it's country for here.
@tdrake avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2981
Location: Moscow, Idaho
 
Ossessionato
@tdrake avatar
2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2981
Location: Moscow, Idaho
UTC quote
Amen brother, amen.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@megamod avatar
UTC

Addicted
2006 LX150, 2009 250, '80 P200, '80 PX200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 582
Location: San Diego
 
Addicted
@megamod avatar
2006 LX150, 2009 250, '80 P200, '80 PX200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 582
Location: San Diego
UTC quote
Though ai love in a big city, my rural ride is only 30 minutes away, and the top of our 6000 foot mountains is 54 miles from our house. I love the rural and mountain rides, but love my coastal rides too; though the coast has stops and lights there are areas you pass that you see the waves crashing. Ayes, aim lucky to live in San Diego.
OP
@nightwing avatar
UTC

Contributor
2007 LX 150 (memories)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8577
Location: New Hampshire
 
Contributor
@nightwing avatar
2007 LX 150 (memories)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8577
Location: New Hampshire
UTC quote
One thing I love about my town is that we have no stoplights. Just a couple of orange caution lights and stop signs are used where appropriate.
@modnrod avatar
UTC

Addicted
Lambretta child
Joined: UTC
Posts: 510
Location: Midwest, West Oz
 
Addicted
@modnrod avatar
Lambretta child
Joined: UTC
Posts: 510
Location: Midwest, West Oz
UTC quote
I live 200km away from the nearest traffic light, 265km away from the nearest roundabout (uhhmmm, which is crap really! I like roundabouts! LOL!), and 220km away from the nearest pizza shop that doesn't come out of the freezer, BUT..........

I get to ride through roads like this every day to get anywhere, in every direction.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

It's all good. 8)
@driller avatar
UTC

Hooked
Scarabeo 150, SC 250, 2t Stella
Joined: UTC
Posts: 166
Location: Tryon NC
 
Hooked
@driller avatar
Scarabeo 150, SC 250, 2t Stella
Joined: UTC
Posts: 166
Location: Tryon NC
UTC quote
Some of my best riding was in NH. Living just east of Fryeburg, ME had the "Northeast Kingdom" at my doorstep. Now, Western NC is wonderful for country roads. 8)
UTC

Hooked
Racing Sixties 300, Cub, Gold Wing, Can Am
Joined: UTC
Posts: 245
Location: NoVA
 
Hooked
Racing Sixties 300, Cub, Gold Wing, Can Am
Joined: UTC
Posts: 245
Location: NoVA
UTC quote
Ten years ago I had a brand new 250 GTS and a 5 year old 1800 Gold Wing in the garage. So I went and took a 2,000 mile tour on the Vespa, down Skyline Drive and the BRP. That scooter was the most fun I ever had riding Deal's Gap.

I'm now retired and live ten miles from Skyline. I still have a GTS and a Electra Glide has replaced the Wing. Scooters are not just for cities.
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
No stoplights in my town either. 8) If you go down the coast there's only a couple of stoplights in the 20+ mile stretch. Go the other way and there's a million. Crying or Very sad emoticon
@silver_streak avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8758
Location: Annapolis, MD, USA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@silver_streak avatar
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8758
Location: Annapolis, MD, USA
UTC quote
Dooglas wrote:
wheelbender6 wrote:
We haul our scooters out to small towns on the weekends to enjoy narrow, twisty country roads and local cuisine.
^ ^ ^ BINGO ^ ^ ^
Whatever works for you guys, but hauling what is by nature a mode of transportation to somewhere where you will use it as a mode of transportation just seems a bit odd to me.

I dislike riding in congested city traffic as much as the next guy, but I'd rather spend the hour or two it takes dealing with getting bikes on and off a trailer (to say nothing of parking a trailer rig) to actually ride out into the country.

To me it's a bit like driving to the gym so you can exercise rather than walking, jogging or bicycling there.

YMMV.

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