Modern Vespa

After 2020 got underway, my whinging hasn't stopped. Not going to let a little winter disturb my momentum.

I live in spain these days and this greeted me this morning. This is one of the main drags through downtown Madrid, as no one here can handle snow they did the sensible thing and padestrianised the city for the day

It´s 10 degrees F tomorrow which is unusal in these parts

Most of the Madrid is vespa heaven, so this make me appreciate it

Stay safe everyone

... and i follow you.

37 C - 98.6 F today. Too hot to go and chase mice.

Lol. My guy came out with me for a bit today, around freezing. Was on point looking for a rabbit to chase (he does launch after them!)

So you photo got me wondering about mouse species in Australia and my mind took me to an image of little marsupials hopping around like kangaroos. I've clearly been inside too much.

Guess who rode yesterday ...

Go ahead; guess.

That's right. It was me!

So, we've had no precipitation for almost a week. Temps during the day have been just above freezing and the roads were heavily salted.

I was in the garage and started both bikes. We had just finished a late lunch, my son was in his room and my wife was in our room relaxing. Suddenly, a great idea came to me.

We have a 100' driveway that was still covered in ice, but manageable. It was still light out and the main roads have been fine.

I only went about 20 miles, but around town that was a good hour ride. Good thing, too, because I didn't dress for any longer.

Still, it was good getting out again. Aaaand because of the wind chill it was good getting back home.

Seamus26

You are a brave soul. Despite snow on the ground, it has been clear here long enough that the roads are reasonably high and dry (Due to Chemicals).
I still maintain there are to many hidden patches of ice.

Be safe,

Bob Copeland
Frost Bite Falls Minnesota

Seamus,

Thumbs up to you. In the past I used to go on winter rides too.

Only... only 3-4 months left 'til I'll remove the cover...

So far I've barely missed a day, it's been a mild or at least pretty snow free winter. I'm using the Vespa more than the Ural which is a change for the winter. This pic is from I believe last week.

Not a Vespa day today.

Maybe I'm late to the party, but have just discovered Vespa Air Fresheners for your car/Ural. (Ebay).
So if your Vespa is hibernating during the winter, you can still have one dangling from the rear view mirror.

Do they have the rotten stink of 2 stroke?

..or in the no-pets carrier😀

Castrol .

Strawberry scented 2 stroke.
https://www.mxstore.com.au/p/Ipone-1L-Samourai-Racing-Strawberry-2T-2-Stroke-Mo/IP800090

They need an old school scooter rally scent. It would be a mix of 2-stroke cigarette smoke and warm beer if I remember correctly from back then.

I've got it bad here. New (to me) scoot that I can't ride. Spending time adding goodies so when it stops raining I can get out and ride. Can't even take "Charlene" outside to take photos to share her with y'all (US southern speak for "you guys").[/img][/url]

What? It's raining in Portland?

Plus, believe it or not we have snow on the roads here!

I'd love just to have wet roads now and the pitter patter of rain on my helmet.

This is from the warmer days... plus hey may as well get all my rides in the same parking spot near the office in one thread because you know.... that's thrilling stuff. My little guy is the one in the middle.

I took a free 1 month garantee for 2021. A refund is in order. I am still whinging.

Oh I'm thinking 2021 will not be quite as much fun as the shit show that was 2020 but it will give it a run for its money.

Yeah, it's looking promising.

On the (rare) bright side, the days are definitely longer, which sends a little shiver of optimism down my spine....

Welp, since the world's lost its mind....

Supposed to be writing this from Spain, where I'd hoped to avoid my first Idaho winter in 35 years, but instead Spain got our winter, y'all seem to be getting our snow, and I got to get out of the basement today, briefly....

We have snow ground cover, but, most of the heavy snow has went
South of Minnesota and East. We have historically had cold/snowy Winters.
So, I chuckle when other parts of the country get slammed.

From Northern Minnesota to the Southern border with the State of Iowa,
it is about 340 miles (547 Kilometers). Consequently, temperature and weather systems can vary widely. Last week in Northern Minnesota it was -26 Farenheit or (-32.2 celsius), At the same time it was 28 degrees (0 celsius) in the center of the State where I live Minneapolis.

It will be -12 Farenheit this weekend (-24.4 celsius).

Colder than a well diggers behind!

Bob Copeland


To chicken to ride in the Winter.

We will hane 60 F today but only for a few hours. Brrrrr!

Driving to work this morning, EVERYTHING was coated with frost. Can't describe it well, but into my 7th decade in the Great White North, this seemed exceptional.

I briefly pondered going MIA and finding a nice hiking/photo spot, but alas, I'm somewhat responsible, and a glance at the thermometer showing 5 degrees (F) I decided to just grab a quick picture and go on to work.

Days of heavy snow. Roads clearing but icy patches. Maybe get the Vespa out for a spin tomorrow.

This photo was made yesterday afternoon on a walk through the park down the street. Didn't seem like Vespa weather. Even to me.

I've had enough winter.


Scene from the Pennsylvania Military Museum.

Yeah that's a lot of snow alright!

Oh I've had it with winter too and this damn pandemic has more than worn out its welcome.

No rains here, but we had some snow here in NYC, about 18 inches in Brooklyn.
There is salt & slushy snow still on the roads. The Vespa lost its cover in the high winds partially and is covered in good amount of snow.
Will wait till the roads get washed off the salt hopefully in a week to get back to riding.
I have become apprehensive to ride with salt on the road, cuz of past experience of having rust to deal with.

Cyclone Eloise calmed down into a tropical depression and we have had rain every day for two weeks. My son is trying to complete the building works at our new place. Every morning commences with a furious stream of swear-words. His program is behind and has to be adapted every few hours as isolated squalls of rain sweep in and spoil his day.

Fud,

Two weeks of rain (Probably Overcast all the time) is tough. I just
thought South Africa was all sunshine and warm weather.

Here in Frost Bite Falls Minnesota we kind of go through the doldrums for a while in the Winter. All the leaves have fallen (No color), the sky is overcast with everything looking bleak. Picture, white snow, dark trees, streets and sidewalks wet sloppy or frozen.

That is why, in the Spring, we rejoice with joy and try to jam a years worth of scooter riding into 6 months.

Hope you dry up soon.

Bob Copeland
Lake Wobegon Minnesota
"Where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and
all the children are above average."


Everyone, immediately move South.

"Well, that's the news from Lake Wobegon..."
So the sentence is complete.

Weather here is awful too. Look, we got rain...

That's great picture Znomit, is it one of yours?

From 30 minutes ago.

PDG. I like the way you've captured the arc of the rainbow over the curve of your screen.

<sigh>

From last year but more of that is coming. Honestly outside of a few really cold days we've been pretty lucky weather-wise this winter. It's everything else that kinda sucks.

Bob, normally Pretoria's summers are hot, sunny and clear.
Local weather systems promote the formation of isolated thunderstorms to the South East. These tend to come over the city around 4PM - the time that the Civil Servants knock off from work. As a result, they are fondly called the Civil Servant rain as it is all over when most private businesses close at 5PM.

Since Eloise came by, there is a lingering low air pressure and low-lying moist-laden clouds drift in and out, with anything from ongoing gentle drizzle to short duration cloudbursts during the day. If one works outdoors with 'wet-trade' construction, then rain is very problematic !

I love tbe way the Ural looks with the winter snow. It is nagical.😀