Modern Vespa

The snowstorm has begun and the snow is piling up. I was texting a riding friend that there was a time I would have gone for a ride in this weather. And had been caught in it before.

Now, that all seems like insanity. Cold I'll still ride. But snow, I think those days are behind me. And even the cold days are becoming more challenging.

Here's a photo from a ride I was forced to make in a sudden snow squall. Could barely see and got lost traversing some agricultural land that I was familiar with.

Looks pretty. It wasn't.

Yep, you were hardcore back in the day and full respect for that. I don't blame you for staying out of the snow on two wheels as it can be more than a little challenge.

Yes, I rode home on my BMW after that picture. It was.. an interesting ride but as you can see I made it

Take it easy and stay warm and safe my friend.

Seriously and I'm not kidding. If you enjoy winter riding get a sidecar. It handles it like a dream with the correct tires and is a lot of fun.

My friend Dom is a hardcore URAL rider in winter and he's been trying for years to get me to buy one. The local dealer gave me a rig to play with for a few weeks and I just wasn't wild about it. Feels nothing like riding a motorcycle or scooter and more like a lawn tractor. So I've resisted. Maybe someday if I can't manage two wheels anymore.

You're the hardcore winter rider now. I've wussed out. I bought studs for my winter tires but never installed them. Good thing. Haven't even put the apron on the scooter yet this year.

We are expecting that same snow lil later today. I am not yet ready to ride in the snow again as I fear Ill endup getting the underside rusted again. I have put some ACF50 etc to protect in general but trying to avoid riding when it snows or right after it has finished i.e. till I feel the salt has washed off enough.
But I think riding in the snow in NYC is completely different than riding on the snow on the back roads in PA, you have more snow to deal with for sure.
Hats off to you guys who enjoy the snow riding..

Ha! Yeah you're right it is sort of like riding a lawn mower that goes 125 kmh. In my case it is my car and for groceries etc it does a great job. Also going off road on the Gear Up is a blast and it's hard to get a dog on a 2 wheeled motorcycle. I would however not want one as my only motorcycle, it's a great addition to the stable though.

I do think you and I are the only 2 hardcore cold weather riders here on a regular basis. You're correct the cold is nothing with the right gear. Snow and ice on 2 wheels is the tricky part.

^^ This

I love the snow with my sidecar attached

Bravo to you snow riders. I still think you are a little kooky.

Bob Copeland
Frost Bite Falls

... you are brave but also a little crazy, i say ...

Greetings from tepid (14 ° C) Italy
in the Ditch Gionco area, Latina ...

nowt wrong with a bit of the white stuff....

Easter 1998, my yellow T5 and yellow tent - I avioided the yellow snow

I'm OK with cold down to...about...20º (I've been OK at 26º last week) but the roads have to be dry. I won't ride in snow or on roads that are wet with salt slurry.

Juan,

Is there snow on the Island of Burmuda?

Bob Copeland
Minnesota

Not that I'm aware of.

I split my time between NY and Bermuda...at least, pre-COVID, I did.

Juan, where do you keep your Beo 500ie....in NY or Bermuda?

Love those Scarabeo 500ie's!

NY!

Bermuda actually doesn't allow scooters or motorcycles over 150cc, which is not as restrictive as it sounds as there is literally nowhere to safely ride near the top of a 150's speed. Big bikes like Harleys are so exotic that they are sometimes brought over on cruise ships and put on display. They required a special temporary permit for a single ride around the island as part of a parade.

You snow-riding folks are tough! We used to live in the frozen northland (Black Hills, South Dakota); did all that winter recreation stuff. I used to take an old VW bug, chain up the tires, and go play in the snow drifts. We skied. Chopped our own wood. We got caught in the snow a couple times going over the Rockies on our Goldwings. Nothing fun about it.

Got to the point that I didn't want to go out in that crap with a full size SUV with heated seats.

My inner island-boy finally won out... well, that and the Blonde said, "Take me someplace warm!" Latitude 26. The goal was to be somewhere that we'd never have to shovel snow again.

It was 52º when I got up this morning; beautiful blue sky. I had to wait until it got above 60º to go out for a ride, and I put the liner in my mesh armor jacket.

I don't do cold anymore. Warm wishes sent your way, Steve.

Thanks for the warm wishes. I'm afraid we're in for some more cold weather but at least no big snowstorms. Like other years, all of a sudden it seems warmer. And my spirit brightens. And the Vespa is less work to ride!

Somehow, with a lot of fortitude (and way too much snow-shoveling), I managed to get on Melody the past few days and get some errand-running done. Roads are clear (for the moment, anyway), but those damned snowplows barricaded the driveway solid, taking near-Herculean effort to undo. Of course, the forecast for Super Bowl Sunday* calls for two inches more of snow, which will likely stick, followed by some five inches Wednesday. (I was planning to ride the 40 miles to my most-amazing orthodontist Tuesday, but now I'm unsure.) This is the snowiest February in several years, which in fact is supposed to be "normal", but after 2020...well, you get my drift.

*Not watching the game: even the Bills didn't make it. And what happened to Green Bay...nope, don't wanna discuss it.

Just when I think I it's not possible for me to do anything else crazy (a new Vespa at 67?) I see there are sidecars.

Hey, I got mine when I turned 60; I'd say you're in good company here.

And:sidecar? Hey, I won't judge.