Modern Vespa

in the annals of scooterdom, there lies a set of tomes-- encyclopedic in nature. it is a telling list of a person that defies every possible, worldly explanation.

janice, acid_055, but really... just ashrat.

and when we lost her... we lost a little bit of all of ourselves, of our community, of our culture and of really, our being.

ashrat was harder than a coffin nail, kinder than a grandma and tougher than a heavyweight boxer. she was kind, funny, shy, goofy, driven but most of all accepting.

I was fortunate enough to have ridden with her several times. we both laughed at what states of disrepair both of our P-series bikes were in. hers, black on red. mine red on black. while she broke my balls about wearing a suit, we shared a pint of the dark stuff. nobody, on nobody was more willing to extend the hand and make people feel included.

you wanna talk real deal? she was it.

time flies, and you forget how long it's been, and then it just bubbles up. but you never really forget the great ones. and ashrat was one of the greatest.

with that, it is my esteemed honor to bestow posthumously the paco taco award.
ashrat showed prosperity in the face of adversity. friendship, loyalty, understanding, kindness and most importantly a great sense of character.

the road doesn't need to rise to meet her, she was already attacking it.
the wind need not be at her back, she was way ahead of it.

she'd be pissed about any of us droning on about her. so, have a pint and go ride in remembrance.

(also, post all of your best ashrat stories below)

xo

-g

Greasy, when you write about something you are passionate about, you truly are a poet. I have seen it several during my short time on this forum. The love of your friend ashrat comes through here. Thanks for sharing.

Chris from CLE

I wasn't there, but hearing the story about her refusing to be admitted to the ER so she could continue her Cannon Ball ride?!?!! Legend.

To Ashrat.

Thank you, Greasy. I miss ashrat. Anyone who knew her misses her. She was one of those people I mentioned before that leaves a larger-than-life hole in your life when they leave.

For those who have forgotten (I admit I was one of them) her account on MV was ACiD_055.

so, evidently somebody was cutting onions in the shop while I was writing this, thus making my eyeholes leak (shut up it's a medical condition) and therefore this dummy forgot one of the most important parts.

for ashrat, this was tenet. an 11th commandment. the fuggin Magna Carta.

Don't Be A Dick

that's it. succinct. tidy. perfect.

and this decree is somewhat of a guideline by which MV has operated from the jump. there are many hands on the rudder in this ship of fools, but that one line runs thru it all.

and that rule still holds fast.

jess, I was extremely honored that I was granted an opportunity to not only give the award but also write a little something about a wonderful person that had such a significant impact on everybody she ever met. as people we know shuffle off this mortal coil we all lose a piece of ourselves. some are little, some are big, and some leave these gaping holes that you can't quite grasp for reasons unknown until somebody expresses the same hurt and loss. and then you remember why. and then your face starts leaking.

but yeah, larger than life with out ever knowing it. that's ashrat.

-g

thank you for the kind words. occasionally, I veer off my tracks of profane and telling people to suck it up butter cup and take your lumps or the whole stop being a dummy to have a respite in the land of writing something actually worth while.

remember, one of the most important things we can do is remember, share and commiserate together. no matter the topic.

Ashrat was one of those people best described as just herself to anyone who met her. She was a damned force of nature, and ridiculously incredible rider. I hate that she's gone, but I'm so happy she was here.

I never met ashrat, but I remember her well. I definitely had the impression that she was 100% genuine. What you see is what you get.

hmm... kinda sorta sounds like somebody else I know. maybe somebody that rode a 50 from Texas to California? hmmm...

but 100% you hit the nail on the head and drove it home. incredible person all the way around.

ashrat would take you to school on a ride, and then at the bar, let you know how badly you rode *behind* her the whole time. with a smirk. and then, for some reason, you'd just buy another round.

why? because. that's just how it was.

I join in everyone's contributions, their best feelings are also mine in the memory of a dear and wonderful person.
When I meet a missing person who lives in the memory of a dear friend (greasy), I never know what to say best or best.
I entrust myself to him and affectionately embrace him with solidarity, hoping that this is enough to mitigate the absence of a dear friend.
Respectfully ...

Ashrat Cannonball 2012. She passed not to long after completing the cross country marathon. Almost no one knew her condition.

Many of us were very impressed when she rode her scooter into the parking lot of the Thunderbird Motel in Savannah riding all the way across country to turn around and head back on her well ridden 2 stroke.

Man alive, you could probably replace all them big thick Holy books around the globe with that one short sentence

it's pretty simple really.

don't be a dick.
show up and do work.
always bring a gun to a knife fight
never trust a blonde with hoop earrings
back your brothers/partners play
no shots before noon (holidays exempted)
check your fuel level before you leave
never get involved with a woman that has a tattoo of a dagger anywhere on her body
look at your tires occasionally and maybe put some air in them
rub your partners feet
be ready for a fist fight
change your oil
if you get that call of "I'm putting a crew together" you must oblige
make good food
remember your friends-- past and present
go out for a ride, just for you

really, that's it.

Well, there's this:
I have a copy for home and a copy for work

https://www.bookdepository.com/How-Not-Be-Dick-Meghan-Doherty/9781936976027

And that would fit nicely on 2 stone tablets

this ^ I know. You're right
but
The first time I spoke with her was at a Westside Scooter Club rally. I was interested in riding a Cannonball but was getting discouraging feedback from the strangers I'd emailed. I happened to be standing near her at the pre-ride gathering and asked "Are you Janice?" She looked at me kind of skeptically and slowly said "uuuuuuum... yeah." I told her of my interest in Cannonball and she opened right up, giving lots of good advice and encouragement.
Years later, at AmeriVespa in San Jose, I was having lunch at the same table as Rolf, Ashrat and a bunch of other awesome scooterists. Bobo encouraged her to recount the time she punched Stafford in the face. Girl could tell a story!

Tough as nails? Absolutely
Kind, welcoming, generous, funny? Definitely
Inspirational? Very much so
Legend.

I was thinking on a single sheet of steno book between pages of a user’s manual. Scrawled in grease pencil. A small trophy left for future generations.

Ah hahahaha!

I forgot about the Stafford fight!

There’s a blast from the past!

You want some? Come get some. Ashrat was more than happy to deliver.

But same same. Somehow, you always found yourself at a table having a beer with her and howling with laughter from the stories she would tell.

I wasn't there either but the way I heard it was "Take your filthy hands off me" and "If you don't release me right now I'll have you charged with fucking kid-napping."
Something like that.

Thinking of you today - hope you're celebrating with Rolf and all your other scooter pals. Cheers

And Bitza, Judy, Avaitor47 and all the others.