Modern Vespa

While driving in our Miata southbound about four miles from Deadwood along hwy 385, we met a group of four Vespa 300's traveling in the opposite direction.

Because sighting a Vespa of any type in this area is like seeing a Unicorn, as soon as I could safely do it, I whipped the MX-5 around and chased after them, determined to have a rare chat with other Vespa owners from afar.

Hoping they they would pull into a gas station or other business along the way back to Deadwood, I finally caught up to them just before re-entering the town of Deadwood, but there were now several other vehicles between the group and our car, and I was unable to close the distance any further.

The group of four turned left at the 'T' intersection which had you either going right, into Deadwood, or left to Lead, and they took the left and started to ride the mile or so up to Lead, SD, but just kept moving through that town without stopping anywhere, and I suspected then that they were likely heading for the scenic Spearfish Canyon road, and onward.

At this point I gave up the chase and had to turn back and find lunch for Trixie and myself and head back home towards Rapid City, but I was sorely disappointed in losing the VERY rare opportunity to chat with fellow Vespa riders.

One of the GTS's was red, another the same blue as my own '20, one was white, and I don't recall the fourth...maybe black.

These were not local riders or I would have been aware of them, they were all wearing proper motorcycle/scooter riding gear, full helmets and riding jackets.

There's a good chance that of the four, one or all might be members here on MV.

Perhaps they were determined to press onward until they lost the Miata that was following them?

(I would have done the exact same thing if I was also in your situation).

Yeah, that Miata's pretty in timidating-looking!

Last week we were along the Oregon coast at a Scenic overlook when a camper pulled up with a GTS on a rear carrier. I instantly headed across the lot, then stopped as Noone was getting out, and, well, even Vespa camaraderie has its limits-wasn't gonna put my nose against the glass to greet them. Eventually we got back in the car and only then did they apparently deem it safe to exit...

I saw Close Encounters once.

I seem to have developed an unnatural hankering for mashed potatoes...