Modern Vespa

Fifteen riders on 13 scooters started the 2023 VCdM rally in Nice a few days ago.

The group continues to change due to deaths and life changes.

It is the first rally since losing Lostboater in June, and he is missed.

Sarah and I are riding a lot with Walt and Hellen Driggers, keeping the old small group together, just without Ken.

We had two wonderful rides from Castellane, riding around the Grand Canyon of France on the Verdon River, then seeing the red rocks on the way to Verberg, a ski resort town in the Alps.

Tonight we are in Digne-le-Bain for three nights.

Tomorrow we ride the beginning of my lead ride to Cavaillon, then looking for lavender fields, even though they are out of season.

Great trip so far.

Bill

Bill,

I possible, keep those great photos coming.

Bob Copeland
Minnesota

I led the ride from Digne des Bains to Cavaillon four days ago.

It was long but beautiful with plenty of mountains and vineyards.

From Cavaillon, Sarah, Walt, Hellen and I took two nice rides, to see Avignon and a loop that included the Lavender Museum, a winery and two mount op towns.

Our hotel was in the middle of the small city that afforded several nice dining options within blocks.

Today we had another long ride to LeSeyne-sur-Mer.

We had a fine lunch along the way and are now resting in a modern, waterfront hotel.

Bill

Please keep posting. You're living out one of my bucket list items... Do you travel with your own riding gear?

We rode back to Nice on Monday, then turned in our scooters.

The rides were all great fun, but I prefer less traveled mountain roads to the busy seaside, where we spent the last four nights.

The club members have all become great friends through these rides and the two weeks riding together have been the highlight trip of every year we go.

Everyone has now headed home except me and Sarah.

We rented a Fiat 500 and are seeing more of Provence for an extra week.

We went to the top of Mont Ventoux, the site of several Tour de France climbs today.

As for riding gear, I took a riding jacket, gloves and riding shoes. I have taken a helmet in the past but chose not to this time. The rental shop had a modular that fit and was comfortable.

Bill

Bill,

I am digging that Fiat 500. Again, great photos. I had a Fiat 500 for four years living in Naples Italia. I think it was $750 new back in 1972. Kind of like driving a comfortable go-cart. The new ones are much improved. Back then, the gear box clutch did not have synchromesh. You had to double clutch like a truck driver and jam it into gear.

Enjoy your adventures - you lucky dog.

Bob Copeland