Modern Vespa

Wasn't necessarily epic but what a fun weekend ride. I took the Kansas Flinthills scenic byway from west of Topeka on a looping route to Manhattan where I spent the night and then more or less the same route on the way back. I was riding a Kymco people S150 which was too good a deal to pass up when I was shopping for a Vespa back in February. I've put 4500 miles on it and its as reliable as any appliance I've ever owned and about as exciting. At any rate it'll chug along at 55-60 all day no problems. The area I was touring is overlooked as a tourist destination. There are miles of well maintained roads that connect nothing and nowhere and you can go a loooooong way without seeing another car on the road. The area is rolling hills and tallgrass prairie, dotted with little towns and stone buildings that could really use some residents. If there is anyone in KC area (or anywhere else) that wants to explore here I'd love to coordinate a ride sometime. One last note, the pictures just can't convey the feeling you get in such a huge landscape!

Elevation888,

Great stuff, thanks for the fine photos. You captured much with that camera lens. The flood to big cities for employment have left many old dignified stone buildings to deteriorate. The rolling countryside was beautiful.

Some of the successful small sized towns in my State have attracted medium to large businesses with tax incentives to relocate back to the rural areas. Then locals can find good jobs as well as attracting some back home from the big cities.

Keep that camera shooting.

Bob Copeland
Lake Wobegon Minnesota

Nice post, thanks for sharing. How many miles was it for the weekend?

It was about 210 miles, the bulk of it two lane paved roads with very little traffic. I've lived around here most of my life and was still able to make a mistake and use pretty rough gravel roads to get back on course. Luckily my tires didn't pick up any of the sharp chert that gives the flint hills their name. As I was bouncing along it occurred to me that their is no cell service, no people and I didn't have enough water and food to support an extended hike if it came to it due to a flat. Need to think about that next time!