Modern Vespa

Great article on Terri from her cross country ride to Amerivespa in Ca..

It was an amazing trip and I meet so many incredible people along the way and at Amerivespa. It really is the best way to travel and meet people.

Only a few people knew about my journey before I left Halifax in May....all of them agreed that at the end of the trip I would either a) never want to sit on a scooter again or b) wish the journey was longer. Well I never wanted to stop, I loved the routine of packing up each morning, finding the next secondary road heading west (did not go on any highways) and scooting along taking in as much scenery as possible. Although I am barely settled into our new life in the USA, I am already looking at maps and thinking about my next scooter journey...Spring is not that far away, hurray!!!!

Terri how about a linky to the article and see some pics ? I"d really like to read about your adventures...

I don't think the article is on-line, it is published in the latest Scoot magazine (issue #53), just hitting the stores now.

I was hoping to create an on-line account of my travels but as soon as I returned to Halifax I was busy getting ready for another trip across the country... this time in a U-haul. Now that I am getting settled in Utah, maybe I can start working on turning my journals into some kind of on-line article. In the meantime here is a brief summary of my solo trip across North America:

I left Halifax on May 29th in a cold, blinding rainstorm, traveling only on secondary roads (no major highways). My route took me through NS, NB, ME, NH, VT, NY, ON, MI, OH, IN, IL, IA, NE, WY, ID, OR, finally to CA, camping along the way. I encountered rain, hail, several severe thunderstorms, a too-close-for-comfort tornado, snow, severe heat and worse of all, unbelievable head winds. My total miles traveled from Halifax to the arrival at Amerivespa was over 5500 miles, arriving In Saratoga, CA on July 1st.

My Vespa was brilliant, there were only a few minor hiccups along the way. Going through the high elevations, such as the Tetons would have been a bit easier (faster) if I had re-jetted but I did not, so we look it slow and steady. I had to replace my rear tire in Indiana and it needed replacing again once I reached CA. My total gas bill was about $300 CDN, which I think is great considering I only use premium gas.

As I stated earlier I can hardly wait for spring and another long journey....where and when is still to be determined, but no matter what I know it will be fun.

Happy Scooting.

I'm off to B&N to pick up the latest issue. It sounds like an amazing trip!

Terri that was an amazing little insight to your trip... would love to see some pics sometime.... in the meantime i'm going to see if i can get a copy of the magazine to get the full version...

Your local dealer may have them in stock!!

Another great reason to subscribe to Scoot! It sounds like a great trip... I hope that I have a little something waiting for me in the mailbox soon

Next time you're through Michigan, let us know and the Rovers will provide the hospitality!

Terri

That's my name, too, plus, I was created in Ontario, Canada, plus I ride a 150cc and I'm a very advensuresome senior citizen. I saw you at the Los Gatos AmeriVespa Rally. Wished I had time to ask you a gadzillion questions, but we'd still be talking. Regarding your long, solo tour, I loved it. Would like to do something similar from San Jose to Oshkosh, WI in late July. Here's some questions: How did you plan your route; did you use motorcycle maps and/or AAA maps or something similar? Did you use a GPS? I never use one, but so many people do. What kind of container did you carry your extra fuel; how much fuel did you carry? I assume you had a cell phone since everyone has one. In case of any emergency, what were your plans? I'm thinking of the long, hot desert with little or no facilities on your route. I've done a lot of bicycle touring on my own, camping is not a problem, but I liked your tent since it had a fly large enough to cover your scooter. Since your scooter didn't have a lot of miles on it, I assume you did not carry a spare tire. Big tough looking motorcyclists that carry guns don't scare me. I'm sure these fellas had great admiration for you. If you have time, could you send me a note. You can send it directly to me if you wish at flyrhv@aol.com . Thanks. I saw your article in SCOOT Magazine.[/b]

Ronin

I'm new at sending these notes, so hope I'm doing it correctly. Once, I read our copy of SCOOT Magazine and read the story of Terri's trip from Canada to my home town of Los Gatos, CA, and found out that she was on modern vespa, I had to sign up and read her story and everyone else's story pertaining to her trip. It's great. We are all coming together because of one person. Thank you, Terri.
Now, regarding your offer if Terri comes through Michigan again and your group will hosts her with a place to sleep. I think it would be really great if there was such a thing called SCOOTERISTS HOST HOMES across the US, Europe, other locations. Tandem Club of America/TCA, tandem bicycles only, have such an organization. Tandem cyclists traveling around the country can always find a place to stay with other tandemists. Maybe this is something us scooter riders should start up. If conveniently placed on Terri's route from Canada to CA, she would have had the comfort of a home and other scooterists to give her some help and/or just the camaraderie of other scooterists. Well, that's something to think about, isn't it? I grew up in Michigan and I think it would be a great destination using all the back roads .. and visiting my relatives for a good night's rest.

I had the pleasure of meeting Terri (and her wonderful supportive husband!) at Amerivespa and hearing about her amazing trip. She also won (hands down, uncontested with a standing ovation) furthest traveled.

Not sure I could do it, but WoW! And her tent had a garage for the scooter lol!

Hey Terri, are you going to Amerivespa in TX? I hope I'll see you there!

What I want to know is how you got from Ohio to New York without going through Pennsylvania.





Because, it would save me some riding time on my next trip, and I've already been there.

Looks like she went through Ontario and Michigan.

Terri (Waldo) - I will send you an email tomorrow when I have more time to answer your questions. I look forward to 'chatting' with you.

I went through Ontario to visit friends and family, then returned to the US in Michigan before going through a corner of Ohio onward to Indiana.

Hi Terri
I was kind of interested in that tent as well. I think I found it (is it a nemo?) but could you do me a favor and when you answer some of those questions could you post the reply instead of sending an email? The advice is very helpful (and btw i loved the story as well, including your positive experience with the bikers!)

My tent is a German made brand Vaude. It is actually a cycling tent, the sleeping compartment has room for two people and the 'garage' can hold two bicycle (or one Vespa). I bought it 10 years ago when I lived in England. The last time I checked, it was no longer being made.

Re: questions - I used AAA/CAA maps, no GPS. I carried a 1 gallon plastic jerry can for extra gas along with a few spare parts, and tools. My rear tire needed replacing in Indiana and was worn out again once I reached Amerivespa.

Terri completed an amazing trip, she is an explorer equal to Columbus! I sure wished Scoot would have done an "in depth" article on her. What a chance to "elevate" scooterists and Scoot Mag and they fell short!! I hope they cover the trip further, maybe even sponsor her next trip. Cudos to you Terri.

I am 62 years old and been riding scoots and cycles for 48 years. I am very encouraged to attempt half what Terri did.

I am not so sure about the comparison with Columbus but I do have an adventurous spirit. Thankfully I have an understanding, supportive husband.

I am planning on more long distance solo scooter trips, this year's will begin in Utah where I now live. I am hoping to mark my 50th birthday in 2011 with an extreme long-distance trip, ideally I can make it a charity ride.

As for a more detailed report of my trip last year, I am presently writing an essay about my trip. Once I am finished maybe I can get it published, either on paper or online.

Thanks for the kind words about my trip. Happy Scooting.

Thinking Big, Dreaming Bigger, Living Biggest!!!