Ruckus Scooter Love

Ruckus Scooter Love
Scootin' For A Slower Pace of Life...

Monday, June 10, 2013

Cool For Just a Few

I went for a long ride again on Sunday and I met up with some interesting characters along the way.

I saw bunches of these guys, just scampering and threatening to ruin my day at every dip and curve in the road:



Then I traversed along side some farmland and ran into two of these guys:



Then as I was descending a long, sweeping road through some dark lush forest, a wild turkey darted up the side bank:



Later, after I left the county airport viewing area (there were no airplanes to view on this day) this guy was standing on the side of the road as I scooted by:



As I rode along I counted scooters and saw only one. A guy went down a road that I was turning onto at a traffic light. He was riding a Honda Helix and wearing only shorts, flip flops, and a tee shirt. Oh, yeah, and sunglasses! No helmet.

That was it for scooters.

I saw plenty of motorcycle riders. At one point I had two behind me and one sped past me like I was a turtle being passed up by the proverbial hare. I tried to yell out "Slower is better!", but he went by so fast he did not hear me.

Toward the end of the ride I cruised down a long curve toward the East Fork of the Little Miami River in Clermont County. I decided to stop here and admire the view and rest my hind end as it was getting pretty numb.

As I pulled over and dismounted, a motorcycle guy pulled over next to me and asked me if I was ok. I told him, yes, but I was taking a rest. He asked if I minded him taking a rest here too and so he did and we chatted it up a bit.



He was a county native and a long time motorcycle rider and we talked about the routes in the area and I learned so much about great areas to ride. Never once did he snicker or chuckle or whatever at my lowly Met, but treated me as a "fellow rider" and seeker of back road adventures.

I felt good about that and yet a little humbled and a lot envious of his range and power to explore for hours on end.

While this conversation ensued, another Harley rider pulled up and asked if we were ok and then joined in the conversation. His bike was a work of art and I wish I had asked to take a photo of it.

It was a graceful composite of chrome pipes and red glossy paint on a low riding, classic cruiser.

Absolutely stunning!



With him joining us the conversation continued on into talking about riding back toward my old stompin' grounds out in the rural county that I lived in for 7 years. They both knew about roads and bars and cafes and overlooks and everything about my beloved routes.

It was so nice to learn more from their perspective and listen to their stories.

I realized instantly a common bond for riding and just wandering aimlessly on the back roads. No agendas, no time frame, just ride and see where you end up.

For just a few I felt like this:



Instead of this:



We all stood and shared stories for a bit, perched on the bridge beside the river.

As the skies darkened, another rider pulled up and warned us of a storm that was brewing just down the road, so we all said our good-byes and went our separate ways.

It was over in a moment, that mystical gathering of back road moto spirits.

I then headed up a steep hill out of the valley at wide open throttle and cursed my 49cc engine all the way.

I got home dry and intact and dreaming of more power.

But then, for a brief moment in time, I was part of a community of bikers.

For just a few moments, there at the bridge, I was "cool"!



(all photos courtesy of the internet photo gallery)

7 comments:

  1. Deb:

    For some reason when you are stopped, or enjoying a view and another rider shows up, it is like you are magnets and attracted to each other. It is like instant bonding.

    there is no better feeling than to be riding on the open road and enjoying your day

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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  2. And that is the way all motorcyclists should treat scooter riders. Just the same as anyone else on two wheels.

    I am glad you had a nice day out on the scooter and met some new people (and animals) along the way.

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    Replies
    1. It is amazing to me what critters are just out our back door. It's like I never left the country!

      Yeah, we are all just "riders"!

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  3. Deb - there is no 'was' cool, HONEY YOU ARE COOL!!!! You are part of the community of two wheelers whether its scooter or motorcycle. Glad you got out on a lovely adventure!

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    Replies
    1. And it's a great community!

      And, thanks! :=)

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  4. I have been away doing my own thing Deb and haven't been paying as much attention to other blogs as I should. Recently I was asked why scooter riders don't wave as much as other bikers do. I think it's because we don't feel like part of the community, even though we are. You shared a moment with them of roads to be ridden, things to see, that call of the open road.

    There is much to be seen at a slower speed, but you are right. We give up that distance.

    ReplyDelete