Ruckus Scooter Love

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

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Happy Little Scooter!


I finally got my scooter delivered today....

BUT IT'S RAINING CATS AND DOGS!

Oh, the irony!

But I am really enjoying just standing and looking at it and listening to it run and purr along on the center stand.

I am hoping for a break in the clouds and a quick ride!

SO HAPPY!


Pics in a few days!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

3 Dog Night!


Going down toward ZERO tonight!

Gonna cuddle up with my 3 Bichons under the comforter for a good night's sleep.

A "3 dog night" for sure...

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Snow Day!


You know how it is...it's a Thursday night and I am looking forward to the weekend. I've worked the past 2 weekends and just a dab of a day off for Thanksgiving, so I am ready to lounge.

So I wake up Friday morning and an ice storm has come through and coated my world, including the car, in a half inch layer of shimmering bright clear ICE.

There is no way I am going to get this baby chopped out and I noticed that none of my neighbors have gone anywhere either at 9 o'clock in the morning, so I "called off" work. The city is shutting down and closing up because more snow and ice are expected by noon and all through the rest of the day.

Yippee! It was a SNOW DAY on Friday!

And pretty soon the white stuff did start falling in the afternoon. It was beautiful to watch out the back door. Before it was all over I was looking at 7-8 inches of snow all around our courtyard. The pine needles and leaves on the bushes were coated in a glaze of ice crystal.

Yesterday (Saturday) I did make it out of the house to the grocery after spending a good part of 30 minutes chopping the car out of it's ice castle. Had to get creamer for the coffee and dog food. Had to.

But that was about it.

I needed the rest, the quiet, the gentle silence of the fluffy stuff outside of my window, and it was SO nice to "just do nothing in particular".

Friday, December 6, 2013

Scooter Quiz # 2

*See if you know the answer to the quiz question and post your response. I will post the answer in a few days...


This machine is loosely deemed to be the most early predecessor of the modern scooter.

Can you identify the name of this machine, the year it was sold, or the names of it's developers?


Answered correctly by a reader!:

"Scooter-like traits began to develop in motorcycle designs around the 1900s. In 1894, Hildebrand & Wolfmüller produced the first motorcycle that was available for purchase. Their motorcycle had a step-through frame, with its fuel tank mounted on the down tube, its parallel two-cylinder engine mounted low on the frame, and its cylinders mounted in line with the frame. It was water-cooled and had a radiator built into the top of the rear fender. It became the first mass-produced and publicly sold powered two-wheel vehicle, and among the first powered mainly by its engine rather than foot pedals. Maximum speed was 40 km/h (25 mph). The rear wheel was driven directly by rods from the pistons in a manner similar to the drive wheels of steam locomotives. Only a few hundred such bikes were built, and the high price and technical difficulties made the venture a financial failure for both Wolfmüller and his financial backer, Hildebrand.[9]" (from Wikipedia)


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving, Turkeys!




Safe riding if you can.

Sweet dreams and schemes of riding if you can't.

Meanwhile, I thought about the little things this day that I am thankful for:

*spending time all day hanging out with my best human and doggie friends!
*lounging on the recliner watching the Macy's parade with my girls!
*enjoying a good pot of Starbucks Blonde coffee that I don't have to gulp down!
*staying in my Big Dog lounging pants all day long!
*enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner from a local favorite restaurant!
*grazing all day on said Thanksgiving leftovers and whatever else is in the fridge.
*having no agenda for the day...none!
*football!
*phone calls to a few old friends out of town
*napping whenever I want!
*scooter dreams, always!


Oh, yeah...I am thankful for all my blogging pals across the land as well!

You guys are the best!






Monday, November 25, 2013

Scooter Quiz # 1

*See if you know the answer to the quiz question and post your response. I will post the answer in a few days...



Why does this scooter make me "Giggle"?

Answer: The Yamaha C3 scooter (2007-2011, US) is called the "Giggle" in Europe! It is also called the "Vox" in Japan. Stay tuned for more scooter quizzes in the future...


For Keith:

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Genuine Buddy Psycho 125


It should arrive in my Scooter Lair in a few weeks!

Features:

1. Two 10 inch wheels with tires!
2. Front disk brake!
3. Rear adjustable suspension!
4. LOUD Horn!
5. BRIGHT Lights!
6. Matte black!
7. 4 stroke!
8. 225 pounds!
9. 100 mpg!
10.60+ mph!
11.125cc
12.Pretty vast under seat locking storage bin.
13.It's just CRAZY and SCARY at the same time!
14.Kick starter.
15.Center and side stand.
16.Low seat height for shorties.
17.Passenger seating.
18.12v plug in.
19.Front tray for stuff and stuff.
20.A floorboard!

My Met Squirt went to a new home with a mom and daughter who BOTH now ride Red Honda Metropolitans! I will miss my Met, but it's time to move into a new phase of riding: faster and further in less time.

I almost bought a Honda PCX, but I just found I prefer a smaller, more traditional scooter platform (which means floorboard) and riding experience.

I am hoping this will be a nice all around scoot for town and back road exploring.

More adventure, more fun!

Monday, September 16, 2013

East Fork River Sniff and Stroll

On Sunday I went along with two of my Bichons, Brela and Jolly, and we explored a trail along the East Fork of the Little Miami River in Clermont County.


It was a beautiful sunny day with low humidity and a few falling autumn leaves.


The area is also home to a Clermont County park and so it offers a paved path as well as a primitive one. We chose the paved one today.


The Little Miami River runs north to south in Ohio and is also the trace of the Little Miami Bicycle Trail which is part of the Ohio Erie Trail. Plans are in place for this rail trail to run from the Ohio River on the southern border up to Lake Erie on the northern border.


The river here is laced with many old growth trees. Here is a particularly curious formation.


Read more about the Little Miami River and it's tributaries:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Miami_River

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Night Rides


Lately I've been going out my door for some "night rides" on the Met.

The summer heat and humidity have been dreadful and I've have been working too many days a week to find a time for an early morning ride, which I really enjoy the most.

On my "night rides", which typically are after 10pm, I go out and find a different riding landscape, mostly car free and relatively quiet.

It has been a nice little escape from apartment life and a nice way to get the Met out on the roads where she is most happy.

Oh, yeah, and she really loves to go to the grocery store!

Find "scooter joy" wherever and however you will!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Honor All Who Labor


Honor all who labor. Give thanks for the fruits of their labors and your own!

Here are the jobs I have held since age 15. I just wanted to see if I could remember them all:

bakery worker
dishwasher
veterinary assistant
fast food cashier
college admissions office clerk
college bookstore clerk
nursing assistant, hospital
high school English teacher
nursing assistant, nursing home
security and law enforcement, Naval officer
paralegal, Naval officer
intelligence analyst, Naval officer
crisis phone counselor
home health social worker
chemical dependency counselor
psychotherapist
geriatric social worker
electrician's apprentice
dialysis social worker
medical equipment delivery driver
pet sitter
floral delivery driver
medical biller

Feel free to add your own in the comments OR post them on your blog!

Anyway, enjoy your REST on "Labor Day" and remember fondly who manufactured the lawn chair you are sitting on, the grill you are cooking on, and the paper plates and napkins you are using to dish up that hamburger, potato salad, or whatever you enjoy!

Someone made it or fixed it or cooked it or harvested it...THANK THEM ALL!

HAPPY LABOR DAY TO YOU AND YOURS!


Thursday, July 18, 2013

Dog Days of Summer


We are now living through the "dog days of summer".

You know what it's like: unrelentingly hot and horribly humid.

All the time, sunrise to sunset. And beyond!

I became curious as to why these days are called "dog days". So I did a little Googling.

It is the name for the most sultry days of summer, from about the first week in July to mid August.

Star gazers somewhere in ancient Greece, or thereabouts, noted that these "dog days" were the period of time extending from 20 days BEFORE to 20 days AFTER the conjunction of Sirius, the Dog Star, and the sun.

In the Mediterranean region this period coincided with the very hot days that were plagued with the most disease and the height of discomfort for the populace.

Hence, "dog days", which originally was "dog's days".

Now they go on to say that the time of conjunction varies with global differences in latitude, and because of the precession of the equinoxes it changes gradually over long periods in all latitudes.

So there you go!

I don't know about you, but when I start hearing the summer cicadas in the trees I start thinking of late summer, heading into fall. Right now those sounds are surrounding our yard.

It feels like late August.

Maybe our "dog days" came early this year?

All I know is that ice cream, Slush Puppies, and swimming pools dance before my brain as I chill indoors reading in my Barcalounger with my "bark-o-loungers" around me.

They have no desire to go out and neither do I in these unrelenting dog days.

Gotta go...nap time!

Stay cool...

Friday, July 12, 2013

Hot Stuff

Yesterday I headed off to our local "international market place" about 2 miles from home. It's been nothing but "hot cha cha" outside or storming, so I thought I get out of the house for a bit.

I love going to this place and just exploring all the fascinating foods from all over the world.

They also have some pretty cool "theme" display areas, such as the one I visited today.

It is my absolute favorite area - the "spicy hot" corner that is nothing but shelf after shelf of hot sauces and hot foods of all sorts.

I knew the first time that I visited there that I'd be back with my camera and feature some of it's crazy fun stuff on my blog.


It's SO HOT there that they had to position a vintage U.S. Navy fire truck at the entrance, just in case a fire breaks out!



As you walk through and browse the shelves, you realize this is no ordinary grocery aisle. I could spend hours just reading all the labels on the hot sauce bottles. Here are a few. (Some are "x rated" and could not be shown on my family-oriented blog!)





These are just a few samples among thousands. Hilarious! If it's HOT, you can find it there somewhere.

Then there is the huge, hot sauce powered air craft that brings in the goods...


On the way out of the market, I had to stop and get a pic of the '60s peace nik Airstream trailer and it's reknowned occupants (Pat and Richard Nixon) waving from the rear window...



That's the tour...Stay cool!






Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Lam Wind: Honda Ruckus Across the Smoky Mountains


I have linked this young man, Lam Wind's blog over on my left column of blogs to follow.

He is one awesome guy. He is riding the eastern mountain ranges of the Smoky Mountains on his Honda Ruckus 49cc scooter and camping a long the way!


Follow his adventures through this link or through my blog link, "Follow the Wind":

http://lamwind.blogspot.com


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)

Thursday, June 6, 2013

OMG! Honda GROM

Rapid heart beat, chills of delight, the thrill of the find...I'm in LOVE!

This time for a little innovative ride called the 2014 Honda GROM.

It is coming to Honda Power Sports dealerships in August and I cannot wait to get down there and see it!

I am sure it will be snatched up like hot cakes by all the Ruckus riders who have longed for 125cc power on a Ruckus or "Ruckus-like" platform. Like me!



Low seat height (29 inches), 125cc (65+ mph), fat 12 inch tires, disk brakes, double up riding, and over 125 mpg in a steel framed, air cooled engine with fuel injection.

A tiny ride for tiny riders, like me! (Well, "short tiny" anyway.)

Price? $2,,999ish

You do have to shift it's 4 speed transmission like a motorcycle, but I am ready for it!

Read more here: http://www.hondagrom.net/

Drooling, drooling,......

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Sunday Ride

On Sunday I went for a scooter ride down some back roads not far from where I live. I was gone about 2 hours and I traveled about 30 miles. I took my time, stopped frequently, took a few photos, and explored a bit.

Here are two views of the East Fork of the Little Miami River, looking up and downstream:





This river follows the route and goes into the village of Batavia, my ultimate destination for this ride. My journey carried me into a broad valley where I traveled this back road:



This property appears to have an old church on it, a leftover from years ago. Though I was tempted to check it out, I decided not to trespass:



Here was a nice place to rest. There is a stream over this fence line and I could hear the sounds of a bubbling brook. It was nice:



I came to an area that only a few years ago was open farmland. Now it is a condo complex. Actually it was quite beautiful there and I enjoyed riding around and exploring. This is only one of about 3 lakes in the development:



Mama Goose got a little testy when I peeked through the reeds at her brood:



I rode into a local village and explored a bit, but I will save those photos for another day.

I headed back along the back road in the valley and up the ridge to my area of the county.

It was a nice, peaceful ride with few cars. I did see a few motorcycles, no scooters.

Exchanged the "biker wave" with all of them!

The Met performed well and really needed to blow out her carb and get on the back roads and so did I! We had a great time just scootin' along!