It's no wonder...

On Saturday I got up in the morning to a bright, sunny, DRY, and absolutely gorgeous late spring day. Temps in the upper '70s. Just perfect for riding.

I fed the 6 dogs, swept out the garage, poop-scooped the yard, mowed the yard, raked the yard, washed the 2 cars, vacuumed out one of the cars, drove to Subway for sandwiches, assembled a weed eater, "pet sat" my neighbor's 4 dogs all day, took photos of Maxine, washed the dishes, did laundry, and snuck in an afternoon nap.

It's no wonder that I DID NOT SCOOT TODAY!

Hopefully tomorrow....

"Gettin' sitchy-ated"...(or the mundane musings of a truly anal-retentive geek girl)

Now I'm not whining, really! This is only a semi-amusing "rant" about how it is to adjust to a new scooter and "get situated", if ya know what I mean. If nothing else it will work just like a cup of warm milk before bed time! Zzzzz....sweet dreams...

Well, what I mean is, after 5 years of riding the same machine, a Honda Ruckus, I find myself on a scooter that has different "stuff issues" on it. Like, where you put your "stuff". An old girl like me gets used to certain amenities and when they are swapped out, it "unrocks my world". And I might be just a tad OCD here, but "I yam what I yam", and these issues are staring at me as I speak (write). Woe is me, what to do?

If you've seen my past posts about all the bags and other attachments that I had set up on my Ruck, then you will easily understand it when I say that on the Elite framework, there is "no place to put nothin'"!

Well, yeah, there is this "cavernous underseat storage spot". That is super and I can't say enough about that. But, hey, I've filled it up with a rain jacket, maps, rain paints, hi viz vest, gloves, bungees, first aid kit, blah, blah, blah and it is FULL. I had all this stuff in the underseat bag on my Ruckus.

Grocery shopping? On the Ruckus I had canvas saddlebags. I am not going to use them on the Elite as they won't fit on it and would look goofy if they did. Not that I mind "goofy", but hey, let's "grow a little class here", if ya know what I mean. Like "lipstick on a pig" in reverse. That makes me laugh, and I don't know why, but ha ha!

Hmmm...it looks like "top case time" is coming...but let's ponder more...

Then there is that acclaimed "glovebox" on the Elite. It's huge and it locks and it's cool. Looks good in theory, except that as soon as you open it the stuff falls out! So I am going to have to figure out how to velcro some little soft camera cases or something inside so that my stuff like keys, cell phone, camera, wallet, comb, ETC have a place to be while I am riding.

On the Ruck I attached a handlebar bag. Well, there is no "handlebar" on this machine. Just two grips sticking out there.

Let's talk waterbottle. On the Ruckus I had a bicycle water bottle cage attached to hold my iced tea while I rode. No place for such an attachment on the Elite. Or I haven't figured it out yet! (And I will, eventually!)

Toting extra fuel bottles to extend my range of travel? On the Ruck I bungeed them onto the underseat. No way to do this on the Elite.

Everything on the Elite is slick and shiney and pretty, but not so functional. Or not as utilitarian as on the Ruckus where almost ANYTHING could be toted along if one was creative enough!

The Cortech tail bag looks good in theory, but it is not working out either. You have to bungee it underneath something on the machine or attach it to something and the "something" is just not there on the Elite.

Running the bungees under the seat makes for maddening inconvenience as every time you need into the seat compartment (which seems to be constantly!), you have to disconnect the whole gizmo and it falls off! Plus the seat lock mechanism does not engage properly and that is a bummer.

Oh, land sakes, here's another one: where to attach the Gremlin Bell? I finally found a place and really, it is the only place. I looped it around the left hand grip. That was ok and I can live with that. I have to, don't I? Gotta ring my bell while riding to warn off those pesky buggers...

What I see coming is a top case and I shudder at the thought. I've ridden a few test ride scooters to the creak and squeak of a top case. But it will likely come to that, creak or not.

Then there is the "tried and true" black wire basket that has traveled all over the county on the back of both my Rucks. Darn functional, but truly "a la geek". But then, I am a geek, so it might just work out!

With the basket I could: save $50-$150 on a top case; carry extra fuel bottles; attach a water bottle holder; attach another bag or two; fly a hi viz flag so my geeky butt does not get run over on these backroads; and basically look like the eccentric "old broad" that I am riding a Honda Elite around these sticks instead of a Honda Ruckus, and flying a funky ol' flag over a wire basket full of STUFF. (George Carlin, anyone?)

AND...this would free up the "cavernous underseat storage spot" (CUSS) for grocery runs!

The other alternative is to get a locking top case which could tote around the fuel bottles, rain gear, first aid kit, maps, bungees, and allow the CUSS to tote groceries and hold a pitcher of sweet tea for those stops at scenic overviews. Maybe even a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken! Nummy!

With the top case I wouldn't look "so geeky" and some passers-by on "real motorbikes" might give me a nod laced with a bit of respect and good will which I think Maxine deserves 'cause she is so pretty...

But then again I LIKE that old basket! It might do until I can save up for that top case or get the money from the Ebay sale of the Cortech tail bag which just isn't working...or did I already say that?!

As they say in the South...lawd, lawd!

Introducing Maxine...

She is posed in the driveway, chomping at the bit:

Her gorgeous hindquarters:

Her "cyclopsian gaze" (compared to the Ruckus!):

Even with the generous stowage under the seat and the tail bag, I may add a locking top case for grocery shopping and for carrying extra fuel bottles.

Closer to autumn I may add a windshield for cold weather riding.

She goes up to around 53mph and is supposed to get around 100-110mpg out of a 1.6 gallon tank. It is nice to have a fuel gauge, which the Ruck did not. She's looking like she is going to be a lot of fun!

Rain, rain, go away...hope you had a happy Mother's Day!

Sunday was to be a day of riding, but Mom Nature decided differently!

Hope all you moms had a happy Mother's Day!

"Maxine" is riding the backroads, so watch out!

Today I named my Honda Elite 110 "Maxine" after my oldest Bichon, Maxi, who has been shown on this blog as "co-pilot extraordinairre"!

The name just popped into my head and it felt right!

What's in a name?

I am not going to ramble on and on about this, but I am considering a re-name of this blog from "RuckusScooterLove" to something more appropriate.

Especially since I no longer own or ride a Honda Ruckus (for now, anyway)

I am pondering all that. But then again a Ruckus got me into riding scooters in the first place, so maybe I will keep it.

Then arises the arduous and daunting task of naming my new Honda Elite. I get goofy about this subject. Just thinking about it "wigs me out".

Mostly I realize that a scooter name has to "perk". That is, it has to emerge. But I am not patient with these sorts of things and I have been pondering names for the Elite since March. But we'll see.

I've got some ideas for the blog, so don't be surprized if the heading changes. As for the scoot, time will tell...

New Scooter Blues and Ride Report

Well today I picked up my 2010 Honda Elite 110 scooter. Same date 2 years ago that I picked up my 2009 Ruckus, same dealership, same salesperson.

Anyway, we went over to the Honda dealership and got the Honda Elite 110. The weather was threatening thunderstorms, but it held out until the last ten minutes of my ride home. More about that later.

I rode it from Maysville, Kentucky, over the Ohio River bridge, into Aberdeen, Ohio, and up Rt. 52 along the Ohio River to my access roads up into my county of residence.

Do I sound "unenthusiastic"? I should because I feel "unenthusiastic". And I'm not sure why. Once I get to blathering here I may finally understand why. Or maybe it's just a need for sleep, or the weather, or whatever. But I feel "unenthusiastic".

So here's my ride experience, for what it's worth, which ain't much:

First off, the Honda dealership on a Saturday was swarming with people buying big, expensive motorcycles. If they weren't buying them they were riding them in and out of the parking lot flashing their rides. Everyone was "geared up" to the hilt and most of their attire cost more than my scooter itself.

"Bitter, party of one?" Maybe. It gets worse...

So my partner followed me out of the dealership in the SUV and insisted riding behind me to "make sure I was safe". Hey, I can't complain about that! That is SO sweet, ya know?

I was fine with it because the area was swarming with so many damn cars that my head was spinning. A six lane highway, busy as rush hour, none of which I am used to riding in. (Yeah, ends in a preposition, so shoot me.)

Now the scoot has 6 miles on it (and I put those there when I test rode it) so I am not wanting to "gun it" right away, but traffic is fast and heavy. I am already hating riding like this and I pull over into a parking lot after two miles and have a "hissy fit" (see below).

Before it's all over I am riding on the side of the road because these idiots are doing 60mph in a 45mph zone. We get down the hill to the river and go up over the bridge to Ohio.

Now it's getting better, right?

Should be, anyhow. The road is a scenic 2 lane rural road alongside the Ohio River and cars are once again in great abundance. Not usual for this road, but it's Saturday and it's not raining. Not yet anyway.

Everybody wants to pass my ass. I am up to 40mph and fighting side winds and feel the scoot about to take flight. Every buffet of wind moves me along and not in a good way. I am not having fun.

All I am thinking about is that I want my Ruckus back and that I am really only a slow, solitary, pokey-along sort of rider and why the hell am I out here with these cars?

Then here come the weekend "bikers" in mass quantity. Fully dressed out Harley-Davidsons with riders (once again) wearing gear that costs more than my scooter. Heck, their saddlebags cost more than my scooter. Doctors, lawyers, CEOs out trying to look like Peter Fonda in "Easy Rider", yep. They are getting on my nerves!

"Bitter, party of one?" Shut up, Conscience!

I feel like a worm, like a nerd, like a loser. I am ready to cry and give up this scooter and scootering forever. Any aspirations to ride a motorcycle in the future fade away into oblivious, hollow, laughter.

I just want this ride to be over and I want my Ruckus back!!!

I'm not supposed to feel like this, right? I am supposed to be all happy and excited and enthusiastic about being able to go 53mph now, have more storage room, have more power, have more range on my rides, etc. But I am not.

So we mosey along this road and eventually come to a side road that heads up the grade into the heart of the county. It is 7 miles of twisty ups and downs that snake along a creek bed and farmlands. Very few cars.

It is nice and the Elite is pulling the hills pretty well.

The Ruck would be struggling at 20mph tops and the Elite is staying at my now-average-cruising-speed of 30mph. I can't seem to go faster than that and have to admit that even though it "feels like 70mph" it feels just a tad less like that on the Elite over the Ruckus.

That is not saying much, but there ya go.

Hey, I'm 40 miles into the ride and my butt is not hurting as much as it would have on the Ruckus.

That's something, isn't it?

Once up all this we are into town and heading down the 12 mile home stretch. I get to a particularly steep hill in Amish country and the Elite zooms right up it. I am starting to like her a little. Just a tad.

Then the sky opens up and it is raining like all get out! I am not wearing rain gear and I am getting soaked to the skin. The rain is coming down so hard it feels like little hail stones. I pull over on the side of the road under a big bush to keep some of it off of me. The scooter is easy to manipulate and drag into the bush's protective undergrowth.

Hey, that's something, isn't it?

All right, so 5 miles later I get to the driveway and pull it into the garage. It winds down and shuts off and it smells like a new engine smells. It's black skin is glistening with water droplets and it sparkles like fine jewelery.

That's nice. I like that.

I look at it and I think, there's nothing to do to it. It is "just perfect" and not rough and tumble looking like a Ruckus. I can't even find a spot to hang my Scooter Diva Gremlin Bell!!

I miss my Ruckus. I wish I did not have to sell it to get this scooter too. I know that's it. But I had no choice. So I already have it in my head to save up for a used Ruckus to keep the Elite company.

I want to give the Elite a chance. I really do. I just had a day of fighting traffic, my own inner demons, and the weather. I am miffed that I feel the way I do and I am not sure what it means or why it is.

I don't think it's "buyer's remorse" as this is a really nice scooter!
Right now I think I will like the positive things that the Elite offers. I am going to try to do so.

It's just that this blog is called "Ruckus Scooter Love" for a reason: there's scootin', then there's ridin' a Ruckus!

But tomorrow, if the sun comes out and it doesn't rain like it has been doing all week, I am taking the Elite out for another long spin.

Now, that's something, isn't it?

Gettin' Pissy, Havin' a Hissy!

And you Southerners know what THAT means!

And I'll tell you why...I am ready to go and pick up my Elite 110 and ride her the 50 miles home but the forecast is for nothing but thunderstorms, thunderstorms, and more thunderstorms through next week!

I am really hoping to be able to get a ride over and pick her up on Saturday!

Sure wanting to ride-I miss it so much!

I choose to take a chance...

...everytime I climb on my scooter and head out the driveway on a ride.

And I know it and the fear of taking that chance kept me from riding a scooter or a motorcycle for over 20 years.

And tonight on the local news another motorcyclist has been killed by a car "not seeing" them. I know this happens all the time. And yet I continue to choose to ride.

And I've decked out "hi viz" in obnoxious yellow and orange just to be seen. I've flown a hi viz bicycle flag from my scooter, I've worn a hi viz vest over my jacket, I've outlined my scooter frame with 3M reflective tape, I choose colors for bags and accessories that enhance visibility.

And yet I know that even this may not be enough. But I choose to take that chance because I love to ride. And I refuse to live my life afraid of doing so anymore. I refuse to waste any more of my years watching scooters and motorcyclists ride past my door and yearn to join them, but being afraid.

I have joined them these past 5 years and I've had some close calls myself, even with all my "hi viz" and "high vigilance". Twice to be exact. Twice if I not been purely "lucky" I would have been killed by a car.

Once was right in front of my house. I was considering stopping by my mailbox on the right side of the road before turning in my drive on the left side of the road and thought, no, I'll check the mail later. But something pulled me over to the right side of the road where I stopped and all of a sudden, silently and very fast, an SUV came up my left side from over the hill behind me. Had I turned left into the drive I would have been hit and killed.

No doubt this driver never saw me because he almost side-swiped me. I felt the suction of the wind on my left side he was that close.

Another time was similar and but for the grace of God I was not killed. I was stopped on a quiet 2 lane road in front of an Amish market and was signaling to turn left. Not a car in sight. Luckily I was posed on near the center line. A car (with a drunk person) came from behind at high speed and almost side-swiped me from the right.

Again, I felt the pull of the mass of the car to my right. Never heard it, he never saw me. He wasn't looking. Then he proceeded to stop his car, get out, and walk back toward me ranting and swinging his fist calling me every name in the book.

Luckily an Amish buggy pulled up behind me and he saw the Amish man step down and come over toward me. He then turned and went back to his car.

After each of those incidents (2 years apart) I sat off of the scoot for almost a week. I was shaken. For all my vigilance and care in riding I still could have been a statistic.

Eventually I got back on because I know that everything we do out on the road, car or scooter, is a chance we take.

I must drive a car in order to make a living. I choose to ride a scooter because doing so brings me wonderful experiences and feelings that I do not want to be without in my life.

I do everything I know to take precautions: I do not ride when I am tired or distracted; I deck out "hi viz"; I ride as if I am invisible; I stay away from as many roads as possible that are heavily traveled by cars; I am constantly checking my rear view mirrors; if I feel unsafe I pull over and let others go by with no shame whatsoever; I gear up; I ring my Gremlin Bell! LOL.

On the Ruckus I more or less rode it like a bike, staying on slow roads and riding on the side most of the time on roads 45mph+. On the Elite things will be different. I will be able to go up to close to 55mph and can traverse some 45-55mph roads when necessary. I won't do this often, but I will have the option if I am traveling at distance from home, which I will be more easily able to do with the Elite.

Any MSF courses are over 75 miles away in Cincinnati and they fill up fast. I have never been able to avail myself of one for those reasons. Riding there on the Ruckus (or even the Elite) would be almost crazy, considering the traffic I would have to ride in to get there to the site.

I am wanting to check out somehow doing one of these, however, even if I cannot do it on my own ride and have to use one of their motorcycles. So I am going to check into doing that and also see if the Harley dealers sponsor a safety course anywhere close to me.

Beyond all that, I still know that every time I ride I take a chance. I am ok with that for now. I wonder if I will always be "ok" with that. I hope so. I have so many things I'd like to do, so many places I would like to explore on a scooter or motorcycle. I can't imagine not having all that to look forward to.

I am a "rider"...

Ok, so there's no scooter in the garage right now, and won't be for a few weeks, so I am probably going to "wax poetic" (or as my other half says, "wax pathetic") here for awhile. And I've been thinkin'...

I am realizing that I am no longer a "scooterist" nor was, nor will be yet, again a "motorcyclist". I am a RIDER. Call it "biker" if you want to elimnate horses, wagons, trains, buses, etc. But the point is the same.

And Lance Armstrong said it well a while ago: "It's not about the bike."
And no, it's not about the scooter or the motorcycle either. What I am saying is that it is what the machine IS in my life and as the basis for my lifestyle that matters. I become my passion: a rider.

The machine is a means to an end. A "tool" so to speak that carries me along to adventures, errands, calm inner places, beautiful landscapes, awesome experiences under the open sky, new friends, joy and more joy.

How quickly, how much it weighs, how much stuff it can carry, what color it is, what brand name it is...all are moot points. The rest is just frills. It is what it DOES in my life that counts. Where it takes me.

Yeah, color is important to some. The capacity to carry stuff (groceries, books, laptops, camping gear, pizzas, bags of dog food, picnic lunches, cases of beer) is important to others.

Comfort and fun to drive or sit upon for hours on end is a factor if you are planning to sit on it for hours on end. All things to consider.

The "cool factor" is important to some. How loud it revs up is important to others. Some flash the brand name and spend more time polishing or modding out their rides than riding them. If they're happy, who cares?

Any way you look at it the machine is a means to an end: new friends, new places, new experiences, new feelings of euphoria, new roads, new photographs, new blog entries, new life lessons, a sense of identity, etc.

Call me "crazy", but aren't we all crazy that do this riding? We "riders"?
We know something that the rest of them don't know and never will: the sweet sensation of riding a motorbike.

Heck, when I'm not riding I'm thinking about riding and when I'm riding I am thinking about where else I plan to ride...