Show notes: If you have been following my blog you know I have had a few interruptions in my regular routine. I’ll try to catch up and there is allot to catchup on.

First, Amerivespa is now open for registration. If you haven’t been over to the sight click on over and you can find more details on the event which is being held in Chattanooga Tennessee. I am still not sure if I am going to make it. I am suppose to be in Denver on that weekend for a wedding, Marcel’s boss’ daughter, so it’s kind of a big deal. I may have to settle for only one or two days and make the rally a stop over.

Another significant event is happening this weekend up in New York city. It is the NYC Scooter Block party. I got an invitation by email, but with everything else going on I just could swing getting up there. The videos that have been produced from past parties make it look like on of the years greatest rallies. Maybe someone can give me a report on how it went.

As I have been catching up on my reading I saw that Don Burnside (DB from the mini podcast) is still listening to SCTRCST, but more interesting, he is a big music fan and recommended The Roadhouse podcast. It reminded me of the kind of roots blues and that I grew up loving, so I am suggesting you check it out.

I have gotten a few emails from listeners who are talking about getting back into riding after laying off for a number of years. Doug in Sacramento wrote asking about where to go for model comparisons and at first I wasn’t sure what to say because many of us in scooting have pretty bias opinions. I thought for a while and decide to tell him to do as much local in store research as possible and ride a number of different bikes. I have said at other times, before you by that beautiful chrome filled 50cc make sure it fits your riding needs. But beyond this, I do think it is good to have a few references to fall back on, especially if you are just starting. Scoot magazine reviews are always fair and honest. I heard April Whitney talk one time about how they will not review a scooter unless they can have it for several weeks, to really test it out. They also have seen allot over the years and can compare brands and models. After that I say go to some of the scooter blogs where testing is a regular part of their work. These are the ones you always hear me talking about like The ScooterScoop and 2strokebuzz. Another which has quite a few reviews is David Harrington’s Just Gotta Scoot. Along with his written reviews he frequently talks about his test rides on his podcast of the same name.

One of the more exciting pieces of news for me came out a few weeks ago from Italy when Piaggio announced it was producing a GTS 300 Super. Now my GTS 250 has plenty of power for hopping on the freeway, but I must say, the idea of having more is enticing. There were a number of bloggers who posted the announcement and a few pictures on their websites, but if you want to see the original story and numerous pictures, well over two dozen, go to the source at motoblog. It is an Italian site, but is easily translated by your Firefox browser or through Google translation. Don’t miss it. Hope we see this one in the US very soon.

For those of you looking to book some last minute travel, Vespa Week is scheduled to start in a few days in Treviso Italy. This should be one of the years biggest Vespa events with the power to draw thousands of Vespa fans from all over Europe. The event beings on May 29th and goes through June 2nd and if you have never been to this part of Italy it is beautiful and of course like most European rallies, there will be plenty of touring and racing. You can find out more about the event at the Vespa Week website.

Websites and blog

• Brian over at 2stroke buzz pulled up with a link that I also saw regarding Japanese customized scooters.
• Andy over at the classic scooter collector picked up a motor-less Lambretta LD Mk1 which has an amazing story.
• Ever wondered why anyone in their right mind would live in the Pacific Northwest of British Columbia just look at the website that Orin over at Scootin old Skool turned me on to. It is called Bobskoot’s Wet Coast Scooting.

Music for this show

This show is dedicated to Sean Costello. Sean was one of music’s most promising Blues player who died suddenly this past April, a day before his 29th birthday. I think you will agree, we have lost a gifted individual. Visit his website and find more of his music at itunes and the Podsafe Music Network

 

 Episode 60 [28:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here is a video on riding in New York, many of our friends at NY Scooter Club and also several NY scooter shops.

SHOWNOTES: I took time yesterday to get out and ride my new Vespa GTS. It was the longest ride I have taken in months. I guess that means that my life has settled down a bit, work has become more manageable and I even have more time to spend with Marcel at home, although I have been in the garage a lot, not her usual hangout.
On the podcast I am always saying “email me, give me ideas, tell me what you think?” Well, apparently some of you really do think I mean what I say. As a result I got a recent email from Roy from the Greater Vancouver Vespa Riders. He wrote to tell me about their rally coming up in June 27-29 happening at Golden Ears Provincial Park something I considered trying to make, but later I found out that we are going to be there early in June. In addition to the rally, Roy pointed out that a fellow named Peter was planning a 30,000 mile scooter trip across the US and Canada and suggested I talk with him.
There are a lot of people on the web posing and proposing to do all kinds of things. If you’re like me, you probably get all kinds of emails suggesting donating to one cause or another, or even more blatantly, just asking you to send money. I have talked about several good causes in the past, like Alix’s PEACE Scooter ride and Scooter Relief, but have been reluctant to tout others for fear of suggesting support for something that really was a scam. With Vespadition I did what any good blogger would do, I Googled the hell out of it and looked at everything that was written in the forums. Some might say “why is a guy who blindly bought a scooter off Craig’s list, from a stranger so questioning?” I thought maybe that maybe my luck was going to run out, but then I remembered something Peter Moore said to me several weeks ago, “I think the default is that most people are good” and after my speaking with Matua, I think he is right. Make sure you listen to this week’s show and interview.
On another note, for those of you who have asked, I am still waiting on my new Icon Armor to arrive. I reorder, because the first supplier put everything on backorder. Yesterday I got a FedEx notice that it was shipped and scheduled for delivery this week. In the mean time, several emails suggested other products such as a ReVit Jacket which Carlos says doesn’t have the same sag in the armor that my Firstgear does. The brand looks very good, although a bit pricey and they have a whole line of riding gear including rain wear and mesh.
I want to note that the blogger from Heinz and Frenchie in SoFlo the congratulated me on my new GTS. In a comment he said “We agree with you that one falls in love with the beauty of the Vespa. There is nothing like it. We shopped for many months and anguished over buying another brand to save money as we were buying two scooters. But every time we saw a Vespa we drooled over it. So we decided that if we purchased anything else we would always wish we had a Vespa. We are very happy with ours.” It got me thinking that maybe I need to be considering an appropriate name for her.
A caller from England told me he is making a pilgrimage to the Italy hoping for a vintage find. Many of you may know that Italy has been trying to get most vintage Vespas off the road for a number of years. They have been offering owners money for taking them out of service. This means you don’t see many older Vespas. I know from my own hunting over there, that the desirable scoots, like the GS and 180ss, are hard to come by and are more expensive than the smaller daily riders. When I return in the fall, I plan on visiting Peter Moore’s friend Marco Quaretta, who has a shop in Livorno. Marco’s email use to be waspmaster@libero.it

Music for this show is from the Podsafe Music Network

• Drinkin’ On Sunday Afternoon by Patric Carlson & Bluebirds
• Figure It Out GreenTaRA

 

 Episode 53 [39:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

SHOWNOTES: You may not know that this is year to the day that I launch the Scootercast web site and posted the first podcast. It is an amazing milestone given that I always wonder if I can keep it going beyond the next few months. Much of the shows success and my persistence has to do with you the audience who have given me lots of encouragement and direction. Along with “don’t do that”, you have suggested everything from audio improvements to topics like long distance riding, purchasing a scooter, winter riding, rallies and of course music. It seems you either like the music or don’t, everyone has an opinion. So this is the point at which I must pause and thank a few supporters. First to thanks Chelsea over at ScootRichmond. Chelsea was the first person to submit to the rigor of my amateur questions along with my bumbling remote recording skills. She has continued to be a supporter of the show along with Dave Munn and all the folks at ScootRichmond. Second, thanks to Steve Williams from Scooter in the Sticks. Steve has also been on the show and has been for me and many other bloggers, a great literary and content inspiration. Over the past year I have spoke to or exchanged emails with dozens of scooter bloggers, who all point to Steve as an influencing factor in their own development. He is both a gracious individual and a talented writer.
Last week I spoke briefly about interviewing Steve, formerly full time scooper over at the The Scooter Scoop. I was lucky to track Steve down for an interview on Wednesday. He is spending most his time preparing for the International Dealer Expo in Indianapolis and working on strategies for dealer support as Diamo looks to build it’s brand and reputation back up here in the US. We talked about Italjet’s plans for the coming year and his transition from the Scooter Scoop to full time scooter pimping. And I mean that in the best way possible, Steve. So thanks again to Steve for the interview and best of luck in your new venture.

Like I was saying earlier, I have so many people to thank for fantastic first year. It’s hard to believe that the show has garnered so much interest and support. My apologies if I left anyone out. I mention your names on this week’s show, so go and listen. So here goes my effort to thank all of you and please forgive me if I leave anyone out, but I will do my best to give credit to everyone who continues to contribute and make this a success.

So here’s my thanks to you, a SCTRCST engraved Ipod Nano. Now don’t think this is some cast off first gen Nano. This is a brand new Ipod Nano with all the SCTRCST episodes pre-loaded. Look here on the site for the sign up box. Enter your email and you at in. There is only one entry per listener and at the end of February on the last show of the month I will pick a winner from all the entries. I haven’t figured it our yet, but as usual, there will be some consolation prizes.

Music for this show is from the Podsafe Music Network

• Andreas Weise with Take me Higher
• Admiral Twin with Better than Nothing at All

 

 Episode 46 [29:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download