SHOW NOTES: One of our friends, a native Sicilian is getting some kind of “Italian made good in the US of A” awards and since most of her family can’t make it back to the old country, Marcel and I “said sure why not, we’ll go.” As you might imagine, this is going to be a festival and italian festivals mean three things, food, drink and music. The town is called Ragusa and in about two weeks we will be hobnobbing with Adriana’s old country folk and making our way around to the sights on the island.

Any of you who have been following the show or watching the web know that Alix Bryan has been traveling around the US this summer talking with people about Peace and answering all kinds of questions about her Buddy 125. I am lucky in that I live here in Richmond, where she started and ended her ride, and it ended in style, with a big scooter party at ScootRichmond. Thanks to Chelsea! Over the course of the evening there were probably 50 or so scooterist, many well-wishers and lots of good food and at the end of it all, Alix sat down with me and reflected on the ride. You’ll need to listen to the podcast to get all the details and make sure you revisit Alix’s website and help her out. She is truly one authentic human being, hopefully something that we all aspire to be, even in the scooter world.

Jeff Culter first emailed me back around the first of the year, talking about getting a scooter, complimenting me on the show and generally kissing up to the host. I guess it didn’t hurt that I was giving away an ipod.  But it became evident, after he didn’t go away, that Jeff really did have a budding interest in scooters. What was even more interesting to me was that he had a podcast called Bowl of Cheese with a website to match. Being the usual dolt that I am, I couldn’t imagine how someone could write or talk about cheese all the time, but then again I guess you say that about scooters. It wasn’t until several weeks later, after subscribing to his podcast that I realized that Jeff, unlike me, was a real writer and his show was not about cheese, but about life’s many absurdities. This is my endorsement, suggesting that you visit Jeff’s websites. You’ll find the kind of writing that many of us aspire to and besides, he’s a big fan-boy of one of my favorite tech guys, John C Dvorak.

Music for this show is from the Podsafe music network. Billy Jones is blues and may be one of the most famous ‘unknown’ musicians you will ever hear.

 

 SCOOTERCAST Episode 69 [30:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

SHOWNOTES: ScootRichmond did a fantastic job on the installation of the LML 150 engine in my Vespa Sprint. I have had time to take a closer look at it and the workmanship that including rewiring to a 12 volt system makes a big difference in the lights. Hopefully it will prove to be more reliable. I guess that’s another free plug for ScootRichmond, but I mean it as a plug for building a relationship with your local scooter shop. When you have an established relationship, they are more likely to go above and beyond to give you good scooter information and make sure you are happy with their work.

Before I prattle on too much about the usual scoot stuff, I want to tell you about a unique conversation with Alix from Peace Scooter on this week’s Scootercast. Alix is a person who speaks with amazing clarity and purpose. During our conversation she talked about her upcoming 20,000 mile ride for PEACE. Most people might ask the obvious, “are you some kind of fanatic?” But for Alix it is much more personal and the ride is a natural extension of her view of life. Since completing the first half of her PEACE ride last year (here is link to the CNN coverage), she has been planning and blogging about this years ride with the kind of enthusiasm a child has in anticipating a birthday. The ride will start in Washington D.C. On May 2nd and the route will circle the USA ending back in D.C. Along the way she plans to blog, post video, volunteer, mingle and generally commune with all kinds of people asking only one question, “how do you define PEACE in your life?” Over the course of the next few months I’ll try to check-in with her and get an update on the ride. Go over to the website and throw some support her way.
This is a very good interview, not because of me, but because of what Alix has to say. Although a little longer than most shows, it is worth taking the time to listen too.

Music for this show

• I Got Sunshine by Sarah Vonderhaar
• Love is in the Atmosphere by Kerry Politzer

 

 Episode 55 [41:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

SHOWNOTES: New voice mail number you can call from your phone 206-888-6174. Scoot Richmond had it’s grand reopening this weekend including a Friday night scoot-in movie Empire Records. and a Saturday open house. I took the opportunity to speak again with Chelsea and Dave Munn and found out that they are expanding and moving in the direction of becoming a full service scooter shop along with continuing their web-based mail order business.

Follow up to last week’s note about Hayden Neale from Jacksoul. Seems that everyone has been quiet about his condition, but the Toronto Star reports that he is in a coma, is in critical, but stable condition and has not regained consciousness. Our thoughts go out to he and his family, hoping that he will be fine.

Two stroke buzz reminds us that the Chicago based Slaughterhouse 13 Rally is in just two weeks. The rally website has been updated and you can find all the details over at www.slaughterhousechicago.com Labor day weekend Aug 30-Sept 2, dinner, clubs, dancing, cruising, a gymkhana and of course a pig roast. Get there if you can, it should be a fantastic way to end the summer.

MUSIC for this show is from the Podsafe Music Network, Escape Goats – Canada Day and Todd Carey – Aint got love

 

 SCTRCST Episode 24 [30:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download