Show notes: I have been obsessing for about a week on what to say about the meteoric fall of Vespadition. I know that it’s hard to draw a line between truth and fiction, especially on the Internet and I have toyed with saying nothing or reporting on dirty details, accusations and counter claims. Some of you may remember my interview back in March with Peter Ramstine. At the time he was planning a scooter ride across America and Canada, and was promoting his plan to do the ride with the help of a few sponsors, while relying mostly on the generosity of the scooter community. It was amazing how quickly Vespadition came to a screeching halt. Literally, within three days the Vespa GTS was parked in West Virginia, the scooter forums were blazing with reasonable questions and flaming accusations and what had sounded like an admirable venture turned into a pile of steaming s**t. I began writing myself little mental notes, that is the way I start preparing for the show and by yesterday my perspective had crystalized. What I have gotten out of all this is just how generous the scooter community really is, how we tend to look out for each other and for the most part presume the best about each other. It shows every time someone crashes, gets in over their head with a mechanical project (I sure know about that) or someone new shows up at a ride-out with a brand new 50cc moped. We run an amazingly open and inclusive community. Here in Richmond at the 7hills scooter club, I am probably one of the older members and I certainly don’t have the tattoos or piercings, let along the stamina to keep up with everyone. But at the same time, I am welcomed at every event, feel comfortable hanging at the local scooter shop and can even speak about my mechanical blunders without feeling like a big dumb ass. So regardless of what is true or untrue about Vespadition, I look forward to continuing to be a part of a scooter community that does have an altruistic outlook on life and as for me, I will be looking forward to this summers scooter rallies and events, where I am sure to meet more people who share this value and appreciate the kindness inherent in community we have created.

Next week I will be at the other end of the country, so expect a remote show from the oft times drizzly pacific northwest. Port Angeles should be starting to perk up with lots of flowers and greenery and of course I will check in with Bill Sommers to see what is cooking on the local scooter scene. Port Angeles also has an Internet celebrity who sometimes shows his face in town. If you are a techie you will recognize the name, John C Dvorák. Although he still lives most of the year in northern California, he and his wife own and operate a Deli, or maybe more accurately a spice store in Port Angeles. I am a dedicated listener to all things Dvorák, including podcasts like TWIT, No Agenda, Tec5 and Cranky Geeks and I must return to see what John is raving about, like the deli meats, the spices and the wines.

Blog Posts and bloggers

• From my point of view the biggest blogging news this past was Steve Guzman’s post over at The Scooter Scoop, reporting on his own split with LS Motor Sports. My best wishes go out to Steve as he moves on. Make sure you get over to the Scooter Scoop to check out the source for all the changes.
• I still get emails asking about recommending a scooter or questions about comparing one scooter to another. But it occurred to me that I have been remiss on not talking about some of the non-European scooter blog and wanted to refer you to a blog called Kymco Jones. The posts are informative and often include pictures.
• I have mentioned Jeremy a blogger who has been documenting his restoration of a Vespa 180ss for many months now. One of his latest post has a short with him taking the scoot for a test ride. It looks to be an accurate and beautiful restoration.

• It seems that Vespa has scored another product placement winner, putting a Vespa LX in the middle of the story line of the upcoming Get Smart movie.

Music for this show features blues harmonica player Sugar Blue. You can find his music on the Podsafe Music Network, at Ariel Publicity or at Sugar Blues’ website.

 

 Episode 61: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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