SCOOTERCAST Episode 70: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

There have been a ton of scooter riders out there this summer cutting across the United States in all different directions. So when I got an email from Sean Blake about his ride, I said to my self “so what?” Later, I went to his website, Scooter Quest, I realized that this was something different. Sean and a friend are going to use streaming video to let you see the ride as it is happening and give you a chance to participate while they are on the road. For those of you who don’t have a geek streak in you, this may not be so fascinating, but to me it was exciting. But I should back track a bit.

In podcasting and “new media” there is a lot of interest in building connections, a community of people who have similar interests, like in scooting. One of the emerging tools for doing this is streaming video, a live video platform that allow for conversations not just between two people, but among many from all over the world. Leo Laporte of TWIT is probably one of the most successful techno-buffs who is into this, but there are many more like Chris Pirillo and Robert Scoble.

Sean has wired his Genuine Stella scooter so he can stream video and chat while they do their Scooter Quest ride. In addition, their website will include real-time GPS mapping and video archiving for when they hit spots with no connectivity. I think this is another example of how some people are pushing the media envelope and they are not alone. If you want to see more of this kind of stuff look at the websites for Qik, Ustream,   Mogulus and other video and streaming platforms.

On another note, my luggage and passport are laid out on the bed and I am starting to dream about all the places we plan to visit in Italy. I hope to have another podcast up before we leave, but who knows. If the wi-fi gods are good to me on the trip, I will blog and post a show from the road. If not then just look for my tweets on twitter. For what it’s worth, I have been assured by AT&T that my Iphone will work in Italy.

Music for this show is from the Podsafe music network and features Reel Big Fish a band from California and The Subcity Dwellers, a nine member band from Canada.

SHOWNOTES:You may remember that a while back I took the plunge and bought some real riding gear. I have been riding for years and had never upgraded my outerwear for either safety or fashion. For some reason I started thinking about how it would be safer if I took the possibility of crashing more seriously and I ended up going for a Firstgear Meshtex Jacket and a HJC full face helmet. The helmet has been the best purchase I have made in a long time. Although it blocks out a lot of sound, I like the way that it it keeps my whole face protected from the wind and bugs. Before, I had just become a custom to the sting a bug makes when it hits your face, thinking that it was a part of the riding experience. Let me tell you, it is not. Many riding jackets have armor built in. Mine seems to shift around, mostly inside the elbows of the jacket and never seems to fit right. I like is the mesh design, which keeps me warm but also lets in just enough air to keep me cool as the seasons change. Don’t think I am planning on pitching the jacket, but several weeks ago Steve on the Scooter Scoop showed a riding armor alternative which I think is worth considering. Its called Icon Field Armor. Instead of being built into your riding gear, it is armor that straps on under your clothing and allows you to make your usual fashion statement without sacrificing your safety. It seems to offer all the same protection points, chest, shoulders, back, elbows, knees and legs. For me it will mean I will be able to build my riding wardrobe around the essential sweatshirt/jeans combination and not have to worry so much about the consequence of bouncing off a hard road surface.

All this talk about new safety gear is not just some whimsical review of new clothing options. I noticed several weeks ago that there were a number of blogger and forum posts talking about recent crashes or close calls. Each seemed to document the sheer stupidity of people driving big over-sized SUVs, proving the old riding adage that just when you think you have thought of everything, the unexpected happens. For many years I have been a rather cautious rider, some might even say pessimistic or paranoid, But like other things in life, you have to ask your self, “does it work?” For me the answer is yes.

Since blowing up my Vespa Sprint, I now face the prospect of getting back a hopped up version of the old girl. With great excitement and anticipation, I am looking at a brand new 150 LML engine mounted in a bike that is pounds lighter the Genuine Stella it is usually pushing. From everything I hear and read on the interwebs it seems that this is quite the little power plant. I am going with the no oil injection, 5-port, 150cc motor. It has electronic ignition and reed valve induction and Dave the mechanic tells me he will switch out some of the scooter’s wiring harness to get the lights working with the new 12 volt system. It should mean better reliability and more power and of course, give me a good reason to invest in some new armor protection to match the prospect of all the increased horse power. I am not planning on changing my riding style, I just have the option to go faster and we all know what that will means.

Scooter Blog Posts and News

• Two Close Calls Too Many at Little Billy’s Scooter Tales
• The (Potential) High Cost of Riding at Scooter in the Sticks
• Surgery is over, now it’s time to mend at Dion’s Random Ramblings

Music for this show is from the Podsafe Music Network

• Soccer Mom by Olio
• She’s Got My Darts by Curiosity Shop
• Olive Garden by Paul and Storm
• Revolution Blues by Billy Jones

 

 Episode 49 [25:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download