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: 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

SHOWNOTES: There has been a big development in the scooter blogging world. Many of you may know that one of the best scooter blogs for news and information is Steve Guzman’s The Scooter Scoop. He always puts up top quality blog posts, lots of outstanding pictures, done with a fantastic sense of humor, both about scooting and about those of us who sometimes take our selves to seriously. In a post on Thursday January 10^th, 2008 Steve announced that as if that moment he was “the official point of contact for Italjet USA” he went on to say that “LS Motorsports has brought me on board to manage all aspects of Italjet Sales and Marketing.” which is probably a good things, in that when I looked at the LS site for news, the last post was September 8, 2007. Read the rest of this entry →

 

 Episode 44 [29:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download