A Short Scooterist on a Long Ride: Around the USA by Vespa

Have a great trip! I'll be along for the ride.

In

I'm in, stay safe and have fun.

As a 250cc sport bike rider, I am always interested in long hauls on way-less-than-liter-bikes. Good luck.

Sounds awesome! Look me up when you are in WI if you want a place to stay or need some work done on the bike. Looks like you will be close. I'm in Spring Green, 40 miles west of Madison.

I'll be watching this with interest as I too love smaller bikes! Plenty of camping spots on our property in Bath, NY if you come nearby.

I'm in.

Sounds like a blast. Heck, this sounds like a blast just to read!

Suggestion: KY to Houston, TX. Instead of backtracking part of the way, If you head west to St. Louis, than you can ride the Ozark Mountains down through southern MO and towards NE AR, seeing Eureka Springs, AR. It is a wonderful historic artists community with a lively foodie and music culture. From there you can ride south along the western part of AR and make your way to Houston.

If you do, my wife and I would gladly provide you food, shelter, garage space, laundry facilities, etc. on the west side of St. Louis. Depending upon when you come through, maybe at our lake condo in south central MO instead. But you'll have to substitute boat rides and water sports for garage space. All we'd ask in return are to hear your stories. I did a similar crisscross the county ride a few years ago, benefiting from the hospitality of both friends and strangers, and am always thrilled to help someone do likewise. Please consider it.

In.

Drop a line if you need anything in the DC area!

what an great adventure for you! Good luck, enjoy yourself, and yes, post your awesome drawings here also. You are quite the artist!

B

Aw, thanks for all the kind words already! I'm sorry I might be a bit slow to respond while I figure out how to post by iPad mini (laptop goes back to Providence today, and I head out of Philly for DC). Also, figuring out editing between blog and forum, since it turns out linking photos is a bit complicated.

But here are a few photos from the lead up.


Scooter mockup with the remaining furniture in my apartment. I'll do a breakdown on what I'm carrying at some point, right now I'm still trying to remember where things are. Gotta be on the scooter somewhere, right...


Volvo Tetris. Boxy. The last load into storage, borrowing my dear neighbor's car, Hedwig.


Scooter Tetris. Smaller and much less boxy. Spare gas can aside, I think there's not a single boxy-shaped thing on this whole device.


Before leaving south Providence, I always wanted a photo with the two fighting Babcock signs.


And roll out on Rt 3.

Everything else gets soaked, ha! I once threw a plume clear over my head, but legs stayed dry...

Will do.

Yay! Scoot scoot~

Thank you! I'll definitely consider it. :) The trip back north and then south again through KY is tenuous at the moment, a friend wants to ride it and I would would enjoy the company, but I have to see how I'm faring when I get to New Orleans. If I do come through there I'll give a shout.

Providence to Brooklyn, May 5-10, 2014 (much from blog post here, too)


180 miles, not including ferry. I know, really pushing the limits of my comfort zone here.

I said a teary farewell to my friend who drove down with me, and took my favorite route to NYC: the Cross Sound Ferry. I love riding on and off the ramps!


Farewell, CT.


Hi, guys.


I'm on a boat!

I arrived at my friend Matt's place in Brooklyn in the evening, and pretty much passed out. It had been a long, pivotal kind of day.

But the next few days would be almost quiet. I got some last minute revisions on the picture book in (all done, for the third time!), some paintings for friends, and met up with my agent and lots of great friends! I'll get in the habit of taking more photos...


Mobile paintin' stuff. This watercolor block is going back to Providence, along with laptop, they're too bulky and weather sensitive.

The neighborhood around Matt's place in Brooklyn is such a wonderful urban playground to me, it's hard to pick out moments that stand out. I love just walking around, and being with blocks of an endless array of options. I love being able to reach out to friends, compare happy hours, pick a place, and walk or take a train to meet up. As I went about rather banal personal tasks (re-activating my Verizon SIM card for my iPad Mini, doing laundry, taking a walk to Prospect Park) I couldn't help but realize, I loved living in NYC, but I had to leave to realize how special it is. Landing directly in the city from Hong Kong, I incorrectly assumed most American cities were like this. Oh, the gifts of perspective.


Fancy cocktail bar in Williamsburg.


Corner of my plate peeking out after rainy night.


Picked up a classy parking buddy.


Stopped by here and ogled some bikes. Val was super friendly and gave me a tour of Motorgrrl.


Fantastic Miller's sign at Skinny Dennis, just down the street.

We celebrated Matt's birthday (part of the reason I stayed so long), and met up with scooter and non-scooter friend folk (glad you guys made it!).


Indoor bocci. Brooklyn playground win.


Friday night has traditionally meant $2 tacos from a truck, regardless of city.


I NEED THIS. I can totally carry this on the scooter...it'll be my mascot...
A bit of shopping in Soho at one of my favorite stores: Evolution.


I expect more taxidermy further west, but this will do quite well for NYC.

If that wasn't enough great company and booze, we toured the Kings County Distillery. It's a marvelous operation for anyone in the city on a Saturday afternoon looking to learn more about the history of distilling in New York, and try some craft whiskey.


Step 1: Bubble bubble. Smells like sourdough bread.


Step 2: Look at the size of those stills! The blueish liquid in the jugs are first distillation whiskey.

Colin, co-founder and crafter, gave us the tour. Here, he's about to dip a glass into whiskey straight from the still for people to try (hint: it's FIRY).


Step 3: Wait.


Fancy.


All sorts of batches.

All this to say, it was difficult to leave. I could see existing here, moving in little by little, carving out a cozy, pint-sized workspace for myself, living on top of everyone like everyone else does in a city, in between the coffee shops and food trends and happy hours until I realized I was a city-dweller again. I miss having Matt (former Providence-ite) nearby, I like having publishing houses and work just a walk and train ride away. Yes, I could happily slip away to Brooklyn...after all, I did used to live here.

But I'm itching to press south, and it was a beautiful, hot day on Sunday. Winter only a memory now, I opened all my vents and hit the highway. Next stop: Philadelphia, PA.


Cheers.

What kind of helmet is that?

Cool adventure.

Be lucky . . . ride safe.

Thanks for the update, look like you are having the time of your life
When you reach South Cal look me up. Will show you around little Saigon and have some great Viet foods. Guess room and garage space also available if you need it. Safe travel and keep the RR coming

Subscribed!
Depending on when you pass through the Asheville area or Jax, Fl.,we might be able to offer some hospitality.
Cheers!

Hi Stephanie -

Kurt here, I bought your handlebar mitt-things from you last fall. It's great that you are taking the time to make this trip - I'm sure it will have both challenges and rewards for you beyond your present imagination and understanding. :)

Just wanted to offer - I am a ways out of your planned route, but if that changes and you swing near Georgetown, SC, there's a boat here at the marina I tend for the owner that also serves as a 'couch' for those riding through - be glad to put you up if you want to check out the Lowcountry. :)

Have a great ride!

Kurt

Subscribed. Love scooter touring stories...have great fun!

Looks like a great trip. I'm looking forward to following along. I've done some trips on my Aprilia Sport City 250 but nothing nearly this long.