We Can't Drive I-95

back in the saddle again

2010-06-29T15:25:00.001-04:00

odometer: 1505

Today was a milestone for me. In January, I was in a car accident and broke my leg. It was a fracture of the tibia, right where the leg bone and ankle bone meet. I was in a cast for a long time, then a walking cast, then physical therapy. I’ve been nervous to get on the scoot since my accident, both because I’ve felt unsafe and also because I‘ve not really been sure that my leg could take the jolt of putting my foot down quickly to stop.

Today, I decided that I had enough of being a wimp. I went out on the highway.

It’ been hotter than hell here in the DC/Baltimore region, but that’s no excuse to compromise your safely. I put on full gear (jacket, helmet, gloves) and went for a ride. It felt great to have the wind in my hair, er, helmet again. I’ve really missed scootering!

On my ride today, I also rolled my Vespa over 1500 miles. Another milestone! Snapped this shot in the parking lot at the Giant at Dorsey’s Search.

spring is rally time!

2010-03-05T17:07:00.003-05:00

Well, spring is just around the corner and rally season is coming up fast. The scoot.net rally calendar is an excellent resource to find a scooter gathering in your neck of the woods. Personally, I am going to try to attend at least two rallies this summer. I recently upgraded to a Honda Ridgeline as my primary vehicle, so I can haul my scoot around if my travels take me on big highways or thru sketchy parts of town.

Rumor has it that the Charm City Scooter Rally, traditionally the first weekend in May, will be May 7-9 this year. Last year, they had a successful camping rally up in the mountains of Western Maryland. I hear it'll be the same again this year.

Also in May, the Mid-Atlantic Scooter Rally up in New Holland, PA (somewhere between Philadelphia and Lancaster) gets kudos to being far more organized than the average scooter rally. I got an email last week that said they already had over 50 riders registered for their May 21-23 event. Bless them for actually marketing their plans instead of just keeping their fingers crossed that I will stumble across their website.

winter sucks

2010-02-16T17:20:00.001-05:00

73.2 inches of snow in the Baltimore area -- over 6 feet! -- this winter makes me an unhappy scooterist.

in love with these gloves

2009-12-17T18:43:00.005-05:00

Though the weather has turned too chilly for me to be out on the scoot (I admit it, under 40 degrees is TOO COLD for me), I've learned a lot about gearing up for the cold weather this fall. And there are a few products that really make a difference out there on the cold road. My favorite solution for keeping my fingers warm is a pair of Corazzo gloves that I got for my birthday. These are the "Velocitta" style, and mine are red and black.

For those of you that don't know, Corazzo (www.corazzo.net) is a friendly little line of clothing based in Portland, Oregon. Besides totally rockin' with their designs, Corazzo is actually run by real people who answer their phones and email. I know this because I recently ordered a product from them and received the wrong color. One quick call was all it took to get the problem resolved: they overnighted me the right item and sent me a pre-paid FedEx label to send the wrong one back. They were friendly and apologetic -- completely refreshing in a world where most call centers have been outsourced to countries where English is a second language.

I'm excited about all the other things Corazzo has to offer too. Hope I get something fun for Christmas!

More on School Pride: Crossing Paths with a Crossrunner

2009-12-10T09:06:00.005-05:00

Odometer: 1461 miles and headed for winter storage

It’s been a terribly long time since I posted, but I have a good excuse – I’ve been out on my scooter! I’ve put another 500 miles on since my last post, including a few hundred miles on the secondary highway between home and the office.

With the turn to cold weather, though, I fear that scootering for 2009 is over. I’ve learned the importance of layering and found the best gloves for cold weather (Corazzo, we love you!). But more on that another time.

On a recent trip to Atlanta, I came across a real-life CrossRunner at the Georgia Tech bookstore. This beauty is an ES150, priced at $2,299 MSRP. It was displayed prominently in the lobby of Barnes and Noble, and ready for immediate sale. It’s not too late to get one for the college student in your life!

breaking a thousand

2009-09-07T15:31:00.004-04:00

after two commutes to work last week, I've rolled the scoot over a thousand miles. Gone is the "what if I don't like it?" fear, as is nearly all memory of my little 50 cc Honda Metropolitan. I've ridden more miles in 6 weeks on the Vespa than I did all last year on Pete Lee. So, it seems like a keeper.

Using RoadTrip for the iPhone (version 1.3.2.22) lets me monitor my gas mileage and other handy statistical features about my scooter. I'm getting 68-75 miles per gallon, with a high of 77 MPG on a day that was mostly highway driving. At current gas prices, it costs me $0.031 per mile to scoot versus $0.084 per mile to drive my 2005 Ford Escape. I'm saving more than 5 cents per mile!

the scoot commute

2009-09-02T19:27:00.000-04:00

odometer: 984 miles

After a month of playing around, today I did it. I rode my scooter to work.
It’s funny to think about having to alter your commute. After all, it’s part of the drudgery of daily life: to and from work, to and from work, day after day. Like most Americans, a good part of my commute involves the highway. My Vespa GTS 250 is perfectly capable of achieving highway speeds, but since I am still learning how to maneuver my scoot I thought I better play it safe.

So, I altered my route to be just about 50% highway and 50% surface roads. This let me avoid the poorly designed interchange at I-95 and MD-32, my main route to work, as well as I-97. Both of those spots have frequent crashes, and I would prefer not to get creamed.

This adjustment added 4 miles and about 15 minutes to my 35-minute drive, bringing the grand total to 50 minutes each way. But on a scooter, who’s counting time? I just strapped on my helmet headphones, and away I went. It WAS a big adjustment to not be able to drink coffee on the way to work, but the crisp September air kept me awake and alert.

The ride was great, and other drivers were respectful. I even got a few waves from other bikers – which is nice, considering I’m the low man on the totem pole in terms of motorcycles. Now that we have a stretch of nice weather, I can’t wait to do it again.

I can’t believe I waited so long!

Scooter School Pride: Get College Colors on your Ride

2009-08-31T16:14:00.002-04:00

Scooters are popping up in urban areas all over the country, and college towns are no exception. Now, a company called CrossRunner has designed the ultimate college car: a scooter in your college colors.

Inexpensive and fuel efficient, these babies are just the thing to get you around campus in style. Models come in 150ccs and get 84 MPG. Prices start under $2Gs. Available through dealers or direct from the company. Check ‘em out online: http://www.crossrunner.net/

real tags

2009-08-22T18:23:00.005-04:00

Went in to MotoStrada today (Hi Mark!) to pick up my real tags, so it's officially not a "new" scoot anymore. Can't wait to trade 'em in for a custom plate touting the amazing gas mileage I get - just to make the other drivers jealous. Check out this great MotoStrada ad that Jen snapped on delivery day.

helpful little lessons

2009-08-17T16:41:00.003-04:00

Spending more time on the scooter is both relaxing and educational. My riding is getting better and I am becoming more confident in traffic and with my scooter in general. Plus, I can drive way faster.

Since I’m riding so many more places, I have also learned that there are some things that you cannot do on a scooter, even a bigger one. Just a few things on the list include:

1. Picking up the dry cleaning, unless you want your scooter to double as a sail.
2. Dropping off or picking up the dogs – or children, I would imagine, of at least a certain age.
3. Sneezing. Enough said.
4. Drinking or trying to apply chapstick with the face shield down. Yes, it’s hard to see, okay?
5. Answering a cell phone call, when you have your helmet on. Leads to unfortunate smashing of iPhone against fiberglass.

Just a few helpful little lessons.

hitting the open road

2009-08-17T16:34:00.002-04:00

Three weeks have passed, and I can’t believe that I ever hesitated to upgrade to a larger scooter. I’ve already put well over 200 miles on it, more than half the miles I put on the 50 cc in just under a year. So, I guess it’s safe to say that it’s a hit.

This past weekend, I went on two big rides: one from Columbia to Annapolis, 64 miles round trip. The rout included about 40 miles on MD-32, a secondary highway that is my normal commute to the office three days a week. That was our first real experience on the highway, and Jen and I rode together because I wanted to see if I could do it. After I got over the whole “OMG I’m driving on the highway and these people are going really fast” thing, it was actually a very pleasant ride.

The Vespa had no trouble going 70 mph or keeping up with traffic. I doubt I’ll get a speeding ticket on the thing, but I didn’t feel intimidated by the other cars. That road, thankfully, doesn’t have many trucks so I haven’t really had to worry about that quite yet. My ass was a little numb from all the sitting, but I’m sure you can build up your tolerance with more riding practice.

Sunday’s ride was a 42-mile route through Eastern Howard County, over Brighton Dam and across MD-144 (Old National Pike). Special thanks to my friend Steve – who was endlessly patient and rode with me even when I could barely go 35 mph on my 50 cc scooter – who I unwittingly left in the dust on Triadelphia Road. Sorry about that, buddy. But it’s a lovely route and you should definitely try it to get away from the traffic or as an alternative to MD-108.

Jen got me an amazing Bluetooth-radio-mp3-thingie as an early birthday gift (well, technically it was from the dogs if you must know. They’re masters of shopping online.) that has made riding with a buddy infinitely more fun. Will blog about that in the next weeks.

First Report on the New Scoot

2009-08-03T12:45:00.002-04:00

odometer: 591 miles

I admit it. I don’t miss Pete Lee even one bit.

It’s been nearly a week since I’ve had the Vespa GTS 250 and I’ve already put nearly 100 miles on it – 20 percent of the mileage that I put on the 50 cc scooter in an entire year of ownership. I mean, there’s not anywhere that I can’t go on this thing! As of the first fill-up, my gas mileage is 62.8 MPG. Try finding that in a car!

Since we’re both new riders and it was a long, unfamiliar ride in the waning daylight, Jen and I tag-teamed the 39-mile ride home from Motostrada. The Vespa handles like a breeze. It’s zippy, comfortable, and the controls are easily within reach. Other than the fact that the bike is much heavier (350 lbs. versus the 175 lb. Honda Metropolitan), there was virtually no learning curve at all.

I’ve enjoyed riding on all sorts of roads I wouldn’t have dared with Pete Lee, including Route 108 and MD-175 (speed limit: 55) through Columbia. The trade up is really to an all-purpose vehicle. If I can get in some riding time on the highway, I may even be ready to take it to work this week.

The Vespa doesn’t have a name yet, but she feels like a girl to me. I guess I have to spent a little more time with her to decide what suits her best. Any suggestions?

the next phase

2009-07-27T12:09:00.004-04:00

tomorrow, tomorrow is the day that I pick up my new scoot at Motostrada. It’s a Vespa GTS 250, just like this one. I could have gone with new, but this one is a 2008 with just 494 miles on it – apparently, the original owner decided that scooting just wasn’t for him. Too bad, but his loss is my gain! Saved over $1500 on the thing, and it’s all tricked out with a trunk and a windshield. All I need to do is get on it and go!

Since I am moving up from a 50 cc scoot, I am investigating ways to get from Timonium to Columbia without having to ride on the highway. This new scoot can go practically anywhere, but my riding skills aren’t quite ready for the fast lane yet. Any recommendations?

Trading Up: A Fond Farewell to Pete Lee

2009-07-21T13:13:00.002-04:00

Long time, no blog. Sorry guys. It’s been a hectic spring for me, what with getting my master’s degree and getting married and all. But the weather’s fine and the scooters are in season, so I am looking forward to getting back to posting.

This week, I left the pack of casual scooterists behind and became the proud owner of a Vespa GTS 250. I haven’t had a chance to pick it up from MotoStrada yet, but I hope to be racing the cagers back and forth to work in Annapolis by August. I am super excited about my new ride and looking forward to being able to see some new scenery. My 50cc Honda Metropolitan was an excellent starter scoot, but I’ve learned that I like scootering enough to make the step up to a bigger size.

Before I get started blogging about my new adventure, I think that it’s necessary to pay homage to my starter scooter: a 2008 Honda Metropolitan named Pete Lee. Pete was in my life almost a year to the day, and he and I spent a good 423 miles together. That may not seem like much to those of you with bigger engines, but 400 miles is a lot of running around town. Pete left me on Sunday for his new home with a lovely local gal named Sherry. Or Shelly. Or Shelby. Whatever, I can’t remember, but that’s not important. What is important is that Pete Lee was a fabulous learning scooter, and he will be missed.

RIP, Pete Lee.

July 30, 2008 – July 19, 2009

Scooting in the rain

2009-04-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

odometer: 336 miles

Sucks. No question about it.

On Sunday, I got my first experience riding in the rain. After three days of drab, dreary weather the sky finally cleared a bit on Sunday afternoon. Jen and I took advantage of the break in the clouds to run a few errands: Target, Kohl’s, the normal late-weekend running around. The ride there was great, and we took a few roads I hadn’t driven before thanks to the added protection of having two bikes on the road instead of just me and my little scooter. When we left the store, though, the sky opened up and began pelting us with fat rain drops and even a bit of hail.

We tried to wait it out, but after about 10 minutes crouching under the Kohl’s awning it became clear that we probably weren’t going to make it out of this without getting wet. By the time I got to my scooter and got road-ready, I was already soaked clear through my jacket, jeans, and gloves.

I was nervous starting out on a wet road, but it turned out that the soaked pavement was really the least of my concern. The real problem was the pelting rain: miniature daggers hitting my face and neck, making it nearly impossible to see. And when I gained any speed at all, the chill of the wind through my wet jacket was simply frigid. The ride home was only about 10 miles, but by the time we got there my fingers were cramped in the throttle position and I was sure I would be cold for the next week. Those clothes went right in the dryer, that’s for sure.

I guess the moral of this story is that rain gear is worth the investment! Next time the weatherman threatens rain, I will wear a moisture layer for sure.

mile mark 300

2009-03-24T22:16:00.002-04:00

odometer: 312.5

This weekend, I passed the 300-mile mark on my scooter. That may not seem like a long way to those of you with bigger engines, but considering that my entire scooting experience has been confined to the area near my Columbia, Maryland home, I think that’s a pretty big achievement. After all, that’s the equivalent of scooting clear to New Haven, Connecticut; Raleigh, North Carolina; or Wheeling, West Virginia! At my maximum speed of 42 mph, that would be more than seven hours of continuous riding …. unless I was headed to Wheeling, in which case the ride would be much, much longer (thanks to all those mountains).

The scooting weather this weekend was a bit chilly, so I had to bundle up and wear my Christmas balaclava, a fancy stretchy thing designed to keep the wind off your face and neck. It’s sort of like the Survivor buff, I suppose. Thanks, Santa!

While I'm at it, I’d also like to shout out to all those cheery motorcyclists who include me in the club for waving, and send a big old f*ck you to the nasty chick in the white ragtop Mustang who nearly ran me off the road at Centennial Lane and Route 108. Wait your turn, biyatch!

gas mileage update

2009-03-23T14:26:00.001-04:00

Filled up my tank for the first time in ’09 this weekend. Total MPG is up to 111 miles per gallon! How’s that for fuel efficiency?

Welcome Spring! Hooray for the First Scoot of the Season!

2009-03-08T17:50:00.000-04:00

Normally, March is a total pisser here in Maryland. The temperature swings wildly and we can hardly sprint from our houses for all the rain, rain, rain that drenches our yards and our spirits. But this weekend, the scooter gods must be smiling on us. Here it is, the first week in March, and I got to take Pete Lee out for his inaugural ride of 2009!

I was a little worried to get back in the saddle (so to speak) after the long winter, but I am delighted to report that it’s, well, just like riding a bicycle. Jen and I were zipping along all over Columbia, me on the Met and her on the newly inspected Suzuki Samurai (650 cc motorcycle). She was very kind to ride slowly for me, but while we’re both still getting our sea legs about us I think we could both exercise a little extra caution.

Although we had no problems with the riding itself, I am sad to note that the winter doldrums seem to have dulled the senses of our fellow motorists. Twice, we were nearly run down by cars whose drivers were chatting on their cell phones or just driving recklessly. Slow down out there, folks! When the weather gets nice, two-wheeled vehicles of all types emerge and you need to be extra cautious out there on the road and particularly in parking lots. Keep an eye out for motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, llamas (just kidding), and pedestrians!

Scooting Hotlanta

2009-02-19T08:55:00.001-05:00

I’m in Atlanta this week, and the scooters are in bloom. On the campus of Georgia Tech, students on scooters are literally everywhere – including nearly running me over on the sidewalk outside of Starbucks this morning. And they’re a hearty breed: last night we had dime-size hail, thunder, and lightning, but that did not deter the scooterists from being out on the road. A bright red scoter zipped by me, driver clad in the ever-fashionable lawn and leaf bag. Hats off to you, Mr. Hefty.

All of this is making me eager for spring. Let’s ride!

Scooter Art Rocks!

2009-01-30T15:22:00.004-05:00

Borrowed this link from my friend Dave at Scoot Maryland. Alexandria, VA artist Joan Cox has a scooters series currently on display in Baltimore:

http://www.joancoxart.com/Scooters.htm

SO GREAT!

the winter doldrums

2009-01-28T18:05:00.003-05:00

The last two days have been marked by the dreaded "wintry mix" here in Maryland. It's been such a long time since Pete Lee (that's my scooter) and I got to go on a date, I feel like I am stuck in the winter doldrums. Jen started him up about 2 weeks ago, just to test the battery and give him a chance to clear his pipes, but this week he is stuck under a solid sheet of ice on my back porch. How sad. :(

Winter, winter, go away!

November Sucks

2008-11-06T17:23:00.001-05:00

Boo for cold, drizzly weather and no scooting.

Last Ride of the Season (?)

2008-11-01T16:09:00.001-04:00

Odometer: 262.5

Although there are some things about living in the DC/Baltimore corridor that drive me crazy – like the endless traffic and congestion – we are fortunate here to have a long, beautiful fall with pleasant days well into November. Despite recent overnight frosts, today was one such beautiful day with daytime highs over 70 degrees and just a hint of a breeze. Pretty much picture perfect.

Around 2:30, I decided to take a break from studying for my economics exam and enjoy the beautiful day. If you have the chance, a November scooter ride is simply blissful. The leaves crackling underfoot, er, wheel and a crisp autumn breeze ruffling your hair is hard to beat. I didn’t even have to bundle up: just jeans, a long sleeve tshirt, a fleece vest and my wicked cool scooting gloves (white with flames, thanks very much!) did the trick. I did 19 miles all around town and could have probably done another 19 if it weren’t for this exam looming over my head. Leave it to an econ professor to ruin a perfectly delightful weekend.

I’m hoping that I’ll still get a few more chances to ride in the next week or two, but the weather can be unpredictable so you never know. If not, though, I am happy with the 2008 scooting season and already looking forward to spring.

I can't drive I-95

2008-10-28T19:48:00.007-04:00

Technically, I can drive on I-95 but my self-confidence keeps me to local roads. Setting out for my first big ride only one week after achieving my Maryland motorcycle license with Just Plane Jayne on Pete Lee (2008 Honda Metropolitan), I added 30 miles to the 17,808 miles on our new (used) 1997 Suzuki Savage LS650.

Navigating local Columbia roads, we visited the fancy new Harris Teeter in Kings Contrivance, tested out the bike’s “get up and go” on Cedar Lane, stopped by my office (MdBioLab) at Oakland Mills HS and enjoyed our first ride together! We also dropped off a travel bug in Travel Souvenirs, one of our local geocaches.

We purchased the bike only a week before from a former “first-time learner” as well. It’s a great choice for someone just learning how to ride. The single-cylinder is big enough to get you out of the way if you need to but small enough to keep from overpowering your recently acquired skills. Lacking the baffle in the muffler (due to cancerous rust) the bike leaves a lasting impression on those around you when starting. The bike has been dropped off at the shop for its repairs so I’m anxiously awaiting its return, which will hopefully be prior to winter.

I’m growing attached to the bike and hope to log several miles in the near future. My confidence is mounting; I’m getting better on the turns and even hit 50 mph! Lastly, kudos to craigslist for folks looking to find a used bike at reasonable prices – the unending supply of lonely bikes looking for good homes provided a week’s worth of entertainment!

Scooters are the New Black

2008-10-27T19:47:00.002-04:00

All across America, scooters are becoming the new corporate car. In the last few weeks, my travels have taken me all over New England (Maine, Boston, and Providence, RI), and I have noticed a proliferation of scooters outside storefronts bearing the store’s logo. I can’t decide whether these are just for looks or whether they are actual corporate vehicles, but I have seen scooters on the front stoop of businesses ranging from pizza delivery joints (okay, so maybe that’s not TOO unusual), dry cleaners, restaurants, copy shops, boutique hotels, and hardware stores.

This one was spotted outside my favorite pet supply store in Portland, Maine: Planet Dog.

Love the “PUPPY” license plate! Also want to give a shout out to the hardworking folks a Planet Dog, who make the world’s best pepperminty dog chew toys and always have an interesting tidbit about dog life in Portland to share.

Columbia Scooter Club Inaugural Ride

2008-10-20T16:38:00.005-04:00

Odometer: 220

I’ve fallen a little behind in my blogging lately – I think because so many exciting things have been happening. First off, this post is to celebrate the inaugural ride of the Columbia Scooter Club. We had our first ride last Sunday, on a beautifully crisp fall afternoon around 5:00 pm. We rode for about an hour, on the following 21-mile route:

Hickory Ridge Road to Martin Road
Left on Seneca Drive and up over US-29
Right on Seneca Drive to Guilford Road
Left on Brokenland Parkway to Cradlerock Drive
Right on Homespun Drive to Oakland Mills Road
Oakland Mills Road to Thunder Hill Parkway, looping past the village center to Stevens Forest Road
Stevens Forest across Brokenland, then a little bit of maneuvering to get back to Seneca Drive and back home the way we started

Columbia is such an excellent scooting town; there are probably a million ways we could have gone. My riding buddy was very patient of my slower speeds and sluggish performance on the hills – on his 200 cc scooter he can drive on the highway without any trouble. Still, a good time was had by all, er, both.

Check out these two rock stars on their kick ass rides!

MPG Update

2008-10-12T16:29:00.001-04:00

Odometer: 200.2

Had to fill my little tank for the second time today – yes, it’s actually been over two months since I had to get gas for my scooter despite all the running around I do – and I am pleased to report that Pete Lee still gets excellent gas mileage. And once again, the gas pump refused to give me a receipt. How strange. (Is this a discrimination trend against people who buy small increments of gas, I wonder?). But here are the facts:

83.1 miles driven since last fill-up
0.90 gallons of gas purchased, at a cost of $2.97
Total MPG this fill-up: 92.5 MPG
Overall MPG: 99.3 MPG

This is a quite a bit less than my first fill-up, but Jen noticed yesterday that my tire pressure is a bit low and that may account for some of the difference. Also, I’ve been making a lot more short trips (2 miles or less) and a lot fewer long drives – and we all know what that can do to your fuel efficiency. Still, I dare anyone out there to provide better results.

…. I’m waiting ….

new scooter in the 'hood

2008-09-29T10:27:00.001-04:00

A big congratulations and a hearty “Welcome to the Club” to my friend Steve, who took delivery of his brand spankin’ new Aprilia Scarabeo scooter over the weekend. Steve – an infinitely patient scooterist – has been waiting for his scooter for over three weeks while it was literally on a slow boat from China. But it’s finally here and I know he is excited to zip to work and all around Columbia.

The Scarabeo (which I have absolutely NO IDEA how to pronounce) is sleek and quite a bit larger than my little 49 cc Honda Met. It’s highway-safe too. Maybe Steve will give us some inside tips on riding a scooter on the highway when he gets a little more used to it. Here’s a photo of Steve and his new Aprilia scooter.

If you want one of these, visit Aprilia’s website at http://www.apriliausa.com/modelli/scarabeo/modello.asp?id=122#

Vindication

2008-09-28T09:48:00.003-04:00

Hooray, the Flier published my letter to the editor. Now it's your turn: all you Columbia scooterists out there, drop a note to the paper (hcletters@patuxent.com) and tell them that you think we need bike racks too!

http://www.explorehoward.com/opinion/11833/letters-businesses-can-help-us-get-greener-with-bicycle-racks/

good news/bad news re: Columbia road conditions

2008-09-24T16:33:00.002-04:00

Odometer: 172 miles

While out driving today, I made a loop on Little Patuxent Parkway to check the road conditions. The good news is that LPP is fully paved and safe for scooter riding once again. Thank goodness, the giant hole that nearly swallowed my scooter whole has been patched.

But the BAD news is that Governor Warfiled parkway, which runs along the back side of the mall, is town to shreds, with entire lane stripped down to the foundation pavement. Once again, there is very poor signage in this area. I was headed to the mall on Twin Rivers Road and there was no construction signage whatsoever – an unsuspecting scooterist would have toppled head over wheel bearings straight into the middle of the intersection. The lip between paved and unpaved is nearly two inches. Approaching the intersection from another angle, there is an “Uneven Road” sign – but it’s several hundred feet past the point where the road is graded. Excellent planning, folks!

So, once again, Columbia scooterists BEWARE of poor road conditions around the Mall. For the time being, use Little Patuxent Pkwy to circumvent Governor Warfield Pkwy. I’ll post an update when the construction work is completed.

the joys of tricking out, part 2

2008-09-22T16:09:00.005-04:00

Odometer: 167.5

So this weekend, I installed my Honda rear carrier (Honda part number 08L42-GET-100, $79.95 retail price) and trunk (Honda part number 08L52-GET-110, $89.95 retail price). Well, let’s be perfectly honest: *I* didn’t actually install it, Jen did it for me. Still, it got installed and looks snappy!

The whole installation process took about 20 minutes. First, you install the rear carrier by removing the carrying handle and lifting out the inside. As someone who thinks you really should never look under the hood of a car except in case of emergency, I’ll admit that it was a little scary to see all the guts of the scooter just hanging out there in the open. But the rack went on exactly the same way that the old one came off, just a few screws and it was done.

The trunk was also easy, though it seems like the thing should have come with pre-drilled holes (it didn’t). I have now doubled my carrying capacity, plus made my scooter look a little more substantial on the road. I wish the Honda trunk came in colors to match my scooter’s paint job, but they only offer black. Still, I am delighted and ready to head out for some errands! Harris Teeter, look out.

on the warpath

2008-09-17T12:44:00.002-04:00

Odometer: 165

spurned forward by the lack of bike raacks at the Columbia Mall, I submitted this LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the Columbia Flyer. We'll see if it gets published .....

*********
To the Editor:
Here in Columbia, there are many things that we do well. We have cultivated a community of neighborhoods in the midst of suburban sprawl, and maintain a connection to our individual villages though the active patronage of our village centers. For these reasons, running errands in Columbia can often be done on foot or by bike. This is a real plus to living here, and the reason that many of us have chosen to make Columbia our home.

Since my errands often require trips to the other side of town, however, I recently purchased a 50 cc scooter (approximately 2 horsepower). During good weather, I use my scooter almost exclusively around town. In addition to tremendous gas savings – 106 miles per gallon! – I’m proud to be reducing my carbon footprint and cutting down on air pollution. Due to my changing lifestyle, I have become increasingly cognizant of the presence of bike racks at our business locations. I am pleased to report that many of the Columbia Association facilities and village centers offer places for secure bike storage, but disheartened to have found that many of our retailers do not.

One particularly notable void is the utter lack of bike racks at the Columbia Mall. Since no security racks are offered, bikes and scooters can usually be found chained to lampposts, trees, or pillars. The installation of a few bike racks near main entrances would encourage the use of “green” forms of transportation, as well as reducing theft and potential property damage. Although I have made particular mention of the Columbia Mall, several other big-box retailers share the same status. I call upon these businesses to support alternative transportation methods and consider the installation of bike racks on their property.

Encouraging the use of non-automobile transportation serves both the city and its residents by encouraging healthy activity and reducing congestion, air pollution, and energy consumption. We can all do our part, with just a little more help from the retail partners in our community.

a bit of a rant

2008-09-16T13:49:00.002-04:00

To the management of the Columbia Mall,

Two words: BIKE RACKS.

Geez.

Scooter Cannonball Run: that’s one long ass ride

2008-09-15T11:41:00.003-04:00

Man, when I go for a 20 or 25-mile ride I feel like I have really done something big. But I heard about these crazy guys who are riding from SAN FRANCISCO(!) to Ocean City, Maryland on their scooters this week.

It’s called the Scooter Cannonball Run, and it’s a bi-annual event that has taken place in 2004 and 2006. This year there are 28 riders, and the rules require that the scooters all be less than 252 ccs. Check out their website at http://www.scootercannonball.com/.

Some of the guys are also blogging at
http://www.modernjess.com/cannonball/
http://oz-gt.livejournal.com/ <- this one has the best photos and is updated throughout the day
http://vespacoast2coast.blogspot.com/
http://royscannonball.wordpress.com/2008/09/

The last day route weaves through Maryland (starting in Oakland, heading through DC and then out to the Eastern Shore) on Saturday, September 20th. If you’re along the route, show up and wave! The anticipated ending point is somewhere around 23rd street. I wonder if they know it’s also Bike Week in Ocean City? Hmm, that might make for some interesting altercations. Those scooterists are scrappy, though, so I am sure that they can hold their own in a pissing match.

the joys of tricking out

2008-09-11T14:46:00.004-04:00

Odometer: 160 miles

Today’s post is in celebration of one of the most exciting parts of the scooter lifestyle: accessorizing! One of the best things about being a proud scooter owner is that you can add all sorts of little bins and gadgets to make he scooter work just right for you. It’s not quite the same as tricking out a Harley, but, really, who needs all that chrome?

Last week was my birthday, and I received two great gifts for my scooter. The first is the front inner basket (Honda part number 08L51-GET-101A, $40.95 retail price). Unlike a traditional bike basket that installs on the handlebars facing forward, this accessory installs on the inside of the leg shield facing the driver. It has a weight limit of 3.3 pounds (that’s 1.5 kg for the metrically challenged). Being a rather tall gal (5’11”) I was a little worried that the basket would cut into the space for my feet and legs, but it actually tucks right up inside the leg shield and doesn’t interfere at all.

Installation couldn’t have been easier, because I got someone else to do it for me. Seriously, though, installing the basket was a snap: it only took about 30 minutes start-to-finish, and that was after two vodka tonics. The only tools required were a drill and a screwdriver. The installation process was also minimally invasive: only four small silver screws show on the outside of the leg shield (see the photo below).

With the basket, I can now take my scooter on the most important run of all: COFFEE. My second gift (rear carrier, Honda part number 08L42-GET-100, $79.95 retail price) is on back order but it’s supposed to arrive today. Once that’s on, I can also use my trunk – which will make errands much easier. Stay tuned …

Scooter Spotting

2008-09-09T17:46:00.003-04:00

Found this beauty at the Columbia Athletic Club yesterday. The Buddy 150, a “rugged” style scooter (though, really, how rugged can a scooterist really be?) Still, it’s great to see others around the neighborhood and making use of the bicycle racks.

Also saw this lovely Yamaha C3 today near the MVA on Dobbin Road. I love the cherry red color and also what looks to be an **AMAZING** amount of storage under the seat. You could practically fit a baby carrier in there (not that you would, of course ….)

So I guess this is a shout out to my other Columbia riders. Keep scootin’!

WARNING!! Little Patuxent Parkway Unsafe for Scooters!

2008-09-08T10:24:00.004-04:00

Mileage: 160

Out for the longest ride I have taken so far (25 miles, most exciting!) I stumbled upon a significant danger yesterday: graded road. For you riders in Columbia, this hazard is located at the end of Little Patuxent Parkway, where the road crosses over Cedar Lane and forms a lovely 3ish mile loop at the end (see photo above).

This spot is normally one of my favorite places for riding, so I was disturbed yesterday to find that the road has been very roughly graded and not suitable for scooting. Even worse, the signage at this particular area is lacking – one sign saying “BUMP” really does not describe the poor conditions. In fact, I nearly bit it right into a huge hole right at the edge of the graded roadway. But thanks to the newly acquired “Quick Swerve” move that I learned in motorcycle safety class (more on that later), I managed to avoid disaster.

Be cautious in this area, scooterists! Above is a quick map showing you where I encountered dangerous terrain. I will keep an eye on it and post an update when the road project is finished.

Plan Ahead for a Tune-Up!

2008-09-08T08:24:00.003-04:00

an interesting bit of info for those of you that have replaced your gas-guzzler with a scooter for commuting. Plan ahead!

"You Can't Just Turn Up for a Tuneup"
The Washington Post
Monday, September 8, 2008; Page D02

Cheap to fill and easy to park, scooters are hot. So the list is long for tuneups.

Leonard Merriman's motor scooter is an integral part of his job delivering pizzas for Domino's. Faster than a bicycle and easier to park than a car, it's the optimal mode of transport to jet from the L Street outpost of the pizza mega-chain to the homes and offices of his customers. A day without his scooter is sure to be a day when he makes less money. So when he called the Vespa service center in Silver Spring to schedule maintenance, he was disappointed to hear he'd have to wait a month....

(read the rest of the article here)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/07/AR2008090702184.html

Etiquette Lesson

2008-08-28T12:56:00.001-04:00

Odometer: 133 miles

To the Columbia, MD owner of the black and gray Honda Metropolitan. Saw you out on Brokenland Parkway last week while I was rocking my blue and white Metro. I waved; you didn’t. What gives? It’s part of the package, dude: when you buy a scooter you agree to be quirky and jovial and wave at the rest of us. Come on, man. Don’t hate on the scoot.

Scooting Across State Lines

2008-08-25T16:27:00.002-04:00

Odometer: 128 miles

Sorry for the long break from blogging: three weeks out of town has meant no scooting or writing. I was away on a combination of work and vacation, traveling to San Francisco and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Both places are excellent places for scooter riding! San Franciscans have clearly harnessed the idea, because I must have seen three or four dozen scooters of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages while in the City by the Bay. My personal favorite was a buff motorcycle dude tricked out in black leather riding a bright yellow, shiny-new Vespa. I guess you never do know.

My favorite vacation spot – Corolla, NC – is also an excellent place for scooting. The Outer Banks (OBX) are a skinny spit of land that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean, about 70 miles long and 6 or so miles wide at it’s widest point. The terrain is extremely flat and very scenic, with wide sandy beaches on the East side and the Currtuck sound on the west side. From many points along the beach road, you can see both the ocean and the sound. From Kitty Hawk North, there is only one main road, the two-lane Highway 12 that runs 20 or so miles north to the Virginia line. The roads are perfect for scooting, and I even saw two other Metros while there: one blue like mine, and the other a luscious lime green.

I decided against taking my scooter on vacation (just one more thing to pack!), but after a few days in the OBX I wished I had brought it. But the disparity between state licensing laws makes scooting across state lines difficult. For folks that travel frequently – or for those of us that live close to other states – this could become a real conundrum! I personally know several Maryland residents who would like to use a 50 cc scooter to commute into nearby Washington, DC but are unable to do so because the licensing laws don’t jive. DC requires scooter to be tagged and Maryland doesn’t allow it. What’s a scooter enthusiast to do?

First Fill-Up

2008-07-29T10:47:00.006-04:00

Odometer: 92.5 miles

With 90+ miles on the old odometer, it was finally time to put gas in the scooter over the weekend. The gas tank on the Metropolitan is on the floor board, just next to where your feet go while you are riding. To open the tank, you press the button to pop open the lid, and then insert your key while turning to take off the gas cap. Apparently, Honda thinks that some thieves like the challenge of stealing gasoline one gallon at a time. So, thank heavens for the key lock!

Though I was told that filing the scooter would be like putting gas in a lawn mower, having never actually put gas in a lawn mower before I was uncertain whether the pump would automatically switch off like it does for a car or whether I would have to keep an eye on it. I ran my credit card and started pumping – lucky for me, it switched off automatically because it was full in a jiffy! At $3.89 per gallon, the total tab for my 92.5 miles came to $3.45. The gas pump clearly didn’t believe that I was finished, because it refused to give me a receipt. I guess in this day and age, the practice of “putting a few bucks in” at the pump is nearly impossible. Except on a scooter.

When I got home, I did the math:

$3.45 = 0.871 gallons = 106.1 miles per gallon

Holy cow! That’s even better than the 100 MPG that the salesman claimed. In my 19 MPG Ford Escape (not a hybrid, couldn’t stomach the extra $10K at the time), the same mileage would have run me 4.868 gallons, or nearly $19. Total cost savings so far: over 15 bucks. Not too shabby.

too hot to scoot

2008-07-22T08:37:00.001-04:00

Odometer: 75 miles

Sad: temperatures over 100 degrees have made scooting this weekend impossible. Here’s to hoping that the weather cools off soon and I can get riding again!

In the mean time, here is a link a wacky bunch of scooter riders planning a cross-country adventure known as the Scooter Cannonball Run. If they pass through your town, show up on the road and support them! http://www.scootercannonball.com/

MPG Report & Security Measures

2008-07-15T09:18:00.001-04:00

Odometer: 67

Pete Lee is one week old today! Sixty-seven miles, and the gas gauge on my 5 liter (1.32 gallon) tank is still more than half full. This may be one of those vehicles where the needle drops from half full to “E” in no time flat, but so far the gas mileage appears to be as promised, 100+ miles per gallon.

I also picked up my scooter cover from the Honda dealer yesterday, a Covermax Scooter Model, part number 10-7531. The cover is lightweight and sized to fit a small scooter without a trunk or back rack. Seeing as how I ordered a trunk (on backorder, which seems to be the norm according to everything I have read online), I’m not sure yet whether I will keep it or try to find something larger. After a substantial amount of messing around I decided that the tag labeled “Back of Scooter” actually goes right about the front tire. A bored factory worker’s idea of a joke? Nevertheless, the cover fits snugly – much better than the grill cover that I’ve been using for the last few days.

Since I live in a townhouse community with no garage, keeping my scooter covered and secure is important to me. I’ve figured out two places to keep it: 1) in the parking lot, lashed to my car; and 2) on my front porch, secured by a heavy-duty cable to the pillar. Both work out pretty well, though I still to need to use the car from time to time. Getting up the front steps to the porch is a bit of a hassle, though a few custom-built ramps have helped the situation immensely. I’m also now grateful for the mutant hydrangea, which provides good cover while my scooter is on the porch. So far I’ve not had any problems with this security method, and though insurance is not required in Maryland I have purchased it “just in case.” Total cost: $176/year, or $14/month.

Grocery Running

2008-07-12T16:16:00.002-04:00

Odometer: 36 miles

Last Friday was my first trip to the grocery store on the Met (now and forever named “Pete Lee” for the sound of his little horn). It was great! Another usually routine chore made exciting on the scooter. I hit the store with a few specific things in mind, ingredients for zucchini bread and homemade salsa. The 3-mile ride to the store was pleasant, and I hit a top speed of 41 mph on the long flat straightaway.

I prepared for my trip by bringing a few reusable bags, thinking that I would be able to fit some stuff in the seat and have to use the handy bag hook for another bag. To my surprise, everything fit tidily into the seat – even a dozen eggs! The shopping list included: a 24-oz bottle of oil, a dozen eggs, a bag of Tostitos chips, a box of baking soda, two limes, a bunch of cilantro, and a muffin (for breakfast of course). Even with all those groceries, I still had room for the bike lock, owner’s manual, and sunglasses case. Later in the weekend, I also learned that the seat can also hold two 1-liter bottles of margarita mix or lunch for two from Chipotle.

Oh, and for all you cooks out there: the zucchini bread turned out slightly like cement (wouldn’t recommend Paula Deen’s recipe from foodnetwork.com unless you like soaking your pans for hours and hours), but the salsa was excellent.

Denist = Fun?

2008-07-11T00:49:00.002-04:00

Odometer: 20 miles

Running errands on the scooter is a pleasure. Today I even enjoyed the ride to the dentist (albeit, NOT the dentist appointment itself!). That’s got to be a sign of something crazy. I’ve also discovered that people feel compelled to talk to you/shout at you while you are riding a scooter. Maybe it’s the shock value of seeing something so cute and unexpected on the road, but fellow motorists stopped at red lights are very inquisitive. I’ve also had three requests for a ride, and a fair number of random “EEAYARRHH”s as I’ve scooted past. The scooter also seems to bridge the gap between motor and cycle: both bikers and bicyclists acknowledge with a nod or a wave.

Aside from the dentist trip mentioned earlier, this evening I took a nice little ride to get used to turning and driving in an urban environment, faced with speed bumps, storm drains, pedestrians, and other hazards. What a delight! I did get up to a top speed near 35 mph, which felt a little fast but refreshing nonetheless. On the smaller hills, I could easily maintain 20 mph, but the speed dropped a little bit on the one really big hill. Still, I never had to get off and walk. Five miles of tootling around lasted me about 25 minutes – a nice easy ride while still learning. Besides, the owners manual says not to push it to full throttle in the first 60 miles. 40 more to go!

Storing the little thing is a bit of a challenge: I can’t decide whether it should sleep in a parking space out in front of my townhouse or on the front porch. Getting it up over the stoop is a bit of a problem (can’t really lift 175 pounds by myself), so I may have to think of a contraption or a ramp system. Stay tuned for further adventures there….

Not too big, not too small... Juuuuuust right!

2008-07-10T08:35:00.004-04:00

Odomoeter: 892

About 5 years ago, I started getting into motorcycles. Noticing them on the roads, checking them out at dealerships, and dreaming about having one of my own. A couple years later, I started dating a man who drives a 2006 Harley Davisdon Road King Custom. We're engaged to be married in October of this year, and the last 2 years we have spent pretty much every sunny afternoon riding up and down the rural roads of Maine - him in the driver's seat, and me on the back. Though riding with him is lots of fun, I promised myself that before I turned 30, I would learn how to ride and get one of my own.

Well, 30 came at the end of June, and for my birthday my wonderful guy promised to send me to a class to learn to ride a motorcycle. But I'd been thinking lately that before I invested a zillion dollars in a license and a big machine, it would be smarter for me to start small - get a little something to zip around town, and learn the basics of riding and balancing on a pint sized machine I could handle and maneuver with ease. My other half agreed, and the hunt for a scooter was on!

Finding a scooter in Maine was no easy task, either. Maine doesn't have a lot of places that sell scooters, and even fewer that sell Honda Metropolitans, the one I really wanted! After unsuccessful trips to 2 dealerships in the Portland area (with waiting lists over 75 people long!), I decided to call up a place in Lewiston about 30 minutes away and try my luck. They had 8 scooters due in next week, but of course they were already sold. Fortunately, someone had just traded in a 2004 Honda Metropolitan II in orange and cream for a newer model. It was my lucky day!

I had to giggle when the sales guy asked if the color would be a problem. He didn't realize he was talking to a girl who had specifically ordered a bright yellow car just a few years earlier. About an hour and a bunch of paperwork later, I was the proud owner of this baby, which we immediately nicknamed "the Creamsicle."

We loaded it up into the back of the truck and took it home to practice on our dead end street. I thought my honey's heart was going to leap out of his throat the first time I took it to the max speed of 30, but after a few figure 8s at the end of the road and a bunch of practice starting and stopping, he agreed that I was ready for a big ride the next day.

Side by side, Honda and Harley, we rode a wandering route from west Portland to South Portland to hit up our favorite ice cream spot, then took a drive over the draw bridge (scary on a scooter!) and meandered through the Old Port shopping and arts district. I think people were amused to see such a huge beast of a bike next to my little zippy. Tell you the truth, it was really cute.

Today I'm off to meet a friend for lunch in the Old Port, and will be making my first big ride alone. Up and back, I'll be doing about 15 miles today and only burning about 60 cents in gas. It'll cost me more than that just to park downtown!

Scooter's First Day

2008-07-10T08:19:00.001-04:00

Odometer: 0.0 miles

This week, my sister and I both purchased Honda Metropolitan scooters. Hers was in celebration of a milestone birthday (happy 30th, baby sis!), and mine was the result of the desire for something fun and too much time spent online. Living in the DC/Baltimore metropolitan area, purchasing a scooter in my neck of the woods was difficult. Stores can hardly keep them in stock – as soon as they get a shipment in, they sell out – and there is nary a used scooter to be found.

Nevertheless, my other half managed to locate a Honda Powersports dealer about 20 miles from our house ad a quick call confirmed that their online inventory showing two Metropolitans was up to date. The scooters were parked right by the door, one red and one blue. Apparently, they had a shipment of four in yesterday, and two of them had already sold. That’s not much time to make a decision, but I went for the blue one.

Scooters in Maryland less than 50 cc are not required to be registered or insured, so I was surprised to find out that the process of buying a scooter was the same as for buying a car: lots of paperwork, waiting, and signatures. I guess I thought I would be more like buying a computer, just in and out. The dealer doesn’t let you test-drive the scooters (“There’s nothing to it,” he said. Famous last words.), so I could only sit on it and check out the compartments and controls. How do you know that you want to purchase something you can’t test drive? I guess you just have to go on faith and be willing to learn.

The delivery process was quick and painless, and in no time I was scooting around the parking lot and learning that turning was more difficult than I had expected. More like riding a bike, less like riding a car. The scooter got up to 20 mph easily, which felt a little out of control for someone who hadn’t ridden a bicycle in years. The flip flops I had worn to the dealership provided no traction, and truthfully I felt a little scared riding it around the gravel-lined parking lot. We decided to take it home and try it there instead.

A little creative wrangling allowed us to get it (barely!) into the back of the Jeep, and it was easy to tell just on the ride home that this little scooter would attract a lot of attention. Curious looks and waves from passersby followed us all the way home, followed by an onslaught of inquisitive neighbors who came out to see it before we even had it out of the Jeep. After a change of shoes and ten minutes of riding it around the neighborhood, I felt like an old pro and mastered the art of turning with no trouble whatsoever. Thirty minutes later, I felt comfortable enough to ride out on the four-lane road at the end of our development to return a movie to the Redbox. First errand, completed with style!