My first introduction to a Vespa was a small die cast model about 2 inches long that my daughter had bought for her son, Eli. She said they were quite popular, but I wasn't sure why. Several years later, my wife and I visited Italy, where Vespa motor scooters were everywhere. They seemed to be a great way to get around cities like Rome, where they weaved in between traffic jams and to the head of each line.
Some time later, I decided that I would like to own one. My reasoning was that I should get one before I got so old that I would, perhaps, be lamenting from a disability scooter. I eventually discovered a nice choice on Ebay, put in a bid and won the auction. The seller was a dealer in Chicago, who had taken the scooter as a trade in on a BMW motorcycle. Luckily, he was making a trip to Indianapolis and arranged a pick-up point there where I transferred it to my son's pickup truck.
I cautiously learned to drive with confidence, but decided to take a safety training course at Diamond Oaks. Four or five 4-hour sessions with 20 other students was great fun and well worth the time. The course helped tremendously in acquiring the required motorcycle endorsement.
I really enjoyed riding some 4000 miles these past three years over back roads of this area. There is something special about riding a scooter. You can cruise neighborhoods without offending anyone. You can wave at folks raking, ... smell the burning leaves, all while enjoying a nice breeze even on the hottest day. You can sometimes find an opportunity to pull over to the curb and strike up a conversation. Generally, I have come to know a much larger neighborhood than the two block radius around my home.
For example, one day while riding out Thompson road, I happened upon this machine shop located in a barn. This might be a solution to a problem. My son and I had been looking for someone to repair a Tecumseh motor on a mulcher we own. I cruised around the barn, found someone working on a big bus and made arrangements to have the work done. Later that afternoon my son and I returned with the mulcher. As we were discussing the repair with the young man at the shop, I noticed a man, more near my age, making an adjustment on a tractor. Later that evening, I was surprised to see the same gentleman at a spaghetti supper at the Salem Presbyterian Church. This gentleman happened to be Dave Suder. We had never met, although I had made purchases at Suder's Art Supply Store several times over the past 30 years. Suders is perhaps the oldest art supply store in Cincinnati, and has always had a reputation for providing quality materials such as canvas, oils and brushes for fine artists. Other art stores carry these materials, but seem to be more specialized toward providing illustration board, drafting supplies, and markers for commercial artists. And so, as my bike enabled me to ramble around the whole northwest area of Hamilton County, it also enabled me to know more about the people, such as Dave, who live in this area.
It is difficult to explain the pleasure of riding. The machine somehow becomes an extension of one's self. As you ride, you become less conscious of the bike and simply will yourself to move freely and almost effortlessly across the landscape. Turns in the road are especially exciting as you lean into the line of gravity creating an experience similar to the sensation of flying. I also like riding my Schwinn peddle bike, but that is limited to around 8 miles and a lot more work; especially up hills.
I am now giving up my Vespa. It will soon belong to a younger man living in Mt. Adams who is excited about using it to commute to his job in an accounting office downtown. He is engaged to be married this September, and his fiancée is delighted with the purchase as well. My wife, Clare, is considerate of the fact that I will be missing the fun of riding, but we both agree that there comes a time when one must face realities in life and adapt to them. I don't intend to be lamenting from a disability scooter any time soon... probably never. In fact, I am sure that I will be smiling at these memories I shall always recall.
Ron Lowry
Other Northwest Community Church members who either ride or have owned bikes in the past include Tim Nolan, Ben Lane, John Koebbe, Tom Lucas, Welles Woodley, Steve Carlson and Jim Frazier. Ralph Williams has a young grandson who currently competes in offroad biking events.
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