Written on May 1, 2008 by Matua
It’s the one month anniversary of Vespadition.
WOW!
A month ago today I set-out from Vespa Thousand Oaks in California with a few new friends and began Vespadition.
A lot has already happened (and happened to me) during the first 30 days. I’ve been through big cities, small cities, propsering towns and ghost towns.
I’ve ridden in cold, snowy weather and hot weather. I’ve been shivering whilst riding and sweating profusely.
I’ve ridden on well-paved roads and on roads that barely met the requirement of being a road.
I’ve met so many wonderful people and have been encouraged by many more.
As I write this I’ve put 4,200+ miles on the GTS and have made my way to eight (8) states. I’m currently in Austin, Texas.
If I spent all day I couldn’t thank all of you enough. Meghan, Wayne, Collin, Linda & Kevin, David & Linda & their family and all those as of yet faceless people who have offered advice and encouragement. All the people who have made a donation(s). All the people who gave me somewhere free to stay. All the people who offfered me a meal. All the nameless people who came up to me at a gas station and offered their thoughts, wisdom, humour and criticism. The two kids who mugged me in Santa Fe for taking material things and reminding me what is really valuable to me.
This trip - in nearly every sense - is not, at all, what I expected, or thought, it would be like.
It has been difficult in so many ways. Firstly physically, as well as emotionally and mentally. It has been so utterly taxing.
But, it, too, has been so utterly life-changing, as well. I find myself riding along and pondering things - nearly every thing. I find myself laughing at a cow in a paddock that is trying without success to bite its own bum, or smiling at the wee bird that is flapping its wings oh-so quickly against the stiff wind and not moving an inch (I know how it feels!).
I find myself seeing details in things I never took notice to before - the age of a weathered fence post, the colours in a field of wildflowers, the smell and taste of dust.
I know more about North American geography than any one person should know.
I know more about the backroads of America than any one person should know.
I know more about people’s kindness than I deserve.
I don’t know what the next 41 states and 8 provinces and tens of thousands of miles remaining have in store for me, but I look cautiously forward to all of it.
Now, in reply to some of the blog comments:
1) I will ALWAYS wear my protective clothing whilst riding from town-to-town, city-to-city. No matter how hot it is, or gets.
2) I will try to eat better and take better care of my overall self. NOTE: it isn’t because I’m a masochist, but has more - A LOT MORE - to do with budgeting.
3) In regards to the winds… short of a tornado, I will, in all reality, most likely ride in winds. The winds in the plains are a fact of life and are virtually always present. To not ride in winds would cause days-long and even weeks-long delays.
4) Some of you have emailed and asked if I have considered corporate sponsors. I have considered it - both before Vespadition began and as I’ve been riding. I would be more than happy - I said, “MORE THAN HAPPY” - to entertain offers from companies to underwrite, or otherwise sponsor, Vespadition. My hesitation in a blanket ‘yes’ is that I don’t want a sponsor to dictate terms of Vespadition. I don’t want the message or mission or goal or ideal of Vespadition to get lost.
5) Yes. I do get, and enjoy getting, offers from people of places to stay, of a meal, of a pint, of a ride-along. I’m flattered by each of them.
Please accept my apology for not keeping regular blogs. It is so hard to find internet access. Even when I do, sometimes I’m simply too tired (physically and/or mentally) to be asked to write a blog. Meghan and I have talked about less-regular blogs (weekly or several-days blogs) instead of daily blogs. That my be a bit easier to manage.
Thank you ALL for your continued support and kindness. You haven’t any idea how much it truly means to me.
Peace & Smiles!
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Written on April 29, 2008 by Matua
Good evening from Lancaster, TX.
I was meant to stay in Dallas, TX tonight and tomorrow night, but alas I won’t be.
I had been planning on staying at the Dallas Texas Hostel, however they’re currently closed. I did seek-out motel rooms, but the prices are simply prohibitive.
I finally grew frustrated and continued south from Dallas. I rode until I began seeing “low-cost” hotels and was lucky to stumble upon the Spanish Trails motel. The cost is reasonable and it has WiFi.
Currently I’m uncertain what I’ll be doing tomorrow. I can’t afford to spend another night here, so I will most likely head to Austin, TX.
I hit the 4,000 mile mark today.
I rode more than 250 miles with a steady headwind, not the tailwind I was both hoping for and expecting. The result was one I’ve become accustomed to with crosswinds and headwinds - poor gas mileage, resulting in 7 fill-ups. I hope the winds will be less tomorrow.
Other than wind, the ride from Oklahoma City was event-free. I did see my first “mountain” since New Mexico today in Davis, OK. The ride was hot! I’m resisting the urge to not ride in my protective Aerostich jacket and pants. They’re so hot to ride in.
In other news, I uploaded several hundred photos lastnight, and they’re visible on the Photos page. Also, Maggie Starbard’s documentary is on the Videos Page.
Well, I’m rather tired, so I’ll end this now and try to sleep with hopes of an early start.
Peace & Smiles!
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Written on April 28, 2008 by Matua
G’Day Everyone!
My apologies for the delay in posting blogs, but it is so difficult to find a computer and/or access from town to town.
I’m currently uploading photos (more than 400) and I’ll try to add descriptions a.s.a.p. Also, I hope to be able to catch-up on blog entries within and over the next few days.
I’m happy to report I’m in Okalhoma City, OK where I spent time with Feed The Children this morning and afternoon. What a wonderful organisations with a wonderful group of programs.
I also popped-by Vespa Oklahoma today to have the left mirror arm tightened (the bloody thing is ALWAYS coming loose). They were FANTASTIC!!! So bloody friendly. There seems to be a comon thread of utter ‘nice’ amongst Vespa dealers. Seriously, what a great bunch of people at Vespa Oklahoma (thanks for the t-shirt and patch!).
I’ll be heading to Dallas, TX tomorrow (still need a host) and Austin, TX on Thursday (still need a host).
The ride fro Santa Fe, NM to Amarillo, TX was windy, but mishap-free. The ride from Amarillo, TX to Oklahoma City, OK, too, was windy, but mishap-free.
According to the weather forecast, I should have my first tailwinds of the trip tomorrow as I ride south to Dallas. FINALLY! I hope the tailwinds help the gas mileage as much as headwinds and crosswinds hurt it.
Thanks to all of you who have written and commented. Your kind words are lovely and well appreciated.
Just a reminder that the camera contest (you can win a Sony camera) - thanks Meghan and Collin - ends on May 15th. Visit the contest link in the sidebar for more information.
Finally, if you haven’t yet found it, the Santa Fe New Mexican added wrote an article about Vespadition (though unfortunately they focused more on the “negative” experiences of this journey than the positive) and also added a video they made about Vespadition to their website. Speaking of videos, Maggie, the film student who followed me for a week, has completed her documentary. It is 8 minutes long and I hope to see it soon! It will also be posted on the Vespadition site. Thanks Maggie!
I can’t believe Vespadition is nearly a month old. WOW!
Peace & Smiles!
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Written on April 24, 2008 by Matua
In Albuquerque, leaving for Oklahoma City tomorrow. Will make Oklahoma City roughly 1500 miles by Sunday. I have a host in OKC for both nights and will be volunteering at Feed the Children.
Internet access is impossible right now, but I hope everyone’s doing well and I look forward to catching up with everyone once I have access again.
Peace & Smiles!
PS, 08-00-6515 is the number that the Santa Fe Police Department assigned to my assault and mugging Wednesday night on the way back to and just blocks from my host’s house. An egg-sized knot on my forehead, some abrasions and lacerations on my face, and about 20oz. lighter without my wallet. Other than that, Santa Fe was wonderful, and in the end I’m alright, the wounds will heal.
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Written on April 22, 2008 by Matua
I awoke a bit later than usual, around 9a.m.
Knowing Erico Motorsports was expecting the GTS for service, I got dressed, called Maggy to give her the address and we settled on a time to meet there (Maggy wanted to film there).
We got to Erico sometime after 10a.m.
I met with Tai and Jon and their staff at Erico upon my arrival and introduced them to Maggy - her dad had flown back to Lake Tahoe.
The maintenance tech looked over the GTS and decided it needed new tires. As the Avon Tyres wouldn’t be at Erico, they gave - GAVE - me a pair of Pirelli tires, both front and back. They also did an oil change and fixed the front end, wind screen and front luggage rack that were knocked-out of whack in my Wyoming spill.
As the GTS was being repaired I sat at Erico talking to the staff - a GREAT bunch!
Maggy filmed some of the work being done.
At lunch time, Jon, Tai’s husband and owner of Erico Motorsports offered to take Maggy and I a couple of blocks down the street to the Walnut Room for lunch.
Over the best pizza I have EVER had - thin crust, baked to perfection - Jon and Maggy and I talked about the history of Vespadition, of Erico and about Maggy’s film.
Following lunch I waited a bit longer for the GTS to get done.
When it was done, I had everyone I met at Erico sign the GTS. I snapped some photos, they snapped some photos.
After promising to return for the Moto Fashion Show later that night, Maggy and I returned to Hudson’s so she could film my interview.
We had just about finished the interview when Hudson returned home from work. Followed by Maggie.
I wasn’t able ot meet the members of SQREAM for dinner as I had planned to and hoped to, but I was looking forward to meeting them at Erico Motorsport’s fashion show later on in the evening.
Maggie, Hudson and I scooted over whilst Maggy rode over behind us with her camera mounted to the PT Cruiser.
END OF PART 1.
Peace & Smiles!
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Written on April 22, 2008 by Matua
I awoke, again, around 7:30a.m.
I got up, showered and relaxed.
Around 9a.m. I phoned Maggy and let her know I’d be heading to the mountaineering museum in Golden.
Maggy asked what route I’d be taking from Denver to Golden, and after telling her, we agreed to meet somewhere along the way so that she could film the ride.
We met near the wonderful Oriental Theatre on 44th Avenue in Denver. From there Maggy’s dad drove whilst she filmed.
The ride into Golden was wonderful. The weather was nice and the views - particularly of Table Mountain - were splendid.
As 44th Avenue became 10th Street in Golden, we passed the Coors brewery and arrived at the Bradford Washburn American Mountainering Museum.
The museum is housed in the original Golden High School. The building was in shambles when the organization decided to convert it into their museum, as well as into offices for some other mountainerring-related nonprofits. $3.5+ million later and the building is immaculate, the museum is impressive and well, well worth the trip to Golden.
Unfortunately, the museum, nor the other organisations sharing the building had any opportunities for me to volunteer - despite going to each office and asking.
After a personal tour for myself, Maggy and her dad, we left Golden.
We stopped so I could get fuel, and then again for lunch at an asian all-you-can-eat. It was yummy! Actually, it was shockingly fresh, diverse and delicious.
Maggy and I discussed her interviewing me for the documentary and I said I would ask Hudson and Maggy if she could do it at Hudson’s, though I didn’t think they would object.
After lunch, we parted ways, again, and I took the scenic route through Denver back to Hudson’s.
Again, a bit after 5, Maggie and Hudson returned from work and I explained Maggy’s idea. They, of course, kindly agreed to let her do the interview at Hudson’s.
I offered to make dinner for everyone, and Hudson, Maggie and I scooted over to the local grocer and shopped.
I got ingredients for chicken tacos, fish tacos and mango-pinapple salsa, as well as black beans with corn.
Hudson and Maggie kindly bought the ingredients.
Around 7 Maggy and her dad showed-up whilst I was prepping the dinner and cooking.
Maggy and her dad introduced themselves to Maggie and Hudson and Hudson gave them a tour of his lovely home.
Before too long dinner was ready and everyone helped themselves.
Following dinner, it was decided Maggy would interview Maggie and Hudson and interview me at another time.
The interview kept Hudson and Maggie up well past their usual 9:30-ish bedtime, but they were troopers and were their ever-witty, ever-humourous selves.
It was after 11 before we called it a night.
Peace & Smiles!
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