Taum Sauk

Started out a tad chilly but the ride down to Arcadia Valley and Taum Sauk ended up being perfect! Lots of blue skies and sun! Days like these sure make it hard to go back to work!

Scenic Vista in the Arcadia Valley

Look Out Tower @ Taum Sauk

Ste. Gen - Illinois Ride

Bella made her name change from Burgman to Skywave! She already feels faster :) A ride was in order. Pete and I headed down to Ste. Gen then took the ferry over the Mississippi to Illinois. Great day for a ride. Was in the high 40's but never had that chilly feel! I think spring is near!!

Skywave 650

I am the Highway

Sunset Ride

Yes, 70 degrees on Wednesday was all we needed for the perfect SLSC Wednesday night ride!

West bound on the Eads Bridge tailing Ed and Pete

Power Plant Ride

Nice enough to ride out to Labadie for lunch. If you have never been to 3 Brothers, go! The Rustic Potato soup rocks! Pete and I found a surprise rider along the way!

A Difference a Day Makes

Sunday it was beautiful, went for a group ride with the St. Louis Scooter Club. Monday the skies opened up and dumped a few inches of snow on us!

Bella and Max

Bella's Snow Day

It's Home!!

Pete on Seckman Road

Learning to Ride the Big Bike

Picked up the bike today....

1st snow.. ugh!

On the ride out to pick up the bike we were talking about which way Pete would ride back, across Lions Den or to Seckman and the highway. Coming across Lions Den and Old LeMay Ferry I looked to the left and in the ball fields I saw three deer moving at a high rate of speed. They came onto the road where there were two cars. I kid you not the one deer jumped one of the cars.. it is freaking awesome.. I said that was damn cool then said to Pete, maybe you best turn right those deer were going to the left... LOL!

Pete rode the bike back in and he did so well across Seckman! The new helmet looks really really nice on him..

Then he hopped on the highway back in to a large parking lot off Meramec Bottom road. I rode the bike a few times and felt comfortable enough to ride it home. Pete insisted on following me.. thanks Pete!!

Man this bike is flipping cool.. it rides so damn smooth! Two things I have to get use to.. the quick acceleration and the engine braking. Otherwise I felt comfortable.

As I told Pete without sounding crude the bike certainly feels big between my legs.. just a totally differing feel than my Bet and Win!

Of course upon arrival at home I HAD to wash and wax it as well as detail it.

My New Ride

I have been looking for a second scooter for a bit now.

Last week one came up in St. Louis that was really to good to be true.

2005 Burgman 650 with 5,700 miles for $2,750.

He also was throwing in 4 helmets (Nolan N102 NCom never worn, AGV Migilia Modular never worn, Bell Mag 8 OPen Face and and HJC CL-31), Givi E45 with back rest, Set Up leather boots, Fox Creek leather gloves, Repair Manual,First Gear jacket and a Givi windscreen.

One of the guys from the scooter club went down with me this morning, Jerry. Jerry owns a 650 so was perfect for him to come with me.

I loved it first second I saw it, as it has been painted black. Pictures I first saw were a tad matted looking but in person it looks really nice. Additionally Jerry said we could do something to give it a more umm what's the word.. shiny look.

Only thing I dislike is the new Burgman 650 decal the guy put on it.. easy fix...

Why so cheap? He bought it over his wifes objection and he said it was time for it to go.

He knows he could sell it for more but he did not want the hassle of people in and out looking at it. He was offering to people in our Scooter Club first before raising the price and advertising elsewhere.

Jerry said it rode perfect. I did ride it.. yikes it is bigger than mine :)

I am leaving it at Eric's house this week. Pete is out of town so once he gets back we will go down and get it. But I am going to feel more comfortable with Pete getting it home first then me learning to ride the bigger scooter.

Gee now to come up with a new name..

Motorcycle Bloggers International

It's time to cast your votes in the yearly MBI Riders Choice Awards!

Click here to vote!

Winter Rides

We have gotten in a few winter rides! Gotta love global warming, thanks, Al ;)

Honda DN-01 - Sweet Dream Baby

I have had a dream for a very long time... that Honda will bring the DN-01 to the US. Every other Monday I e-mail HondaUSA and ask when is the DN-01 coming to the US? This week I decided to take a new approach.

Morning Fall

Synopsis: (running time is approx. 9 minutes) a motorcycle rider wakes up on the side of the road, injured and confused. Where will he end up when he can’t find his way home?

Morning Fall

If you like the movie rate it after seeing it and help get the Short Film to Sundance.

Interesting ending...

Cathedral to Coffee Ride

St. Louis Cathedral

Finally got in my first ride of '08!!

Was a fun 10 person urban ride. We met at the St. Louis Cathedral on Saturday afternoon. Temperatures were in the mid 50's!!

I don't go on many urban rides anymore but I was glad I went today! Weather, ride and company was perfect!

Coffee Stop

Nominations For Annual MBI Awards 2008 Open

Some of you may or may not know my blog Scooter Therapy is a member of Motorcycle Bloggers International. This is a group of two wheeled enthusiasts that enjoy sharing all kinds of news about the love of all things two wheels. Even though the name carries the word motorcycle there are many scooter blogs represented, like Crystal's GirlBike or Steve's Scooter in The Sticks (see links on right hand side).

MBI, the group of 142 Motorcycle Bloggers and News sites (Motorcycle Bloggers International), is organizing this annual event. The Riders Choice Star Awards are now in their 3rd year.

What makes this yearly award more interesting then any others, is that it's you, the reader, who decides who gets nominated, it's you the reader who will vote for the nominations, so it's you, the readers who vote the winners!!! It's totally in your control.

Have a favorite motorcycle, lust after one you can't afford, admire someone who has done a lot for the motorcycle world?? Now's your chance. (wonder which scooter/bike I will nominate ;) )

Until the end of the month, nominations are open. Anyone can nominate. Head over to the MBI, open link in a new window website, 2008 awards and nominate in any of the 9 MBI Riders Choice Star Award and 4 MBI Riders Choice Fallen Star categories. You can nominate as many as you want, there's no limit.

But remember.. some categories are for 2007 only, i.e., Best New Motorcycle for 2007 means only new motorcycles that went on sale during 2007 are eligible. Even if the motorcycle was announced during 2007, if the motorcycle was not on sale international (that's a key word), it's not eligible.

Head over to MBI and nominate. Next month it's voting time, so don't complain that your favorite product is not present if you didn't nominate it.

Click the link listed below then nominate:

http://www.mbiweb.org/2008/

Pimp My Scooter, well Ed's Scooter!

Went out to Bobby's today with Ed for the installation of the Stebel Nautilus Air Horn 139dB

...he he he... you all are in for a treat!!

If you are easily offended by foul language or gestures, DO NOT WATCH these videos!

A fresh new look and name

I have changed the name of my blog. Why the change? When I first got my scooter I thought I would just use it to explore the St. Louis metropolitan region. Yikes was I ever wrong... I still like the tie into St. Louis so I bought a domain that reflects that but thanks to my friend Franco I found the perfect name.. Scooter Therapy.

Looking back at 2007

"Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold."
-- Anonymous

I will remember 2007 as the year I really learned to appreciate my scooter. I will remember '07 as the year I made many new friendships and gained some great riding partners. I will forever hold very fond memories of many great trips with my new friends.

I learned to appreciate the states of Missouri and Illinois off the interstate. I discovered Rocheport, MO via a scooter, not once but five times. If there is a town in Missouri that holds more charm than Rocheport, I have yet to find it. But I am looking!

I learned getting off your scooter at 30 mph is not cool. Let's not do that again.

I learned to ride in the rain, well a torrential downpour @ 55 mph even :) I learned just because a sign says road closed it doesn't really mean it is...

Last Ride 2007

To close out 07, Pete and I road 125 miles to Bonne Terre via Ste. Genevieve County. Got to ride Hwy C again, this road is easily my favorite road I have found in Missouri. (My apologies to Route O in Calloway County) The elevation changes combined with the twisties and sweeping curves makes it perfect road to ride in my opinion.

When we stopped in Bonne Terre, I got slightly cold. Pete asked me how far are we from home? For some reason I started getting cold, so of course this was all HIS fault ;)

Actually the wind picked up when we came across HWY C. From 47/21 I think I burned more gas in my scooter than I ever have especially between Hillsboro and 141/21. Once we got to the new 21 we did 80mph from Hillsboro to 141. I was just dying to get home and be warm.

Still getting use to the action cam, it is not mounted yet, still have it on my left grip.




I am hoping once the sun is at a better angle and I have the action cam mounted in a more stable position the quality will come up a bit. But its not bad.

Scenic Overlook at Bloomsdale

I took so many pictures this year that is hard to pick a favorite. But if pressed it is this picture at Sandy Creek. The story behind this picture will always make me smile....

So onward to 2008!
Felice Anno Nuovo!!

Does that make me Crazy?

Christmas Ride 2007 Remixed

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Buon Natale! A Christmas miracle, temperatures go to 51!

Well maybe there was a little ice on the ground but a scooter trip was in order. We were so spoiled in November riding all month. December has been full of rain, snow and cold. So you take advantage of a good day where you can!

I got to test out my new action cam that Santa Ed brought me! I wonder how long it will be before all my fellow SLSCers are over me and my new cam?

Christmas Ride 2007

The action cam works pretty well, audio not that great but I will learn how to edit some of that wind out and mix in some music.

Under the bridge @ Hwy 21 and Meramec Bottom road.
Just ignore that ice over there.

I love the look of Pete's Burgman, the front is just so cool looking compared to the newer models.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas, I know I did!

Merry Christmas

Semel in anno licet insanire

Once during the year, being crazy is allowed!

I am relating this story as it was told to me by my dear friend Franco. Franco lives in Milan, Italy and like me is a scooter rider. Franco shared this story with me in private but I asked his permission to share as it is such a wonderful story about a love of friendship, riding and food. (being Sicilian and Italian I completely understand the passion for great food & friendship)

Some parts maybe confusing because Franco and I communicate both in English and Italian so at times we do confuse each other. (Me confusing Franco more than he confusing me as his English is quite good while my Italian leaves something to be desired!)

Here is the story from Franco, I will take liberty and edit where need calls for:


Do you know what is a Panettone? Pane=bread, Pane-ttone something like "big bread", but this "bread" is sweet and it is the traditional Christmas cake in Italy, I must say one of: Other are Pandoro (Bread of gold) - and the Colomba (=Dove) Some pics of them for your curiosity and Italian food knowledge... :-) (me to him umm yeah I know Panettone bread, I am Italian after all, what self respecting Italian doesn't know Panettone?)

(edit by Maggie)

Just in case you don't know what Panettone is, here ya go:

Traditional Panettone

Colomba

Not to leave out my Sicilian heritage, Sicilian Panettone Cake is stuffed with ricotta cream & candied orange peel, topped with powdered sugar reminiscent of snow.



(end of edit)


To be more precise our traditional cakes are much more, every Italian region (there are 20) has at least has one traditional cake for Christmas or especially in Central and South Italy for Ephiphany time.

For my my special ride only "Panettone" was concerned.

In the Italian forum in which I have many good friends, one of these friends is a pastry chef . He showed us in the forum a pic of his Panettone work just taken out from the oven.

The pic was so "appetizing" that every one in the forum wanted one. Only one problem, our friend is in Trentino and to ship one Panettone to each of us in a short time was too expensive.
We were ending our glutton desire when one friend from Perugia (Umbria, Central Italy) offered to ride to Trento, taking 20 Panettoni for us.

All this in the same day and not by car but by scoot...:-)))) Our friend is a really special person, a very experienced biker (much more than me) about of my age (yes: a baby.. :-)) ) who has ridden on two wheels (motorbike and scoot) all along Europe from south to the northest land (North Cape) and also in some part Africa. For a while now he likes to ride with his 2004 Burgie400 with a little trailer connected behind. You must know that trailers are not yet allowed on motorbike in Italy, even if an European Law permit this.

Ok, I'm writing too much and I don't want to annoy you (me to him AS IF)...

The travel from Perugia to Trento, Milan and Perugia again was of 600+250+600km, total 1450 km = 900 miles. A lot for one day ride. To much in this winter time but for this friend this is not something "exceptional", last New Years Day he started from Perugia to Vienna only to eat one piece of Sacher-Torte in the Sacher Hotel. Really! He has done this!

I like this friend a lot. He does what I wish to do. Well, this time I decided to go with him in this "trasportation ride"! :-)) (but for me this means only 600 km)

With him starting from Perugia and I from Milan we decided to meet in Verona at 8.00 am (you don't need I speak to you about Verona, Romeo and Juliet.. Pandoro.. good wines, good vibes... ok ok you know! :-)) ) and it was perfectly so!

At 8:01am, we met in Bauli Bar in Verona, then after a good breakfast we leave to to meet our friend in his shop near Trento and pick up the 20 Panettonis. After picking up the Panettonis, we drank one coffee and then started back to Milan. We arrived at 4:00 pm, ahead of time with our planned meeting with another friend at 7:00 pm. We spent some time in my home enjoying a warm house. During the travel temperatures were from -2 to 2 Celsius 28-36 Fahrenheit.

Are we two crazy old-babies? Maybe, but an old latin-roman dictum says:

"Semel in anno licet insanire"

I think for me this was only a half "insanire" nothing exceptional, to complete my portion of "insanity" for this next 2008 New Year day maybe I will go to Wien to taste one piece of Sacher-Torte... hahahaha!!!

Some pics:

Sunrise in Verona, 8:01am

The carriage and the goods

A happy glutton friend... hehe

Our friend Giancarlo (with the helmet) alias "The No Stop Man" the day after starting back to Perugia (we didn't permit him to start in the evening, he was too tired because the night before he didn't sleep enought leaving Perugia at 4 am in the morning)



Ciao bella Maggie, un abbraccio, con grande simpatia.

Franco



I loved this story so much and was so happy Franco shared it with me. It pushes me to ride somewhere insanire, very soon! Wonder how long a ride to get true Sicilian Panettone Cake would take :) Umm there is a place in Little Italy (what's left of it) in New York city that serves Sicilian Panettone... road trip anyone?