Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Indoor Life in Whitehorse, YT. May 19 - 21, 2017.

Whitehorse-loops

Nothing in Whitehorse is more than 10 minutes away, because if you've gone any farther you're pretty much in the wild. The town was just big enough to have what I sought: a large grocery store where I availed myself to some produce (and gasped at the prices), and a cozy hostel with blackout curtains.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Boya, That's Beautiful. Stewart-Cassiar to Alaska Highway. May 17 - 18, 2017.

Stewart-to-Whitehorse

I had a few campgrounds (recreation sites, as they're called) along the Stewart-Cassiar in mind for the next stretch. I knew I would be riding through some remote places, and figured I'd just go until I felt ready to stop. It's a supreme luxury, the freedom to go till whenever, with no one expecting you anywhere, anytime. I suppose it depends on the person whether they find that freeing or concerning.

Monday, December 4, 2017

Scooter Holiday Cards are back!


Whether you missed them last year or simply want to grab another round, I've opened up my holiday card sales again.


Check it out – markdowns apply, while supplies last!

I promise, I'm working on catch-up posts for Alaska too.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

How To Care For Your Overlander: A Stuff-Free Guide

Want to give a gift that won't weigh them down?

The holiday season is upon us, so what better time to do a gift-giving guide?

This post has been kicking around in my head for a while. It's not a run-down of newest riding gear or hottest bike farkle. Chances are, if someone has been riding this long, they probably already have everything they need and don't have room for more. My list was born from being asked, "What do you do to treat yourself, when you can't carry gifts?"

So, in a season inundated with messages of rampant consumerism, what do you do for someone without giving them stuff?

Whether you're thinking of your minimalist motorbike traveler or someone who's just simplifying their life, here are some ideas for awesome gifts that won't clutter the closet or the topcase!

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Touchdown on Alaskan Soil. May 16, 2017.

Hazelton-to-Stewart

Putting on all my layers in the morning felt like dressing for battle. Today, I would touch Alaskan soil, albeit in the tiny tourist town of Hyder, AK. I had a low mileage day ahead of me, to give myself time to explore Kispiox again and see how far I got up to Salmon Glacier.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Into the British Columbian Wild. May 12 - 15, 2017.

Vancouver-to-Hazelton

This was it. My last stop for urbanity before I went into the British Columbian wild. I always dubbed this trip as an Alaskan adventure, but in actuality the largest portion of miles would be Canadian. Indeed, British Columbia alone proved to be expansive, rich in history, and absolutely packed with jaw-dropping natural beauty.

Monday, October 23, 2017

The Ferry Fancy Life, Port Angeles and Vancouver, BC. May 9 - 11, 2017.

Seattle-to-Vancouver

In case you haven't picked up by now, I love taking ferries with my bike. I go out of my way for ferry rides, and found a route to Vancouver that involved very little actual riding. Sure, it would be almost $70 in ferry fees, but did you miss the part about how I love taking ferries?

Friday, October 13, 2017

Pit Stop Seattle. May 4 - 8, 2017.

PDX-to-Seattle

It's a straightforward ride along I-5 from Portland to Seattle, but I'd find a way to dress it up. I hustled out the door early to give myself plenty of time to meander and catch the Bremerton ferry.

Friday, August 25, 2017

Friends and Food and Floating! Portland, OR. April 30 - May 3, 2017.

GoldBeach-to-PDX

Time had come to part ways again. Pete had pushed his dog-sitters to the limit, and he would have to slab it all the way back to San Francisco in a single day (480 miles, blasting my day record out of the water on his first overland haul. Aw). I had a more moderate 300-ish mile day ahead of me to one of my favorite cities, Portland, OR.

In the morning mist, our farewells were brief and without fanfare; we were eager to tackle our independent miles. For my part, maybe I hustled a bit to get my gear on because in your helmet, no one can tell if you're crying.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Champagne Asphalt and Mudslides. San Francisco, CA to Gold Beach, OR. April 24 - 29, 2017.

SF-to-GoldBeach2

It's been a while, but if you're wondering what happened to those missing dates between the last entry and this, I flew to Boston to see Fred and take care of some life back east. It seems my current style of nomadism is six of vagrancy and a half dozen homes? Anyhow, fast forward to the end of April and we're back on the west coast, on that north-bound agenda.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

End of a Bay Era. April 8 - 10, 2017.

Camping_Oakland_loop

Often the best stories are forged in adversity, and by that measure this is not really a great story. It is, however, a story about good times. Pete had long wanted to gather a group of scooterists to camp out, and this would be his first... and possibly last in California, because he'd just accepted a position in New York.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Two Days of Obsolescence, the Wormholes of California. April 6 - 7, 2017.

SF_to_Cambria_loop

Gina had three months to ride around the country, and for her first day I would be seeing her off. How novel, I get to be the sendoff party!

As with so many journeys down the coast, we met at the morning standard, Devil's Teeth Baking Company.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Dialing in Alaska from Outer Sunset. Jan 10 - April 5, 2017.

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Ocean Beach, a quick scoot from my SF spring home.

Alaska was in my sights, but it wouldn't be ridable for months yet.

On Jan 10, 2017 I landed in San Francisco from Hong Kong, solo again after a whirlwind month traveling with Fred. The weariness of jetlag shared space with the ache of separation, while gale force wind and driving rain rattled the panes of my aunt's home. Of course I'd landed during one of the many storms that season that would eventually collapse Californian spillways and put an end to their five year drought. Normally, I poke fun of what California deems 'weather' but as I hiked to the grocery store, flimsy umbrella held in front of me against a wet, windy protest, I allowed that this was indeed serious. Every few steps a gust snatched the whole thing and flipped it backwards, and as I blinked away raindrops I noticed two spokes were already broken.

What the fuck am I doing here?

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Plan: Yukon Ho, I'm Going To Alaska!

The cat's out of the bag, and my days of languishing in Fog City are numbered. When last I left off, the plan was to return from Boston to a bike that's packed and ready to go...but to go where? I'm gunning for the motorcyclists dream: I'm riding Alaska. The plan thus far...

Projected departure from San Francisco: Wednesday, April 26th, 2017. In Seattle.



Stage 1: San Francisco, CA → Seattle, WA (~1k miles)
April 26: Launch! Camping with Pete at Russian Gulch State Park, CA.
April 27: Motel with Pete at Willows, CA due to road closures from mud slides.
April 28: Fieldbrook, CA courtesy of Lisa and Rob of the Humboldt County Slugrockets.
April 29: Motel with Pete in Gold Beach, OR.
May 1 ~ 4: Portland, OR with the illustrious Sara Ryan.
May 5 ~ 8: Seattle, WA with Gwynne. Last stop for service.

Seattle will be my last big service stop. Big People Scooters will hopefully put a tire on for me (I hate wrestling with spoons). I'm seeking a well-appointed garage to do the rest of it myself, will trade stories for tools and space!

On May 9th, 2017 it's Yukon Ho!



Here's where the dates get extra flexible. Basically, I have about 40 days to ride where I feel like it!

Stage 2: Seattle, WA → Haines, AK (~5k miles)
May 9: Port Angeles, WA with Laura. Must resist oversupplying at Swain's.
May 10 ~ 11: Vancouver, BC with Rob, Vespa Club of Canada's website designer.
May 12: Whistler, BC with Neil the Cannonballer.
May 13: Lac la Hache at the Rangeland Motel, owned by Ruckus former prez, George.
May 14: Vanderhoof, BC. Motel.
May 15: Hazelton, BC with Pamela's friend, Phil and Peggy.
May 16: Stewart, BC. Camping.
May 17: Boya Lake, BC. Camping.
May 18 ~ 21: Whitehorse, YT. Beez Kneez Bakpakers.
May 22 ~ 23: Dawson City, YT. Hostel.
May 24: Tok, AK, via Top of the World Highway!
May 25 ~ 26: Fairbanks, AK. Billie's Backpacker's Hostel.
May 27: Coldfoot Camp, AK.
May 28 ~ 29: Return to Fairbanks, AK by plane. Huge thanks to Billie's Backpacker's Hostel.

On May 28th, my bike went down as I was returning from Atigun Pass. I flew to Seattle, WA with a broken collarbone. Serenity is currently stored in AK. Huge thank you to everyone who helped me towards recovery!

Stage 3: Mending in Seattle, WA
May 30 ~ June 28: Convalesce in Seattle, WA with Gwynne and Tom.

Bonus Stage: Boston, MA
June 29 ~ July 12: Fly to Peru for a family trip. Yep, you read that right, gonna hike Machu Picchu in moto boots!
July 13 ~ 16: Lammy Jammy in Lehigh, PA.
July 17 ~ onward: Rest in Cambridge, MA. Cuddle the Fred.

That's all for now!

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Serenity Launches Again Tomorrow

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A slow day at Scuderia makes for a shiny bike.

Tomorrow is launch day. In light of my irrational panic, here's a moment of reflection.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Gear Talk: Alaska Expedition Serenity

Untitled

The launch date for Alaska is closing in, and you may notice that Serenity looks a bit different for this leg of her journey. Click on for a rundown of work done!

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Patreon: Creating Adventure Comics on a Vespa

250Superhero on Patreon is live!


It's finally happened, I set up a Patreon page! For those unfamiliar with Patreon, it's a internet-based platform where creators set up subscription content service. In other words, it's a way you can help me continue making ridiculous journeys on an Italian ladies shopping bike!

This blog will always be available for free, but if you like what I do please consider contributing. Please check it out, or just pass it along. It takes a bit of stress off me to make ends meet, and helps me keep me doing what I do and bringing it to you!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Bridging the Gaps, the Definitive Guide to Steph Sightings in 2016

IMG_7749
Pines to Palms Highway. Feb 29, 2016.

So, 2016 was a bit of a mess for the blog, and entries jumped around a bit. If you're reading from start to finish or simply want to catch up, here's my collection of events as they happened chronologically.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Dos Vesperados, Part 4: The Rally Finale! Scooting into the Sunset. February 23-28, 2016.

tuscon_to_lvhr

In the past, I made a concerted effort to travel slowly and drink deeply rather than touch briefly many places over vast distances. The intention was to break the work-vacation dichotomy that compresses personal time, forcing you to rush through places for fear of missing out. I still prefer to wander slowly, but I've become much more relaxed with the ebb and flow of scheduling – sometimes (often with other people) you hustle, and other times you crawl or are at rest. It's impossible to see everything and meet everyone regardless, but the experience is still rewarding. The balance between journey and destination is a moving target.

So, our rest in Tucson was too short, but we only have one more night till Vegas!

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Dos Vesperados, Part 3: White Sands, Sonorans, Trouble in a Dusty Paradise. February 18-22, 2016.

marfa_to_tuscon

Early on, I wondered if I would grow impatient at GL speeds – Fred's had the bulletproof P200 engine in it, but it would still be an adjustment from my 4-stroke modern wonder (snerk, spoilers: I went on to buy a bike with a P200 engine). It turned out we fell into a rhythm for more frequent fill ups and stretch breaks quite naturally. The only thing that seemed to wear differently were us, the riders.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Dos Vesperados, Part 2: The Hills, Big Bend, and I can see Mexico from my Scooter. February 10-17, 2016.

austin2marfa

The ride to Brad's address took 4.5 hours, because I guess even when I'm gunning for a place I can't help breaking for a Topo Chico. Fred and his friend (and host) Brad arrived back from a Tacodeli run shortly after I pulled up. I apologize to Brad if it took me a few minutes to notice he existed, I was busy hugging Fred to make sure he was real.

As we shuffled luggage into the house, I believe it was Brad that pointed out that although sometimes Austin authenticity means tacos similar to those available further south, this subset of Austin taco was distinguished for being in the style that 'white people eat after yoga'. He went over more local favorites as we tore into our vegan-optional tortilla wrapped lunches, from reclined positions in his kitchen bean bags (what a great place for bean bags!).

The next step to add to the joyous surreality was to pick up the GL. I repeatedly hit the rev limiter on my bike keeping up with Brad and Fred in the truck, but soon I won't be the slow one, heh heh.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Dos Vesperados, Part 1: The Prequel with Party Ice. February 4-9, 2016.

atl2houston
Just another jaunt along the gulf, ho hum!

It's taken so long to collect this part of the story, the events described have happened over a year ago by now. I hemmed and hawed over whether this was a storyline I wanted to keep for myself, but ultimately I'd always intended to chronicle this segment of journey. It was only laziness and brain trauma that held me back. So, here was the plan, cooked up over Christmas in Montana at Fred sister's. I will do my best to document the amazing, make-or-break experience that was riding 2,200 miles from Austin to Vegas for a rally, with a boyfriend on a 50 year old Vespa.

Don't worry, it's mostly photos.

But first, I had to actually leave Atlanta and get to Austin to meet Fred.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Gear Talk: It's Cold Out There

Stephs are like onions. They have layers.

It's still January which means most places are chilly for riding, but I had a good discussion of cold weather gear that I'd like to collect here. Much of this is from personal experience, trying out gear for riding through New England winters, in addition to living on my bike. Thus, economy of space, durability, versatility, and comfort of movement are all important to me. For the sake of discussion I'm leaving out heated riding gear – I want to focus on items that bridge the biker-pedestrian gap, and electrics can be its own post.

Anyhow, there's such a wealth of options, I'm always curious what others find works for them. Perhaps you prefer natural fibers, or all synthetic – I say wear both!

So, let's revive the Gear Talk posts and talk cold weather riding gear. Read on for my top picks!