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New Strokes

Weekly Ride
Friday, 19 May 2006
Vento
Collin's Über-Vento
It’s been freakishly hot in Spokane. For May, 90 degrees or so sets a record, and it’s been near or past that each day for a week now, maybe two. Tonight’s ride witnessed a few changes, including the first break back toward some real spring weather.

Change one: Collin’s back, and having kitted his Vento Zip to the hilt, can now keep up with the pack. Grudging kudos to Collin for not caving in to Vespa snobbery and for taking the weed-whacker comments in stride. “Plucky” might be a good word here - both for Colin and for a 70cc Vento that seems capable of 60-plus miles per hour.

Change two: The new starting line at downtown’s Baby Bar, which worked out well. We’ve always liked the Baby Bar’s little pull-in parking area (so urban!) but the location – near the all the foot traffic at the Davenport – is a plus, too. Parked Vespas draw a crowd, especially a Vespa crowd, and tonight, we met fellow Vespa/Lambretta owner Doug that way. Seems Doug’s been looking for fellow riders too, and he and his wife have a scooter collection that must fill two garages. Doug, we’re duly impressed, and hope we’ll see you back next week!

Doug
Doug speaks Vespa
Change three: Seeing the clouds roll in and feeling the cool air while out riding across the west plains. Rick led Colin, Brian, Alicia and Amy on a new favorite loop out Melville Road and Betz road to Cheney. This loop has it all - spectacular scenery, light traffic, a tunnel or two for acoustics, and plenty of curvaceous asphalt. Halfway out, storm clouds began to block some of the afternoon light, and breezes alternated between dry and warm and moist and cool. Perhaps that’s just how spring will play out this year; in any event, it was a great way to experience it all.

Change is good. Next week, let’s hope for more. dingbat
 
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