This morning in the parking lot of the Cafe as I was gearing up for the ride to work a man and his wife parked next to me . This is the second time I've seen this couple in the last week. The first time they parked next to me on the man's side. He got out and was looking over my Symba. He wanted to know how many miles to the gallon it got, how fast it went, and how many miles it had on it. He was easily in his 80's, but I knew that look in his eyes. He started to walk away. He'd walk a few steps turn around and look at the Symba and smile. Then a few more steps, stop, look, and smile. There was no mistaking it, he was suffering a raging attack of the wants.
Today they parked next to me again, but this time it was on the woman's side. When she got out she asked me how far I had to ride "that thing". I told her a little over ten miles. She thought that wasn't too bad. I told her most mornings I wished the distance was longer. She seemed astonished at this. Next she wanted to know if I rode it even when it rained. I said I did and told her the last time I'd driven my car to work was in January. She just shook her head. I couldn't tell if it was in disbelief or pity. As she headed toward the door, her husband was again eying my bike with that same look. Again, he did the walk, stop, and look thing as he followed after his wife. It was a wonderful way to start my day.
The forecast high tomorrow is 108F/42C. I'd say Summer has arrived.
- 71F/22C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
- 99F/37C with nothing but blue sky and abundant sunshine for the home ride.
Little precious moments. I have these encounters quite regularly with folks when I am riding my Vespa.
ReplyDeleteI love it when they are getting that specific look of wanting.
And, the difference between the perceptions of the husband and the wife was just too precious. I hope I see them more often.
DeleteSometimes I think people here must be thinking I'm either daft or too poor for real transportation. Being on a scooter is different from the grand mc look. I can't swagger to and from my Harley. There's no coolness factor to scootering here. Maybe I'll add- YET.
ReplyDeleteI think I do catch the odd glance from women my age who look like grannies and I can't help but think it starts with "what on earth..." to "wish I could". I get more looks from men with little smiles. I take those as nice smiles.
Sadly there are no small to mid range (250 - 650cc) bikes anymore. I have talked to more than one beginning rider that doesn't want to start at 1000+cc but that seems to be all there is. I point to my scoot, and go "400cc, 90+ miles per hour. 60+ miles per gallon AND 3 bags of groceries. I have a motorcycle endorsement." That plants a seed in their mind at least.
DeleteMartha,
DeleteI suspect the smiles you are getting are nice smiles. I think the Symba gets many smiles because it looks like the old Honda Passport. Many men my age learned to ride on the trail bike version of the Passport. Many have very fond memories of this time.
I see many "grannies" on scoots. Scooter and Cities do seem to go together. Hang in there, I'm sure you are planting the seeds of cool as you ride about.
~k
Robert,
DeleteI really like the new Honda CBR250R. It is one very cool little bike. I wish it came with a dual clutch transmission. Oh well, I'm suspecting there may be a Kymco in my future, but we'll see.
Thanks for stopping by.
~k