Scooters on Parade

There's nothing better than scooters on parade. Well, maybe scooters on parade in July would have been a little better--when the wind chill isn't in the teens! But it was the Mayor's Christmas Parade, so what can you really expect?

Spectators along the streets of Hampden (Baltimore, hon) came out to take in the parade wrapped in blankets and clutching beverages (some hot, some cold). Others were pressed against the glass of their neighborhood bar or their neighbo'rs house, taking in the view while sitting inside where it was a little warmer.

Five of us braved the elements--four Vespas, one Vino, two hours or so waiting for division three to step off and maybe another half hour riding down Falls Road and "The Avenue."

And just in case I haven't said it before, my Vino rocks!! This is how it got to Baltimore and back. A few kicks and she started right up. What a bike! And, yes, I know, it's really not a good idea to transport her this way. Desperately cold temperatures call for desperate measures.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble. Gobble.
Umm, butter sculpture.

Happy Halloween!

Boo! Thanks to hubby, Ryan, for working his mad pumpkin carving skillz!

Check out some Polly Scoots in person!

I'm going to skip over the fact that I haven't updated the blog in FOREVER and just do some shameless self promotion instead. This Saturday, Polly Scoots (a proud member of the DC Craft Mafia) is very excited to be taking part in the DC Craft Mafia Unusual Suspects Arts & Crafts Fair! Good news for you if you're in the Washington, DC metro area and have a hankering to check out some Polly Scoots goodies in person and maybe give them a good new home.

What will you find at the booth? I'm not 100% sure yet myself 'cause I still have a list of things I want to make, but you'll be sure to find: belt buckles, wine glass charms, stickers, patches, buttons, cards, mileage log books and magnets--all scooter themed and inspired of course!

I'm a little worried about how much money I might spend shopping some of my fellow vendors, but that's what craft shows are for--you definitely want to see these folks in person!

So come one out this Saturday, November 1, from 12 to 6 p.m. to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad's Anatasi Room. It's a free festival and $1 door prize tickets will benefit the Washington Humane Society.

NEW DATE for The UnUsual Suspects Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival

The DC Craft Mafia just informed that The Anastasi Room was double-booked and, due to circumstances beyond our control, we got bumped. The UnUsual Suspects Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival will now be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Same place, same time.

If you've already submitted your application, please check your e-mail for important information about your application. If you haven't yet applied, well, what are you waiting for?
The deadline to apply has been extended to October 1st! If you wanted to apply but weren't available on the 2nd, you're in luck! Hopefully, everyone will still be available, and having the show on Saturday instead will actually bring in more traffic!

Click here to apply or here for the vendor FAQ.

Hanging out in the slow lane

Well, I'm keeping it under 40 mph to gently break in the Lambretta's engine, bicycling to get ready for Baltimore's Tour du Port (we signed on for the 22-mile route this year) and riding the Vino as my daily commuter. Life on two wheels hasn't always moved so slowly...

Any crafters in the house?

If you're a DC area crafter (or feel like heading our way), have we got a show for you! The second annual Unusual Suspects Craft Fair, presented by the DC Craft Mafia, is now accepting applications! I had an awesome time there last year as an exhibitor and am excited to be part of the action this year.

This year's show takes place Sunday, November 1 (please take note of new date) from 12 to 6 p.m., at The Anastasi Room of the Bethesda Fire House. Applications are now available--be sure to get yours in by Oct. 1. FAQs for vendors can be found here. Hope to see you there!

Cake anyone?

Ryan and I made a trek down to Scoot Richmond today. We avoided Interstate 95 and took the more scenic route Rt. 301. You always see some great roadside signs along the way, but there was something new to take in on this trip. There were giant "cakes" along the side of the road when entering Charles County, Md. We didn't see them at night, but it looks like the candles on top might just light up at night--that's some way to celebrate a county turning 350.

To celebrate Polly Scoots' second birthday today, I skipped the cake and enjoyed a first ride on my "new" Lambretta instead. Vroom, vroom!

Postcard from the Road: 2008 Smallstate Rally

We're home from our marathon trip through New England. Lots to share, but thought I'd start with a view of the bikes lined up outside Javaspeed Scooters in Providence, Rhode Island, for the 2008 Smallstate Scooter Rally.

Postcard from the road: Smallstate 2008

Here's a still to accompany the video above.

Rising gas prices? 80 mpg baby!

Long before gas topped $4 a gallon, I was one of those folks who calculated how many miles per gallon I was getting out of each trip. Of course, keeping track of it with a scooter is big fun, because the gas mileage is awesome!

I'll admit that I'm nerd enough to have logged some of my early mileage figures in an excel chart. While I won't bore you with that level of detail, I will share the results. My Stella is no longer stock and my commute has changed quite a bit, but here's where things stood about two years ago.

Year: 2005

Make: Genuine

Model: Stella

Motor: Stock 150

Riding Style: Predominately used for the daily commute. Stop lights are widely spaced and speeds often reach 45 mph or greater. Delays are usually caused by backups at a few lights. On average, it takes 40 to 45 minutes to travel 13 miles one way. Weekend riding includes some in town errand running and longer rides with fewer lights. Average of 83 mpg.

To keep track of things with the Stella (and because the gas gauge shouts empty long before it actually is), I had a pocket full of gas receipts with the mileage at fill up written across the top of each one--kind of messy and not the best way to keep track of things. So, I made myself a mileage log book--then I made another for Polly Scoots.

To keep with the theme, I hand-cut a scooter stamp to decorate the front. Then, for his birthday this year, I made Ryan one with a scooter cut from a map highlighting some of his favorite ride routes. And, of course, he wanted his at least a little water resistant, so I laminated the front and back covers.

I was so happy with how it turned out, I decided to add the new style to my shop.

part of la famiglia

Big fun ahead!

Creative Binge

It hasn't happened in awhile, but I went on a creative binge this weekend. Now it's time to play catch up--taking photos and uploading all the great new items to Polly Scoots on Etsy. I listed new stickers and wine glass charms for you tonight and will be posting new, handmade goodness every day this week.

Stay tune for some BRAND NEW designs on belt buckles, mileage log books and stickers as well as the return of a few of my favorites. I hope you'll check in throughout the week and discover a few favorites of your own!
Also new this weekend, a newly redesigned Polly Scoots Web site. Enjoy!

Road Food

I must confess, I love it when there's nothing good for you on the menu. It usually means every thing's darn tasty! Ann's Dari-Creme in Glen Burnie, Md., is no exception.

I tried the burgers and fries this time, but the milk shake and a dog are on my list for next time.

The winning ticket

Well, these might not have been the winning tickets the first time around, but they're definitely winners now! And, they're ready for a road trip.
Did I mention that the spiral binding glows in the dark?

Water Crossing at ID8 Scooter Rally

Okay, it took me longer than it should have to figure out how to get video from camera to computer, but I'm making progress. I'm going to put together a little video of our trip to Philly, but in the meantime, thought I'd post this clip.

The Philadelphia Rally always seems to be good for a little something extra on its rides. From past rallies, I distinctly remember riding with a pack of scooters up a four-lane highway; going single file down a gravely, dirt road; and up and down a REALLY steep hill in Manayunk.

This year, the long ride included a water crossing.

Road Trip to ID8

As seems usual, our trip to Philly for the Independence Day Rally was not without a little bit of adventure. Year one for us (2004), I made the trip up on my Vino 125. The bike was a week old when we set out and I hit the official 600 mile "break-in" point coming home across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Last year, we tested the towing capacity of our car and a rented trailer for the first time. More on that here.

This year, we were hoping to trailer up my "new" bike while Ryan rode his SportCity. Alas, my bike wasn't done yet, so I decided to be a passenger for once and give riding on the back of a 250cc a try. We made plans to load our stuff and the dogs in the car with me while Ryan rode his bike to the in-laws house north of Philly Thursday after work. I'd ride on the back of his bike to, and during, the rally.

Then, on the way to work on Wednesday, Ryan's bike started gushing gas and all our plans looked murky at best.

We tried out our trailer for the first time and hauled his bike home. Ryan then spent 45 minutes removing 5 body panels and 15 pieces of hardware (in five different varieties) to find where the fuel line to the EFI/carb was detached at the fuel pump. It took two seconds to click it on--and another 30 minutes to put the jigsaw puzzle of body work back together. The commute to work and back on Thursday proved that things were roadworthy. We hit the road around seven and reached our destination just before midnight Thursday night.

More on the destination tomorrow...

Patience is a Virtue

Or so they say...in the meantime, I'll just have to be content with paper, paper and more paper. Three dimensional can't be far behind...

Multiples of 100

It's rally season and I've decided to contribute mini magnets for rally bags this year. Handmade, of course. That's a lot of cutting. See you in Philly!

Scootergate 2008

Outside The Pug at Saturday night's Scootergate festivities. It's kinda dark and I walked too fast, but here's a look down the line.

Speaking of rallies...

Here's some footage from the Baltimore rally in May to get you in the mood...

Scootergate III is coming!

Big scooter fun is rolling into the nation's capital with the start of Scootergate III on Friday. I had to work last year and missed out on the official rides. Not so this year. Haven't figured out yet which bike I'll be riding...hope to see you there!

The scooter that started it all

Five years ago today Ryan and I stumbled across this scoot on the second day of our marriage and the first day of our honeymoon in Ireland. Our flight touched down very early in the morning in Dublin and, of course, our room was hours from ready. We stowed our bags and set off, blurry eyed, for a first look at the city. That took us to Trinity College which was littered with bicycles and scooters. This Honda Joker captured Ryan's fancy as did the Chicken Kiev in the cafeteria.

"Um, I like Chicken Kiev," he comments this evening from the chair in the living room while diligently sewing his Charm City 2007 rally patch. I think we both decided that we like scooters...

What's that?

There's nothing better than heading out to a classic motorcycle show on a drizzly Sunday and coming across a bike that makes you stop and ask, "what's that?"

That's what happened this weekend as Ryan and I were strolling the aisles of the 7th Annual British & European Classic Motorcycle Day. While there were plenty of motorcycles that made me drool, there was just one scooter that made us both stop and stare. And had me hitting the Internet when I got home to find out more--the Triumph Tina.

Take a ride on the SportCity

Check out the view from the back of the SportCity 250ie.

SportCity: On the showroom floor

Here's a still to go with the above video. Enjoy!

Spring in Washington

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and so are the tourists. While it's wall-to-wall people at the Tidal Basin in downtown D.C., a little further north, the National Arboretum offers a much more relaxing take on things. Yes, there are far fewer trees in bloom, but getting to them is so much easier. To be honest, I didn't actually see a lot of cherry trees on this visit, but the magnolias were gorgeous!

And the grounds of the Arboretum are a fun place to explore by scoot. Even though Ryan had his "big bike" out, he didn't mind riding along with me on my "little one" so that I could test out a new piece of equipment. Stay tuned for more on that later this week!

Hints of Green

The sun was shining and temperatures were in the 50s. We gassed up the scoots and hit the road for an afternoon adventure. Not a pot of gold in sight, but we did find hints of green on the shores of a local reservoir. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Paris or bust

Thanks to Gerri Jo for including Polly Scoot's in a fun Etsy treasury devoted to "Amelie." If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend this great French film. The movie includes a gnome and a Motobecane moped--who could ask for anything more?

They sure know how to make them

I'm not a Vespa girl myself, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it when they make a hot new bike. When I started seeing news about this scoot in Scootering Magazine, I couldn't help but be a bit intrigued. At about 5'4", many new bikes are just too tall for me to feel comfortable riding. A new smallframe-like bike sounded interesting indeed.

When the Motorcycle Show came to town this year, I was happy to see the Vespa S in person. Not sure that I like all the "chrome" ascents, but all in all, it's a good looking bike. And, I could touch the ground just fine when I rolled her off the center stand.

Snow, what snow?

I wouldn't call it a good idea, but there's definitely something liberating about surviving a scooter ride home in a snowstorm.

I haven't given it enough credit lately, but my little Vino rocks! This 50cc wonder was my first scooter, and now, almost five years later, its the most reliable of the bunch. Its drum brakes did surprisingly well in the snow and freezing rain last week. Just take it slow and you're good to go!

Reflections