The New Year is upon us and change is in the air. This year has been huge -- we've seen revolutions to go with our resolutions, plus much more. How did you do? Were you a better person, a safer rider, a better driver? Did you learn anything this year?
Looking back it was a great year to scoot. Here in Detroit and SE Michigan, we were blessed with mostly good weather. We got a lot of rain, but most of the time it cooperated with us and did its business at night. Other than the horrible winter we had (no scooter from the day after New Year's day until the second week of March!), it was a scootable, fun year. My club mates returned to the roads on their vintage steeds, and made the most of their summer riding and hitting the rally circuit. We attended the amazing Band Camp Rally (put on by the Pittsburgh Vintage Scooter Club). Others did their daily commuting gigs and the occasional long ride, whether on vacation or not. My friend on the West coast successfully put 10,000 miles on her small motorcycle. We all rode in the rain and in the dark, we rode in wind and in the baking heat of summer. We dealt with idiot drivers and received unexpected kindness from them too. Were people a little better driving this year?
The scoots and gear were great this year. Good luck was had with the running of the machines, and new tires, protective gear and even a new scoot was added to people garages as appropriate. I started out the year with a great new piece of gear - my British Motorcycle Gear Mercury Jacket, and at the end of the year I got to try out a GoGo Gear Mens Military jacket, both were wonderful. The scoots ran great this year and having the choice of riding a different scoot a couple of times a week is a wonderfully luxurious feeling. When they don't run or when one of them is down isn't a great feeling. The ups and downs of being a rider. Did you ride as much as you could this year?
The scooter retail environment continued to be tough this year. A local classic scooter shop (Scoot Around Town in Ypsilanti, Michigan - selling Genuine Scooters and Piaggio) closed down this fall. It's owners moved to California and got out of the business. Other retailers experienced the ups and downs of this economy, and are now getting pretty good at "riding the waves". A local shop, Blackbeard Powersports, had busy weeks and some not so busy. I even got to volunteer there on a few Saturdays during the season. I experienced what it's like to work with a customer in getting them on just the right scooter to suit their riding needs. I also experienced what it's like when they ignore your careful suggestions, when they walk out after, as it turns out, we find out that they had no credit. I also got to work with and deliver the perfect scooter for a couple of customers, and got to experience the joy of seeing them selecting safety gear and taking some tips from me to get them on their way. I even got to see some of those customers returning on their scooters, very excited about the whole thing - which is what it's all about, isn't it? Late in the year I got to visit a little scooter shop in Winter Park, Florida, and found the same dedication to providing fun two-wheeled transportation to anyone, no matter what the budget. At "Wild Hogs" they will get you riding something, new or used, if they can. It's also a shop that allows test rides -- through the neighborhood directly behind their shop -- an increasingly rare occurrence, but it works for them. Did you bring a little scooting joy into someone's life this year?
I met a lot of people through scooters this year. From riding new scoots to scheming and griping about the industry with them, they made an incredible impact on my life. The scooters are great, but it's the people who ride them who give them the personality that makes the scene irresistible. I met new and old friends at Dealer Expo and at our local, Novi, Michigan version of the International Motorcycle show, and I got to hear their take on business, scooting and life in general. I also got to learn from them, something that is key to having even more fun with this crazy hobby of ours. Did you maximize your scooter fun by meeting new people this year?
So here's to 2011, and here's to 2012. May your scooting be safe, happy and healthy. May you get untold thousands of miles under your wheels this year, and may you meet amazing new scooter friends to round out your experience. Most of all, have fun today, AND tomorrow, and throughout the year. Happy New Year!
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