Some two wheels are better than others

“Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live.” ~ Mark Twain

Mark Twain was right. However, there was a time when I envisioned zipping around town in a Vespa, a sea foam green one at that. And, perhaps, I had inaccurately romanticized the sight of myself wrapped in a headscarf, scooting on an unmarked road along the Amalfi Coast.  Too many afternoons sipping Italian cappuccinos at the Scooter Caffe didn’t discourage the cause.

My first opportunity to ride a Vespa was at work. While the scooter wasn’t the perk that sealed the deal, it sure sweetened the offer. I waited two weeks into my new job before venturing to ask for a scooter tutorial. I could no longer resist the wanton winks of the chili red two wheeler.

A co-worker offered to get me going, revving up the little motor as it let out a throaty roar. I hopped on with trepidation. Sheepishly it seemed too late to back out. Readying myself to go, I instantaneously forgot which hand was the brake, and revved the throttle, lurching backwards to my co-worker’s horror, as he leaped forward to grab hold of the scooter, to prevent an imminent crash into the cement wall. Visibly pale, he reluctantly eased his grip from the Vespa as the gates of the garage door pulled up. I barreled out onto the uneven alley way. With cars inches behind and in front of me, I longed for the security of doors and a rear view mirror I could see behind.

The reality of my brief Vespa ride was anything but glamorous. But, I was already at an intersection, with no choice but to go forward in order to go back. At the first sign of the green light, I rolled the throttle with force and teetered into traffic. Barely across the intersection, I panicked at the sudden momentum and pulled the brakes. The scooter jolted to a sudden stop. In slow motion, I tipped over to the right, while my body rolled to the left, as my flip flop dove into oncoming traffic. A string of cars halted behind me. Shaken, I managed to regain both the rogue sandal and the Vespa’s balance to putter over to the nearest side street for refuge, before rounding my way back.

That was both the beginning and end to my only Vespa escapade. I recently inherited a bicycle, and have no regrets to the alternative two wheel choice.