Friday, April 29, 2005

Am I cool enough to pull it off???

High gas prices and my horrendous commute have me reconsidering my method of daily transportation.

Now, I'm not considering public transportation - Sacramento's public transportation system is waaaaaay too crappy for that.

Every morning I have to drive from Citrus Heights to Rancho Cordova, then back in the afternoon. This involves Sunrise Blvd... it also involves the American River Bridge.
For those of you not familiar with the Sacramento area, Sunrise Blvd + American River Bridge + Rush Hour = HELL. ON. EARTH.

Everyday I SIT (yes, sit... not move) through this nightmare and watch motorcycles split lanes and reach their destination in a much more timely fashion.
I also see motorcycles and the such fill up at gas stations for a quarter of what I pay, yet get 4 times the gas mileage that I do.
Now, I don't want a motorcycle.. it's just not my style.
However, I have been eyeing the new Granturismo from Vespa.


Granturismo
Originally uploaded by Nessacery.
It's so pretty!


I picture myself bypassing the poor masses stuck in bumper to bumper traffic during the week, then on the weekends going for drives along the river or up into the foothills. The wind whipping through my hair (the part sticking out from underneath the helmet at least), out in the open air and sunshine. Theres a certain sense of freedom in this picture I have in my head.

Then I realize... you can't really sip on a Starbucks in the morning while riding a Vespa into work.
It's probably hard to smoke while riding one too.
Also, I am a Road Chanteuse.
I sing along to the radio while driving....
It's my thang!
It's hard to sing along to the radio on a Vespa.... they don't have radios.
Now, I could show my blatant disregard for authority by rebuking state laws and listen to my iPod via headphones.... but then my traffic serenading could get a bit embarassing. Children in the cars next to me at stop lights would say "Mommy, look at the crazy lady singing on the scooter!"
I think I could most likely adjust to these limitations, but the BIG question is......

AM I COOL ENOUGH TO PULL OFF DRIVING A VESPA????

3 comments:

stacyo said...

True, the Vespa is so cutie cute -- and you have to be cool enough for it if you're considering it for that commute. I am waaaaaay to much of a weenie to take a Vespa on any "big roads," ie: anything that has more than one lane. i'd be a dork and drive it to my local starbucks, sit around and sip my decaf, no foam, double shot latte and then drive my very uncool ass back home! But looking cute all the way there and back, of course.

Anonymous said...

Yes, you can pull it off. But... SAFETY! Please! Promise you will wear a helmet and some clothes that cover all your parts from bugs and debris and for the love of god, be careful!!!! But yes, you are cool enough :)

porchwise said...

I rode a Vespa all over Italy one year and lived to tell about it. It's still one of the coolest rides in Europe where cool is always in. Just keep it off the freeway and you'll not only be cool, you'll be envied.