It's time. In just 5 days, the road warrior returns to the White House.
The largest Peace sign in history will be completed in the year it turns 50.
22,000 miles on the odometer.
182 days on the road.
29 states.
Thousands of conversations about Peace.
8,000 dollars raised.
Show your support.
One woman has followed her dream. As a result thousands have come forward and said, yes, Peace does matter. America is ready for a critical mass. Come forward with your fellow Americans.
In this last week, purchase a raffle ticket.
Sponsor a section of the Peace ride.
Buy a limited edition tshirt. A percentage of sales go to charity.
At the end of the ride, four checks will be written, to show the importance of community helping to improve our world.
Show your support.
All across the nation, people have agreed, Peace does matter. And its starts with you.
We have to take action in our world. Now.
Without anger.
With Love. Accountability. Community organizing. Persistence.
Critical mass.
The project is to host one million definitions of Peace.
Leave yours today on www.peacescooter.com
Join others around the nation.
Donate today. The price of Starbucks or a movie ticket helps raise money.
Hold Peace in your heart.
Join us in Washington D.C. for the victory lap, on August 8th.
It's our Peace sign.
Peace has now been put on the map.
Come to Vespa Arlington at Noon August 8th and join us for a victory ride over to the White House.
Join us at Scoot Richmond for the victory celebration, on Saturday, August 9th. Tell your friends and family, tell the paper. Forward this blog.
Think about it.
Could you imagine riding that distance? 10 inch wheels. Four inches from the ground.
One woman has driven a scooter 22,000 miles, through many climates and cultures, facing many obstacles-to prove that we can accomplish our dreams.
Tell yourself-Peace matters.
We can do it.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this epic ride. We've put Peace on the map. Let's keep it there.
Peace and Respect
Alix
--
I would rather us make history creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Two Stepping Through Texas
My original plan was to start P.E.A.C.E. SCOOT at the end of May. I started researching weather temperatures in the South West and realized that by 10 am in June, temps reach a blazing triple digits. That would feel like God holding a hair dryer over my head. Speeding up doesn't even cool you down. I pulled into a campground in Austin, TX in the evening. Most of the trip had been spent in rush hour traffic.
Austin symbolized the gateway of a long drive due west through Texas, 1,000 miles. Steve Guzman and Urban Moto hosted a BBQ welcome. Texas hospitality rings true in Austin. Jazmin contacted me from the Modern Buddy (www.modernbuddy.com) forum and offered her house for awhile, which stretched into an unexpected six day visit. She just bought her buddy, it had under 200 miles on it. We went on a lot of scooter rides and she asked for a bunch of pointers. I've long forgotten the process of getting used to your bike- it becomes a synchronized experience of many factors working together. One quote that sticks with me is from Chelsea, at Scoot Richmond. We were talking about a sixth sense of anticipating other drivers at intersections and she said, "Wheels are the windows into the soul." There are a lot of little tips that make it less stressful as new rider.
Austin is the hill country of Texas. There was some beautiful riding until I was about 150 west of Texas. Then things flattened out, became wicked hot and smelled of crude oil everywhere. While in Austin I saw scooterists everywhere. However, on the roads through Texas, I was the only one. I only saw few motorcyclists as well. They say everything is bigger in Texas and me on my scooter was the exception.
I had many surprising encounters with people; great conversations and interesting perspectives. Often those occurred when I had run out of gas and someone was helping me. I would get 130 miles to the tank before running out. I just happened to be in the Wild West, with crude oil everywhere and none at a fueling station.
Me and the Buddy held our own but I wouldn't recommend joy riding on some of the bigger Texas roads. If you live in Austin, there is a beautiful route towards Canyon Lake, that takes you through hill country and across the Guadalupe River. Speed limit is 45 mostly and there is a wonderful bonsai garden to visit along the way.
Expecting a friend to meet me in Tucson, I hustled over from Austin. This was a 1,000 mile ride in 4 days, going 55 mph, because of the extreme wind. Although it was a hard ride, the huge panoramas of the Wild West brought a sense of peace. Scoot Over in Tucson set up a group ride to meet me in Bisbee, AZ and ride me back to Tucson. I was shocked to see 6 scooterists ride in-that was a 250 roundtrip for them!
I had never ridden such a long distance with scooterists. Our pack made its way back through windy canyons and saguaro cacti began to accent the landscape. After the ride, Shaun asked to join P.E.A.C.E SCOOT. I want to introduce the new Buddy! He's riding a St. Tropez, that just hit 1,000 miles yesterday. He's a new rider, but has a lot of gusto. I initiated him yesterday with 263 miles, through intense heat and winds.
Shelby at Scoot Over Tucson was kind to open the shop up on a Monday to rig his bike with a topcase. That's just one of the great things Scoot Over did for my visit. Ron, their mechanic, is top notch, a total VIP. She's running great, with all the regular maintenance, plus a valve adjustment. A customer of theirs donated a Prima performance pipe, which has increased my speed a little. Although, I'm not so worried about the warranty at this point, which is null if you put on the pipe. Shaun's riding 1,000+ with me to San Francisco. Look for us on the road and join us if you want! We will arrive in San Diego on Tuesday and stay until Saturday afternoon. Then on to Long Beach, L.A. and then up the coastal highway 1.
Ride On!
--
I would rather us make history creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
Austin symbolized the gateway of a long drive due west through Texas, 1,000 miles. Steve Guzman and Urban Moto hosted a BBQ welcome. Texas hospitality rings true in Austin. Jazmin contacted me from the Modern Buddy (www.modernbuddy.com) forum and offered her house for awhile, which stretched into an unexpected six day visit. She just bought her buddy, it had under 200 miles on it. We went on a lot of scooter rides and she asked for a bunch of pointers. I've long forgotten the process of getting used to your bike- it becomes a synchronized experience of many factors working together. One quote that sticks with me is from Chelsea, at Scoot Richmond. We were talking about a sixth sense of anticipating other drivers at intersections and she said, "Wheels are the windows into the soul." There are a lot of little tips that make it less stressful as new rider.
Austin is the hill country of Texas. There was some beautiful riding until I was about 150 west of Texas. Then things flattened out, became wicked hot and smelled of crude oil everywhere. While in Austin I saw scooterists everywhere. However, on the roads through Texas, I was the only one. I only saw few motorcyclists as well. They say everything is bigger in Texas and me on my scooter was the exception.
I had many surprising encounters with people; great conversations and interesting perspectives. Often those occurred when I had run out of gas and someone was helping me. I would get 130 miles to the tank before running out. I just happened to be in the Wild West, with crude oil everywhere and none at a fueling station.
Me and the Buddy held our own but I wouldn't recommend joy riding on some of the bigger Texas roads. If you live in Austin, there is a beautiful route towards Canyon Lake, that takes you through hill country and across the Guadalupe River. Speed limit is 45 mostly and there is a wonderful bonsai garden to visit along the way.
Expecting a friend to meet me in Tucson, I hustled over from Austin. This was a 1,000 mile ride in 4 days, going 55 mph, because of the extreme wind. Although it was a hard ride, the huge panoramas of the Wild West brought a sense of peace. Scoot Over in Tucson set up a group ride to meet me in Bisbee, AZ and ride me back to Tucson. I was shocked to see 6 scooterists ride in-that was a 250 roundtrip for them!
I had never ridden such a long distance with scooterists. Our pack made its way back through windy canyons and saguaro cacti began to accent the landscape. After the ride, Shaun asked to join P.E.A.C.E SCOOT. I want to introduce the new Buddy! He's riding a St. Tropez, that just hit 1,000 miles yesterday. He's a new rider, but has a lot of gusto. I initiated him yesterday with 263 miles, through intense heat and winds.
Shelby at Scoot Over Tucson was kind to open the shop up on a Monday to rig his bike with a topcase. That's just one of the great things Scoot Over did for my visit. Ron, their mechanic, is top notch, a total VIP. She's running great, with all the regular maintenance, plus a valve adjustment. A customer of theirs donated a Prima performance pipe, which has increased my speed a little. Although, I'm not so worried about the warranty at this point, which is null if you put on the pipe. Shaun's riding 1,000+ with me to San Francisco. Look for us on the road and join us if you want! We will arrive in San Diego on Tuesday and stay until Saturday afternoon. Then on to Long Beach, L.A. and then up the coastal highway 1.
Ride On!
--
I would rather us make history creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
Friday, May 30, 2008
P.E.A.C.E SCOOTer's three week anniversary!
Starting mileage was 11,753 and is currently 14,193, almost 2,500 miles. Fuel costs are rising, but I'm still getting superb MPG's. So far, I've had two oil changes and changed the gear oil as well. I was such a different rider 14,000 miles ago! My riding perspective has certainly changed, now a 160 miles is an easy day and steel grate bridges don't make me wince.
My own personal mileage, my perspective, has also expanded. It is one thing to follow your dream, fueled by faith alone, and another to and articulate it with people, even finding they support it. Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes! I was a pretty shy person, not so much around my friends, but meeting total strangers in this way is not something I would have expected of myself. People have been coming out to ride with me and just last night a couple, from Houston, contacted me because they received an email from Scooterworks that mentioned the ride. It was so amazing that Scott and Elizabeth rode out three hours on a whim to come and meet me and have some cold ones in Austin, TX.
The scooter community too has provided priceless support, helping me save a lot of money through lodging. They've shown me around their towns, shared their stories with me and made that solitary time out on the road just slip away. New Orleans was one of my longer stops. After contacting Rich, a NOLA scooterist who runs a forum, which most cities have, so look into it, he offered to meet me outside of town and escort me in. It was a very proper welcoming and made me feel slightly initiated.
The guys over at Big Easy Scoots were also really hospitable-man, the South has its charm. Food, music and culture keeps New Orleans heartbeat strong like the drummer in a brass band. I don't know how fast food stays in business there. You can even find the best, cheap home cooked meal in ramshackle places where the name is merely spraypainted on a piece of plywood. The Big Easy Scooter Crew; Mike and Tom and Jocelyn had many a meal with me and even an adventure out to Finn Mccools to meet other NOLA scooterists. Johnny Nomad, a local scooterist and fellow traveler, hosted me for three days. He's trying to see the whole globe without ever taking an airplane and has so far seen 70 countries. About traveling, he says, ""If I have learned one thing as a traveler, it would be that the world would be a better place if everyone took a little time out of their lives to explore the world around them."
I spent a full day volunteering at The Green Project (thegreenproject.org). TGP offers valuable resources to its community and our environment by keeping 45-70% of stuff out of landfills. They provide the drop off point for recycled paint, lumber, and building materials... where they are salvaged and placed somewhere else in the city. Volunteering is not just allowing me to help out communities but helping me get a better idea to choose the remaining two recipients of donations collected.
The raffles are helping to raise money, but there honestly haven't been enough contestants to do one each week. I hope this changes! So far, we have raised more than $2,000 for donation to charitable organizations. Today a huge donation came in from a kind, wonderful gentleman who works as a geologist in the oil business and I wrote to him of the irony. It's funny, accepting a donation for gas, from an oil associate, in order to fuel my vehicle to demonstrate transportation alternatives that maximize fuel efficiency. See, he is a scooterist also-he knows what's up! Another surprise came the other day when someone I barely know wrote me and said, "I've decided to send my economic stimulus check to you, for charitable donation!" Thank you Tara!
I'm enjoying 8 hours a day of fresh air and seeing the variations in landscape. Most of the routes I've chosen are perfect for scooting. The only exception was 90W out of New Orleans and it was basically like an interstate without being officially named one. Riding it in the pouring rain made maintaining speeds of 70mph very difficult and slightly dangerous. Gear is really important factor to make these rides as comfortable and safe as possible. My saddlebags kept the rain out as did my rain suit. I was never cold or too soggy. Now that I'm hitting triple digit temperatures, hydration is also key, so I carry an Camelbak unit. There are a lot of new photos in my flickr account, including one that I'm really proud of-my first gator in the wild sighting!
I had only 15 miles left in Louisiana when I saw one! The ride itself was gorgeous, coasting through crawfish, sugarcane and rice fields into Cajun Bayous and then across a ferry over to the Gulf side of Texas, watching the Mississippi River meet the ocean. And no one was around, beautiful riding, but no gas stations. The irony of running out of gas where the many oil refineries dotting the Texas landscape!
Check out www.peacescooter.com for more details, to leave your definition of peace and to enter the raffles!
Ride ON!
Alix
--
I would rather us make history by creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
www.peacescooter.com
My own personal mileage, my perspective, has also expanded. It is one thing to follow your dream, fueled by faith alone, and another to and articulate it with people, even finding they support it. Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes! I was a pretty shy person, not so much around my friends, but meeting total strangers in this way is not something I would have expected of myself. People have been coming out to ride with me and just last night a couple, from Houston, contacted me because they received an email from Scooterworks that mentioned the ride. It was so amazing that Scott and Elizabeth rode out three hours on a whim to come and meet me and have some cold ones in Austin, TX.
The scooter community too has provided priceless support, helping me save a lot of money through lodging. They've shown me around their towns, shared their stories with me and made that solitary time out on the road just slip away. New Orleans was one of my longer stops. After contacting Rich, a NOLA scooterist who runs a forum, which most cities have, so look into it, he offered to meet me outside of town and escort me in. It was a very proper welcoming and made me feel slightly initiated.
The guys over at Big Easy Scoots were also really hospitable-man, the South has its charm. Food, music and culture keeps New Orleans heartbeat strong like the drummer in a brass band. I don't know how fast food stays in business there. You can even find the best, cheap home cooked meal in ramshackle places where the name is merely spraypainted on a piece of plywood. The Big Easy Scooter Crew; Mike and Tom and Jocelyn had many a meal with me and even an adventure out to Finn Mccools to meet other NOLA scooterists. Johnny Nomad, a local scooterist and fellow traveler, hosted me for three days. He's trying to see the whole globe without ever taking an airplane and has so far seen 70 countries. About traveling, he says, ""If I have learned one thing as a traveler, it would be that the world would be a better place if everyone took a little time out of their lives to explore the world around them."
I spent a full day volunteering at The Green Project (thegreenproject.org). TGP offers valuable resources to its community and our environment by keeping 45-70% of stuff out of landfills. They provide the drop off point for recycled paint, lumber, and building materials... where they are salvaged and placed somewhere else in the city. Volunteering is not just allowing me to help out communities but helping me get a better idea to choose the remaining two recipients of donations collected.
The raffles are helping to raise money, but there honestly haven't been enough contestants to do one each week. I hope this changes! So far, we have raised more than $2,000 for donation to charitable organizations. Today a huge donation came in from a kind, wonderful gentleman who works as a geologist in the oil business and I wrote to him of the irony. It's funny, accepting a donation for gas, from an oil associate, in order to fuel my vehicle to demonstrate transportation alternatives that maximize fuel efficiency. See, he is a scooterist also-he knows what's up! Another surprise came the other day when someone I barely know wrote me and said, "I've decided to send my economic stimulus check to you, for charitable donation!" Thank you Tara!
I'm enjoying 8 hours a day of fresh air and seeing the variations in landscape. Most of the routes I've chosen are perfect for scooting. The only exception was 90W out of New Orleans and it was basically like an interstate without being officially named one. Riding it in the pouring rain made maintaining speeds of 70mph very difficult and slightly dangerous. Gear is really important factor to make these rides as comfortable and safe as possible. My saddlebags kept the rain out as did my rain suit. I was never cold or too soggy. Now that I'm hitting triple digit temperatures, hydration is also key, so I carry an Camelbak unit. There are a lot of new photos in my flickr account, including one that I'm really proud of-my first gator in the wild sighting!
I had only 15 miles left in Louisiana when I saw one! The ride itself was gorgeous, coasting through crawfish, sugarcane and rice fields into Cajun Bayous and then across a ferry over to the Gulf side of Texas, watching the Mississippi River meet the ocean. And no one was around, beautiful riding, but no gas stations. The irony of running out of gas where the many oil refineries dotting the Texas landscape!
Check out www.peacescooter.com for more details, to leave your definition of peace and to enter the raffles!
Ride ON!
Alix
--
I would rather us make history by creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
www.peacescooter.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Headed towards the Crescent City
I've entered the deep South, where an abundance of BBQ joints and churches dot the landscape; kudzu lurks everywhere. Right now I'm writing from Jackson, MS, and I can say they need better roads. I feel like I'm riding motocross with all the cracks and pot holes. It's good preparation for New Orleans, where the roads were in bad shape long before Katrina. I did see the coolest thing today though-motorcycle/scooter parking. I want to see more of this-everywhere!
Cities should help encourage alternative transportation by creating more designated parking spots. I've been fielding a ton of questions and comments about the scooter, more than last year it seems. Soon there will be enough of us out here to justify such accommodations. Seattle is one city that has taken this request to their City Council.
I'm here in Jackson to visit my father, on Mother's Day. He took me to a local recovery program/shelter that provides three free meals a day. I helped serve food and clean up after lunch. There is so much poverty here that my heart breaks. It is hard to believe this is America. Before I leave in the afternoon, I will visit again to help serve, just hoping to offer a little help. I was put on the spot today and asked to say the Grace. I took a deep breath and made it up on the spot; emphasizing the importance of community and nourishment. The exchange between people at these shelters has been amazing.
Just two days ago I was in Birmingham, AL volunteering at Birmingham Community Kitchens. There is a video interview up, not the fanciest, but it's with the two gentlemen who help run the kitchen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-mk0J1CbY
That kitchen actually had some tasty vittles and has been serving free meals since 1980.
After volunteering I went down to Magic City Scooters. Matthew and his shopman Will greeted me warmly and took care of an oil change for me. The spark plug was also changed-just regular maintenance stuff. It's hard to believe Matthew's shop has only been open 5 months. It’s perfect. The logo, storefront, stock, memorabilia, knowledge, attitude, and its customers make Magic City Scooters a fun place to visit. It's easy to tell that Matthew knows a lot about his trade and he's ready for BHAM's revival. I was impressed that he wears so many hats, and is both an excellent host and mechanic. What more can you expect from a man with a banjo tattooed on his knee?
I met a lot of local scooterists that night, and also in Atlanta, thanks for coming out y'all. We had a hoot of a time because Magic City was hosting Game Show Night, based on old school game shows, and where everyone is a contestant. I collected quite a lot of beads, or points. Mainly, I just enjoyed the company of everyone. The scooter community never ceases to amaze me.
I just realized on Saturday that I have no place to stay in NOLA, so I posted on some scooter forums. Fortunately, a kind chap named Rich put out the word when he saw my post, helping me secure lodging by sending out emails to 300 people. I'm grateful because the more costs I can save on this trip means the more that will be left for donation to non profits! Oh, and apparently, two people on his email list actually met me last year at a bar and have agreed to host me. I will stay in NOLA until Friday; so far the pace is steady.
I've been cautious about the horrendous storms ravaging the South East. Riding a scooter means paying attention to the elements at large. I know that the storms usually build up and hit in the afternoon, so I've gotten some early starts to avoid them. Twice now I've pulled into my destination just in time, with nary a drop fallen on me-only to hear the tornado warnings go off in town. It's an eerie feeling.
I've been on the road nine days now, traveling almost 1,500 miles. Gas has consistently been $4.22 a fill up. I've now crossed almost 5 state lines, raised more than $2,000 of the $20,000 goal, met a bunch of great scooterists as well as total strangers. I've picked up a favorite new sticker, it says, "Buddhism-Don't Even think About It." Oh, and I've now seen everyone in my small family. None of us can figure out where exactly my sense of adventure comes from. The high point of my visit in BHAM was when my Aunt complimented my packing skills and my scooter-saying it sure was a nice looking machine-this from a lady who admitted she's never been to the website.
I'm getting even more excited as the days pass and definitely look forward to some okra and jazz down in the Bayou!
Thanks for reading!
Peace
--
I would rather us make history by creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
www.peacescooter.com
Cities should help encourage alternative transportation by creating more designated parking spots. I've been fielding a ton of questions and comments about the scooter, more than last year it seems. Soon there will be enough of us out here to justify such accommodations. Seattle is one city that has taken this request to their City Council.
I'm here in Jackson to visit my father, on Mother's Day. He took me to a local recovery program/shelter that provides three free meals a day. I helped serve food and clean up after lunch. There is so much poverty here that my heart breaks. It is hard to believe this is America. Before I leave in the afternoon, I will visit again to help serve, just hoping to offer a little help. I was put on the spot today and asked to say the Grace. I took a deep breath and made it up on the spot; emphasizing the importance of community and nourishment. The exchange between people at these shelters has been amazing.
Just two days ago I was in Birmingham, AL volunteering at Birmingham Community Kitchens. There is a video interview up, not the fanciest, but it's with the two gentlemen who help run the kitchen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-mk0J1CbY
That kitchen actually had some tasty vittles and has been serving free meals since 1980.
After volunteering I went down to Magic City Scooters. Matthew and his shopman Will greeted me warmly and took care of an oil change for me. The spark plug was also changed-just regular maintenance stuff. It's hard to believe Matthew's shop has only been open 5 months. It’s perfect. The logo, storefront, stock, memorabilia, knowledge, attitude, and its customers make Magic City Scooters a fun place to visit. It's easy to tell that Matthew knows a lot about his trade and he's ready for BHAM's revival. I was impressed that he wears so many hats, and is both an excellent host and mechanic. What more can you expect from a man with a banjo tattooed on his knee?
I met a lot of local scooterists that night, and also in Atlanta, thanks for coming out y'all. We had a hoot of a time because Magic City was hosting Game Show Night, based on old school game shows, and where everyone is a contestant. I collected quite a lot of beads, or points. Mainly, I just enjoyed the company of everyone. The scooter community never ceases to amaze me.
I just realized on Saturday that I have no place to stay in NOLA, so I posted on some scooter forums. Fortunately, a kind chap named Rich put out the word when he saw my post, helping me secure lodging by sending out emails to 300 people. I'm grateful because the more costs I can save on this trip means the more that will be left for donation to non profits! Oh, and apparently, two people on his email list actually met me last year at a bar and have agreed to host me. I will stay in NOLA until Friday; so far the pace is steady.
I've been cautious about the horrendous storms ravaging the South East. Riding a scooter means paying attention to the elements at large. I know that the storms usually build up and hit in the afternoon, so I've gotten some early starts to avoid them. Twice now I've pulled into my destination just in time, with nary a drop fallen on me-only to hear the tornado warnings go off in town. It's an eerie feeling.
I've been on the road nine days now, traveling almost 1,500 miles. Gas has consistently been $4.22 a fill up. I've now crossed almost 5 state lines, raised more than $2,000 of the $20,000 goal, met a bunch of great scooterists as well as total strangers. I've picked up a favorite new sticker, it says, "Buddhism-Don't Even think About It." Oh, and I've now seen everyone in my small family. None of us can figure out where exactly my sense of adventure comes from. The high point of my visit in BHAM was when my Aunt complimented my packing skills and my scooter-saying it sure was a nice looking machine-this from a lady who admitted she's never been to the website.
I'm getting even more excited as the days pass and definitely look forward to some okra and jazz down in the Bayou!
Thanks for reading!
Peace
--
I would rather us make history by creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
www.peacescooter.com
Friday, May 9, 2008
Genuine Scooters is proud to sponsor Alix Bryan
Genuine Scooter Company is proud to sponsor Alix Bryan on her 2008 P.E.A.C.E. Scooter ride. Alix will be taking her Buddy 125 on another 10,000 mile journey, finishing the outline of a “Peace Sign” that she started last year. Along the way, she will strike up conversations with people she meets, as well as organizes, rides, events, and demonstrations.
Alix’s goal with P.E.A.C.E. Scooter is to raise awareness to environmental issues and social injustices, promote alternative transportation like scooters, bicycles, and walking…and of course spread PEACE!
Throughout her journey, Alix will be contributing regular blog entries to genuinescooters.com, so she can share words and images from her journey and offer tips on cross-country scooter travel.
Genuine also created three T-Shirt designs to commemorate the P.E.A.C.E. Scooter ride. You can purchase them through your local Genuine Scooter dealer or through Scooterworks. A small part of the proceeds help fund Alix’s journey…gas is expensive, even at 90 miles per gallon! The rest supports organizations like thepeacealliance.org and girlbike.com’s Last Mile Ride 2008.
We also encourage you to visit peacescooter.com to learn more about the causes Alix supports.
We hope you have a peaceful 2008!
Genuine Scooter Company
Alix’s goal with P.E.A.C.E. Scooter is to raise awareness to environmental issues and social injustices, promote alternative transportation like scooters, bicycles, and walking…and of course spread PEACE!
Throughout her journey, Alix will be contributing regular blog entries to genuinescooters.com, so she can share words and images from her journey and offer tips on cross-country scooter travel.
Genuine also created three T-Shirt designs to commemorate the P.E.A.C.E. Scooter ride. You can purchase them through your local Genuine Scooter dealer or through Scooterworks. A small part of the proceeds help fund Alix’s journey…gas is expensive, even at 90 miles per gallon! The rest supports organizations like thepeacealliance.org and girlbike.com’s Last Mile Ride 2008.
We also encourage you to visit peacescooter.com to learn more about the causes Alix supports.
We hope you have a peaceful 2008!
Genuine Scooter Company
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Genuine Scooters Wishes Alix Good Luck
Hey y'all
I've been on the road 5 days now and have traveled 725 miles on the scooter. My experience from last year made packing the scoot much easier. I had to stop and shift some weight around the first day, as I hit really strong crosswinds (which are not friendly to heavily-loaded scooters). I was riding top heavy with sleeping bag, ground cover, rainsuit, and towel all on the front, but switched most of it to the saddlebags. I seemed to have packed just the right amount, except for socks.
So far, all is smooth, although big storms are in the forecast tomorrow. That's the challenge to traveling the South in May, but I’m doing it now as to avoid the heat of Texas in June.
One thing I haven't been able to avoid is the cost of gas, but my trusty steed makes the cost more bearable. I do promote (not brag about) the fuel efficiency of scooters as I'm getting all the stares at the pumping station; making small talk that it's gonna cost me $4.22 to fill up. It's enjoyable to drive off leaving a small total for the next person to see and scratch their head. Now that I'm getting further away from home, I've started getting the proverbial question; "You drove THAT from THERE?" I've even seen more scooters on the road, makes sense, since we are all getting slammed at the pump.
I'm in the third state now, Georgia, and have only spent $33.77 on gas. Once I crossed into North Carolina, my odometer hit 12,000, all but about 550 miles of that has gone into the P.E.A.C.E. SCOOT TOUR.
I took my time in Asheville, NC, staying two days with my good friends, Hannah and Jaymii. It felt like home because I was still in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tuesday it came time to reach Atlanta, as Alice Walker was giving a speech. Bags packed, coffee consumed and then I was off. It was an ideal day of riding until I reached the outskirts of ATL and faced traffic. It was much better than the confusing ride into Asheville, on the back roads of rural nowhere America. I zoomed up and down the Appalachian Highway, with Blue Ridge Mountain crests surrounding me and curves seducing me. There weren't as many as I might like, but it was fun nonetheless.
Even with all the gear, the scoot is handling impressively. Dave at Scoot Richmond gave her a full "spa treatment," much needed after last years long haul. The top speed seems about 3 miles faster; I've been keeping it open at around 65mph. The route, US 23/US 441 is worth driving if in the NC area. It is scoot friendly, 125cc and up. There appears to be a lot of camping available and the scenery is spectacular. It could be a good day jaunt, as a second choice to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs the other direction, north and east. I made great time time to ATL, since it was a straight shot, speed limit 55-65.
Memories were flashing through my head since I went this way last year, however I was a very "green" rider. I enjoyed the ride much more this time, not tensing up whenever a truck loomed in my mirror. ATL is notorious for their traffic since experiencing a population boom since 1992. Once actually moving, not gridlocked, the pace is fast and furious. Glad to have on my gear and glad to be in the Sunny, Warm South-but those two aren't the best combination. Arriving in town I was dehydrated and couldn't wait to strip off the long johns I had needed in the morning and to wrestle off the leg armor.
I've already had great, random conversations with people; about art, Peace, presidents, social justice, community, activism, freedom, environmental awareness. I approach a lot of people, some approach me. Still, I find myself surprised how honest and humorous total strangers can be with one another. Right now in Atlanta I'm being hosted by total strangers, who, as it turns out, have a house better than what most hotels offer, in downtown Little Five Points. They are also incredibly kind folks and I only hope to have more hosts like this. Over the next few days I will visit with family in Birmingham, AL and Jackson, MS-they seem to be a bit mystified that anyone in our family is this adventurous. I'm also looking forward to volunteering at a couple of organizations, like Birmingham Community Kitchens and Habitat for Humanity!
Ride On!
Alix
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I would rather us make history by creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
www.peacescooter.com
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