Down and Burnt Out in Unprecedented Times
To whoever still follows, I hope this update finds you healthy, safe, and sane enough. I realize it’s been quiet here for months; the global pandemic has affected us all in different ways. I must admit, as a professional artist, I smugly assumed I had a leg up on...
Barcelona: Parc Güell, Barceloneta, and Moar Food (Part 3 of 3). August 14–21, 2019.
Back in Barcelona, Anita and I still had some work to do. And sightseeing and eating, of course. My friend Kyle texted me from Boston with many recommendations for things to do in Barcelona. I ruled out the Hop On Hop Off bus (why would I pay for a...
Barcelona: Tibidabo, 24 Hours of Vespas, and Montserrat (Part 2 of 3). August 14–21, 2019.
In part two around Barcelona, Anita rents a Vespa and we take to the hills to visit Tibidabo, Team Vespa’s garage, and Montserrat! It turned out Anita accidentally booked the wrong day for her rental, but Vespa Soul assured us a GTS 300 would be returned at noon. Oh...
Barcelona: Festa Major de Gràcia and Tapas with Friends (Part 1 of 3). August 14–21, 2019.
The temptation to hop on my bike and simply point it at the countryside for a long way was tantalizing, but I had some time before that and some work to put away. Besides, Assumption Day kicked off a local weeklong festival, Festa Major de Gràcia. For the festival,...
Where’s Steph: COVID Update
Strange days are here. I’m not here to repeat the news, but in light of the global pandemic I’m postponing my overland riding plans this spring. For a while, I desperately held onto hope that the outbreak would even out in time for my return flight to Europe, but...
Where’s Steph in 2020, the Year of the Rat(bike?)
Whoops, we’re already most of the way through January 2020 and I haven’t made official announcements for riding and travel?! I wish this post was more substantial, but winter threw some hard curveballs and I’m still getting my wheels back under me. Continued travel does favor a degree of...
New Continent, Who Dis. Landing in Barcelona. August 14, 2019.
A too short, cold sleep later and the Pyrenees appeared as a ripped seam in the distance. An hour before landing, an inflight entertainment program in the “Spirit of Canada” category piqued my interest: The Frozen Road. Although the cyclist and director, Ben Page, was traveling the Arctic in...
Toronto Multiple Nexus Achievement Unlocked! August 11–13, 2019.
I went back and forth on whether I wanted to truck to Toronto or make the most out of Serenity’s last miles in North America. In the end, I wasn’t so hungover I couldn’t load a scoot onto a truck bed with Fred, and trucking meant I could eke...
Trailer Queen to Who Dat? Fat Two-Stroke Weekend. August 9–11, 2019.
My last scooter rally with Serenity in North America, and she’s on a truck already?! To be fair, this is the only time I’ve ever trailered her to a rally. This is special treatment. Unfortunately, with so many blackout dates coming up in Europe I couldn’t justify taking an...
Boston Send-Off. August 6–8, 2019.
Tuesday before launch, Boston area scooterists got together for one last dinner hurray before Fred and I drove to Toronto and I was off to Europe for a few months. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, almost fine enough to change my opinion of the city. Just kidding, it...