Becoming a Citizen of Scooterland: From Fear to Freedom
My journey to becoming a citizen of Scooterland started only three years ago. Planning for our eventual retirement in the coming years, my husband and I purchased our second retirement home in Daytona Beach, Florida in January 2024. Knowing what a hassle it is having a car in beach towns during vacation season, I started thinking about scooters – 50cc scooters.
Having never ridden a scooter, I rented one for the day in Daytona Beach to see what it was like – during Daytona Bike Week, no less! I was afraid, but I loved the experience. When I came home, I ordered two 50cc GY6 scooters online – one for me and one for my husband. I started riding around my neighborhood so I could get used to being on two motorized wheels. It’s a big neighborhood, but I felt the need for more. I braved a trip on the ‘big roads’ to the grocery store. I kept riding outside my neighborhood and started to feel the need to roam more. I came upon the Small Bore Corps Group on Facebook. They had a 50cc-friendly group ride. Thinking I could go farther away from my home and feel safer on the ‘big roads’ with my slow-up-the-hills 50cc 4T in a group, I signed up.
My first group ride experience was fantastic and enlightening. I was in awe that folks from other scooter groups in the Mid-Atlantic region also came to the ride. I observed a tight community of people who were supportive of each other and who welcomed this newcomer. The ride also enlightened me. Bottom line, I needed a more powerful scooter for these roads in Northern Virginia.
After passing my motorcycle safety course, I purchased my 2003 Vespa ET4. My decision to upgrade to a scooter for which I needed a motorcycle endorsement did not come lightly to me. When I was younger, I lost my oldest brother in a motorcycle accident. It shook me to the core. I spent most of my adult life with no interest in being on two motorized wheels, but I also paid extra attention to bikers while I was in my car – looking out for their safety on the road as best I could.
I did my first group ride on my ET4 in the spring of 2025. It was in the countryside where the group rode over milled pavement – oh no! – and a bit of gravel – double oh no! I decided I needed more time on my ET4 before I could feel somewhat confident. I started riding solo around town, seeking out patches of gravel and other surfaces. Then I went on my first long solo ride for a weekend at Bethany Beach, Delaware. I avoided the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and took the long way north of the Chesapeake and into Delaware – 260 miles each way.
I fell in love with solo rides but knew my range was limited with my 150cc. Some Small Bore Corps members had a matter-of-fact talk with me during an ice cream break on a ride about getting a bigger bike. On Labor Day weekend 2025, I picked up my new-to-me 2012 navy blue Vespa GTS 300ie. Having sworn I would never give a mechanical thing a name, I found myself referring to my Vespas as The Little Guy and The Big Guy. I recently purchased a 2027 Blu Eclettico Vespa GTS 310 SuperSport. Now I have The Little Guy, Old Blue, and Big Blue.
The Small Bore Corps Group supported me during my journey into Scooterland with riding and wrenching advice and just being kind and non-judgmental. Wanting to give back, I requested membership in Small Bore Corps DMV Club so I could help others who had helped me. I’ve been a member since December 2025. Calling a club a 'family' is an easy cliché, but there is no other word for a group of folks who will spend a Saturday teaching you how to wrench your own engine. There’s always something new and different to explore in Scooterland. Fortunately, the Small Bore Corps Club and the wider scooter community will be there to guide me along the way.
