Since I’ve posted Pyke’s then impending repainting , I feel that an update is in order for readers of this blog. Here are some pics taken by photographer, Carlo Cecilio of Imagine Nation Photography one afternoon before the adidas House Party in Manila.
close up of Vespa Pilipinas’ legshield
Pyke’s rear and the reflective Vespa Club flag
Now see Pyke in full view after the jump. Read the rest of this entry ?
It’s been almost three years since I acquired PYKE and I feel that it’s time to sport a new look especially with the rust and corrosion that’s starting to show at the floorboard and glovebox. I had fun with my black & white theme but it’s time to try something new.
The design that I thought of was inspired by the numerous Vespa Italia and Vespa Union Jack paintjobs I’ve seen online. But my particular color scheme was of course based on the Philippine tri-color (red, white & blue) with the three stars & the sun.
Here’s the left perspective.
(click image to enlarge)
I did the design in photoshop using three identical press photos of three Vespa PXs in while, blue and red. I just added the racing stripes, the sun and the stars.
The right side would look like this. Read the rest of this entry ?
As Vespa Club’s very first ride for 2009, the new officers organized and open breakfast ride to Sierra Madre via the Marilaque twisties. It’s a short out-of-town ride scheduled on the first weekend after the first workweek of the new year. We were actually expecting a turnout of 20+ riders based on those who signed up in the forum. And boy, we were sooo wrong!
I’ve joined several Vespa rides to Sierra Madre in the past, but last weekend’s turnout was the biggest I’ve joined so far. Forty two riders showed up and that’s not counting the dog who tagged along with its master and sat comfortably on the scooter’s floorboard during the ride. Here’s our group shot.
Can you spot the doggie? 
Aside from our club members, Vespa groups from Makati, Binondo, Angono and Las Pinas also joined us that chilly morning. Some even jokingly dubbed the ride as Vespa Attack 4.1 with the number of scoots that time. The club treated everyone for a free breakfast and coffee! What a great way to start the new riding year!
You may view the numerous pictures taken that day posted in the following albums: Read the rest of this entry ?
Corinne Burgos is one of the very few local female Vespa riders. Just last weekend, she participated in the 1st Petron Econo-Endurance Run — a motorcycling event mounted to determine two things; [1] the most economical 4-stoke motorcycles available in the Philippines and, [2] the best endurance riders in the country.
The event, which is in line with the governments Department of Energy move to conserve energy and promote the clean air act, had its participants ride the distance of 1,000 kms. The route will start in Manila and end in Baguio City via Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Ilocos, & La Union province. A fellow Vespa Club member — Joseph Santos — also joined the run but as an unofficial participant since he rode his 2-stroke Piaggio Skipper.
Support from the local Vespa community were felt by the two participating Piaggio riders; from the send-off in Manila, to the mandatory stop in Ilocos, upto the finish line in Baguio. Truly, the Vespistis showed up in vital points during the run for practically a Meet & Greet and photo ops with Team Vespa. 
Below is Corinne’s re-telling of her most tiring and rewarding motorcycling experience as of yet. Read the rest of this entry ?
Bryan Bedell of 2stokeBuzz.com gave a shoutout: “Have fun, I promise I’ll be there someday!” Meanwhile, Orin O’Neill of Scootin ‘Old School added it as one of the “items on my list of things to do before i die.”
Exactly what are they talking about? They are referring to the VESPA ATTACK, baby!
Now on it’s fourth incarnation, the rally is attracting interest not just with fellow Vespa enthusiasts within the Philippines, but from outside the country as well. Proof that the Vespa scene in the country is alive and kickin’!
Here are some images I’ve snitched from Bob ‘Minggoy’ Fortuno, (read his VA4 account here) a fellow Vespa Club member and a very good photo enthusiast. All the following images were taken by him except when indicated.
Just a segment of the Vespa parking during the Main Event.
Total scooter count is 170 — the biggest turnout by far for any local Vespa Event
Brisbane’s new landmark — “Vespa Girl” — seen riding high above Scooters Scooters in Wickham Street Fortitude Valley has another reason to smile and wave at passers by, having won Gold in the Australian Sign Awards on the 31st of October 2008!
The annual competition is held on a National basis and the Vespa Girl took on contestants from as far away as W.A to take out the ‘Neon bending & lighting effects’ category.
Dealer Principal Joe D’Ercole was thrilled with the award stating that “we really wanted to make a statement, and an impact with the Vespa Girl sign. People are already using the store and sign as a point of reference in the area. We believe we have achieved this, and taking out the award is icing on the cake.”
Scooters Scooters is Vespa’s showcase store in Australia featuring a full line up of the stylish, economical and environmentally friendly Vespa, Piaggio and Gilera range of scooters. [source]
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See here how the moving neon display looks at night… Read the rest of this entry ?
Remember the gorgeous sidecar for the classic Vespa I posted a while ago?
Just last Tuesday, Gruppo Piaggio unveiled a prototype of a new sidecar design specially made for the modern Vespa line — particularly the GTV and GT models.
(front view)
If you like that, wait ’til you see how the rear looks like! Click on! Read the rest of this entry ?
Prior to the ride, we asked several contacts in Bora if we could actually bring in our scoots to the island resort. All said it’s not easy or it was close to impossible with the strict regulations. Details on how-to were sketchy so our group settled to just leave our reliable steeds at Caticlan. But deep inside, I still wanted to give it a shot. We’ve gone all the way there, so how hard is it really to bring the scoots along on a 15-minute boat ride? But who do we talk to? The coast guards? The boatmen? The porters? We were totally clueless. I admit I was also concerned of about how much that extra trip would cost or if it was even safe to do so. On a personal level, bringing my scooter there will be a validation that this ride is indeed a Boracay Ride. I wanted it so much that I had to at least try. Read the rest of this entry ?
The tropical beach of Boracay lies in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines and about 315 kms. away from Manila. It’s a very popular tourist destination and is considered one of the top 10 beaches in the world.
After tackling the North Luzon Loop, the Vespa Club’s Ride Director (Adrian/Rastaman) suggested that we ride to Bora. It took months of planning as logistics were critical for this ride as it involved scoots being ferried twice in two RoRo (Roll On-Roll Off) stations before we could reach our intended destination. We wanted to actually bring our scoots in the island. But after asking around, we learned it was close to impossible with the strict environmental regulations plus the fact that we don’t know which riding club has ever done so before, that is, if there is already. So, we agreed to go on with the ride and settled to just bring the scoots up to Caticlan then try our luck once we get there.
Soon as this ride was confirmed, my wife & daughter booked a flight to Bora to meet us there. Here’s a route map how we got there.
Air travel takes just a little over an hour and with the cheap airfare for advance bookings, the cost comes out just the same compared to RoRo. But riding isn’t just about getting to the destination, it’s also about experiencing the sights and enjoying the journey every step of the way.
Here’s our travelogue. Read the rest of this entry ?
Before I start talking about the Independence Ride we had in our club, let me first share with you this clip of a poignant and reflective rendition of our national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” (Chosen Land) which is traditionally played as a march.
The version below was sung acapella by the Loboc Boys Choir. Created by advertising director Mae Paner, I first saw this via the PAGASA community which my wife & I have been privileged to be a part of through the invitation of Dale, another Vespa buddy.
Here’s the video:
For more details about the above clip, just click ‘more info’ in this YouTube page.
Now about our ride… Read the rest of this entry ?
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