Who rides a Vespa?

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 ?

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

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 ?