Is that what it’s called? Biking sounds much better.
So I’ve been riding my scooter back and forth from work now since I got my license. I seem to be averaging 70-80 miles to the gallon depending on which roads I take. (above 45 mpg eats a bit more fuel.) It’s 14 miles to work so, at around 30 miles a day I’m filling up my tank two to three times a week. It holds a gallon. The Dodge was taking a gallon each way. By Grobthar’s Hammer, what a savings.
It’s also interesting to see that I’ve instantly been inducted into the overall biking community. Any time that I pass another person on a bike, they wave. I’ve noticed that some of them lose interest once they see I’m on a scooter and not a full-fledged motorcycle, but whatever. Ive also noticed that some cars pass me, even when I’m going over the speed limit, presumably because they don’t feel masculine enough to follow a scooter.
It’s such a blast to drive. The same roads feel completely different. There’s always a breeze. It’s a feeling of freedom that I cannot accurately explain. You just gotta feel it.
Rhys Martin is an author and photographer from Tulsa, Oklahoma. His love of travel was awakened in 2009 when he sold all of his possessions and left the country. For ten months, he lived out of a backpack and explored southeast Asia and Europe. When he returned home, it was with fresh eyes for his home state.
As he drove the back roads of Oklahoma, Rhys discovered the significance of historic Route 66 to the greater American story. He has traveled all 2,448 miles of the Mother Road and continues to seek out the quiet Main Streets of the Midwest.
Rhys's travel writing and photography has been featured in numerous publications, including Tulsa People Magazine, This Land Press, ROUTE Magazine, Nimrod Journal, The Oklahoman and Tulsa World. He wrote the book Lost Restaurants of Tulsa, which features the stories of nearly 50 iconic eating establishments from the city's past. He has also been a contributing author to multiple Route 66-based travel and history books.
Rhys is the President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and serves on multiple boards and commissions related to the Mother Road and its upcoming Centennial in 2026. He loves to connect with people and share his experiences.
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2 thoughts on “Scooting”
i once had a guy who was new to the motorcycle world ask me why everytime he passed a fellow biker they pointed at his tires?and; i know that feeling.josh
I am one of those people who passes those on two wheeled vehicles no matter the speed. Since there’s only a surface area of two credit cards in contact with the ground, even a sand patch could take out a bike and I don’t want to be behind that bike to run the person over.
Rhys' Pieces 
i once had a guy who was new to the motorcycle world ask me why everytime he passed a fellow biker they pointed at his tires?and; i know that feeling.josh
I am one of those people who passes those on two wheeled vehicles no matter the speed. Since there’s only a surface area of two credit cards in contact with the ground, even a sand patch could take out a bike and I don’t want to be behind that bike to run the person over.