Cute Scoot-n-Pooch Calendar..now 25% off!

I'm in love with this Boogie on a Scooter calendar by Lili Chin. It is her art of her Boston Terrier on a a variety of scooters. Readers of my blog may recall that one of my wishes is to have my own dog who rides on my scooter, so you know I am totally into this calendar. Chin uses a variety of vintage scooters like a Fuji Rabbit, Maicomobile, Salsbury and more. This would make a great holiday gift for the vintage scooterist on your list!

Get it from Zazzle for 25% off now.

Doodle Bugs are Back!

Quiz: What is a Doodle Bug?

A:

or



B:















If you guessed B, you are right, If you guessed A, you mistakenly chose a Hasbro Cootie.

Doodle Bugs were American-made scooters that, while only manufactured for a few years in the 1940s, must have been quite popular since so many exist today. Like Cushmans and Salsburys, many of the bikes have low horse-power Briggs & Stratton engines. Powerful enough to propel a youngster around the neighborhood, but not so much as to get him in trouble (or so was the thinking). These early, simple scooters provided a great sense of freedom for their young owners. Many of those original Doodle Bug riders have returned to the fold and bought new (to them) scooters and hold rallies to share their enthusiasm and knowledge.

The Daily Freeman-Journal just ran an article on the upcoming Doodle Bug Reunion which happens this weekend in Webster City, IA.

Bitten by the bug? Find out more about the Doodle Bug:

• Doodle Bugs on Wikipedia
• Vintage Motorbike Scooter Museum
• Yesterday's Rides Motorworks
• See my post on this event from 2007

Blog entry soundtrack:

Upcoming Event: San Francisco Classic

This weekend is the San Francisco Classic rally in beautiful San Francisco. Josh has to miss it as he is teaching a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. I'll be at the Saturday show selling Scoot! issues and swag. Stop by my table if you are there.

Check out the schedule for the event.  It's vintage only, so dust off your old standby and get riding!

Where will Scoot! be next weekend? SCOOTOURING

Fingers are crossed that next weekend is blue skies and warm temperatures, for I just got out my camping gear for the Burgundy Topz' Scootouring camping rally.

 The Topz are one club that knows how to do it right and if you are in the Sacramento area (or within driving distance like we are) then get thee to the rally! I'm so excited, I just bought a new hat for the occasion!

Upcoming Rally: Rides of March; 3/26-28, SLO

Upcoming  rally for those in California. Rides of March is in San Luis Obispo, which is about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, on the coast.

ITINERARY:

Friday Night: March 26th, 2010 

6:30pm: Meet at Madonna Inn .

7:30pm: 1 Hour ride leaves for McCarthy's Irish Pub. (NOTE: Has moved next to Foster's Freeze)

Saturday: March 27th, 2010 

9:30am: Meet at Sunshine Donuts on South Street and South Higuera

11:00am: Ride leaves for long ride of South San Luis Obispo County.

2:00pm: Arrive at Ramona Garden Park

Famous Strange Brew Scooter Crew Tri-tip BBQ

Raffle of restored Vespa Smallframe, etc.

Saturday Night:

 7:30pm: Meet at Foster's Freeze on Nipomo and Marsh

8:30pm: Ride leaves for ride around SLO

9:00pm: Arrive at Frog & Peach English Pub for Live show.

Scooterists overrun Downtown SLO till????

 Sunday Morning: March 28th, 2010 

10:30am: Meet at McCarthy's Irish Pub. (NOTE: Has moved next to Foster's Freeze).

11:30am: Ride leaves for South County

1:00pm: Arrive at Bulletproof Scooters in Grover Beach for BBQ by PushStart MSC and Goodbyes

Upcoming Event: Worshipping the Beast

This weekend Scoot! and our pals will be enjoying the scooterrific hospitality of The Burgundy Topz who have been going strong for over two decades. If you are within scooting/driving distance of Sacramento, CA this weekend, come on by. The Topz are old timey scooter boys who love their vintage scooters and I'm sad that an injury will keep me from riding my P200. But, I'll be there driving support and enjoying their company.

The schedule

The Beast Is Back

Leave the Tupperware© at home and dust off that rusty metal bomber! The Beast is going back to basics.

Old Scoots, long rides and a show for people who collect, build, restore and ride for the love of the machines. It’s about style, design, quality, durability, stability and utility. About permanent greasy fingernails, knowing what size wrench you need, and diagnosing the issue before you come to a stop. This sort of connection cannot be bought in stores and won’t be financed for 4.9%APR… You know it because you love it. Worship.

Here’s the Weekend Ritual:

Friday Night ~ Meet and Greet ~ 7pm

The Backdoor Lounge , 1112 Firehouse Alley, Sacramento CA, 95814

Hard Drinks for Hard Times! Come join us for a night with Sacramento’s very own ‘Velour Fog’ LEE DIAMOND! This maestro of lounge singers belts out the greatest hits from the 50’s up to the 80’s. He can easily whip up a crowd with his natural wolf-like charisma and a cordless microphone!

Saturday Morning ~ The Big Ride ~ 10am

Barber’s Alfa Romeo, 1116 18th Street, Sacramento CA, 95811

Get your ass outta bed and roll down to the Barber shop. Make sure your bike is tuned and gassed for an 80-mile roundtrip along some of the most unspoiled river roads. This will not be a huge group run, but something that can be ridden at your own pace. If you want to tear it up like Valentino Rossi or putt around like Mister Magoo that’s your choice. The whole route is a planned loop of awesome roadside venues that most locals have never seen or heard of.

Saturday Afternoon ~ 3pm

Morgan’s, 3348 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95816

Arrive back here for some artery clogging snacks and a breather before the show. Shoot some pool, throw some darts and kick up your heels for awhile.

Saturday Night ~ 7pm

Espresso Metro, 2104 11th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95818

Meet back here for another ride around Sacramento to the night show we have planned for you at… The Blue Lamp ~ 8pm, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. , Sacramento, CA 95816

It’s hard to tell this was once the 4th best topless bar in Sacramento. Now it’s the same for live music! Get floored by The Hypnotic IV and The Phantom Jets as they drown your ears in the best surf inspired music while throwing back some liver suffocating drinks.

Sunday Morning ~ 11am

Espresso Metro
Meet here for one last jog around ‘The Big Tomato’ before arriving back at …
The Barber Shop ~ 2pm; 1116 18th Street, Sacramento CA, 95811

Scooter Revival UK "reality show" in 2010

The 'net is abuzz about a teaser that has been released about an upcoming British show called, Scooter Revival UK which is said to debut in early 2010 in the UK with possible late 2010 showing in the US. You can watch the teaser here:


It looks like it adheres to the basic build-off formulas made popular (or tiresome, however you may look at it) by shows like Orange County Choppers. Although, I like scooters much more and I think it is harder (and more interesting) to recreate impeccable custom vintage scooters than just fabricate new choppers like the Tuttle family does.

A nice nod by having Phil Daniels narrate (he'll always be Jimmy whether he likes it or not) and for using Taffspeed, a well-known shop. Although, you have to chuckle when Colin the millionaire mod says, "You don't build a show-winning bike by just chucking money at it..." which it seems that he may well be doing by having the Taffspeed team doing it (!). But ah well, that's what those shows are about, and I am sure it will inspire the "everymen" scooterists in their garages to take up the cause.

Very excited about the possibility of this show!

ISO: 1959 restored scooter

Scoot! is looking to profile a scooter that either debuted in 1959 or a scooter that was made in 1959 but looks cherry. The Triumph Tigress has been suggested. If you have one that you think might make a good Reader's Ride, contact April.
Happy scooting!
-april

april AT scootmagazine DOTCOM

AmeriVespa 2009- San Jose, CA - Registration Open

Registration is now open for Amerivespa 2009 which will be held in the San Jose/Silicon valley area of California, the Scoot! home stompin' grounds!
Sign up now so that you can be sure to get all the cool swag!

We'll see you there!

Scoot! Magazine Flikr Pool

Here is a photo that was uploaded to the Scoot! Flikr pool. Add your won scooter rally pics, images of you + our scoot, dogs on scooters, vintage ads and picture, etc...

And, if you are interested in submitting one of the pics for our Show Us Your Scoots section, let us know.

Show Us Your Scoot: Blog-style!

Another older submission that wasn't high enough res to make the magazine:

"My name is Jeff Cleaveley and I am the editor of the quarterly newsletter of the Zundapp Bella Enthusiasts Club here in the UK. We have 85 members, mainly in the UK, but also from around the world, including the USA. Our website is www.bellascooters.co.uk"

Thanks for sending!

Cool Tool: Magnetic Tool Tray

I love magnetic stuff and this tray is super-cool. If you don't have one, go out and get one. It is super-valuable when working on your scoot. No lost hardware. I have had one for years, but saw this hanging in Sears and it reminded me to post abut it.

It came in oddly handy once when my housemate and I had a clothes dryer that wouldn't stay closed. We out the magnet over the door, straddling the door and dryer body. It kept it closed no matter how much laundry was in there. ;)

But for keeping things tidy in the garage, it works great. Makes a good holiday gift for scooterists who do their own work, even plastic scooter owners.

2009 Vintage Scooter Build Off

I am so excited by this cool scooter build-off! I hope it really brings out some awesome scooters. Kings Classic used to be the rally that people used to unveil the customs that they had worked all year on. Then, Vegas High Rollers became the event. It kind of slacked over the past couple years, except for a few sweet bikes. I am hopeful that this competition will bring out a great crop of bikes.
According to the site:

Our goal is to facilitate and promote the restoration of vintage Lambretta and Vespa scooters. The Put Up or Shut Up National Scooter Build-Off competition will serve as the perfect showcase for dramatic restorations from vintage scooter owners, clubs, and shops from across North America and beyond, who in the end are rewarded for their hard work.

and who can argue about that?
I know a few of the committee members and several of the participants. So, I'm sure that the teams are capable of some awesome work. Join us in Vegas next March to see what happens!


Blog entry soundtrack: "It's Different for Girls" by Joe Jackson

Upcoming Event: All Girl Scooter Rally

In 2006 my housemate and I attended the AGSR in Palm Springs, CA and had a blast. It was the best organized, fun-packed rally I have been to. Lots of fun activities, camaraderie and great swag/raffle prizes. My housemate won the scooter raffle prize!

This year, AGSR returns to Florida. If you are a scootin' gal in the area, plan to attend. Even if you go alone, you'll meet lots of fun ladies.

Date: Oct. 18th-20th,2008
Sixth Annual All Girls Scooter Rally

* St. Augustine, Florida
The Sixth Annual All Girls Scooter Rally

The All Girls Scooter Rally wishes to invite women riders to enjoy a
weekend of scenic group rides, beach fun, and margaritas. Sunny St.
Augustine, Florida, October 18-20, 2008. If you want to come early or
stay late, you"re welcome to do so.

Agenda:
Friday night - 80"s night at British Pub
Saturday night - Pajama party my hotel room

Make your own hotel reservation at Holiday Inn Anastasia Island,
904-471-2555. Address is 860 A1A Beach Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32080.
Ask for second floor rear of building near back stairs--fastest way to
beach access. Flying into Jacksonville is the closest airport.
for info contact: christine.wysocki at gmail dot com

Blog entry soundtrack: Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter-- The Dreaming Dead

Upcoming Event: Worshiping the Beast 10/17

It has been a few years since I attended a Worshiping the Beast rally, but it's nice to see that the river boat is back. If you are within driving distance to Sacramento, CA hangout with the wonderfully fun Burgundy Topz scooter club. Those boys are great!

Worshipping The Beast 22 The Boat is Back!
Date: Oct. 17th-19th,2008
* Sacramento , California

Burgundy Topz presents Worshiping the Beast 22! Scooter show, scenic rides and a helluva party on the River City Queen charter boat!

RSVP your $40 ticket at paypal.com for your boat rally pack before it"s too late.
Details at www.burgundytopz.com

Spotted on Flikr...

I set-up a slideshow that displays items on Flikr that have scooter-ish tags. Sometimes really cool images come through and I try to highlight them.
This image was in the photo collection of aisaider2008 who has all sorts of old European photos. I just love this one with the decor on the scooter, the excited kids, their old style shoes and clothes, and the loving matriarch in the back. Wish I had one of these photos in my family collection!

Scoot! Magazine Flikr Pool

I have a fFlikr slideshow going on this blog, but I thought I would start a Scoot! Magazine specific pool where you can link your Flikr photos. If you want to share your rally pics or even upload photos of you bikes for submission to the Show Us Your Scoots section, it should be a fun, useful way to share your scooter pics.

I uploaded a few to start, but will go through my iPhoto for more.