Is Driving Like Strolling: A path to extra inventive considering?


Vespa GTS 250 scooter parked on a farm lane.
A cease on a current late afternoon trip. Simply a while on the highway to assume. Is driving like strolling?

Trip or Stroll?

I’ve lengthy acknowledged feeling higher once I go for a trip. The gap, period, or vacation spot don’t appear to matter.

A current examine from Stanford College means that strolling led folks to extra inventive considering. I’ve examine writers with the ability to shake unfastened psychological blocks and clear up narrative issues whereas strolling. So I’ve begun to surprise if driving is like strolling.

The Stanford examine confirmed from 80 to 100% of individuals produced extra inventive concepts whereas strolling in comparison with sitting. And sitting down afterward, that inventive vitality continued. I sit so much. Maybe if I take extra common walks my weblog writing blocks could start to dissolve.

Once I trip my creativeness positively will increase. Most of the concepts for weblog and video matters floor throughout rides. Not so many once I sit on the keyboard.

Maybe I simply making an attempt to rationalize extra causes to trip.

Vespa GTS 250 scooter parked along a forest road.
Much more so than my bikes, driving a scooter frees my thoughts.

Sunshine and Chilly Climate

Driving by way of winter in Central Pennsylvania requires a number of issues. As I’ve gotten older, practically 69 now, I’ve just about deserted risking being caught in a snowstorm, having to trip dwelling from work in freshly falling snow and sleet, or braving temperatures beneath 0F.

I’ve gotten delicate.

However I nonetheless don’t winterize my machines and proceed to trip by way of the winter. All I require now are temperatures of about 20F and fairly dry roads. And if there’s a bit of sunshine, I can virtually persuade myself it’s summer time. Or a minimum of spring. The driving gear helps.

I used to be driving alongside one of many paved roads into the mountains and stopped alongside a stream. I typically cease simply to take heed to the gurgling waters. I’ve listened to wonderful recordings of streams however they’re nothing like the actual factor.

A Vespa GTS 250 scooter in a forest.
The Vespa transports me as far-off from the noise and bustle of residing as is feasible regularly.

As Far As I Can Go

The solar will heat the forest on a winter day, typically sufficient to acknowledge the perfume of decaying leaves, a touch of pine, and the aroma of a meandering creek. Once I discover a bit of highway or path I’ll typically push the Vespa ahead till I can’t, or received’t, go any farther. Happy. Content material. And with a transparent head. I get that approach strolling. And it appears driving is like strolling.

It’s a bit unusual to me that I nonetheless select to trip the Vespa into areas higher suited to the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Previous habits die laborious I assume.

A Vespa GTS 250 scooter is parked in front of the Pump Station Cafe.
The thoughts returns to much less conscious experiences as I go to the Pump State Cafe in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.

One other Previous Behavior

Behavior or ritual, I don’t care which. However all my rides have a tendency to incorporate or end with a cease to eat. It’s not that I’m hungry or don’t have meals at dwelling however quite an opportunity to take a seat alone and watch the world go by. Watch folks. Expertise life in the best way my leanings towards being a loner appear to permit.

The Pump Station Cafe in Boalsburg is a neighborhood favourite partially as a result of its outside seating is accessible year-round. In the course of the pandemic, my drug-suppressed immune system appreciated with the ability to dine within the open air. One other chilly climate problem at instances with my restrict set to round 30F. I’ve seen skiers dine outside in chilly climate. Why can’t a Vespa rider?

Breakfast on the table at the Pump Station Cafe.
My primary Vespa driving breakfast — egg, bacon, cheese, and tomatoes on a bagel, Earl Gray tea, and a cinnamon roll.

Some Issues By no means Change

Any journey in my life is confined to driving. Meals has by no means been an journey. I might in all probability dwell like a canine consuming the identical factor time and again. Such are my breakfast selections on the Pump Station — Bounce Begin sandwich, tea, and a cinnamon roll.

I’m nonetheless eager about whether or not driving is like strolling when it comes to jumpstarting my inventive energies and output. I learn one thing this morning that advised stability between the appropriate and left sides of our mind ought to be the aim. Maybe if I honored the left facet extra with its give attention to element, concrete motion, and sensible ideas. It could make it simpler to clean the scooter and motorbike. Mop up the mud from the mud room. And customarily act as an grownup in issues of dwelling upkeep and chores.

Sounds boring.