Seattle Chinatown >> Seattle Community News >> Vespa Scooter Riders  Gather in Seattle

7/15/2007 Seattle- They have a fever, and the only prescription is more Vespa!

At Amerivespa -- a national Vespa rally going on all weekend -- the common bond is love of an iconic scooter that began as ultra-cheap transportation for poor Italians after World War II.

There's a history and a romance to these machines, which first rolled in 1946. Think Audrey Hepburn holding onto Cary Grant in "Roman Holiday," (which, as a reference, makes some Vespisti cringe).

On Friday, Vespa and scooter lovers from around the country rallied for the festival, using South Lake Union Park as a base. Anywhere from 500 to 1,000 riders were expected to take part in numerous group rides, meals and events this weekend.

Within the Vespa tribe are all sorts of subcultures -- mods, rockers, commuters, engineheads and more. The machines ranged from beat up to shiny new, from tricked out and custom painted to factory standard.

Vespas are on the rise in the U.S., with 8,207 sold in 2004, 9,446 in 2005 and 10,619 last year, according to parent company Piaggio Group USA. A Vespa -- Italian for "wasp" -- gets up to 80 miles per gallon.

The Vespa Seattle store on Denny Way is No. 2 in sales in the country. Owner Victor Voris said most of his customers are baby boomers frustrated by traffic and parking.

Store sales manager Steve Calvo cited the pleasure factor. "They're fun. People feel the joy," he said. "You are in your little world when you ride."

Although Orin O'Neill saw a Vespa as a cheap ride with fewer emissions, he, like others, was quickly seduced by the lure and the lore.

"It was designed for Italy, so that women in long skirts and priests (in cassocks) could ride it, because you step through it, not over it," said O'Neill, a member of the Vespa Club of Seattle. "It's so elegant and so brilliant."

Kory Haggert, a 37-year-old plumber, scooted for two days from Calgary, Alberta, a distance of more than 800 miles on back roads. He has been riding less than two years, but always wanted a scooter. "It's the culture. You meet so many people from all over the world, and all walks of life, from tradespeople to doctors and lawyers," said Haggert, wearing a sleeveless faux fur jacket.

Others had traveled farther, including two Germans who shipped their bikes to Boston, then scooted cross-country.

Mary O'Connell and Linda Smith each ride a cheaper Chinese scooter called a Buddy, but they bought Vespa helmets at a vendor booth. The Seattle couple is new to scooting, although O'Connell, 65, has been motorcycling for more than 20 years.

They're scooter converts for one main reason.

"Economy," said Smith.

"Have you filled up your gas tank lately?" O'Connell asked.

Probably the loneliest place at Amerivespa on Friday was the Army recruiting booth.

"I didn't really expect people to be crowding the table," said Sgt. 1st Class Gary Decker. "This is probably the most unusual event we've done."

It took nine hours for Roy Cross, 41, and his son, Roy Jr., 9, to ride from Vancouver to Seattle, because their group of riders included one on a 35-mph moped. "My butt was aching afterwards," said Junior. "But I only complained once." Junior played a lot of hand-held Tetris on the ride, and sipped Coke from his "cup holder," an empty bean can taped to the 1979 Vespa.

His father has been riding since he was 15. "It was really good for chasing girls," said Cross, a father of three.

"The Vespa means so many things to so many people. Some people like the body, some people like tinkering with the engine, some just like to ride them," Cross said. "That's why it's managed to last all these years."

Eyeing Mark Houghton's mustard yellow Lambretta nearby, Cross explained the difference between the two Italian scooters. He said they're like bickering cousins who tease each other. Lambrettas, he said, are "fun to date, but you wouldn't want to marry one."

Houghton, 37, defended his five Lambrettas, dating from 1957 to 1974: "It's a better ride," with better weight distribution.

"Why do I have that many? I don't know," said Houghton, a Microsoft contractor. "A deal comes along and you just can't pass it up." Recently, he bought a broken-down one for $100 off Craigslist and brought 'er to life in less than an hour.

"I like to share the frustrations of trying to keep a 40-year-old machine alive," said Jay Bradley. "You get really excited to get them back on the road. Typically, they've been off the road for 30 years, languishing in a barn or a garage."

He and his wife, Sally Bradley, both CPAs from Boise, Idaho, own five Lambrettas and two Vespas, and have gotten deeper into their hobby since their 19-month-old daughter, Bonnie, was born. They traded music shows (pre-baby) for scootermania. Amerivespa is their family summer vacation.

Karen Nelson lined up her cotton-candy pink Stella scooter for a group ride. With daughters Carissa, 8, riding behind her, and Katie, 12, riding shotgun in a sidecar, the trio stood out.

They pulled out in the back with about 100 other scooters, looking like a peloton on a Tour de Seattle. Horns blared, heads turned and the wasps were off and buzzing.

VESPA VISION

Amerivespa continues in Seattle through Sunday. Highlights include the gymkhana, a riding competition Saturday, and a huge group ride to Vashon Island Sunday with up to 400 scooters hopping the ferry. For more information or the schedule, visit amerivespa.org. 

(Contributed by Seattle Post Intelligence Newspapers)