Trip to Riga (capital of Latvia) from Liepaja to participate on Vespa event (200 km to one side)

As I am a Vespa scooter patriot, but not-knower, can inform you that on 8th August in Riga for the first time happened the Vespa scooter gathering, that I as an owner of  the only Vespa from Liepāja had to attend.

So, a little insight in journey Liepāja-Rīga-Liepāja on the back of 125 cubic centimetre scooter:

The start was planned at 9:00 in morning, since I don’t know where exactly it will happen (for Riga inhabitants a surprise) „Piens” is a place about which I have heard much good, but have not seen in life. Of course, good emotions from yesterday made me leave only at 10:40 from Liepāja.

The first unpleasant surprise awaits at the „Liepāja city” sign, where scooter Vespa starts to make strange sounds and a thought accrues that I will not get far with it. But it turns out it only needs some fuel refill, which is not a problem, because I have ensured extra fuel with me, which for Vespa is as vine for its creator.

I start with an average speed of 100km p h and head towards Rīga.

Road part from Liepāja to Skrunda is very windy and humid – I have a thought to turn in a first populated area to buy some extra jacket, because it’s so cold; of course in some seconds the thought is gone, because such places on Sundays remind me of a movie about vampires (Salems Lot) and I know that only grocery shops will be opened with possibility to buy beer (which is generally OK, but not for this time).

That thought leaves me altogether in Skrunda (65 km away from Liepāja), because it’s getting warmer, but weather keeps changing.

Not far from Saldus my Vespa scooter starts to make strange sounds again and I start to worry about problems with motor.

At this moment I realize it might be again the problem with fuel, so I start to make winding lines on the road in order to shake the fuel tank; it reminds that care-drivers should drive carefully behind me ( I believe they thought I was drunk as a fish that moment).

I manage to get to Saldus where I refill my fuel, and there I calculate that on 100 km p h on average Vespa consumes around 4-5 litres of fuel; of course, Vespa takes its part, I smile, almost as much as a car, but the event is most important after all

At Brocēni (100 km away from Liepāja), rain starts to drop, but for my luck I have an army coloured poncho with me.

When riding with poncho I have a feeling that someone would pull me back, even arms start to grow numb – it’s a discomfort but I keep speed at 100 km p h, because nothing will stop me.

Riding across the Lielupe bridge (around 180 km away from Liepāja) the weather gets pleasant and I think about taking off the poncho, but I realize that it doesn’t disturb me anymore and when I look in the mirror I see it’s in tatters and looks kind of like jacket of rockers, but since it is from rubber drivers behind me must thought I am some kind of freak.

I stop to take those tatters off me and remember that I have music with me, so DJ ATB accompanies me till Rīga with good memories of the Baltic Beach Party.

I realize that I have left too late, because when I reach Jūrmala highway the clock on Vespa shows 13:40 – so I think I will be late, because I still don’t know where that „Piens” place is, so I have an idea – if no one will be there I will meet others at Andrejsala.

I enter Rīga riding Lāčplēša street and continue towards Brīvības street region asking people where to find „Piens” (which I also happen to find).

I have arrived on time which is a nice surprise for me.

The gathering itself was very well organized and was a great success, because they found sponsors and had a scenario planned which was smooth.

Of course a huge Thanks for all organisers and participants, because I must say – not only Vodka is connecting people, but also Vespa made its part, so when leaving Kalnciema street vine paradise I felt very positive.

If I travelled to Rīga 3,5 hours than the way back took me longer – 5 hours, because there was severe rain, storm and wet highway with a constant speed of 100- 115 km p h, which was maximum from my Vespa. But nevertheless I reached Liepāja 20 minutes before 23:00, tired but happy.

So if You are in Liepaja I really hope You will came to try on ride this Vespa