Everything is Scooterific!

Posted by Bill Bliweiss on Feb 18, 2009 in Leisure | 2 comments

All day long…that is the optimistic feeling expressed by members of the Rockland Scooter Club, when thinking, riding or talking scooters.  The RSC, as it is called (aka Vesparados.com) was formed a couple of years ago by co-founders Gary Blankfort and Jack D’amico, who is the owner of Cafe Portofino, located in Piermont, New York, also the delightful headquarters of the club.  The RSC now boasts over 65 members (their motto: “..if you have a scooter, you’re in the club..”) and counting.  In today’s world of financial drama, many members turned to scootering as a means to an end; the end being huge savings at the gas pump.  Many commute and enjoy the savings but adding to that, nothing could be better than a beautiful spring day ride to the office.  Others enjoy the same excitement, regardless of the weather.  Jack usually commutes to the restaurant on his Vespa everyday, the only exception might be if there is a blizzard or rainstorm taking place at departure time, if it is just forecasted, he goes anyway.  On many occasions, he peeks out the door, after serving the last few glasses of wine that night and if it wasn’t snowing heavy or a drenching rain, he still rode the scooter home.  (Jack has a zany saying,,,”let no man leave his scooter..” whatever that means??)  Recalling the club’s first organized ride, we met one early Sunday morning at Cafe Portofino, lining up our scooters along the roadway of the restaurant.  The New York Scooter Club (the parent club of New York scootering – the real magilla) were invited to join in and so scooters arrived from various parts of the city and elsewhere; new scoots and vintage ones, all different brands and descriptions, as eclectic as the drivers themselves.  It looked a little bit like some small village in europe; Piazza Portofino?   I remember meeting “Sandy” with her shinney Vespa tucked neatly into the row.  You couldnt mistake her, she was scooter fashioned to the nines but equally timid, as she was about to embark to Nyack, the Nyack State Park, then into New City, NY, via the picturesque South Mountain Road, where the High Tor Vineyard once stood,  then taking a return loop back to Piermont,  on the ride to be led by Jack, who rides a red Vespa 250.  Sandy made it only to Nyack before bailing out, after all, she came from Franklin lakes, New Jersey and was a bit nervous.  Fast forward to more recent times, Sandy now leads many of the rides, regardless of what the destination.  New York City, upstate New York, all over New Jersey and plans are being considered for a scooter vacation in Italy. (see La dolce Vespa and www.scooterbella.com). (Editor’s note:  I have yet to ride over the George Washington Bridge for some reason).  There are two scooter dealers serving Rockland County, one being Vespa of Rockland, which is the Prestige Harley-

Davidson dealer in Congers, New York.  The other Metro Scooter, on the Rockland County border, in Northvale, New Jersey.

Between the two, we find Alan (owner) of Metro Scooter to be a knowlegable enthusiast who exclusively deals with scooters (only scooters and in most varieties), service, parts and accessories, whereas Vespa of Rockland is dwarfed by intimidating (but beautiful) Harleys.  If you are thinking of buying a scooter, or already have one, visit the Rockland Scooter Club at: www.rocklandscooterclub.com. You will find a wealth of information, can ask questions, get advice and above all, meet a really nice bunch of people.  You can also visit Cafe Portofino, most any night and chat with Jack about scooters while enjoying their amazing pasta bolognese.  As for me, I always enjoy the pasta, the wine, my Vespa, the RSC group and of course, Jack; maybe this spring, I’ll even enjoy going over the bridge.