Thank goodness I topped out at 20 mph
by Steve Sheppard
Ah, the life of a journalist. Free swinging, ready to jump on the big story, zipping around Rome on a Vespa.

When on Nantucket, however. . . . For my Nantucket Holiday, a moped would have to do. Call me the Mild One. "Get your motor running . . . "

I've got to hand it to our summer visitors - they're a lot more courageous than we give them credit for. After driving a moped around for a few hours last week, it's obvious they have a lot of nerve.

Which was why I decided to have my first moped adventure in October, after Columbus Day, and in the middle of the week. I've lived here 26 years but had never ridden a moped before - ever - never so much as sat on one.

And why would I? I'd seen some of the poor travelers on the Milestone Road, terrified, eyes straight ahead, never daring to even glance at the cars and trucks passing them. You've seen them, too. The reason they insist on going as fast as they can is to lessen the time of their ordeal. They just want to get it over with as quickly as possible.

My assignment, however, was to come up with something I'd never done before, as a way to experience the island from a fresh perspective, as a visitor might. So, coof for a day, I decided it was finally time to try out a moped.

Thank goodness I work near Brant Point and that the moped rental place is just a block away.

They were very friendly to me at Affordable Rentals on South Beach Street. Skip Tuttle went over the rules of the road thoroughly, made sure my helmet fit properly, showed me how to start (important) and stop (even more important). Before heading off, I learned that you can drive a moped with a learner's permit, and while a license plate isn't required you must follow the rules of the road. In short, you drive a moped as if you are driving a motorized bicycle (hello!).

They're also excellent on gas. I'm surprised more islanders don't drive them regularly.

Not me, though. Not yet, anyway.

I think Skip was a little uncertain when he noticed I was having a bit of trouble with the kickstand. (Thanks for the help, Skip.) He warned me, too, about sand. Helmet securely fastened, I took the plunge and was off through the Harbor House parking lot.

Remember learning to ride a bike for the first time, legs spread out to the side for balance? I finally was able to get my feet up onto the moped when I reached the newspaper office. "Well, that was fun," I said.

"Get back out there," Don, the publisher, said.

My wobble went away after a few exploratory rides on roads around the office and on Hulbert Ave. No traffic - what a relief. After a while I was even able to think: "It IS like riding a bicycle." (For more profound thoughts see this week's Sports section.) I was truly playing tourist and soon realized there are few better ways to experience the island on a fall afternoon, with the smells and sights of the island all around you. Motoring slowly by you notice more of the flora and fauna than you do from a car. And just what kind of bird is that, anyway . . .

But you've got to pay attention! Look out for that driveway!

I was doing fine until a driver in a car with offisland plates obviously didn't know where he was going. Hurry up, will ya? (The speedometer on my moped went up to 40 mph. I topped out at 20.)

My confidence growing (and reinforced by the lack of any real traffic) I was off to New Lane, and up and around to the Oldest House and Sunset Hill. Mopeds aren't great on hills, I found out - going down hills, that is. It's the one time you'd rather be on a bike, or on foot (speaking of which, both of mine at this point were thrust well out to the side. That smell of burning rubber is the soles of my sneakers.)

When there are few (or better yet, zero) cars around, mopeds are great. I'd recommend a moped experience in the fall, or perhaps early spring. In summer, I really don't think so, not for this coof, anyway. Experienced moped riders, of whom I know several, can zip in and out of traffic with no problem but I'm not ready for Bermuda just yet.

And how did Gregory Peck do so well wheeling Audrey Hepburn around Rome, anyway?

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