Wedding in Sifnos

I departed for the island of Sifnos for a wedding on Saturday. Loaded the motorbike 's top case with the absolutely necessary (plus the wedding 's costume) on listening to the adverse weather warnings. Woke up at 06:00, ship departs at 07:25. During the ship 's five-and-a-half hours trip was already drizzling. When i got off the ship, the hotel was next to the port, i did not have to ride a long distance. But the rest of the people were staying in Apollonia (the capital), some 5 km away. fortunately, i was well prepared for heavy rain. I have gore-tex trousers, motorcycle boots, 2nd pair of sweaters, jeans and only 1 T-shirt! And of course the σαγιονάρες. But that wasn' t enough. I had all the heavy rain on my back, since we decided to lunch in Kamares (the port), next to my hotel! It was already windy, i was wet and feeling quite cold, but stood all along the table gathering at the taverna, shielded only by the ugly clear plastic curtains, ubiquitous at the taverns and cafeterias. Finally, i managed to dry off my clothes and got out to meet the rest of the people in a bar (in the night). The night was wild, with very cool music and dances at Μπότζι bar, the only bar remaining open in the centre of Apollonia, very cool tunes, sometimes fast jazzy, sometimes soul, sometimes classic rock. Happily, the next day (Sunday), chilly though, was sunny enough for the wedding, in a tiny church next to the groom 's childhood house, at the northernmost point of the island. The wedding ceremony was at the most dramatic landscape i 've ever seen for a wedding. OMG, i 'll show you in pictures... It was the landscape, the ambient, the people. The most important was that nobody complained (as usually does) about the stone-jagged footpath to reach the church on the top of the hill, not even the women. It is possible because everybody was determined for the wedding, because rarely somebody travels for totally 8 hours roundtrip and spending almost 200 euros (travel and accommodation only) for complaining afterwards about everything (we had to walk to the church, there was no sun and it was cold, I forgot my 2nd pair of mules, this nail polish does not fit with my dress/eyes/panty etc).
The wedding gala was beautiful, next to the little hotel 's pool, within sight of Kastro settlement and Paros' and Antiparos' hazy lights in the distance. Unfortunately, the shivering gusts from time to time were creating an uncomfortable situation to almost everybody. After an occasional drizzling at about 2 o' clock in the morning, the έντεχνο band decided to give up, for both the empty dancefloor and the fear of some short circuit.

Repairs

Well, just before going to the demonstration on Wednesday and being in the Kolonos area, and being on car, I decided to visit one of the most up-to-date Piaggio part resellers in Greece, ΘΕΟΔΩΡΑΚΗΣ (ΛΕΝΟΡΜΑΝ 159 - ΑΘΗΝΑ TEL: 210-5133449). After a chat I described him the problem and tried to show aware of the failures and the remedies. He immediately understood about my problem. His explanation was that one of the 3 springs that bind the clutch shoes together was broken and, pity, the springs were not for sell individually but together the whole clutch drum. Which meant 60 hot €uropoula, aside the tachymeter cord and wire. Total, 65 euro. Without the workshop cost. The repair will be done by a trustful old mechanic in Koropi, Kostas, since he is very close at home and work. It won 't be necessary to have it to the shop for a couple of days, but only for one morning. Also, having no experience of replacing such parts and lacking a torque key (δυναμόκλειδο), a single mistake on mounting would produce an even bigger problem.
Kostas is a trustful guy, yet very odd. The first time I visited him was a year and a half before. When he saw my Vespa he almost threw me out of the shop, refusing even to look at it, since it was long time that he had stop reparing Vespas, due to the further complication of their parts after the years he was training in Pisa, Piaggio 's factory of the legendary scooters. After a while and understanding that I was desperate, he gave in and took the scooter for repairs.
I talked with him on the phone, trying to arrange a rendezvous for the next week. He told me that the clutch drum that I bought was useless, he could find some spring to replace the broken one. I doubt about it, but next week we 'll see...

Vespathlon

For my vacation to Kerkyra, I decided to use my Vespa and not the car, since the latter makes me feel "encased". I use my car on very few occasions, such as `rainy days, cold days (below 2-3 C) or heatwaves (above 40 C) or when I needing to carry something heavy or bulky. Despite having already been once to Kerkyra on my Vespa, I decided this year to travel all the way along the coast of western Greece, instead of getting on the ferry in Patra that would take me directly there, fresh and safe. This would add another 280 km to the Vespa 's odometer in just a single trip.
Travelling on a scooter long distance, specially when the engine has small displacement, is not some difficult task to achieve, but certain aspects have to be considered: Trying to cross the country from one end to another on a scooter may sound like madness and scary, but things are not as dramatic as one could think. There are some serious reasons (at least for me) to do so: how does it looks like; having such an experience; how are your feelings while being on the road. And many more.
It is rather a matter of psychology, a mind game. But before doing so, it must be clear in your mind t that you are ready for anything, that you may not get what you expect.
Be sure of what you want to do. You need to prioritize things in your mind. Of the highest priority is the availability of time. Travelling for such a long time will consume at least a day, if everything proceeds smoothly.

You must get used to the constraints of being on a vehicle in which everything is contained in a space a bit wider than your body: your clothes, personal items, cameras, books, tools, etc. Your personal space lies between the handlebars and saddle.

Then, there’s the equipment. Get used to the idea of wearing a helmet and a motorbike jacket for many hours, without multizone automatic air conditioning, ABS+TCS, refreshment fridge, GPS navigation, frappe holder, mp3 player for you and DVD players for the children in back. At a minimum, you must protect your body against a fall that could otherwise land you in the local Health Centre with burns caused by being dragged on the tarmac. Plus the blazing sun takes its toll after hours of exposure. I have only a winter jacket, causing me to sweat constantly in 35-40 C heat, even in the shade; I hope next year to buy a summer one. And even though temperatures don't fall below 22-23C at night, it can get chilly on a bike, so the heavier jacket pays off.
Also be aware of the capabilities of your vehicle. You are on a race of endurance. A scooter has neither capabilities for speeding, nor travelling hundreds of kilometers in a single day. Besides that, it is not designed for travelling at maximum speed for hours. By keeping a constant eye on the tachymeter, you will need to define an average speed, and for sure not approach the maximum overall speed. For instance, my Vespa, has a maximum speed of 102km/h. For most of the journey, I kept an average speed of 70 km/h with a maximum average speed of 80 km/h; and when I was in a hurry, the average speed increased to 85 km/h, trying to catch the last ferry to Kerkyra.
Always choose secondary, provincial roads. It is safer for a slow-moving motorbike. One of the main reasons for an accident between two vehicles is a big speed difference between them. Plus, you can see things such as scenery and landscape that would otherwise be neglected when isolated in a passenger cab.
Remember, realistically speaking, problems will develop due tostraining a scooter on a trip far beyond its usual operational range and continuous use. It is much like us human beings, working around the clock for several weeks, months or years with very little rest. Having a minor mechanical problem while far from the repair shop might easily develop into a major one, and consequently set off a chain of events. This could lead to a major damage and possibly rendering your vehicle immobile, possibly in an isolated area of wilderness, where road assistance (or any assistance at all) is very far away. After the loss of tachymeter indicators while still in Paxi, I had no way to check the average speed, thus pressing the Vespa for longer periods at a speed that was not very clear, but nonetheless intense. At about 10 kilometers before the Rio-Antirrio bridge, this led to the transmission belt overheating and the transmission spools refusing to release the belt while the engine stood idle. Then the "backup" plan had to be activated. With another 220 kilometers to go, and the nature of damage unknown, I had to keep a low rhythm as I was dreaming of my bed and shelter. So my estimated average speed was not over 30-50 km/h. The trip took a lot longer, but it was worth it.

Trip stats
Total distance covered: 1040 km
travelling days: 2

Markopoulo-Igoumenitsa part
Distance: 520 km
Departure time: 12:45
Arrival time: 21:27
Average speed: 70-75 km/h
Stops: 4
Average time on stops: 4-10 min
Fuel consumed: 15 lt
Failures: none
Route:
Markopoulo, Peania, Athens-centre, Aspropyrgos, Elefsina, Megara, Kinetta, Ag. Theodoroi, Korinthos, Xylokastro, Akrata, Egeira, Diakopto, Egio, Rio, Antirrio, Messologi, Etoliko, Lesini, Astakos, Mytikas, Paleros, Vonitsa, Aktio, Preveza, Igoumenitsa, Kerkyra (ferry)

Igoumenitsa-Markopoulo part
Distance: 520 km
Departure time: 16:25
Arrival time: 04:50
Average speed: 70-75 km/h Igoumenitsa-Antirrio section
30-40 km/h Rio-Markopoulo section
Stops: 8
Average time on stops: 3-60 min
Fuel consumed: 15 lt
Failures: Severed tachymeter wire (Paxi), overheating and wearing of transmission belt drums (Messologi-Antirrio)
Route:
Kerkyra (ferry), Igoumenitsa, Preveza, Aktio, Vonitsa, Mytikas, Paleros, Astakos, Lesini, Etoliko, Messologi, Antirrio, Rio, Egio, Diakopto, Egira, Akrata, Xylokastro, Korinthos, Ag. Theodori, Kinetta, Megara, Elefsina, Aspropyrgos, Athens-centre, Peania,
Markopoulo

Fuel type: 100 oct. unleaded petrol
Oil consumed: 150 ml
Oil type: 10W/40

Scooter: Piaggio Vespa ET4, mod.'97
Engine: 125 cc, 4-stroke, air cooled,
electric/cick starter
Odometer: 40329 km

Συντήρηση της Βέσπας

Τις ημέρες αυτές είχα αγχωθεί λίγο με τη Βέσπα. Την ετοιμάζω για να πάω κάποια πιο μεγάλο ταξίδι, σκέφτομαι το γύρο της Πελοποννήσου, αλλιώς τουλάχιστον μέχρι τη Μάνη στη Ροζέτα και τα κορίτσια ή το χωριό. Μίλησα με το Θάνο και θα μου διαθέσει τα πλαϊνά βαλιτσάκια - σαμάρια για να έχω έξτρα χώρο. Την είχα πάει στο μάστορα πριν από 2 εβδομάδες για μια προληπτική συντήρηση και περίμενα να μου πει τι βρήκε στον κινητήρα αλλά και απ' έξω. Ο μάστορας μου άλλαξε τον ιμάντα σαν πρώτο βήμα ώστε να μη μου κοπεί στη μέση του πουθενά, καθώς τα χιλιόμετρα έχουν μαζευτεί (27500). Επίσης το μπουζί. Προτιμώ να αλλάζω κάτι επάνω της και να το πληρώνω προκαταβολικά προτού με αφήσει. Εξ' άλλου, τα ανταλλακτικά δεν τα πετώ, αλλά τα κρατώ για στοκ ώστε όταν παραγεράσει το μηχανάκι να έχει κάτι τουλάχιστον να κινείται. Τον ρώτησα τι θα χρειαζόμουν από ανταλλακτικά για ένα ταξίδι ποιες οι πιθανές βλάβες και φυσικά τις εργαλεία, με τα οποία θα μπορούσα να μπορούσα να λύσω μόνος το πρόβλημά μου πριν καταφύγω στην οδική βοήθεια (είμαι γραμμένος στην Express Service). Με συμβούλεψε να αγοράσω μια σαμπρέλα για τις διαστάσεις των ελαστικών μου (αυτές που έχω είναι χωρίς αεροθάλαμο). Σε περίπτωση που το Fast δεν μπορέσει να κλείσει την τρύπα του λάστιχου ή στο βουλκανιζατέρ ανακαλύψουμε ότι είναι πέραν επισκευής, θα χρειάζεται αντικατάσταση. Αυτό θα είναι όμως ικανό είτε να μου καθυστερήσει τις διακοπές 1-2 μέρες (χωρίς να συζητώ για την ταλαιπωρία) είτε να μου τις χαλάσει εντελώς. Αν σε αυτό το κατεστραμμένο λάστιχο του βάλεις τη σαμπρέλα, συνεχίζεις ήσυχος τις διακοπές σου μετά από την επίσκεψη στο βουλκανιζατέρ και όταν επιστρέψεις, το αντικαθιστάς. Το περασμένο διάστημα είχα κάνει τις εξής επιδιορθώσεις: βάψιμο του πλαστικού πατώματος πίσω από την ποδιά, τοποθέτηση του πλαστικού στεφανιού γύρω από το μπροστινό φως, αντικατάσταση του προβολέα, αντικατάσταση του ντουί της λάμπας της πινακίδας, αλλαγή του σωλήνα της βενζίνης στο καρμπιρατέρ (λίγο έλειψε να πάρω φωτιά από τη βενζίνη που έσταζε στην εξάτμιση, το σωληνάκι είχε "ξεραθεί" και κοπεί), αλλάγή του μαρκουτσιού του μπροστινού φρένου, συντήρηση και νέα υγρά, 2 αλλαγές λαδιών, αντικατάσταση της μπαταρίας με καινούργια ασβεστίου, καθαρισμός πλήρης του καρμπιρατέρ και του φίλτρου αέρος που είχε τα μαύρα του τα χάλια. Τι να κάνουμε, γράφει και πολλά χιλιόμετρα (μέσα σε ένα χρόνο, 11000). Η μπαταρία είναι όλα τα λεφτά. Το ξεκίνημα με τη μανιβέλα το σταμάτησα πλέον, τον τελευταίο καιρό, με ζεστό καιρό που ευνοεί τα εύκολα ξεκινήματα, ακόμα και 8 ώρες μόνο να έμενε αφόρτιστη (όσο είμαι στο γραφείο), άρχιζε να ξεφορτίζεται και αν δεν έπαιρνε μπρος με την πρώτη, η επόμενη ήταν ένα ξερό "γκζζζ" και τέρμα, μετά μανιβελιές. Αυτό είναι ένα ακόμα πλεονέκτημα της Βέσπας. Αν σου μείνει από μπαταρία, υπάρχει πάντα η μανιβέλα για να την βάλεις μπροστά. Είναι αερόψυκτη με μια φτερωτή που βρίσκεται επάνω στο στρόφαλο, άρα ελάχιστα μηχανικά μέρη για την ψύξη. Γράσαρα και τους γάντζους του ντουλαπιού της ποδιάς και αυτού της σέλας και την πήγα μια βόλτα για να την τσεκάρω. Αυτό που παρατηρώ είναι ότι μου σβήνει σχετικά πιο εύκολα όταν είναι κρύα απ' ότι πριν. Θα ρωτήσω κάποια στιγμή το μάστορα αν αυτό είναι κάτι σοβαρό και πως θα γίνει να το αλλάξουμε.