‘Vespisti’ – a person whose whole life revolves around the Vespa scooter and its culture…
I have always felt that South Africans don’t embrace scooters as they should. Visiting Italy recently for World Ducati Week near Rimini on the Adriatic coast did much to confirm this feeling. Damn, those Eyties have style! Sitting at a pavement café, sipping on a cappuccino and just soaking up the unique Italian vibe, I marvelled at how they do life. The locals scoot everywhere, whether for work or play, they simply can’t get by without their Scooters.
The closest we come to duplicating that scenic seaside vibe is in Cape Town, the fairest Cape of them all. Whichever direction you choose to ride, the scenery is next level. Mountains, seascapes and vineyards combine to create a truly spectacular place. God, in his infinite wisdom, plonked a flat-topped mountain smack in the middle of it all for unrivalled beauty. The only downside is that it wreaks havoc with the traffic. But do not despair, help is at hand. Help that could well be life-changing!
On the 1st of October, Penny Sterley, who for her sins headed up BMW Motorrad for a good while before making a quality-of-life move to the Cape, is opening her own Vespa dealership in Somerset West. Located at 1 Somerset West, 7 Urtel Crescent, Somerset Central, her dealership will cater to the needs of current, and I am sure many new Vespisti. Not only will she do sales, rentals, apparel and tours, but there will be a super cool Italian Trattoria on the premises too!
The timing could not be better! Cape Town is flooding with tourists at almost unprecedented levels. There is simply no better way to experience the delights of the Cape than astride an Italian masterpiece. As for the Cape Town locals, my case rests. Get a Vespa and re-invent your life. The Vespisti vibe is unique, with a social brother and sisterhood of riders who cannot imagine life without their stylish Italian scoots. Brekkies, coffees and weekends away at cool destinations are all just part of the Vespa way of life.
I truly believe that Penny’s dealership will bring a new level of fun and professionalism to what is a truly special brand. If you take your pulse and there is only the hint of a heartbeat with the way life has beaten you into submission, the answer is simple, visit Penny, get a Vespa, and live again!
