Italian cool, Audrey Hepburn, and gridlocked Manila traffic have done their parts to sway riders onto the saddle of a Vespa. In the morning of Sunday, March 1, a motorcade of Vespas in all shades and from all eras might have won over a few more converts in the Parañaque area.
Vespa’s past few events have aimed for uniqueness, and last Sunday’s spectacle was no different. Do you think you know how a typical breakfast ride goes? The brand and its club riders offered up some tasteful rule-bending.
1) Longer is not always better on a Sunday.
Two kilometers is unimpressive by normal riding standards. But for those who wanted to just pop a mellow ride into their day, then get on with it, a leisurely jaunt from Starbucks on Macapagal Avenue to Okada Manila was perfect. Plus, who wants to sweat in their good clothes? Which brings us to Vespa riding takeaway tip #2.
2) Don’t forget to look your best.
Around 300 riders showed up on their scoots in dapper dress, standing out on the streets near Manila Bay and blending in with the crowd of an upscale casino. OOTD looks ranged from all-black moto chic to sleek three-piece ensembles straight out of a boardroom meeting.
The effort pays: An impeccably dressed and mustached club rider won a new helmet for exceeding dress code expectations.
3) Enjoy food and company on a breakfast ride.
Some rules can’t be broken. Breakfast rides have always been a chance for those who share a passion for riding to get together and catch up. Okada Manila’s location and breakfast spread may have been upscale, but it’s the riders themselves who brought in the lively clamor of friends exchanging gossip or trading knowledge.
We got so mesmerized by the awesome parade of Vespas and their fashionista riders (and the yummy food served at Okada) that the highlight of the event almost totally slipped our mind—the launch of the 2020 Vespa S 125.
In the words of Moto Italia president Willy Tee Ten, the ‘Viva la Vespa Day’ at Okada Manila was brought into being so that riders could “meet other new Vespa owners and network around.”
