By Vespa through the Nonsberg

A guest contribution by Erwin

Some journeys do not begin with a long distance, but with a distinctive sound. In my case, it was the gentle hum of a 1962 Vespa 125 VNB, waiting in the garage at Zum Hirschen for its next outing.

After a short introduction from Mirko and a few careful practice rounds in front of the hotel, I set off. Three gears, a hand-operated gear shift and a foot brake require a little attention at first. But it did not take long for that unmistakable Vespa feeling to emerge: light, unhurried and slightly removed from the present day.

From Zum Hirschen, the route led me along the small roads of the Nonsberg. Passing meadows, forests and isolated farmsteads, I continued towards St. Christoph. The steady sound of the engine, the clear mountain air and the many shades of green turned the ride into an experience in which arriving mattered less than simply being on the road.

Along the way, I encountered curious glances, friendly greetings and quiet viewpoints where it was worth stopping for a moment. On a vintage Vespa, you experience the landscape differently. The road becomes more conscious, distances lose their importance, and even a small country lane can become a journey in itself.

On the way back, the road took me further uphill to the Gampen Pass. There, I visited the Gampen Bunker and immersed myself for a while in the remarkable history of this border region. The contrast could hardly have been greater: outside, the summer landscape and the lightness of the Vespa; inside, the underground tunnels and the traces of a turbulent past.

Back at the hotel, my small journey through time ended with a Hugo Cervo. The Vespa returned to the garage, ready for its next outing through the Nonsberg.

Erwin