In 2024 Markus André Mayer made a decision that had been building for years: he left Germany for good and moved to Barcelona. A city built for the Vespa life. A city where riding year-round is not a fantasy but a Tuesday.
It was also the year he rescued Valentina.
In April 2024 Markus officially relocated to Barcelona — escaping the grey routine of German corporate life and settling in a city he considers ideal for his lifestyle. The Mediterranean climate, the winding roads of Catalonia, the Costa Brava on the doorstep. La Vida Vespa, finally lived at the right latitude.
Through May and June he explored his new home — relaxed weekends in Sitges, rides along the Costa Brava, and the quiet satisfaction of a city that makes sense on two wheels.
Before the move, Markus opened his 2024 riding season in March at the Vespa Rally of the "2% Brothers" club in Sofia, Bulgaria. A fitting start to a year of change.
In August, Markus spotted a 1967 Motovespa GS150 for sale in Albacete. He bought her on the spot — without a technical inspection — and rode her 700 km back to Barcelona. Her name is Valentina.
A Spanish-built Vespa GS150 from 1967, produced under licence by Motovespa in Madrid. Decades of character. Zero guarantees. Exactly his kind of machine.
In November came news from Moscow: Rosinante — the Bajaj Chetak 150cc that carried Markus from Madrid to Vladivostok in 2018 — was receiving a full engine rebuild in Russia. The world trip scooter lives on.
Inspired by his new home, Markus began planning guided Vespa tours through Barcelona and Catalonia — weekend trips of 400 to 600 km on classic geared Vespas for experienced riders. The idea: share the roads, the culture and the Vespa life with people who want the real thing.
Who is Valentina? A 1967 Motovespa GS150 — a Spanish-built Vespa produced under licence by Motovespa in Madrid. Bought spontaneously in Albacete in August 2024 and ridden 700 km to Barcelona without a prior technical inspection.
What happened to Rosinante? Rosinante — the Bajaj Chetak 150cc that completed the Madrid to Vladivostok leg of the 2018 world circumnavigation — was left in Russia after the trip. In November 2024 Markus received news that a Russian friend was giving her a full engine rebuild.
What are the guided Vespa tours? Weekend tours of 400 to 600 km through Barcelona and Catalonia on classic geared Vespas. Designed for experienced riders who want to explore the region the right way — slowly, on two wheels, with someone who knows every road.
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