For any avid motorbike rider, it is all about straddling smoking black and chrome mean machines and taking off to unknown thrills, sights and sounds-rumbling through the night and being one with the machine. The heavy adrenaline rush, a deep passion for the sport of motor biking or a sense of adventure — these seem to be luring more and more motor bike enthusiasts into the fold of an ever-growing number of Motorbike Clubs across the state. Long-distance motorbike rides seem to be the growing fad among the youth who largely travel in groups as a part of a club or prefer going solo. The Royal Riders Kerala has 40 Royal Enfield owners who recently undertook a Thiruvananthapuram-Goa ride in 10 days.
Kiran S. Vijay, president of the Club says, “We have a motley group of 40 members including students, advocates, engineers, lawyers, doctors, IT professionals as well as retired people. We make sure that we select routes that everyone can ride through and try to avoid night rides. What our Club emphasises on is following safety protocols like a full face helmet, jacket, gloves and a compulsory crash guard on all bikes. The books and papers need to be in order and no rash driving is entertained.”
The only minor accident that Kiran recalls was a bike that skidded when a wild boar crossed paths, with the rider sustaining only minor cuts, thanks to the safety gears.
One would think that being in films offers the ultimate thrill of visiting exotic locales and travelling but the younger stars in Mollywood seem to have taken a liking to the smell of gas and leather with Dulquer Salmaan and Indrajith often taking off on their mean machines.
Though travelling in a group offers security and safety, there are some solo flyers who revel in the ultimate freedom of riding alone. Cristie, a photographer, used to go for short rides before he decided to boldly attempt a Leh-Ladakh 55-day trip; initially with a Bullet group Tree Belt before branching off solo after 15 days. Cristie says, “I rode till Leh-Ladakh with other riders and from Manali, I chose to ride alone till Thiruvananthapuram passing several states.”
The lone traveller faced some rough terrain and hostile climate, “While passing through Mehkar in Maharashtra, there was heavy rain and flooding, but no place to park the motorbike and I had to continue to ride. On the way, I met IPS officer Suhail Sharma who enquired about my ride and turned out that he was also an avid biker and had trekked in Kerala. He very kindly offered me a place to stay and food to eat. The Leh-Ladakh tract was the most dangerous and challenging terrain. Riding is a thrill for me and I have travelled all over India with my wife and kid.”
Cristie’s goal it to ride through Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh!
Having a biking enthusiast husband awakened Smitha Harisson’s tryst with mean machines. A member of the Bullet Buddha’s, she mentions riding pillion with husband Jerry before riding alone. She adds, “The confidence I gained is immense and riding to Goa in eight days was memorable. The only irritants are animals crossing our paths and since it is well organised, there are no accidents.” She jokingly quips, “I get stared at a lot but have learnt to accept it!”
The Bullethood Club consists of 80 members on Bullets who go for short as well as long trips. Speaking about his experience, Sreekumar, a member, says, “I have a deep passion for riding and prefer going as a group because we have rules in place like adhering to safety mechanisms and riding gear specifications. Also the camaraderie and enjoyment of the two-wheeled bond with friends cannot be explained unless experienced! We went on a Leh-Ladakh trip which really tested the man and the machine. The Kochi-Goa, Kochi-Chennai route is also popular because of the good roads. We do have slight hiccups in the form of punctures but we carry extra tubes and tires. Night travel is a part of the ride and we take breaks in between.”
The thrill of speed and mean machines is not restricted to only the young but have many middle aged and retired men ready to burn rubber.
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