Big Binoo is quite a famous man. One of the eldest bikers in Kerala, 50-year-old Binu John, believes that age is just a number. Like wine, his passion for bike riding has matured with years. Nothing has dampened the rider spirit of this Kalamassery native.
It was in 1993 that Binu embarked on his first bike expedition. Since then, he has been in love with it. Fortunately, he enjoyed ample support from his family, especially his father who stood by Binu’s wishes. “When I started off, I had three bikes — a Road king, an Rx 100 and an Rx 135!,” he recalls. His dream is to own a CRE 450L.
Twenty years into bike riding, Binu started a club for like-minded enthusiasts — Redline. Along with it, he runs a workshop to support his family. Around the same time, he met with an accident that injured his spinal cord. “I was bedridden for six months. But the passion in me didn’t die. In fact, the intense desire to ride helped me heal faster. It worked well than medicines,” he recalls.
Binu has been part of several competitions and won prizes and laurels. His biggest dream is to lift the cup at a prestigious national bike rally. “Money has been a major constraint for people like me who participate in national-level premier events. I have been mobilising all possible resources to fulfill my long-cherished dream – a rode to the Himalayas.” If all goes well, he will embark on his bike and head to the Himalayas in October this year.
At a time adrenaline junkie youths rule the roost in bike events, this 50-year-old is still chasing his dreams, with unmatched passion and energy.
