Camping in the laps of mother nature, trekking in the remote hilly areas are a few outdoor activities that can easily be fathomed by a sane mind, but why does such a journey/adventure have to be risked by travelling on a motorcycle – this is one often asked question that no matter how hard i try to answer without losing its quintessence, I fail. Reason - whenever such a question is directed to me, there is a flurry of excitement in me, the neurons in my brain start firing signals like a anti aircraft gun on an approaching target, the number of thoughts being processed are often more than what my mind can streamline to make a coherent speech...and so I start rambling and stop abruptly, when I see that I have lost the interest of the listener. And so i just make a face and shrug my shoulders while the questioner gives me that what-an-idiot look.
And so I try again, in text – only this time I can arrange and rearrange my thoughts to make them coherent.
Before a satiating experience comes the want for it. I would often see those numerous bikers (mostly foreigners) on the hills and would ponder as to why they left their developed nations to be riding a motor cycle here in these deplorable conditions. What kind of adventure are they out to experience, that I, as a resident have never bothered to taste. So finally one day i mustered enough courage to embark upon a similar journey. And that changed everything. I have come to realize that there is so much beauty in my country in terms of scenic landscapes, diversity in language and food, consistent hospitality towards strangers. Agreed that many a times and places the hygiene is missing, omnipresent poverty, over populated places, traffic snarls, and corrupt officials BUT the land and its pristine beauty can only be experienced when you take the roads less trodden and traverse through India without any maps or plans. And a two wheeler would often take me to places where 4 wheelers seldom travel, into the thickest of foliage, near the river banks, closest to the shores and places where there are no roads. From dense vegetation to endless dry arid lands, from scorching sands to bone chilling cold with snow laden places.
Agreed that a person on a two-wheeler is more susceptible to road accidents but then i am a strong believer in fate/destiny. The place and time of my death are decided so why bother about such things. I could very well be seated comfortably in the confines of my office/home/restaurant and experience a mishap. The road fatality statistics were never a deterrent. And I don’t necessarily venture out to seek mishaps. My Mool Mantra - never be a speedy gonzales, stay focused, let every speeding, honking vehicle overtake me, frequent breaks to avoid fatigue – this will surely keep mishaps at bay. I know one day my life will flash before my eyes. I just want to make sure it’s worth watching.
With this mindset, i was embraced by a family of people whose adventures make mine so insignificant that i could only request them to make me a part of all such expeditions. And so whenever time and other constraints permit i indulge my senses into this mortal sin called 'Biking'. A Biker - the name conjures thoughts about speeding, wheelies, stunts, grizzly hair long beards, leather pants, marijuana and that silly telly programme called roadies.
My group of amigos is far, far away from such traditions. All of us are well settled professionals who would come across to you as your standard Tom Dick and Harry. Some of us are married with kids. Some of us are ladies and some are even past 50(with unmatched enthusiasm). Though there is absolutely no compulsion on the choice of the manufacturer/model of the two-wheeler, yet most of us have Royal Enfield Bullets. My steed happens to belong to the Royal Enfield stable, and has been a steadfast reliable enduring companion in all my adventures. If i have the will power, my steed has the brute strength to execute my dreams. So someone announces his plans and others join in as per their convenience. And many a times we start off as strangers and are good friends by the end of the ride.
There are hiccups like flat tyres, snapped clutch wire, oil leakage. And yes i have fallen, have got cuts, bruises and aches, messed up clothes, tanned my skin in places to make me resemble a Dalmatian, but all this is miniscule in front of the beautiful countryside of my motherland. Such pristine and flawless is the beauty that words fall short in description. You just have to stand in awe and experience it. There are seasons when one can view a breathtaking mix of greens, yellows, browns, reds and such, all blending into a colorful tapestry of color. There are places that seem like a vast ocean of dry arid land and then there are some places that offer a picturesque view of those majestic Himalayan range. The Sun rises and sets everyday everywhere, but in the hills, it conjures up so many hues in the sky and with a backdrop of absolute silence, it automatically makes one contemplative. No wonder the sages/sadhus used this landscape as their dwelling during their quest for nirvana.
And it’s sad how we inherit such beauty, enjoy it and leave behind a trail of litter, plastics and other disposables with wanton behavior. The rivers in the higher mountains are so pure that even the foreigners drink from it. And sadly enough, as the altitude descends, the amount of human filth going into them ascends.
In retrospect, i have always found life to be like the roads. It can make the journey a pleasure and can also be a merciless punisher. It can be a straight line till the eyes can see and can also meander like a snake. Sometimes there are steep arduous climbs and then there are frolicking descends. There are roads which are as smooth as an airport runway and then at times they can be miles and miles of back breaking rumble-strip. Nevertheless, the traveler moves on tired but undeterred, for what is the purpose of a journey if that journey doesn't include some broken roads? A seasoned rider knows that the lessons to be learned come from the journey, not the destination
Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
There's a world outside every darkened Door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where the brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore
We won't hesitate break down the garden gate
There's not much left today
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I want to drive it all night long
There's no load I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll bee there when the light comes in
Tell 'em we're survivors
………. Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway
And so I try again, in text – only this time I can arrange and rearrange my thoughts to make them coherent.
Before a satiating experience comes the want for it. I would often see those numerous bikers (mostly foreigners) on the hills and would ponder as to why they left their developed nations to be riding a motor cycle here in these deplorable conditions. What kind of adventure are they out to experience, that I, as a resident have never bothered to taste. So finally one day i mustered enough courage to embark upon a similar journey. And that changed everything. I have come to realize that there is so much beauty in my country in terms of scenic landscapes, diversity in language and food, consistent hospitality towards strangers. Agreed that many a times and places the hygiene is missing, omnipresent poverty, over populated places, traffic snarls, and corrupt officials BUT the land and its pristine beauty can only be experienced when you take the roads less trodden and traverse through India without any maps or plans. And a two wheeler would often take me to places where 4 wheelers seldom travel, into the thickest of foliage, near the river banks, closest to the shores and places where there are no roads. From dense vegetation to endless dry arid lands, from scorching sands to bone chilling cold with snow laden places.
Agreed that a person on a two-wheeler is more susceptible to road accidents but then i am a strong believer in fate/destiny. The place and time of my death are decided so why bother about such things. I could very well be seated comfortably in the confines of my office/home/restaurant and experience a mishap. The road fatality statistics were never a deterrent. And I don’t necessarily venture out to seek mishaps. My Mool Mantra - never be a speedy gonzales, stay focused, let every speeding, honking vehicle overtake me, frequent breaks to avoid fatigue – this will surely keep mishaps at bay. I know one day my life will flash before my eyes. I just want to make sure it’s worth watching.
With this mindset, i was embraced by a family of people whose adventures make mine so insignificant that i could only request them to make me a part of all such expeditions. And so whenever time and other constraints permit i indulge my senses into this mortal sin called 'Biking'. A Biker - the name conjures thoughts about speeding, wheelies, stunts, grizzly hair long beards, leather pants, marijuana and that silly telly programme called roadies.
My group of amigos is far, far away from such traditions. All of us are well settled professionals who would come across to you as your standard Tom Dick and Harry. Some of us are married with kids. Some of us are ladies and some are even past 50(with unmatched enthusiasm). Though there is absolutely no compulsion on the choice of the manufacturer/model of the two-wheeler, yet most of us have Royal Enfield Bullets. My steed happens to belong to the Royal Enfield stable, and has been a steadfast reliable enduring companion in all my adventures. If i have the will power, my steed has the brute strength to execute my dreams. So someone announces his plans and others join in as per their convenience. And many a times we start off as strangers and are good friends by the end of the ride.
There are hiccups like flat tyres, snapped clutch wire, oil leakage. And yes i have fallen, have got cuts, bruises and aches, messed up clothes, tanned my skin in places to make me resemble a Dalmatian, but all this is miniscule in front of the beautiful countryside of my motherland. Such pristine and flawless is the beauty that words fall short in description. You just have to stand in awe and experience it. There are seasons when one can view a breathtaking mix of greens, yellows, browns, reds and such, all blending into a colorful tapestry of color. There are places that seem like a vast ocean of dry arid land and then there are some places that offer a picturesque view of those majestic Himalayan range. The Sun rises and sets everyday everywhere, but in the hills, it conjures up so many hues in the sky and with a backdrop of absolute silence, it automatically makes one contemplative. No wonder the sages/sadhus used this landscape as their dwelling during their quest for nirvana.
And it’s sad how we inherit such beauty, enjoy it and leave behind a trail of litter, plastics and other disposables with wanton behavior. The rivers in the higher mountains are so pure that even the foreigners drink from it. And sadly enough, as the altitude descends, the amount of human filth going into them ascends.
In retrospect, i have always found life to be like the roads. It can make the journey a pleasure and can also be a merciless punisher. It can be a straight line till the eyes can see and can also meander like a snake. Sometimes there are steep arduous climbs and then there are frolicking descends. There are roads which are as smooth as an airport runway and then at times they can be miles and miles of back breaking rumble-strip. Nevertheless, the traveler moves on tired but undeterred, for what is the purpose of a journey if that journey doesn't include some broken roads? A seasoned rider knows that the lessons to be learned come from the journey, not the destination
Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
There's a world outside every darkened Door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where the brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore
We won't hesitate break down the garden gate
There's not much left today
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I want to drive it all night long
There's no load I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll bee there when the light comes in
Tell 'em we're survivors
………. Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway
1 comments:
"... I know one day my life will flash before my eyes. I just want to make sure it’s worth watching."
brilliant !
This phrase is a keeper :)
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