After a long time and strenuous efforts, the much awaited ride for Rider Mania was very near. I was cursing myself and also scolding my mechanic for not preparing my Bull for Sringeri Ride. I didn't want to miss this ride for any chance. Before starting the blog, I would like to thank everybody who accompanied for the ride. A special thanks to Subbu & BB who supported me a lot from my Day 1 with Royal Indians. You both rock. Hugs to you guys.
Getting leave for 2days, meeting deadlines and project deliveries was very difficult. I worked on Saturdays to compensate with the work and leaves. I had almost lost the hope of getting my leaves and making it for RM. Finally I breathed a sigh of relief after my comp-offs were approved by my PM. After that, I took things seriously and prepared for the ride. Every minor thing in my Bull was taken care to ensure safe and smooth riding throughout the ride. I used to check her everyday. I kept on telling myself that because of me or my ''Tiger'', the whole group should not slow down or stop.
Day before the Ride - 18th Nov 2009
The day was very strenuous, raining all the time all the day. But who cared?? I just got into the roads with my ''Tiger'' to shop some stuff, get my helmet repaired and also get saddle bags for the next day ride. Every moment, ensured the condition while running and also when parked. Time was running very fast. I had only a few hours and hella lot of work to do. But work finished fast as I didn't compensate for the rain. Finally the time was 11:30PM and the next day ride was very near.
Have I mentioned that this is my 1st ride in my life? Yes Guys…. 1st Long Ride, 1st Ride with Royal Indians, 1st Ride in my Bull and what else which is not 1st???. That made me still more excited and didn't allow me to sleep the whole night. I remembered Subbu telling that Riders should have good sleep before the Ride. But I was not able to make it. What I did at 12:30AM?? Again went downstairs and checked my ''Tiger'' whether she was OK. I was thinking whether I became mad all of a sudden. Then forcefully slept telling myself ''tomorrow morning should come soon'' and also prayed that it shouldn't be raining when I get up.
The D-Day - Day1, 19th Nov 2009
Finally prayers were answered. The rains were stopped. The roads were dry. That was one of the happiest news early morning. I took bath and got ready soon. I told myself, this day will be a memorable one.
I came down and took ''Tiger'' out of the garage. The locality was very silent and pleasant. I finally put on the Choke and kicked the kicker and applied Throttle. That made the place thundering which made some birds to twitter and fly off and also made the street dogs bark. Put on the gear, released the clutch and now it started. The much awaited D-Day started now. I felt out of the world. I rode to Lohith's place to get myself ready with the new saddle bags and riding gear. Didn't waste time. Everything went good as per plan. We both left Basaveshwarnagar exactly at 5:30AM. Noted down my Speedo Reading - 1060kms. Our next stop was near RNS to set up Saddle bags on Wazid's Bike. All of us started riding towards Tumkur Toll Gate where we were supposed to meet all the riders and leave.
I filled my fuel tank on the way. Very soon, I was in Tumkur Toll gate. I was excited to see all the riders with their Bulls & riding gear. As this was my 1st ride, I got a warm welcome from my Royal Indian Bros. I also distributed sweets to every1. Here we waited for Sandy and Kalim. As it was getting late and also they didn't turn up, we decided to leave.
Finally there were 12 Riders no pillion and 1Car.
Here follows the list of Riders…
1. Subbu - Kaiser (TBTS)
2. BB - TBTS
3. Raam - Electra 4S
4. Jerin - TBTS
5. Santhosh - TBTS
6. Wazid - Electra 5S
7. Lohith - TBTS
8. Arun - Electra 5S
9. Suresh - Electra 5S
10. Piyush - Electra 5S
11. Krish - Electra 5S
And last but not the least,
12. Myself with my ''Tiger'' a STD 350
I thought I cannot even compare my Bull with the Bulls mentioned above… Did I compare or not?? Find out… Keep reading below…
We started thundering the roads of Tumkur and reached Chitradurga for Tiffin. I couldn't find the hotel as I was riding slowly. I went 15kms ahead and came back to the hotel where every1 had stopped. Had tiffin and again filled up tanks as there was no Fuel pump available till Hubli. I felt bad in the beginning (from Tumkur to Chitradurga) as I was not supposed to ride at high speeds. I couldn't stay with the group. This time, I told Suresh to stay with me and told him that we will ride together. He obliged. We were doing good speeds of 80kmph. We stopped at Davanagere for engines to cool down. Again we started and headed towards Hubli. On the way, we had to stop again for a Butt break for 5min. I realized after this break that my speedo was not working. Didn't want to stop again and check. Already we were behind and wanted to catch the Guys ahead and cover up distance. Finally we rode and rode till we found Krish & other 3riders ahead of him. I got to see a board and realized that I was in Hubli. We went inside the city and all the riders were waiting for us. We met them and then moved for Lunch. This place we wasted time. In the city, some got dispersed and a few were confused with the roads in the city which headed to the hotel. By the time we were supposed to leave the hotel, we got news that Mumbai riders were reaching Belgaum in sometime. We had to cover up distance and it was getting late. Suddenly I felt Subbu was missing. I couldn't see him. I asked Santhosh where was he. I got a reply saying that he had got a call officially and had to bag out of RM. I felt so bad and was missing his company. We filled up our tanks again in Hubli and started riding towards Belgaum. We had a plan to reach there before it got dark. We were in a tight group inside the city and ensured that nobody will be left behind. Everything was going fine till there was a break down. This was the 1st breakdown which we came across. Wazid's Bull's Clutch cable got cut. We all didn't notice and rode further. As BB and few others were behind Wazid, they stopped and we got a call about the breakdown. We stopped immediately and also informed Piyush, Raam & Jerin who were ahead of us. Even they also halted for sometime. We thought it wouldn't take more time. But, for our bad luck, it took 3 Full hours to solve the issue even though he had a spare cable.
It got very dark and late. We again regrouped and started riding again. Again we stopped at a place 6kms before Dharwad. We waited here for Mumbai Riders to join with us. Again a bad news. Shiv, who all the way rode from Mumbai, met with an accident. Thank god, nothing happened to him as he was in complete riding gear. Trust me guys, not even a scratch. But unfortunately his Bull took all the pain. His Front forks collapsed. He couldn't even move the bike. The disc brakes got jammed. He had to replace the whole assembly. We all found him after Dharwad Toll Gate when a person in the Toll Gate told us there is a Bull waiting in this road. Again one more break. Everybody stopped. We found a tempo coming. We made him to stop and asked for his help to transport the bike to Hubli. He obliged. But, Shiv was not convinced. He wanted the Bull to make it to Goa which was next to impossibility. Somehow, we convinced him and loaded the Bull in the tempo and waved him Tata..Byee Byee... Also told him that CU in Goa...
After this the actual Go GOA ride started according to me. We decided that we will not speed up; 60kmph would be the max speed. Regrouped once again and we were riding in a pack. Those roads were good and empty. We thundered once again on those roads. But again, unfortunately, the speeds we did were almost near to double as what we had planned. As it was too late, dark, and time limit was less, we decided to avoid the 60kmph bad stretch from Belgaum, we didn't want any more breakdowns. We met a local person and this Bugger totally diverted the route to another place which is also a Ghat section. He said roads were good and better than the route which we had actually planned. We also felt the roads were pretty awesome for the 1st 10kms. Now came the toughest part of the whole damn ride. I never even dreamt those roads would be so bad. Those mining trucks had literally r*p*d the roads. Here it started. We were all hungry, thirsty no water, but had no other option. We had to cover up that distance. No lights, no shops, nothing, except bad roads and dust. We rode very slow, gave more breaks and ensured that everybody sticks with the group. Lohith and Piyush were in the Lead. I was praying God all the way that my Bull shouldn't breakdown anywhere. I had that fear in me as it was the 1st ride. Finishing this stretch became very difficult for everybody. We finally stopped for Tea at a place after the ghats were finished. Eyes were red, body was tired, engines were hot, still had 50odd kms to enter Goa. Roads were Ok. Each and every Km was like a SADDLE SORE FOR us. But we were almost like zombies. Sipped some tea and left the place.
My eyes started burning and felt sleepy very soon. I tried to avoid it as much as possible. I also lost the group. I and Suresh were almost lost in the dark curved serpentine roads. Thrice, I was almost about to hit a tree off the road. I was riding like a drunkard with those sleepy eyes. I lost the confidence that I will reach the destination. I stopped for a minute, put on my Ipod with the maximum volume. Hit my head twice and again started riding. Not bad yaar, Ipod gave me wings. From here on it was a matter of completing the ride and check-in to the guesthouse for some sleep. I started riding like a maniac. This part I enjoyed. It was almost 23hours since our journey started. I was the Sweep for all the 23 Hours. The last part, with the Thundering sound and also the music, I crossed everybody and flew away into Goa city. Then, I found nobody is ahead or behind. It was too late when I realized that I lost them. The time was 4.45AM. Didn't find even a street dog on the roads. I call up Lohith, but not reachable. Luckily Krish called me and said that I need to take a U-Turn and come back. Thank god he saw me. By the time he called me, I was almost 5kms away from them. Took another 15min to find them and joined them. Still we needed to cover up 15kms to go to the guest house. Finally reached there at 5:30AM. Exactly 24 Hours. We had an ''early morning dinner'', went to bed saying Gud Morning Gud Nite to all... That's all I know. The next day I woke up when Santhosh was shouting that it was late and we had to go to Rider Mania… Haaaaaa???? I asked. He kicked my ass which made me to wake up and the time was 10:30AM.
Day2 - Rider Mania GOA 20th Nov 2009
The much awaited Rider Mania day had come. Infact no interest to attend due to the strenuous ride we had the previous day. We all got ready. Before leaving the place, we all checked our Bulls whether everything was OK, all parts intact. Took Club Tees from BB, and rode to Vagator ''HillTop'' where the event was organized. We were not only Royal Indians from Bang, but also from Goa, Mumbai and Delhi. Everybody rocked the roads of Goa city. We gave a royal entry to the event. Got ourselves registered, took our RM Tees, had something to eat. Guys drank more Beer than water as it was very cheap. Specially thank ROYAL ENFIELD for organising RIDER MANIA orelse I would never have attempted this Goa Ride. It was a totally different place experiencing it for the 1st time in my life. We all got our Bulls checked from the RE sponsored mechanics. They charged only for the spares and not for labor. An overall check was done. Front and Rear brakes, Chain tight, oiling etc. I also checked for the loose connections of any wires. Speedo was not working; that striked my mind and got it checked. The cable was cut and got it replaced. We then decided to move out of the venue as it was not interesting and also we were all hungry. We went to a beach and found a restaurant by name ''Brittos''. We had nice food, spent sometime in the beach and returned back to the guest house by evening. After that, we went to another beach which was just 5min walk from the guest house. Nothing was interesting. We all decided to get food and drinks packed to the guest house and party there. Meantime, even Sandy and Kalim joined in Car as they were not able to ride all the way with their Gs. We had dinner with drinks at the guest house. It was a nice time with all bros cracking jokes, discussing some things etc. The day came to an end at 2AM for us. Never knew what would be the plan for the next day.
Day3 - Enjoyed GOA - 21st Nov2009
This day was really awesome, enjoyed upto the mark. Morning we went to Anjuna Beach, had breakfast, beer and soft drinks. BB & Raam decided to scare the people at the beach. They took of their clothes and jumped into the water. It was a bit hot and ''Hot'' and lonely. We left that place and went to Calangute Beach where you can enjoy Water rides. This place we had fun till evening. We played Para-sailing, Bananna rides, water biking, Bumper rides etc. In the mean time, I discovered my Bull's engine oil was low and needed a Top up and also a Silencer Nut was missing. Found a local mechanic there and got the work done. He checked everything and did an overall check up. I was totally satisfied. Arun had told some noise was coming from the clutch. Told him that there is a mechanic very nearby. He just flew to the place immediately and got it done. We all enjoyed the beach rides a lot. Left the place after the sunset and took a fresh bath at the guest house. We still had 3-4 hours of time. Sudden plan to go to a Saturday Nite market for shopping. Finished that and came to the guest house after having dinner on the way. We packed up our saddle bags to leave Goa the next day. Plan was to leave by 5:30AM.
Day 4 - Goa to Bang 22nd Nov 2009
Again time had come to ride for a long distance. It was a very nice scene to see all riders again geared up to hit the roads. We left Goa by 10'o clock, filled up our tanks in Goa, left to Bangalore. This time, we made sure we will not waste time. We just rode towards Goa Border, Karwar. Had a butt-break in Karwar, took some pics, and rode again. Stopped for lunch. After finishing lunch, again rode till Sagar which was a bit difficult because of bad roads in Ghats. Again I missed the gang and took hella lot of time to cover up the distance. Then regrouped before Sagar near a tea shop. Again rode till Shimoga nonstop. Filled up our tanks again in Shimoga, rode till Tiptur. We stopped at a place in a hotel for dinner, again rode till Tumkur. On the way stopped for a Tea, next we stopped at Bangalore near Tumkur Toll gate. That stretch from Shimoga to Bangalore was tiring. We gave 5min break for every 100kms or so to cool down the engines. Raam was in the Lead. Next day was a working day. I didn't have the mood of leaving the gang and going to office. I wished the day would have been a bit longer. 4days with the gang of brotherhood, I was in heaven.
Even though the journey was tiresome, the enjoyment and the adventure I had with Royal Indians was just awesome and I have no words to express...
Now whom all we missed???
Missed Subbu a lot. Who had made it for the ride, finished almost 1st half and bagged out due to some reasons. Missed Deejay and Raahul. I remembered both of you throughout the ride, before as well as after the ride…
Whom I would like to thank???
I wish to thank all fellows of Brotherhood who made it for the ride and gave me a good company and also waited for me till I made it at every point. I would like to thank my Mechanic Dr. Srinivas who took special care of my Bull and made it ready to GO GOA. Wat a work, 1981 Std, not even a single breakdown throughout the ride. Specially thank BB for supporting me from the starting till the end of the ride. I thank Raam who took special care of my ''Tiger'' and inspected my Bull during every break and gave me suggestions and solutions whenever I thought I had a problem.
And now next???? I think I have explained everything… Lemme plan my next ride and put it on tripped section... :) :) :)