I am Sunder and am from Bangalore. Am 31 young ;-). A software engineer by profession, but a nomad by birth who now rides a 2006 Thunderbird.
Why only a 2006 model Bullet, one might ask???? 2 reasons 1. I came back to India only in 2006 after a hiatus of 5 years. 2. I had enough money to buy one, only in 2006 ;-)
Well on July 6th 2006, came to my senses and got back home to India. On 21st July, I got myself a Thunderbird. Started off by doing some small rides (Solo to Mysore - 130 km to drink a couple of beers at The Parkland hotel and then did some small rides with the local bullet club (RTMC). Always dreamed of doing something as huge as Ladakh. Finally in June 2008, got the opportunity to join Mat and JK on their 9th trip to Ladakh (WOOOOOOOOOOOOW, I know).
After Ladakh, I did another small ride to Wayanad Kerala. 840km in 3 days. Agreed that both Ladakh and Kerala have mountainerous terrains, but they are as different as Hell and Heaven. While Ladakh is a barren and dry desert with mountains in it, Kerala is truly "God''''s own country". Riding on the smooth tarmac and through all those tea estates is very very invigorating!!!
Well afer Ladakh, my interest in Rider Mania grew and I decided that I would go and check it out. RM09 was slated to be held in Ooty. So I chalked out a plan to take a shortcut to RM09. Start riding from Mumbai, ride all the way to Kanyakumari via Ratnagiri, Goa, Mangalore, Guruvayoor and Kumarakom. From Kanyakumari, we decided to ride to Ooty via Dindigul, Pollachi and Coimbatore. Was am amazing trip where we camped twice and also made a split second decision to go visit Kodai. Bottom line 5 states, 3118km, 16 days, 3 riders, one crazy ride.
Other than this I have mapped out a route for a South India trip that I intend to do soon and am gathering info for a trip to the North East. Will do the North east trip when the region is more politically stable, but want to get all my homework about the region well ahead of time.
Next year, plan to do either Rann of Kutch and Rajasthan to complete the remaining western frontier of India or atleast do Bhutan and Nepal (if the Eastern Bulls decide to host the RM nextyear in Kolkotta).
Till the next ride, Ride Safe!!!
Know me better and also read about my trips at http://mademytrip.synthasite.com/index.php