MOTORCYCLE DIARIES ( OUR MAIDEN BIKE NITE OUT)

It was beginning of 3rd yr. Many young guns of our batch including me had got bikes. We were eager to show off our biking skills. Everyone wanted to take their biking experience to the next level. Bored of driving in the city traffic we all wanted to break free on a challenging and clear highway.

As usual our tour organiser Mr. Chidananda had made rocking plans. He briefed us about the place with the” catch”( explained later) that the place MEKEDHATTU was just 60 kms from the city. The sound of 60 kms lured many enthusiastic bikers. So finally we managed to gather 9 bikes and 18 guys. We were lucky that we were accompanied by couple of friends who had a car. So finally we were 20 guys with 9 bikes and a car. The trip began from ramaiah campus and so did d fun. We got our bikes fuelled at the famous shell petrol pump which became the source of d fuel for our upcoming nite outs. However we were yet to fuel ourselves with “drinks”. So our first objective was to find a liquor shop in order to refuel ourselves. The hunt began but we didn’t find any fuelling station open at nite. Initially we were told to follow the car cuz they knew the way. After sometime we stopped at a place just because the car did. Then the car suddenly started moving and took a u turn all 9 bikes followed it. Then again the car took a u turn and we came to same place where we stopped. We were surprised by this event and had a hearty laugh however we turned silent when we came to know police were behind us. But eventually we managed to lose them and also managed to stock some beers and breezers for ourselves. So after a much chaos we finally came out of Bangalore.

It was a quiet and peaceful road however if anyone couldn’t match up with the gang he could have ended in wrong place. So we all maintained decent speed allowing everyone to stay together. The weather was just perfect for such outing a clear sky and the temperature not too extreme. The roads were good till 60kms. Not many realised that the already quoted 60 kms were covered in about 1 and half hour. So we started looking around us for any glimpse of chida s description. It was then that we realised we were still half the way. Hearing this there were many tired faces. However we managed to convince them explaining the beauty of the place.

Suddenly someone emerged out of the window of the car with the handycam. This act charged up everyone and we started showcasing our biking as well as our shouting skills. We drove in a zigzag way and one overtaking the other one by one” fullto filmy ishtyle”. After this we passed a village from where the real adventure began. The roads were a nightmare. In fact there were concrete roads and suddenly muddy roads. Countless potholes and stones lying in the road. There was a huge pothole on which my pillion rider commented that it was a pretty dangerous one. He was looking behind and suddenly 3 of our bikes went down one after the other in the pothole. Thats one incident i can never forget. Luckily no one was hurt. However our ghostrider’s tyre was punctured on asking him why did it happen only to him this the reply we got was “ I must have run over a dead dog ra”. Then after a much debate we parked his vehicle in village nearby. Luckily we had ample space in car to accommodate people. The roads got tougher ahead. They were narrower. It had some sharp and steep curves which were nicely manoeuvred by our riders.

Finally we reached our destination mekedhattu in exactly 3 and half hours. Even at night it was a beautiful sight with the soothing sound of white waters. Parking our bikes we managed to find an appropriate place for a campfire. It was a small piece of land surrounded by water on all sides. Then all the ingredients for camp fire were collected and fire was lit. Again the fire acted as a stimulant as many tired people got charged up. Then finally we refuelled ourselves with beer and breezers. Many were so tired that they visualized a warm cozy bed instead of white cold sand and eventually dozed off.
Others went exploring. In morning at around 6 one of the friend went out in the knee dip( ankle dip for parth} river to explore. He ended up falling in water with his hands out, holding his shoes. He was completely drenched the only thing dry was his shoes. Everyone had a hearty laugh.

After enjoying the pleasant morning we decided to go back to Bangalore. However there was an uphill task our way. We had to get ghostrider s bike back on road. Many tired faces chose to drive back in car. Only few survived the trials and tribulation of the challenging warm weather and of course the effect of the drinks.

Finally we reached back to Bangalore dog tired yet fully satisfied with the adventurous bike ride.

The trip included every -thing from adventure to fun. From funny arguments to agreements. Good roads and no roads. It gauged the driving skills and capacity of the bikers and also prepared them for the upcoming nite outs.

..Rajen Parekh