The joy of biking

On the road

Ever wondered how you could take time off and do the things you love the most? With a fast-paced lifestyle, everyone is almost always juggling various tasks but there are still many who take time off to devote to their passion. Bikers are surely one of them. A few of the city’s bikers talk about their life and the special connection they share with their bike.

Young and zealous Zoran Subbaiah owns a KTM Duke 390, a super bike. He learnt how to ride in the 9th standard and says that the thrill that life on the fast lane offers drove him to do so. “I’m still at an age where I want to explore and travel. My next aim is to ride to Rajasthan and Ladakh, as they are said to be beautiful destinations for adventure lovers,” he says.

He states that he once met with a severe accident, but this has helped him realise his mistakes. It did not discourage him, but helped him become more courageous. According to Zoran, he is also more careful when there is a pillion with him. He expresses that biking brings a certain sense of joy to him that nothing else can offer. The riding enthusiast also mentions that his parents and brother have always been very supportive of him and he is grateful to them for that.

“I have a KTM rc 200 and I got it two years back,” says Zubin George. He has done a few long rides in this span, the longest being a 1500 kilometres ride to Goa through Dandeli and back.

He says, “I think riding gear is essential, especially while riding on high-speed bikes. A riding jacket, riding gloves and a good helmet are a must in the city. Riding is a dangerous activity and we have to take care of our safety. It saddens me to see people on super bikes without a helmet.” According to Zubin, bikes have an advantage over cars. “Bikes make more sense in Bengaluru traffic and it is easy to just skim through. Biking is generally more fun than driving a car; the only downside is the summer heat,” he says adding, “I feel that if one does not have a connection with their bike, they will never be able to take it to its full capacity. My bike is an extension of me.”

 “Why should boys have all the fun?” questions Lisha Murali, a woman biker, who wants to encourage many other women to ride bikes. She claims that riding opens up several opportunities to gain knowledge about oneself. For instance, she says that she realised her love for food, photography and writing through biking.

Lisha says that being a lady biker, she has faced many challenges. “In India, bikes and bikers have always been a symbol of male machismo, a stereotypical characteristic that has received a blow over the last 2 decades with more women joining the league,” she states.