A ride with the wind

Club culture

It is said that like-minded people have a way of coming together. For these three friends, the binding factor was a common love for bikes.

Ajit Bharadwaj, Preetam Bose and Siddhanth Koundinya used to ride individually before they started ‘Off the grid’  one and half years ago.

The group started with a mere five riders on board but has today grown to almost 20 active members.

“We were all amateurs when we started but slowly we learnt the nuances of riding responsibly and in a professional manner,” says Ajit. The club meets once every two months for breakfast rides and once every week for night rides.

The members are staunch believers in spontaneity, especially when it comes to planning a ride; a trait that sets them apart from other biking groups.

“We don’t plan in advance or make an itinerary for our rides. For us, it’s an on-the-spot decision and then we hit the road. The best part is everyone in the group is always ready and enthused for a ride. More than a group, there is a sense of brotherhood that prevails,” adds Ajit.

The group has seen its fair share of rash drivers and accidents on the roads during their travels. Which is why they have taken it upon themselves to spread awareness about responsible riding, in an effort to break the idea that highways are race tracks.

“We have also come up with a racing academy where we train racing enthusiasts and ask them to stick to the tracks. We call it ‘Atomic Motorsports’. With this, we want to give back something to the society.” says Ajit.

Krishnagiri, Kolar, Hassan highway and Ambur are some of the places they head to for their weekend breakfast rides. These apart, Coorg, Sakleshpura and Chikkamagaluru are their choices for a one day trip.  Preetam, a professional photographer, says, “It is extremely important to have a good head on your shoulders when you are on the bike. An element of uncertainty is always there.”

He adds, “My experience with this group has been amazing. I was looking for a group that would be willing to ride whenever I wanted to and it is possible here. We don’t have an agenda, we ride because we love it. We want to make a difference in the way bike riding is perceived by most people today.”

Siddhanth, a national champion in bike racing, says, “I have been with the group for over a year. I join them for the breakfast rides. The fact that they don’t have a fixed plan is exciting for a rider. It helps one to venture out to places,” he says.

Having been on the bike from the age of 18, Shaun Rodrigues, another member of the club, says, “Being the youngest in the group, I have learnt a lot from everyone. More than friends, they are like family to me now.”

(The club can be contacted at 9742136000)