On a patriotic path

Biking is fun, irrespective of the model of the vehicle one rides or the route one takes. With yet another Republic Day here,  Bengalureans are celebrating the spirit of the day in their own way and biking groups and passionate bikers are not far behind. They are hitting the road on their machines to places near and far while showcasing their patriotism in their own way.  

The ‘Road Thrill’ community kickstarted its ‘Republic Ride 2018’ from Nelamangala, heading on the Hassan Road to Adichunchanagiri with different biking groups like ‘Gixxer Club Bengaluru’ and ‘Highway Delite’ today. “Rides like these can be really exciting as it brings different biking groups together,” says Jacinth Paul, founder and moderator of ‘Road Thrill’.

The group has organised trips to Lepakshi and Ramanagara for Republic Day earlier and these trips have turned out to be great eye-openers, he says. “Bikers who are not very active join in these trips too. It’s interesting to interact with them and know about different walks of life,” he says.

Republic day rides are different from regular trips planned by the group. “We follow dress codes, mount the flag on our bikes and our bikes are decorated with the tricolour for the day. It’s like a festival,” he says.

Jacinth adds that he and a smaller group of bikers will be heading from Adichunchanagiri to Danushkodi. “We will be passing through the Sathyamangalam forest area when on this route. Apart from riding on the Pamban Bridge, which is one of the most sought-after routes by bikers after Leh Ladakh and Rann of Kutch, we also plan to go to Meenakshi Amman Temple, before heading back,” he says.  

Members of the Dominar Owners Group Bangalore are participating in the ‘Republic Ride 2018’ and heading out to a nearby location of their choice after it. Tushar Gohil, founder of the club, says that the group will head to a nearby spot like the Shettihalli Church, Bellur or the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.

“The whole experience of meeting new people for the first ride will be exciting after which we would like to go to a location and be together with our own small bunch,” he says.

“Such rides are about exploring the freedom of riding and it’s delightful to see how the group comes together as a family on such occasions. With proper riding gear, abiding by
strict rules and the code of conduct of the group, each trip turns out to be a journey to remember,” adds Tushar.

Initiatives for a cause are often connected to bike rides today and this is where the Bangalore Bullet Club’s charity ride comes in. Sunil Anvekar, founder of Bangalore Bullet Club says, “We plan to meet at Rajajinagar from where we will head out to a special children’s school at Peenya. After joining in their Republic Day’s celebrations, we will head out for a polio awareness drive to Jalahalli. The ride aims to bring back memories about Republic Day while giving one the adrenaline rush they have been waiting for.”

Unlike any other ride, Sunil says that Republic Day rides are different. “Most of our rides are meant for the thrill but these rides are for a reason and to express solidarity and brotherhood,” he adds.

With an untoward speeding accident that involved bikers recently, the group is extra cautious about safety measures while riding.

Woman biker and racer Sonali Mukherji is travelling with Aditya Dora for 3,300 km and says that the ride holds a special meaning to the both of them. “My friend Aditya met with an accident in 2016 and was told that he would have difficulty riding again. Our trip is scheduled to cover places like Ooty, Kodaikanal, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, Mangaluru, Murdeshwar and Gokarna,” she says. “Like the spirit of the day, I wish to spread the word with Aditya that nothing is impossible. There is nothing that willpower cannot heal,” she adds.