Kick-start and zoom ahead!

FAST TRACK

Bright and early, on Sunday morning, a pack of riders took over Kanteerava Stadium.

The air was nippy but it didn’t bother the pumped up bikers. Engines roared as the riders took warm up rounds around the stadium.

The racers were there to celebrate the International Jawa Yezdi Day, which is in its seventh year internationally and in its second year in Bangalore. The riders cruised in, registered, got a piping cup of coffee and chatted with fellow motorbike enthusiasts. Some fixed small glitches. Everybody checked out everybody else's bikes.

There were a few imported bikes which gathered a huge gang of admirers. There was even a vintage bike with an attached side cart that brought back memories of Jay and Veeru riding along singing “Ye Dosti Hum Nahin Chodenge...”  

The registration process was fairly simple and easy. The organisers had requested the participants to gather at the Kanteerava Stadium by 8.15 am. The flag off was scheduled at 8.30 am.

There were even T-Shirts for sale. Demand was higher than supply, it seemed.

The riders kept walking up to the registration desk asking to buy T-shirts much after the organisers had run out of them. The facilitators promised that they’d order a reprint and have them delivered at a later date.

The riders took off at 8.45 am. The organisers gave basic instructions and repeated the route — MG Road - Richmond Road - JC Road - Mysore Road - Chanapattana Coffee Day.

The bikers would then settle down for a meal and then ride back. The white, Jawa flags were lowered and dust rose.

When asked what was special about this ride, Brian, one of the organisers, said: “I now ride the bike that my father used to ride in college. There’s the nostalgia factor. And it’s about riding in a group.”

This joy ride did have some rules.

The bike papers had to be up to date, the riders had to have valid emission papers and licences. Insurance coverage was mandatory, both for the self and third party.
 
Two mechanics followed the riders as did a medical kit. The organisers said that this will be an annual event that will happen on the second Sunday of July every year.