<p>Here is a bunch of enthusiastic men who love their machines and what binds them together is their passion for riding. Around 220 Harley-Davidson bikers, including those from Tuskers Bangalore Chapter, headed out of the City in the wee hours of January 15 on a road trip to Goa. <br /><br /></p>.<p>This was as part of the second edition of the ‘National Harley Owners Group Rally’ at the India Bike Week, which is being held in Goa. Close to a 1000 Harley-Davidson owners and their families, from across the country, are participating in the rally. Sharing their experiences with Metrolife, a few riders from the group say that it’s not just about the freedom and thrill that they experience, it’s also about the test of their commitment to biking.<br /><br />All the riders, who are a part of the rally, say that a lot of planning goes on before they take off on a long journey. In addition to building their strength — both mental and physical — most of the riders take a lot of safety precautions. Not all of them are professional bikers. They come from different backgrounds. Zubin Major, an avid biker, was a pilot before he began to ride his Harley 20 years ago.<br /><br />“Riding long distances on a Harley gives me the same thrill as flying. A lot of planning, involving safety measures, routes, food and refuelling stops, is done before the ride. What’s also under test is your endurance level,” explains Zubin. Shaik Firdos, a businessman, says he developed a passion for riding only after he bought himself a Harley. <br /><br />“I don’t like racing on bikes. Long rides offer you a comfortable and peaceful journey. Nothing comes easy. It’s all risky but every journey can be made memorable with better planning,” he states.<br /> The route is tried and tested before the bikers set out on the journey. Mohammed Rizwan, another businessman, thinks long-distance riding offers him a sense of freedom. “You have to be extremely fit. In fact, biking inspires you to take up fitness and one can’t compromise on safety when on the road,” he reasons.<br /><br />Mohammed adds, “The longer you go biking, the younger you will look and feel.” Vinayak Nayak, a professional, has been riding the Harley for the last one and a half years and this also happens to be his second year at the rally. “There is no other rally that gives you the opportunity to meet 800-odd bikers. You meet new people and make long-lasting friends at such events,” he notes.<br /><br />Talking about the safety aspects, Sridhar Shetty, a safety officer, explains, “We make sure the riders don’t venture out without helmets, jackets and protective gears around the elbow and knee. The riders are also taken through a session on first aid and road safety before they head out.”<br /><br />Salamth Sharieff, secretary of the Bangalore Chapter of ‘HOG’, informs that this year, five women have joined the rally. “This is how every long-distance biking works. There is a lead biker who controls the group. There is a marshall who coordinates the biking act and the last guy’s job is to ensure that no biker falls out. The bikers stagger when the road is free and on a crowded stretch, they ride in a single line. Riding entails a lot of discipline,” he concludes.<br /><br />The bikers will return to the City after January 18. </p>
<p>Here is a bunch of enthusiastic men who love their machines and what binds them together is their passion for riding. Around 220 Harley-Davidson bikers, including those from Tuskers Bangalore Chapter, headed out of the City in the wee hours of January 15 on a road trip to Goa. <br /><br /></p>.<p>This was as part of the second edition of the ‘National Harley Owners Group Rally’ at the India Bike Week, which is being held in Goa. Close to a 1000 Harley-Davidson owners and their families, from across the country, are participating in the rally. Sharing their experiences with Metrolife, a few riders from the group say that it’s not just about the freedom and thrill that they experience, it’s also about the test of their commitment to biking.<br /><br />All the riders, who are a part of the rally, say that a lot of planning goes on before they take off on a long journey. In addition to building their strength — both mental and physical — most of the riders take a lot of safety precautions. Not all of them are professional bikers. They come from different backgrounds. Zubin Major, an avid biker, was a pilot before he began to ride his Harley 20 years ago.<br /><br />“Riding long distances on a Harley gives me the same thrill as flying. A lot of planning, involving safety measures, routes, food and refuelling stops, is done before the ride. What’s also under test is your endurance level,” explains Zubin. Shaik Firdos, a businessman, says he developed a passion for riding only after he bought himself a Harley. <br /><br />“I don’t like racing on bikes. Long rides offer you a comfortable and peaceful journey. Nothing comes easy. It’s all risky but every journey can be made memorable with better planning,” he states.<br /> The route is tried and tested before the bikers set out on the journey. Mohammed Rizwan, another businessman, thinks long-distance riding offers him a sense of freedom. “You have to be extremely fit. In fact, biking inspires you to take up fitness and one can’t compromise on safety when on the road,” he reasons.<br /><br />Mohammed adds, “The longer you go biking, the younger you will look and feel.” Vinayak Nayak, a professional, has been riding the Harley for the last one and a half years and this also happens to be his second year at the rally. “There is no other rally that gives you the opportunity to meet 800-odd bikers. You meet new people and make long-lasting friends at such events,” he notes.<br /><br />Talking about the safety aspects, Sridhar Shetty, a safety officer, explains, “We make sure the riders don’t venture out without helmets, jackets and protective gears around the elbow and knee. The riders are also taken through a session on first aid and road safety before they head out.”<br /><br />Salamth Sharieff, secretary of the Bangalore Chapter of ‘HOG’, informs that this year, five women have joined the rally. “This is how every long-distance biking works. There is a lead biker who controls the group. There is a marshall who coordinates the biking act and the last guy’s job is to ensure that no biker falls out. The bikers stagger when the road is free and on a crowded stretch, they ride in a single line. Riding entails a lot of discipline,” he concludes.<br /><br />The bikers will return to the City after January 18. </p>
