JOIN USRoaring on the road
It is amazing to see how passion can bring like-minded people together. And some of the most passionate people in the world of bikers are in the ‘Riders Republic Motorcycle Club’(RRMC).
Launched in 2012 by H S Yuvaraj (one of the founding members), this club is
primarily for all the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners and they like to call themselves as a ‘herd of free soul riders’.
Currently, there are about 500 plus members in the group, out of which 150 actively take part in all its events and rides.
“We started off riding with ‘Tusker HOG’ (Harley Owners Group) where we got to know each other and did a few personal rides. These meetings kept growing and we came to know each other much better. That’s how we formed our own group. The bikes range from ‘883 Iron’ to ‘Street glide’,” explains Yuvaraj.
Riding on big bikes gets a lot of attention from the public, but the members have not got carried away. They stick to their philosophy of following lane discipline and moving in a herd (without disturbing the flow of the traffic).
Faiz, an active member, says that all the attention that people give them is a part and parcel of owning such bikes; adoration without having to scream for
attention.
So, what made him be a part of the club? “I love bikes and I own quite a few of them. This was a bike that I always wanted to pick up. Being a part of the club is more like a weekend getaway for me where I can break the monotony of the week, while I recharge for the upcoming week. All the rides give me ample time to spend with this majestic machine,” Faiz says.
The members make sure to catch up every weekend and discuss their next ride. Which in a way allows everyone to meet as well as plan their trips in advance. A thorough round up about road discipline and safety of self and others on the road are discussed before a ride takes place.
“Every member of the club is a responsible rider and they take utmost care not to be a hindrance to fellow drivers on road. There is a brotherhood among everyone and more than just a club, we are all like a family. We move in a herd and it is always about 100 bikes moving together, so even if one bike breaks down, all the other 99 bikes stop and make sure everyone is together and safe. That’s what I mean by a family,” says Raymond Roy, another active member.
Talking about the safety measures that the members keep in mind, Shiva Prasad says, “We have special riding gear that we are very particular about. It is mandatory for the pillion rider to wear a helmet too. Apart from this, the experienced riders in the club go for a recce and collect information about the nearest stop, petrol bunks, a place to stay over, etc. While on the road, there is always a lead and a sweep who keeps other riders together. This is an important aspect of the club.”
The members go on rides almost every Sunday which is mostly breakfast rides. Apart from which they also have overnight and one day rides to places in and around the city.
“Goa has been one of our most frequent and favourite rides. We encourage families of riders to accompany us for the rides and activities that we organise. Bandipur, Hampi, Coorg, Penukonda, Sakleshpur, Chikkamagaluru and DD hills are some of the places we have been to around Bengaluru. Some of us have also been to places like Gujarat, Bhutan and even Europe for rides,” says Prithvi Gowda.
Shiv Shankar who has been with the club from the beginning says that riding for him is more than a passion.
“It is like a religion to me and I am entirely devoted to it. The enthusiasm that every rider has in him and the way all members of the group pamper and welcome a new person makes it a special place to chase one’s passion,” he says.
(The club can be contacted at 9845931115)