[Hard Torque]: Of ‘honest talk’, buddies and Leh rides… - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

Old Fox · 07-02-2010, 04:59 PM

There’s a new trend on xBhp these days. It’s about being ‘honest and straight’ with your opinions. And it is showing up the most in the tour logs being posted. xBhp has virtually annexed Leh this summer and the Himalayas have extracted their pound of flesh from each traveler as they always have. Irrespective of the reasons involved, the mountains threw up unforeseen challenges that can leave the most prepared seem totally amateurish and the stress of improvising self-extraction out of the situation stirs up a man right to his core.

A group ride is about one travelling unit with multiple personalities. And personalities are about priorities and decisions. Which is where the differences and similarities exist. And which is where friendships are forged or broken. It is at the pre-ride discussion stage itself that priorities get bared naked and decisions to come show themselves. But the euphoria of the trip, the experience from short rides together and the comfort of home ground cover the prickly protrusions with a chimera of wishful logic. Riding gear, bikes, bags and tickets are given a higher priority than compatibility checks. The friendship apparently seems to grow and mature with each little agreement about what shoes to wear, how to transport the bike, what camera to use and what route to take. The disagreements, few at this stage, are left unattended for ‘later’. And this ‘later’ comes into force only once the travel begins. No turning back now.

The differing priorities make for differing decisions and the more critical the situation becomes, the harder does the disagreement hurt. You had pre-decided to reach a destination 500kms away and someone in the group wants more breaks for water, toilet, food or photography and impatience starts creeping in after 300 on the odo and 3 hours left for the remaining 200. Of course the impatience has a democratic structure. The group likes to do what the majority does and this is quite natural. The hills begin and speed comfort levels show blatant differences. ‘Standards’ are touted, ‘at leasts’ bandied about by the dozen and those frowns begin to show from even beneath the balaclavas. Pushing or getting pushed are both equally unpleasant and no one wants to recalibrate. They all have reasons. Actually another synonym for priorities in this case.

The ride goes on and the pre-ride agreements start getting outnumbered by the disagreements. Grudges get filed and the file grows thicker. Even though each involved is very sure of what he feels being the only right around, yet there’s an inadvertent need to share and get feedback on the apparent mistakes and errors of others. That’s where the ‘honest and straight’ talk comes sauntering in. The intellectual and skill hierarchy gets established in places like this forum and the innards of the ride lie open for post-mortem…no, post-partum analysis by one and all. The home-town camaraderie and biking brotherhood sizzles on the hot-plate of open confessions. Actually two mistakes of others for half of one’s own. And the irony is that most of them are not even mistakes.

Few realize that good judgment comes from experience and that most experience comes from bad judgments. Friendship is a relationship and what goes on within it is sacrosanct and private. If four people decide to travel through thick and thin as friends (usually called a group), then what goes on between them is a collective story. Individuals don’t matter any more and togetherness is the key. Unity is strength…so clichéd, so subtle and so stupidly simple and yet, like the blue of the sky above, so un-noticed. Honesty is never about a long line drawn next to a short. Length will always be relative and there will be longer lines around. Honesty is not about public sharing of errors and inferior skills. Honesty is not about measuring by ‘established’ standards and poking fun of those below and bow to those above. And honesty is primarily for the tight confines of a trusted relationship, a place that has enough emotional gumption to absorb the sharp edges of honest words without bleeding all over the place.

Never has the washing of dirty linen in public been educative for anyone. It usually is perceived more as entertainment than anything else. And if the need is as altruistic as to warn others of errors that were avoidable, it can be done with a sense of togetherness without singling out oneself or others for their follies. A ride to Leh and back is no mean achievement. It earns the doer all the respect he/she deserves. Don’t demean the effort and commitment that goes into going there and coming back in one piece. Respect the ride and what it gave you. Raise it above people and keep it there.

rachitkohli · 07-02-2010, 05:10 PM

Extremely true OldFox sir..!! The 'tuning' is the thing which has to be given more importance above the other materialistic preparations on a lifetime vital ride like this, right on the preparation stage.. Problems & misconceptions are bound to happen, but could be treated just as an obstacle or those badroads on the altitude of himalayas which has just to be overcome with hard times. We dont criticize the bad patch or the landslides or the water-crossing.. Rather we take it up as a 'fun' factor & ensure to pass it with utter safety & consciousness. Its the same way the conflicts has to be healed.
Wonderfully described the heartly talks sir..!!
Well said..!!

surojit · 07-02-2010, 05:13 PM

very very true whatever you have penned down..... the attitude and riding style of the fellow rider should be the first thing to consider when you plan a ride together....

rachitkohli · 07-02-2010, 05:14 PM

Its not about Altitude.. Its about Attitude.. that matters..!!

ken cool · 07-02-2010, 05:20 PM

What a write! What a text! And what an observation! I did meet quite a few "groups". Though I did not delve in the chemistry of these groups. But I am sure that there is a lot of truth in what you say.

aargee · 07-02-2010, 05:22 PM

Well OF Sir, Thanks for writing on this & I would've not understood this better, had I not been part of TSG2G. What you're penning down is more than true & I've realized. I'm unfortunate to read the theory after my experience, but I'm glad I'm learning.

Quote:

Few realize that good judgment comes from experience and that most experience comes from bad judgments
.
.
.
Individuals don’t matter any more and togetherness is the key

The above is something vital that I understood, watched, learned & realized during the trip through sweeping, leading & being a part of the group.

One point that I can never understand is how does one manage the multiple priorities. I'm sure I never did this good; infact I should've pushed the group at some point, be it pleasant or not, I'm sure I did push due to circumstances. What should one do when there're multiple priorities? Should we lay down the rules of the game before starting like you said...

Quote:

That’s where the ‘honest and straight’ talk comes sauntering in

How does that work? I'm sure this is not an office environment where we've performance measurement & improvement programs as I'm under the impression that, its the comfort, discipline & like minds that makes one as part of the group. Appreciate if you can touch base on these points.

niks_devil666 · 07-02-2010, 05:28 PM

Brilliantly written ! no matter how busy I am , I always read what ever you write

Quote:

Few realize that good judgment comes from experience and that most experience comes from bad judgments.

so true

dcs · 07-02-2010, 06:04 PM

Very well written by one of the Most respected person/rider/mentor of Xbhp.

Some people call others arrogant when they say that they prefer to ride with some selected fews, not understanding that when you are out on a Tour and spending from your pocket rather than earning, it is supposed to be fun, adventure and experience worthy enough to cherish, rather then traumatizing oneself for another few years.

I will be very prudent in saying that despite the fact that Imran (B2L) who is a wonderful friend and an equally wonderful rider,somehow I dont find myself on the same page with his riding. I am the ones who stops way too frequently, often for Tea or for a smoke where in Imran is addicted to none. I hence, would not like to spoil his fun of riding by tagging along.

Ride, if you must, but ride with people who are compatible. Dont think that its just the engine capacities that should be considered while asking for compatibilities. The real mental compatibility too has to be understood and taken in account.

I once rode with an Old time friend from Delhi to Ludhiana when he was on a Platina and I was on my Karizma. A lot of us would think that both of these bikes are of no match, if we talk about speed, stability, brakes, ease, but believe me, I reached Ludhiana in the same time as I would have, if I were riding solo. For the simple reason being that we stopped when we both wanted to, smoked alongside and reached Ludhiana safe and sound and in one piece with no shattered ego or friendship, but only with a better understanding of each other and with a much respect to Bajaj Platina.

So, a simple request to all my mates, dont feel offended when someone refuses to ride along with you. Its just that he might value the bond more than riding along. Think about it.

all cheers

dcs

P.S: Imran, I wish I could ride along with you, but still have to curb my addiction for Tea and smoke.

P.S II: Old Fox, are you a mind reader, I was thinking of the same for some time.

P.S III: Imran- How I wish I could match to your riding. Alas, I can not

07-02-2010, 08:38 PM

This is a 'one of a kind' artical i must say.

"Himalayas have extracted their pound of flesh from each traveler..."
Adding to that What we are extracting from Himalayas?

We need to understand that boosting bike rides to himalayas may boost us in many ways but it'll not boost or help our Himalayas.

"Don’t demean the effort and commitment that goes into going there and coming back in one piece."

Pls raise above the level of personal achivements........do 'something' to save Himalayas.....and it'll save us.

Rockkyyy · 07-02-2010, 09:59 PM

This is great - absolutely true and important.
As Nik Mentioned I too never miss to read anything you write.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Fox

Few realize that good judgment comes from experience and that most experience comes from bad judgments.

07-02-2010, 04:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Old Fox Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Noida Posts: 648	Of ‘honest talk’, buddies and Leh rides… There’s a new trend on xBhp these days. It’s about being ‘honest and straight’ with your opinions. And it is showing up the most in the tour logs being posted. xBhp has virtually annexed Leh this summer and the Himalayas have extracted their pound of flesh from each traveler as they always have. Irrespective of the reasons involved, the mountains threw up unforeseen challenges that can leave the most prepared seem totally amateurish and the stress of improvising self-extraction out of the situation stirs up a man right to his core. A group ride is about one travelling unit with multiple personalities. And personalities are about priorities and decisions. Which is where the differences and similarities exist. And which is where friendships are forged or broken. It is at the pre-ride discussion stage itself that priorities get bared naked and decisions to come show themselves. But the euphoria of the trip, the experience from short rides together and the comfort of home ground cover the prickly protrusions with a chimera of wishful logic. Riding gear, bikes, bags and tickets are given a higher priority than compatibility checks. The friendship apparently seems to grow and mature with each little agreement about what shoes to wear, how to transport the bike, what camera to use and what route to take. The disagreements, few at this stage, are left unattended for ‘later’. And this ‘later’ comes into force only once the travel begins. No turning back now. The differing priorities make for differing decisions and the more critical the situation becomes, the harder does the disagreement hurt. You had pre-decided to reach a destination 500kms away and someone in the group wants more breaks for water, toilet, food or photography and impatience starts creeping in after 300 on the odo and 3 hours left for the remaining 200. Of course the impatience has a democratic structure. The group likes to do what the majority does and this is quite natural. The hills begin and speed comfort levels show blatant differences. ‘Standards’ are touted, ‘at leasts’ bandied about by the dozen and those frowns begin to show from even beneath the balaclavas. Pushing or getting pushed are both equally unpleasant and no one wants to recalibrate. They all have reasons. Actually another synonym for priorities in this case. The ride goes on and the pre-ride agreements start getting outnumbered by the disagreements. Grudges get filed and the file grows thicker. Even though each involved is very sure of what he feels being the only right around, yet there’s an inadvertent need to share and get feedback on the apparent mistakes and errors of others. That’s where the ‘honest and straight’ talk comes sauntering in. The intellectual and skill hierarchy gets established in places like this forum and the innards of the ride lie open for post-mortem…no, post-partum analysis by one and all. The home-town camaraderie and biking brotherhood sizzles on the hot-plate of open confessions. Actually two mistakes of others for half of one’s own. And the irony is that most of them are not even mistakes. Few realize that good judgment comes from experience and that most experience comes from bad judgments. Friendship is a relationship and what goes on within it is sacrosanct and private. If four people decide to travel through thick and thin as friends (usually called a group), then what goes on between them is a collective story. Individuals don’t matter any more and togetherness is the key. Unity is strength…so clichéd, so subtle and so stupidly simple and yet, like the blue of the sky above, so un-noticed. Honesty is never about a long line drawn next to a short. Length will always be relative and there will be longer lines around. Honesty is not about public sharing of errors and inferior skills. Honesty is not about measuring by ‘established’ standards and poking fun of those below and bow to those above. And honesty is primarily for the tight confines of a trusted relationship, a place that has enough emotional gumption to absorb the sharp edges of honest words without bleeding all over the place. Never has the washing of dirty linen in public been educative for anyone. It usually is perceived more as entertainment than anything else. And if the need is as altruistic as to warn others of errors that were avoidable, it can be done with a sense of togetherness without singling out oneself or others for their follies. A ride to Leh and back is no mean achievement. It earns the doer all the respect he/she deserves. Don’t demean the effort and commitment that goes into going there and coming back in one piece. Respect the ride and what it gave you. Raise it above people and keep it there. __________________ I don't let my motorcycles interfere with my motorcycling... Join xBhp On

07-02-2010, 05:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
rachitkohli HardRider Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Mumbai Posts: 1,930	Extremely true OldFox sir..!! The 'tuning' is the thing which has to be given more importance above the other materialistic preparations on a lifetime vital ride like this, right on the preparation stage.. Problems & misconceptions are bound to happen, but could be treated just as an obstacle or those badroads on the altitude of himalayas which has just to be overcome with hard times. We dont criticize the bad patch or the landslides or the water-crossing.. Rather we take it up as a 'fun' factor & ensure to pass it with utter safety & consciousness. Its the same way the conflicts has to be healed. Wonderfully described the heartly talks sir..!! Well said..!! __________________ ..»».. I will rather ride my Bike thinking about God, then sitting in a Temple thinking about my Bike.. »».. Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai June '09 :On xBHP: Ride With me to Leh Blog : Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai : 21 Days, 6500kms. Journey to Heaven..June'09 GreatIndianRide - West India on a 110cc for over a month 2nd, Mumbai-Leh-Mumbai : July'11 (blog coming soon)

07-02-2010, 05:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
surojit Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 807	very very true whatever you have penned down..... the attitude and riding style of the fellow rider should be the first thing to consider when you plan a ride together.... __________________ Ride Safe Riders for a Cause (to be updated) Ride To The Unexplored Season 2 E01:First Rain Ride 2010 E02: Unforeseen Pathsl E03: Roadblocks E04: Crossroads of Uncertainty E05: Deep Impact E06: Lost in Space Lost in Time

07-02-2010, 05:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
rachitkohli HardRider Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Mumbai Posts: 1,930	Its not about Altitude.. Its about Attitude.. that matters..!! __________________ ..»».. I will rather ride my Bike thinking about God, then sitting in a Temple thinking about my Bike.. »».. Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai June '09 :On xBHP: Ride With me to Leh Blog : Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai : 21 Days, 6500kms. Journey to Heaven..June'09 GreatIndianRide - West India on a 110cc for over a month 2nd, Mumbai-Leh-Mumbai : July'11 (blog coming soon)

07-02-2010, 05:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
ken cool Been Around Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4,649	What a write! What a text! And what an observation! I did meet quite a few "groups". Though I did not delve in the chemistry of these groups. But I am sure that there is a lot of truth in what you say. __________________ The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better! BMW Motorrad Days 2011 Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

07-02-2010, 06:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
dcs Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Free-da-Bad earlier, Currently in Saddi Dilli! Posts: 919	Very well written by one of the Most respected person/rider/mentor of Xbhp. Some people call others arrogant when they say that they prefer to ride with some selected fews, not understanding that when you are out on a Tour and spending from your pocket rather than earning, it is supposed to be fun, adventure and experience worthy enough to cherish, rather then traumatizing oneself for another few years. I will be very prudent in saying that despite the fact that Imran (B2L) who is a wonderful friend and an equally wonderful rider,somehow I dont find myself on the same page with his riding. I am the ones who stops way too frequently, often for Tea or for a smoke where in Imran is addicted to none. I hence, would not like to spoil his fun of riding by tagging along. Ride, if you must, but ride with people who are compatible. Dont think that its just the engine capacities that should be considered while asking for compatibilities. The real mental compatibility too has to be understood and taken in account. I once rode with an Old time friend from Delhi to Ludhiana when he was on a Platina and I was on my Karizma. A lot of us would think that both of these bikes are of no match, if we talk about speed, stability, brakes, ease, but believe me, I reached Ludhiana in the same time as I would have, if I were riding solo. For the simple reason being that we stopped when we both wanted to, smoked alongside and reached Ludhiana safe and sound and in one piece with no shattered ego or friendship, but only with a better understanding of each other and with a much respect to Bajaj Platina. So, a simple request to all my mates, dont feel offended when someone refuses to ride along with you. Its just that he might value the bond more than riding along. Think about it. all cheers dcs P.S: Imran, I wish I could ride along with you, but still have to curb my addiction for Tea and smoke. P.S II: Old Fox, are you a mind reader, I was thinking of the same for some time. P.S III: Imran- How I wish I could match to your riding. Alas, I can not

07-02-2010, 08:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
It's me Guest Posts: n/a	This is a 'one of a kind' artical i must say. "Himalayas have extracted their pound of flesh from each traveler..." Adding to that What we are extracting from Himalayas? We need to understand that boosting bike rides to himalayas may boost us in many ways but it'll not boost or help our Himalayas. "Don’t demean the effort and commitment that goes into going there and coming back in one piece." Pls raise above the level of personal achivements........do 'something' to save Himalayas.....and it'll save us.

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