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The title speaks volumes, now doesn't it? 
Facebook has been responsible in bringing excitement to my life in more ways than one. And one such example is cited below.
It was around 6 months ago when I 'Liked' a page on facebook which read as "New Yamaha R15 2011". It was all before the version 2.0 was launched. Risen merely out of the "spy"pics, it still was an intriguing one. The speculation of a 22bhp from a 150cc engine was the one strongly supported there.
The bike eventually launched and the whole scenario changed. People were "disappointed" because it wasnt even remotely close to those random rather irrational speculations. And I must confess, I was the one leading the brigade. It was an argument that got Praveen and Me talking. It ended up in a hardcore fight. He had booked a black v2.0 and was furious to read my long long disappointment posts on the wall, quite candidly discouraging any prospective buyer. Mind you, Praveen is quite a debator and his command at the language is at par excellence. I was curious, however, and couldn't stop visiting the page everytime I logged on. With time things changed. I was becoming wiser, afterall (atleast a little). On learning the capabilites of this brilliant 150cc engine and realising 17ps being produced from such a small capacity engine was indeed a big deal that I eventually gave in. The bike was with time looking not just a piece of beauty but an engineering marvel.
Anuj was another guy actively participating in all the praises of this oomphed up ride. He was adding almost everybody interested in the version2.0, to his friendlist. Anuj and Praveen live in Ahemdabad and Vadodhara,respectively. Having befriended each other quite a while ago, besides living so close, chose to go on a 440km roadtrip.
When my view and eventually my post turned all pro-R15, these guys struck a conversation about my changed perspective and things eventually led to the exchanging of friend requests.
I told them my plans of booking the ride soon after Christmas, due in a week's time. But they insisted I wait for the Auto Expo, given the speculation of the 250cc from yamaha.
The 250cc never came, but the 50th Anniversary WGP Limited Edition sure did and how!
It took a while booking one. But the job was eventually done.
It was the midnight of the 24th of Jan, when Praveen called up and enquired about my plans for the holiday on the 26th. I was free. He was also free. And so was also Anuj.
And the plan to get-together was quickly conceived. The problem was I dint have a bike. But the guys were kind enough to invite me over anyway.
The Plan?
Anuj rides down from Ahemdabad by 10am and I train myself from Surat to Vadodara by 8am, given its the city inbetween.
What do we do after meeting?
Decide what to do after meeting.
Did the plan work?
Do any plans work?
I had overslept. So had Anuj. I woke up only at 8am. I checked my phone to see if Praveen had called. He hadn't. I called him anyway. And then I realised even he had overslept. He was suppose to pick me up at the station afterall. Saala kamina, latka deta mujhe agar meine woh subah ki train pakadli hoti toh. 5 mins later he called back,though. Still sleepy. Told him the change of timings. Called Anuj, confirmed the same and rushed to the station asap.
The Journey from Home away from Home
I left home at about 8.30am. Was waiting for an auto to stop by. Tough luck as it was a holiday,there weren't any vacant rickshaws around. Meanwhile, a beautiful damsel clad in a tight black jeans and a purple tee just walked up to where I was standing. *mann mey laddoo phootaa*. She looked my age. And was all wet. I mean her hair was all wet. And she looked beautiful. I think it took merely one-tenth of second for some 10 rickshaws to pullover. *saale kamine* The first autowalla asked her where she wanted to go. And she replied saying, "Railway Station". *Mann mey dusra laddoo phootaa*
Here in Surat there runs this system of sharing an auto like how you share a bus. You 1/3rd of the price you would sitting alone. Bloody good luck, you know, that she chose to "share". So when the auto guy looked asked me where I was headed, I simply hopped on. (I wouldav hopped on even if she was headed to Mars, you know. She was that hot.)
Praveen calls and he's talking in "inglisss". Time to show off. So like a desperado on a mission to woo the Lady seated beside, I flaunt all those big big dictionary terms I could remember having heard in those Hollywood movies I often watched.
But she wasn't even bothered. (Was so busy texting.
).
In about 10 minutes we're at the station. She quickly gets out. Pays and walks off. I get out. Struggle getting the wallet out. Pay. And turn around. Voooshhh! She's gone. But before I stepped into the station, one look at the left and she's right there. Talking to another auto guy. Hops in and rolls by. Not without giving me a time tested 70mm smile. I smiled back (so obvious). And threw my fist close to my chest, quitely screaming,"yes! yes! She smiled at me. Yes!"
As I hit my chest, I saw the time. And damn, I was getting late. The queues on a holiday are a nightmare at the railway station. I still got into one. Took a full fledged 20 minutes to get to the counter. On asking when was the next train to Vadodara. He quickly replied,"10.30am". ******* I pulled away from the counter without a ticket. Headed out to call Praveen for some advice on how to reach his city faster. While my way back, I stopped to read the electronic schedule chart. It read, "Surat to Vadodara; train no. **** at 9.25 on platform no. 1". *Bloody ******
It was 9.23 now. Getting to the line and getting a ticket within 2mins was understood as not possible.
Called Praveen, told him the train's late, so I'll take the bus. One other reason why I chose bus, besides time constraint, was to get an idea of the route and the condition of the roads.
The bus, luckily, was just leaving. I hopped on and found myself a vacant window seat.
Edit Part 1
A weak bladder wouldn't call taking a bus to Vadodara wise. And I always found buses suffocating. Par kya kare, majburi ka naam toh mahatama gandhi hai.I know what Gods do on a holiday.
I was happily seated in the bus. My thoughts lost in the vast sugarcane fields sidelining the stretch, when suddenly a man in complete riding gear and saddles on either side, rode past by on a Bullet.
Whoever said Brad Pitt was a Greek God was downright dumb because Brad Pitt isn't a biker.
I know what Gods do on a holiday. They ride a bike.
Tring Tring - Nature's Calling.Welcome to Hell.Edit Part 2
The journey then on was quite tedious. Could have been worse, but God bless the man who created internet. xBhp.com and I got onto reading travelogues by Alankar Mishra on my phone. How beautifully he wrote. About his childhood dreams, his rides and ofcourse Leh. I only wished I could write as good as him.
The jam had halted all movement. Nobody was honking, nor was anyone saying anything. Just a silent wait to get out. I was lost in reading some of the most beautiful write-ups when I heard a familiar noise from far behind. The left-most lane was “reserved for car & bikes only”. And a red CBR250r with a rider geared in a red jacket and black jeans was fast approaching. Saddles on either side and the visor pulled down, the rider seemed completely lost in riding. He came, he went. And inspired all the way.
Lunch Break, A Mishap & Destination V
The jam cleared in a lil less than 2 hours. It was 1pm already. Had I taken that 10.30 train I would be riding with those guys now. Both of them called, told them my whereabouts and how frustrated I was. They on the other hand had met up and where riding around town. The driver made a stop at Baruch for lunch. Couldn’t have been more pissed. But it was time to eat and how could I not understand. I on the other hand only pissed. I don’t like to eat when I’m frustrated. Some 15 mins later, we were rolling on the highway again. Seemed pretty neat now that the highways grew to 6 lanes again, while the greenery only continued. I got talking to a couple in the parallel seat. They were newlywed, had lil interest in bikes and were only happy with their simple, serene life. The speeds were clocked down. The driver wasn’t driving as fast. Heavy lunch, I assumed. The ride on the bus got boring. I was no more interested in reading anymore travelogues. My mind, thus, switched to a “Stand-by” mode. An hour or so later the Vadodara toll gate was up. I looked up, to find a mishap. A red Indica had collided with a truck, just on the other side of the toll. Got out my phone and *click*.
At about 2.30 we finally entered Vadodara. The city started off with a slum and I wondered if I was wrongly deported to Southern Mumbai. I was told it was the suburb and the main city was a mile away. Made a call, told the guys I’ve come and I’ll be at the bus depot. Praveen said they’ll be at the Reliance Fresh mall right opposite. A good 5 minutes later, I got down. The mall was right there. Was standing at the entrance and searching to find them when I saw the 3 bikes beautifully parked in the front. Blue & Black R15 v2.0s and one black Fz. Praveen called out from the other end of the entrance and waved. I waved back., to him, Anuj as well as 2 other men already waiting.
Facebook has been responsible in bringing excitement to my life in more ways than one. And one such example is cited below.
It was around 6 months ago when I 'Liked' a page on facebook which read as "New Yamaha R15 2011". It was all before the version 2.0 was launched. Risen merely out of the "spy"pics, it still was an intriguing one. The speculation of a 22bhp from a 150cc engine was the one strongly supported there.
The bike eventually launched and the whole scenario changed. People were "disappointed" because it wasnt even remotely close to those random rather irrational speculations. And I must confess, I was the one leading the brigade. It was an argument that got Praveen and Me talking. It ended up in a hardcore fight. He had booked a black v2.0 and was furious to read my long long disappointment posts on the wall, quite candidly discouraging any prospective buyer. Mind you, Praveen is quite a debator and his command at the language is at par excellence. I was curious, however, and couldn't stop visiting the page everytime I logged on. With time things changed. I was becoming wiser, afterall (atleast a little). On learning the capabilites of this brilliant 150cc engine and realising 17ps being produced from such a small capacity engine was indeed a big deal that I eventually gave in. The bike was with time looking not just a piece of beauty but an engineering marvel.
Anuj was another guy actively participating in all the praises of this oomphed up ride. He was adding almost everybody interested in the version2.0, to his friendlist. Anuj and Praveen live in Ahemdabad and Vadodhara,respectively. Having befriended each other quite a while ago, besides living so close, chose to go on a 440km roadtrip.
When my view and eventually my post turned all pro-R15, these guys struck a conversation about my changed perspective and things eventually led to the exchanging of friend requests.
I told them my plans of booking the ride soon after Christmas, due in a week's time. But they insisted I wait for the Auto Expo, given the speculation of the 250cc from yamaha.
The 250cc never came, but the 50th Anniversary WGP Limited Edition sure did and how!
It took a while booking one. But the job was eventually done.
It was the midnight of the 24th of Jan, when Praveen called up and enquired about my plans for the holiday on the 26th. I was free. He was also free. And so was also Anuj.
And the plan to get-together was quickly conceived. The problem was I dint have a bike. But the guys were kind enough to invite me over anyway.
The Plan?
Anuj rides down from Ahemdabad by 10am and I train myself from Surat to Vadodara by 8am, given its the city inbetween.
What do we do after meeting?
Decide what to do after meeting.
Did the plan work?
Do any plans work?
I had overslept. So had Anuj. I woke up only at 8am. I checked my phone to see if Praveen had called. He hadn't. I called him anyway. And then I realised even he had overslept. He was suppose to pick me up at the station afterall. Saala kamina, latka deta mujhe agar meine woh subah ki train pakadli hoti toh. 5 mins later he called back,though. Still sleepy. Told him the change of timings. Called Anuj, confirmed the same and rushed to the station asap.
The Journey from Home away from Home
I left home at about 8.30am. Was waiting for an auto to stop by. Tough luck as it was a holiday,there weren't any vacant rickshaws around. Meanwhile, a beautiful damsel clad in a tight black jeans and a purple tee just walked up to where I was standing. *mann mey laddoo phootaa*. She looked my age. And was all wet. I mean her hair was all wet.
And she looked beautiful. I think it took merely one-tenth of second for some 10 rickshaws to pullover. *saale kamine* The first autowalla asked her where she wanted to go. And she replied saying, "Railway Station". *Mann mey dusra laddoo phootaa* Here in Surat there runs this system of sharing an auto like how you share a bus. You 1/3rd of the price you would sitting alone. Bloody good luck, you know, that she chose to "share". So when the auto guy looked asked me where I was headed, I simply hopped on. (I wouldav hopped on even if she was headed to Mars, you know.
She was that hot.)Praveen calls and he's talking in "inglisss". Time to show off.
So like a desperado on a mission to woo the Lady seated beside, I flaunt all those big big dictionary terms I could remember having heard in those Hollywood movies I often watched. But she wasn't even bothered. (Was so busy texting.
).In about 10 minutes we're at the station. She quickly gets out. Pays and walks off. I get out. Struggle getting the wallet out. Pay. And turn around. Voooshhh! She's gone. But before I stepped into the station, one look at the left and she's right there. Talking to another auto guy. Hops in and rolls by. Not without giving me a time tested 70mm smile. I smiled back (so obvious). And threw my fist close to my chest, quitely screaming,"yes! yes! She smiled at me. Yes!"
As I hit my chest, I saw the time. And damn, I was getting late. The queues on a holiday are a nightmare at the railway station. I still got into one. Took a full fledged 20 minutes to get to the counter. On asking when was the next train to Vadodara. He quickly replied,"10.30am". ******* I pulled away from the counter without a ticket. Headed out to call Praveen for some advice on how to reach his city faster. While my way back, I stopped to read the electronic schedule chart. It read, "Surat to Vadodara; train no. **** at 9.25 on platform no. 1". *Bloody ******
It was 9.23 now. Getting to the line and getting a ticket within 2mins was understood as not possible.
Called Praveen, told him the train's late, so I'll take the bus. One other reason why I chose bus, besides time constraint, was to get an idea of the route and the condition of the roads.
The bus, luckily, was just leaving. I hopped on and found myself a vacant window seat.
Edit Part 1
A weak bladder wouldn't call taking a bus to Vadodara wise. And I always found buses suffocating. Par kya kare, majburi ka naam toh mahatama gandhi hai.I know what Gods do on a holiday.
I was happily seated in the bus. My thoughts lost in the vast sugarcane fields sidelining the stretch, when suddenly a man in complete riding gear and saddles on either side, rode past by on a Bullet.
Whoever said Brad Pitt was a Greek God was downright dumb because Brad Pitt isn't a biker.
I know what Gods do on a holiday. They ride a bike.
Tring Tring - Nature's Calling.Welcome to Hell.Edit Part 2
The journey then on was quite tedious. Could have been worse, but God bless the man who created internet. xBhp.com and I got onto reading travelogues by Alankar Mishra on my phone. How beautifully he wrote. About his childhood dreams, his rides and ofcourse Leh. I only wished I could write as good as him.
The jam had halted all movement. Nobody was honking, nor was anyone saying anything. Just a silent wait to get out. I was lost in reading some of the most beautiful write-ups when I heard a familiar noise from far behind. The left-most lane was “reserved for car & bikes only”. And a red CBR250r with a rider geared in a red jacket and black jeans was fast approaching. Saddles on either side and the visor pulled down, the rider seemed completely lost in riding. He came, he went. And inspired all the way.
Lunch Break, A Mishap & Destination V
The jam cleared in a lil less than 2 hours. It was 1pm already. Had I taken that 10.30 train I would be riding with those guys now. Both of them called, told them my whereabouts and how frustrated I was. They on the other hand had met up and where riding around town. The driver made a stop at Baruch for lunch. Couldn’t have been more pissed. But it was time to eat and how could I not understand. I on the other hand only pissed. I don’t like to eat when I’m frustrated. Some 15 mins later, we were rolling on the highway again. Seemed pretty neat now that the highways grew to 6 lanes again, while the greenery only continued. I got talking to a couple in the parallel seat. They were newlywed, had lil interest in bikes and were only happy with their simple, serene life. The speeds were clocked down. The driver wasn’t driving as fast. Heavy lunch, I assumed. The ride on the bus got boring. I was no more interested in reading anymore travelogues. My mind, thus, switched to a “Stand-by” mode. An hour or so later the Vadodara toll gate was up. I looked up, to find a mishap. A red Indica had collided with a truck, just on the other side of the toll. Got out my phone and *click*.
At about 2.30 we finally entered Vadodara. The city started off with a slum and I wondered if I was wrongly deported to Southern Mumbai. I was told it was the suburb and the main city was a mile away. Made a call, told the guys I’ve come and I’ll be at the bus depot. Praveen said they’ll be at the Reliance Fresh mall right opposite. A good 5 minutes later, I got down. The mall was right there. Was standing at the entrance and searching to find them when I saw the 3 bikes beautifully parked in the front. Blue & Black R15 v2.0s and one black Fz. Praveen called out from the other end of the entrance and waved. I waved back., to him, Anuj as well as 2 other men already waiting.
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