We made attempts to start that off but it went in vain. Do not worry about a group, if you wish, just ride down to Goa and we anyway are riding as YRC-India.

Thankx a lot saquib and carlton. yes its indeed very nice to ride my own bike again after 3 n half months.

Looks excellent. Congratulations and am really happy to see something like this being materialised in India. Palolem is the most beautiful beach in Goa. It goes without saying that you have to post ride reports and lots of snaps. Have a good one guys.

#Nostalgia. Good memories to make way for newer amazing moments.

A bit nostalgia to kick off this thread...and so

I remember the first time Abhishek and I met in Bangalore, it was on the 5th of June, 05. It was a Sunday. I took a bus from Mangalore to buy some Maisto collectibles from Model Art at Forum Mall and was in touch with Abhishek regarding this. He was only eager to show me around and help me with my purchase. We met up early in the morning and he picked me up and took me home. I was in awe of his gadgets and he surely came across as a gadget freak back then. Later in the morning we went and bought me some 1:18 motorcycles and we also tried a superfast F1 car replica in the parking lot with the Model Art proprietor. Come noon, we met the rest of the old Bangalore XBHPians resulting in one helluva Dosa Part II (as was the name) G2G to Kanakapura for some awesome Dosas at an excellent Udupi restaurant. This was my first G2G with other members of XBHP.

At that point in time travel was limited to backpacking and mode of transport only bus and train. Motorcycling was in the blood but I was limited to day trips to places around a 100-150 kms from Mangalore on my dad's motorcycle and touring hadn't really kicked off for me in in a big way in 2005. Hence, the bus journey to Bangalore was all that I could do and frankly afford while still in the 11th grade. Youngest of the lot in the G2G I got a kick out of watching Girish (xxbomb) pull a christ and a few other stunts during the G2G while the entire atmosphere of riding in formation with helmets in a big group (considering Mangalore had no XBHP chapter then) gave me a rush and I had a fantastic afternoon eating awesome Dosas and we spent time talking motorcycles amongst several other things with the gang.

I was also very excited to eat at McD for lunch and KFC for dinner for the first time on the day and finally Abhishek dropped me off to the bus stand with two extra pieces of KFC in hand for the overnight journey which I gobbled down in no time. Many thanks for the treat Abhishek.

There have been many fantastic journeys over the last few years growing up, moving out, exploring and discovering. I've been here for a while and made a lot of friends, forgot my xbhp ID before 05, then lost this a/c and a LOT of threads during the server crash, re-registered and stayed active, many times kept a silent watch and while over the years many came and left XBHP I still had to stick around thanks to a bunch of people who would keep reviving this place with the passion and ideals, which this community began years ago. I have enjoyed many rides with members of XBHP but that day still remains very fresh and as one of the best memories with XBHP and XBHPians so far and we stayed in touch over the years.

So, recently when I found out that Abhishek was behind the YRC-India FB Page for Yamaha owners and was Organizing a G2G I was only excited and happy to catch up with my old friend.

Sitting idle recovering from a left collarbone fracture, stiff shoulders, torn ligaments and other injuries I've been itching to do an interstate ride again after a successful solo ride on the Spiti and Leh Circuit earlier this year. The last 3 months have been stressful having missed the 2012 F1 Marshalling despite having gotten through all rounds, XBHP Tri-State meet at Chikmagalur due to recovery and many incredible opportunities to ride and enjoy life to the fullest; YRC-India event comes at a perfect timing. Even though I've been riding from some time and glad I don't have to apply for leaves to a Manager in a corporate firm and be at his mercy I still needed a proper break from my work and a good long ride, some excellent company of friends and Goan beaches.

So I look forward to meeting my old friend and having an excellent time in Goa with XBHP, YRC-India, GEARS and IBW. It would be great to meet another friend from Goa and XBHPian Akshay P Tendulkar again and all the new faces. From Mangalore my very good friends and XBHPians Dempsy, Jupsy, Rajat and Sanjay are expected to join us at this event.

@Abhishek: Thanks for taking this initiative. I look forward to sharing a bottle of some fine Goan port wine with you and everyone else.

Let this ride and event be awesome and pave way for more to come!

See you guys in Goa!

~Peace~

Same here Bro

We interacted via FB & other biking forum, finally ending up meeting one fine day in Goa

Now I'm happy that with YRC India coming to Goa and riding with GEARS I'm happy that my biking contacts gonna get bigger & stronger

Wow, that was a real flashback which I almost lived through. It will be a pleasure to catch up. Soon.

It's amazing to see the energy in this thread. I am sure this will be extended to the ride as well. And I keep telling, this is just the beginning.

Love the energy here!

Really looking forward to goa and to meet and interact with some fine bikers!

Personally, this trip for me is all about meeting new riders and getting to know about their prespective.Also looking forward to meeting Meghan Naik personally. looking forward for a couple of great rides in and around Goa, and the ride to Goa and back.

And yeah, the photographs. All set to capture some great pictures and snaps now. The camera is ready, extra memory sticks, and now, the only thing that is left for me to do is wait. WAIT. I've been touring actively for the last 2-3 months, but i'm still excited about this latest roadtrip.

Being part of YRC has been a privilege. These guys are really good, humble, and each of them bring their own valuable experience to the group. It's been a privilege to ride with the group, and to hang out with them.

Another day, and a couple more hours to go. The wait is going to end, and it'll be time to hit the road. Even as bangalore still sleeps, we'll be on the go!

The countdown is nearly coming to an end. Another 35 hours.

Sun, sand and surf.
The buzz, the bikes, and the babes.
YRC. GEARS. INDIA BIKE WEEK.
3 days, 1000+ km. A festival for bikers.
One word: GOA!!



One Life. Many Rides.

I went to the hospital and the Doctor said, "Is'nt it just 10 days yet". I replied, "Yes Doctor, and your discharge summary says, remove stitches in 10-14 days". Doctor smiles and says, "10-14 days does not mean you hop and come on the 10th Day only". Well that's my end to the Goa trip. 5 months of planning and now I hold my post as a base station coordinating the riders across from my home.

That said, my excitement for this ride is still on and I am glad that YRC-India gets to ride together in Goa which we were hoping from months together. I will be looking forward to the pics from the riders to see the whole event through their eyes.

I do not think I am getting sleep today. After all the ride from Bangalore starts tonight

And its good to have you with us suhas

dont worry. we will make you relive GOA through the pics

20nov2012

Just as we thought things were going well, more set backs were on their way to prove it otherwise. Abhi had to get his stitches removed and the doc had to agree to let him go to goa. was a very crucial day for us.

Abhi: “guys, stitches not removed. So goa not possible for me “

and then me and Tj tried to convince abhi to defy the doc and join in . but we knew that he cant.
And on the other hand prajwal's exams got postponed to 26th. Heck!! but he said he will let us know if he is in or out on 23rd.

We continued our planning. Had to think of choosing NH4 for the ride as 2 new riders were joining in. so here was the new route. Bangalore, Karnataka to Palolem Beach Resort - Google Maps

21st nov2012
Visited abhi and i had to collect things from him as he was not coming. Was feeling terrible and thats when he says,
Abhi: “ i may go the doc again tomorrow and check it again lets see what happens “

and i was very happy to hear that! fingers crossed!
Some how this GOA thing is overtaking every thought that comes to my mind. This kind of excitement was there when i was getting my R15V2.

23Nov2012.

Met the guys riding to goa yesterday. The final route, rules of riding, and each and everything discussed. The CCD was just echoing one word “GOA” and abhi confirms that he aint coming went to his house today morning and collected the remaining things and he wished me good journey.

Now sitting at office and counting the hours remaining. 15hours to go!!!!! this is the difficult part! my next update will be after we reach goa till then abhi will take care of this

And finally the day to Ride to Goa. I would not be able to go but I am really excited as well. The event is finally happening. Messages kept being exchanged till 2300 hrs and the plans of sleeping early by the riders went out of the window. The excitement takes a toll, no doubt. Finally there was silence on the WhatsApp channel and I realized they have finally caught up with sleep.

0215 hrs, messages started getting exchanged again. Nobody had to be woken up as they were all awake, gearing up for the ride. My phone alarm buzzed at 0215 hrs but as always I was awake minutes before it buzzed. "Packing Bags", "Strapping them", "Off for meet point 1", "4 guys reached". Messages that were slowly highlighting the progress of the ride and I was happy reading each one of them. I was supposed to be the base station of the ride. Couple of guys from YRC-India (Bangalore Wing) came to send off the guys from Bangalore and rode with them for quite a while.

0330 hrs came the first quick pic of few of the riders lined up, ready to leave from Bangalore.
0857 hrs. First message from Mangalore team. They reached breakfast point, Murudeshwara.
1022 hrs. First message from Bangalore team. Approaching Hubli.

Guess these guys see nothing other than Goa as of now.

1115 hrs. Second message from Mangalore team. Reached Kumta. Will meet up the Bangalore group in Palolem.

While 5 R15s and 2 FZs started off from Bangalore, 3 Yamaha's started from Mangalore. Meghan's friend joined them on his Bullet. On the way, the Mangalore team met 2 riders on KTM and they turned out to be photographers from GEARS. What a coincidence. And they are now riding together from Mangalore.

hello!!!! missed me? yes i am back to my office chair! :P sad but true. after riding 1700+ kms, with a sore ass, i am not tired and also surprised at it. reached yest night at 2100 hrs and was standing inside my house looking at everything and feeling happy about what i did in these 4 days and also reaching safely home. nothing can beat the feeling you get when you come home after long time that said the bike behaved like a gem. loads of people praising us for riding from bangalore to goa, people giving a "oooooooooooo" look, even heard a guy in margoa saying "dhoom machale" when me tj and prakyath passed by. there were many really amazing moments. my finger will get the torture now for writing after riding so much. lol.
so keep glued riders more to come form me suhas tj and abhi.

The meet finally comes to an end for me, and I ride back from Goa solo, covering 550+km in about 10 hours. But before i get ahead of myself, let me start from day 1

Day 1.

0200 hours.
The alarm buzzes, and i'm awake, i didn't have to even rub the sleep out of my eyes, for the excitement was just way ahead of what it should have been!.. Prakyath was up too, and we got ready in about half hour.

We had prepared the bikes the night before for tying up the bags with the bungee cord the night before, and so it was done. After loading up our bikes, we started off to meet the other riders at the start of the elevated express that leads to NH-4 from Bangalore.

It was exactly 3am when we started, and all along the way, the world seemed devoid of life, with not a sound, but the ones of our rides... and it was around 3.20am, we reached the expressway, to spot a few more riders already at the place and waiting up. The first thing that is visible is the Yellow R6...Ray's. Ray and Shiv were the only two riders on this trip who weren't riding to Goa with us. They were on the road to Manipal. And then comes Ron on his limited edition R15 V2.0, and stops right in front of us. The entire group was here!!
Couple of minutes later, we start. In groups of 3 bikes each, we take off. In my group is myself on the FZ, Dhritul on his FZ, and Rakesh on an R15 2.0 with his friend Sinchan as pillion.
And then came the worst moment of the trip.
About 5km before Tumkur, just a couple of hundred meters after the toll gate starts the expressway again, and there are trucks on the left hand side of the road. I switch to the right hand lane, and the road is devoid of any street lights. I’m going at around 80kmph, and suddenly, the headlight reveals a faint dark outline just a couple of meters in front of me. Reflexes kick in, and I just put my bike to the middle lane, and to my horror, there is another dark shape right in front of me, only bigger. I immediately lean to the left side, and avoid the dark shape by inches, and to my horror and disbelief, just immediately ahead and to the right of that dark mass is a big block of stone!!! It’s less than 5-10 meters in front of me, and I try to avoid it, but the inevitable happens! I hit it, front wheel first, and the entire bike just shudders… My arms shudder , and the minute the front wheel touches the ground after that violent impact, the entire bike just came crashing on it’s right side. Fortunately, immediately after the impact, I’m prepared for jumping off the bike, and once the wheel made contact with the tarmac and all hell was about to break loose, I jumped off to the left side, and land on the road, right arm scraping against the tarmac. I see the bike drag itself against the road, sparks flying underneath it, and they were a very bright yellow. I remember it vividly.
I was immediately back on my feet and running towards my bike, and trying to lift if off the road after hitting the engine kill switch. And then I notice that my right fingers are wet. Blood. Dhritul and rakesh stop just ahead of me, and help me lift up my bike, while I walk to the side of the expressway, blood pouring from my fingers.
Ron answered the phone call I made to him, and came rushing back, with prakyath, and then I cleaned the blood with tissue paper. After a couple of minutes, the blood clots, and then I get some first aid done to the palm. And then, looking at the scene of the accident, I see not one, but two dead buffalos. Or maybe a buffalo and a cow. I don’t know.
The bike is in a bad condition. The front rim is broken, with a piece having flown off after the impact, and the front wheel has a cut on the side. The handlebar is bent, and the accelerator is jammed. The right hand side of the tank has a bad scratch, and the silencer muffler and cap have scratches. The disk brake oil container’s cap has flown off too, and the disk oil is leaking….
As we stood there, in that stygian darkness, TJ and Saquib come by, after having heard the news, and as they pull up, another stuff of nightmares happens. Only not to us. A Volkswagen Vento which is coming at a pretty good speed goes right over the dead bodies of the animals, and jumps up, and lands down pretty hard, narrowly avoiding the barricade on the right side. The driver is pretty shaken, and he pulls over to the left side and stops.
2 more trucks, and a bus run over the carcass, and a lot more vehicles narrowly miss it. By this time, the stench is getting really strong, and we move further up the road, and wait. The accident happened at around 4.30am, and the time was about 5.15am. And more buffalos start coming on the road. And we are completely taken aback. This was the NH, and it was the expressway, for crying out loud!! And then there are these dangerous hazards on the expressway, where drivers are in speeds of excess of a 100kmph. Only in our country, I guess.

I’ll continue this post the next time. Lots of crazy stuff yet to come




One Life. Many Rides.

Extremely sorry to hear about the crash. The physical wounds dont hurt as much as watching your steed broken, beat and scarred. Hope you and your steed are recovering well. Waiting for the rest of the log.

The physical wounds are only to the extremities... Only bruises on my right fingers.

Fixed my bike yesterday, or at least a part of it.

The rim got fixed, and i had to put a used tyre for the front which was sufficient to get me home from Tumkur (70km from Bangalore). The mechanic at the Tumkur Yamaha Service Mr. Babu, was a extremely helpful and friendly person, and he did a lot with a broken right hand himself.

There is a fork bend, I feel. Lot of small things here and there which have to be fixed. I'm going to get these things done one by one in the coming two months, as I'm not riding much till it's time for IBW in Feb.

Working on the rest of the log. Coming soon



One Life. Many Rides.