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"Riding a motorcycle on today's highways, you have to ride in a very defensive manner. You have to be a good rider and you have to have both hands and both feet on the controls at all times."
-Evel Knievel
December 20th 2013, Friday:
Usual faces, unusual casual dressing, People at office were excited for the weekend and I was feeling excited for a different reason. I have been longing for this opportunity, to take him, (I prefer to call him ‘HIM’) my beloved RedBull (ZMA-R '09) out on the highways, solo.
Being born and brought up in Chennai, I have done many short rides with my friends in and around the city. I had always had the thirst for expanding my territories; the thirst grew more when I joined XBHP during Dec 13.
With half a day's permission from work, the plan was to start at 1.30PM from my office in OMR, and head out on the NH-45. What better place could I think of rather than head to my native place Trichy, to start my first solo ride!
1.00 pm
I bid adieu to all my colleagues and set off to the parking area, where my ride was gleaming under the spotlight (a little gap in the shade through which afternoon sun was shining upon my entire bike! Looked great! ). I started to tie my luggage to the rear seat only when I thought I could start him and warm him up. So I reached my pockets for the key, and I was in for a terrible shock, THERE WAS NO KEY!!
My heart started to rev harder, I was not able to think properly. I immediately called up my colleague and asked him to check whether I left it in my desk. As I waited for his call I started searching in my luggage. After frantic searching for 15 minutes, I couldn’t find it in my luggage, and my colleague called up and told me it is not in my desk too. IS IT OVER? , I thought. HAS IT ENDED BEFORE IT STARTED?
I gathered up all my belongings up again to my cabin to strip-search everything. People were surprised to see my face, as I sported a very perplexed look. Only then a thought had struck my mind, What if I hadn’t taken the key from the bike at all?
So I immediately rushed down to the security booth and asked the guy whether he found any key in the parking lot. He immediately took a tray full of keys which was labeled ‘LOST & FOUND’ and asked my vehicle’s number. THERE! I exclaimed noticing the familiar Ben10 keychain. My face immediately lit up and there was a huge sigh of relief. I signed in the register and thanked him a million times before setting off. Went to my cabin again, (people started to look at me suspiciously now) had some water, sat for a few minutes before setting off. Boy that was indeed a thrilling start which I would never forget!
2.00pm
It was an hour past my schedule but who cares! Unexpected things like this are bound to happen, which makes it more thrilling and a memorable one.
Baggage tied up firmly to the rear, jacket on, balaclava on, helmet on, gloves on, Engine on and warmed up, READY TO GO!!
As I headed out on the road at a steady pace, I felt freedom. Even though it was scorching outside, I felt really comfortable in my brand new riding jacket.
Riding on the NH45 was absolute bliss ! With the engine singing its sweet tune, I was cruising at 80kmph for some time. After the Chengalpet Toll Plaza, I increased my cruising speed to 100kmph. My face wore a big grin. That’s where I started to love the Karizmas even more.
I have heard many people tell that one could effortlessly cruise all day at 100+kmph on an ZMA, I realized it then.
Took an impromptu break after an hour of continuous riding, adjusted my luggage, then put my headphones on (heavy lunch + long straight roads may cause a bit of sleep :P), chose my favorite playlist, and started off again.
I thought I would let myself loose, so I started to sing out lout inside my helmet, and it was fun
5.00pm
Stopped at A2B Dhaba which is just before Ulundurpet, for a quick cup of coffee. Just when I was about to leave, another biker arrived in a bullet. Spoke to him, he said he was coming from Cochin, Kerala. And was heading to Chennai to meet his sister. After a quick chat, we parted ways and I headed out on the road.
6.30 pm
It became dark all of a sudden, and I switched on my HID, which illuminated the road ahead. There were bugs all over the place and I rode through them splattering many, pity them.
7.00 pm
Reached home and gave a sweet surprise to my grandparents, (told my mom not to inform them about my ride). They were completely shocked and overwhelmed to see me arrive all the way from Chennai in a bike, fully geared. Had a great dinner, and went off to sleep, completely satisfied!
Total kms: 350
Mileage achieved: 36.5 kmpl
Mostly ridden at: 80-100 kmph
Special thanks to [MENTION=32286]psr[/MENTION] sir, since it was your signature that inspired me a lot to attempt this solo ride;
“When was the last time you ever did something for the first time”
P.S: Please excuse my writing as this is my first attempt at it. Hoping to improve soon.
-Evel Knievel
December 20th 2013, Friday:
Usual faces, unusual casual dressing, People at office were excited for the weekend and I was feeling excited for a different reason. I have been longing for this opportunity, to take him, (I prefer to call him ‘HIM’) my beloved RedBull (ZMA-R '09) out on the highways, solo.
Being born and brought up in Chennai, I have done many short rides with my friends in and around the city. I had always had the thirst for expanding my territories; the thirst grew more when I joined XBHP during Dec 13.
With half a day's permission from work, the plan was to start at 1.30PM from my office in OMR, and head out on the NH-45. What better place could I think of rather than head to my native place Trichy, to start my first solo ride!
1.00 pm
I bid adieu to all my colleagues and set off to the parking area, where my ride was gleaming under the spotlight (a little gap in the shade through which afternoon sun was shining upon my entire bike! Looked great! ). I started to tie my luggage to the rear seat only when I thought I could start him and warm him up. So I reached my pockets for the key, and I was in for a terrible shock, THERE WAS NO KEY!!
My heart started to rev harder, I was not able to think properly. I immediately called up my colleague and asked him to check whether I left it in my desk. As I waited for his call I started searching in my luggage. After frantic searching for 15 minutes, I couldn’t find it in my luggage, and my colleague called up and told me it is not in my desk too. IS IT OVER? , I thought. HAS IT ENDED BEFORE IT STARTED?
I gathered up all my belongings up again to my cabin to strip-search everything. People were surprised to see my face, as I sported a very perplexed look. Only then a thought had struck my mind, What if I hadn’t taken the key from the bike at all?
So I immediately rushed down to the security booth and asked the guy whether he found any key in the parking lot. He immediately took a tray full of keys which was labeled ‘LOST & FOUND’ and asked my vehicle’s number. THERE! I exclaimed noticing the familiar Ben10 keychain. My face immediately lit up and there was a huge sigh of relief. I signed in the register and thanked him a million times before setting off. Went to my cabin again, (people started to look at me suspiciously now) had some water, sat for a few minutes before setting off. Boy that was indeed a thrilling start which I would never forget!
2.00pm
It was an hour past my schedule but who cares! Unexpected things like this are bound to happen, which makes it more thrilling and a memorable one.
Baggage tied up firmly to the rear, jacket on, balaclava on, helmet on, gloves on, Engine on and warmed up, READY TO GO!!
As I headed out on the road at a steady pace, I felt freedom. Even though it was scorching outside, I felt really comfortable in my brand new riding jacket.
Riding on the NH45 was absolute bliss ! With the engine singing its sweet tune, I was cruising at 80kmph for some time. After the Chengalpet Toll Plaza, I increased my cruising speed to 100kmph. My face wore a big grin. That’s where I started to love the Karizmas even more.
I have heard many people tell that one could effortlessly cruise all day at 100+kmph on an ZMA, I realized it then.
Took an impromptu break after an hour of continuous riding, adjusted my luggage, then put my headphones on (heavy lunch + long straight roads may cause a bit of sleep :P), chose my favorite playlist, and started off again.
I thought I would let myself loose, so I started to sing out lout inside my helmet, and it was fun
5.00pm
Stopped at A2B Dhaba which is just before Ulundurpet, for a quick cup of coffee. Just when I was about to leave, another biker arrived in a bullet. Spoke to him, he said he was coming from Cochin, Kerala. And was heading to Chennai to meet his sister. After a quick chat, we parted ways and I headed out on the road.
6.30 pm
It became dark all of a sudden, and I switched on my HID, which illuminated the road ahead. There were bugs all over the place and I rode through them splattering many, pity them.
7.00 pm
Reached home and gave a sweet surprise to my grandparents, (told my mom not to inform them about my ride). They were completely shocked and overwhelmed to see me arrive all the way from Chennai in a bike, fully geared. Had a great dinner, and went off to sleep, completely satisfied!
Total kms: 350
Mileage achieved: 36.5 kmpl
Mostly ridden at: 80-100 kmph
Special thanks to [MENTION=32286]psr[/MENTION] sir, since it was your signature that inspired me a lot to attempt this solo ride;
“When was the last time you ever did something for the first time”
P.S: Please excuse my writing as this is my first attempt at it. Hoping to improve soon.
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