@Shrikant: Well Composed step by step pictorial and write up bud...kudos to you!

@Chris, Joy and Everyone: Hope to see everyone this sunday. Please take a look at the Official Kolkata Offline G2G thread and feel free to go ahead and jump in with your ideas and suggestions so that we can have two amazing get-togethers in succession...

Talk soon,
best regards,
Jai.

The Ride of The XBHP Expendables

"Why are motorcycle dealers closed on Sundays? Because Sunday is for worship... Catholics go to church, Motorcyclists go to the track."
Justin Skalka

"If you dont ride in the rains then you dont ride"

That's how i would say about the ride which was a takeaway if any body could. Well then, 10 was the time to assemble ourselves. Delving deeper, i thought above all and everyone else that i would not reach the meeting point on time as it was raining bad luck since morning. But i remembered the two sayings that used to adorn my bedroom walls posters featuring The Doctor and Stoner. So, getting into the raining gear and safety, i pushed off, even though my noble steed was not up to the mark(i packed up my full toolkit, just in case) but my p150 classic named Bruno did not fail me.

I reached and saw the most wonderful sight of the mix of raiders both old and new that day and boy there were lookers in the cool tees conceptualized and brought by Srikant and Ayaz. We changed into them, some on the spot other went to a quieter place (ahem). Soon, we realized that Gibran, Satyajit and others are not coming and the route map was not at hand. So, Mach50 and Myself went to nearby cyber cafe (a km away) to get a print-out. And then we started out, 1st by posing the various shutterbugs on the occasion including those from Amaron who happened to be there promoting their latest and were quite happy and surprised seeing us assembled, 2nd by adjusting the leads (Ayaz and myself with Joy as pillion), Free roams (the ever enterprising Srikant and Sagar) and the ever helpful trailers (Mach and Mandeep) and 3rd checking the safety, hand signals and riding gear.

And thus began The Epic, leading to the paces we took a turn near Park Circus, reached Fort William via the Park Circus flyover. People in the opposite lane were taking snaps while coming in their cages. We then turned towards Red Road. Initially Sri had ideas of taking snaps with us at the Victoria Memorial but then I suggested that we would do that while returning as Red Road was open to access. So, the warriors rode on to the K.C. Das-Lenin Sarani-Central Avenue crossing. The response was good from the kolkatans as there were aghast to see such a sight. We then proceeded towards Central Avenue when Sri came and requested for a short fillup in three of the bikes (newbies). So, we had a stopover, updated on our movements and proceeded on towards Shyambazar. At Shyambazar seven-point crossing, there was a minor hiccup when two Traffic Signals went green at once and so we got scattered at the right turn, nearly with those d*** cars missing us, coming in from the B.T. Road end, in the middle by few feet, god knows why the rush. But anyways no one was hurt. We assembled again, proceeded to Khanna cinema crossing, turned left to go to Ultadanga. Soon, we had to stop near the pedestrian bridge at the Ultadanga crossing as it started raining (my bad as i wanted to continue) but majority vote. There, we had been questioned by locals about the ride and purpose. And then it HAPPENED, my horse was not responding. After few pleadings and tweaks, it roared. There we had a small suggestion for a route change in regards to visit to CC1 or CC2 for gaining a much larger area. We went ahead with Dipanjan's plan to go to CC2 1st as the roads to CC1 are bad with Mandeep and Ayaz in the lead and me behind them with Dhruv and so the rest of us.

While enroute the traffic and its signal played spoilsport again at the Lake Gardens crossing which resulted in half the pack (The Leads, Myself, Sayan and the new guys, the apache guy) getting separated, So, i honked at Ayaz to stop as i couldn't see my other friends behind as they got stopped at the lights. Ayaz called up Sri desperately to locate and guide them to where we were (Haldiram crossing). Then they did turn up with Sri furious (apologies). Then we continued to City Centre 2. Then a few photo shots and posers, everyone unanimously agreed for some fun en route to the DLF Bus Stand. We then scorched the roads at Rajarhat leading to DLF Bus Stand, even I could not believe my eyes that my Bruno could still do speeds in excess of 118kmph and already Dipanjan and SVJ Honda (Sagar) went in for a dragster ahead and Sri also went first to get a photo op(forgot to get your side stand up, bro). Some crazy local boy with three up were trying their antics with us that to without riding kits and safety, some nerve. Reaching time five - six minutes.

Our rides took a breather while we were accustoming ourselves with each other and our bikes. We had a soft drink sponsored by the Apache guy, Kaushik I think(me and my short term memory loss), fag breaks, FAQ session and an addressable reminder by myself introduced by Srikant to the newbies and others about proper riding, safety, hand signals and advantages of group riding as I found out that there had been lots of problems regarding them. Some tried each other’s bikes, compliments flowed in fast, others pulling jokes at each other….oh what fun! Then after another round of photo ops with Sayan bringing out his shooting weapon of choice a CANON DSLR (I think, Late but nevertheless), even Sri’s camera started acting up as if to say it was jealous, Dipanjan informed that our other Sayan, Guitar_Freak would join us at the Kalikapur crossing. At that point leads changed to Dipanjan and Joy, I was pillion, with the same as rest only that Mach50 and Mandeep swaped their respective rides to test them out. The ride later on was in single file formation; blame the reason being bad roads. Soon we crossed Science City and then Sayan joined us at Kalikapur crossing but the father-son duo of Mehtab had to leave due to some work. Hiland Park was not far from our capture.

Actually it was initially decided that we would have some snacks there but after parking (we had to pay even though it was outside) and browsing on the options available, we decided against it and we would have food at our last stop, Arsalan, as confirmed earlier. The Xbhp Expendables pushed forward with Sayan and me at the leads to raid South City Mall via the Kalikapur-Bengal Housing crossing passing by the Jadavpur Police Station. We couldn’t stop there due traffic and space so moved ahead. Joy took to Sri’s Karizma while he took some running shots and videos, while we surged. At the crossing of towards Lake Garden’s flyover, we parted ways with SVJ Honda and Dipanjan(you guys should have stuck till the end). Anyways, crossing it, the flyover we headed to Dr. Meghnad Saha Rd. crossed Rash Bihari Avenue on Sarat Bose Rd. here too some crazed bus driver almost drove into some of us honking wildly, but due to quick thinking, many in the middle of the formation came out unscathed and reaching below the AJC Bose flyover in no time.

Boy what it was riding below the flyover the reverberation of the 15 odd bikes catching the sleepy attention of most people on roads at that time. Sensational I would say. And soon we neared Victoria Memorial for that precious pic.

When we landed there, we requested a cop to speak to his seniors present at the Memorial to let us have photo pics taken. But his seniors cited the Supreme Court Order banning the idea out of our heads. But a gentle cop soul suggested that we park our bikes at the Maidan and then come for the pics to be taken. We parked literally in the parking zone of horses and ponies there at the Maidan(the ones which pull carriages and ride for a fee at the Victoria) accordingly with Ayaz and Mandeep opting to stay back (that explains their absence at in the Victoria pics) just in case the cops start getting into other notions. We returned and took some more pics of the actual and original hp owners. And then, it HAPPENED again, My Bruno would not start, I was all sweats but after a few tweaks and generous kicks it started up (Gibran, I know you are smiling). We then took a small detour reached the AJC Bose-Park Circus Flyover. All of a sudden due to sudden surge of excitement, Guitar_Freak rode by us and entered the wrong lane towards Rabindra Sadan below. But soon better sense prevailed and he returned to trail the group.

Finally, we reached back to square one at Arsalan, congratulated each other for the ride well done, some parted for their other plans with promises to be in touch and pleasantries were exchanged. After a lot Bye-byes, BTW’s and see you soons, we entered Arsalan and reached for the Menu Cards ……………….

Nice.....

The Ride of the Expendables

Good Report and now the pics:


Starting Point


Checking Out


Ahem...me off course


But too small for me...


C'mon Move


and so... we decide


Now the deciding factor


CC2 Front


Rated the best


DLF Bus Stand




The three R15's


DLF


Joy to the world


The 3 R15 Musketeers


Victoria

gr8 pics guys, i just missed it

Good Report, Good Pics and now the Videos

The Beginning
YouTube - Joy0016

Towards CC2
YouTube - Joy0017

Surging Ahead
YouTube - Joy0018

CC2
YouTube - Joy0019

Scorching the roads to DLF
YouTube - Joy0020

The Greatest Independence Day ride ever in Kolkata.

I am Legions,for we are many.

The above phrase is for those guys who took the city roads by storm on the 15th of August,with the most unique kind of salutation to the nation this city ever witnessed.Wherever we went,we dropped jaws and turned heads.
Ruthless riders of our city were awestruck and shaking,while most biker gangs observed at places,had us in their minds...............who were we ?????

Thank you everyone from myself,all the Xbhpian brothers who share my passion for biking,for holding the Integrity of Xbhp together and marching through the city in salutation and commemoration of the nation and its spirit.........Needless to say...............we would always like to stay this way.

Since brother Chris has had already jot down a nice log.
I am here for some of the observations that I have as a part of my personal feelings.
1.Chris loves his Bruno(nothing gay about it ),and he pushes it sometimes to the limits .Now that was one of the definitely male Pulsar.
2.Srikanth has been observed to sacrifice his riding peace in order to maintain group integrity and photography
3.Ayaz is Bindaas Biker...........I like his type(mobile on his arm)
4.Sourav aka NS2115,say hello to the Autorickshaw driver,the scary one
5.Dipanjan........he should have had bought a Suzuki Shogun instead of the RTR180,he likes a lot of smoke,a lot of speed and a lot of shouting.
So this is for him:Smoking is injurious to health
6.SVJ.........hmm,why so serious ???? have got nothing on ya ,except the fact that you gave up stunts since its expensive,so get a derelict 2T like a RX100 for it
7.Shahbaz -mismatch-a street-racer with a track focused bike
8.Mandeep -thanks brother for riding my bike while I rode yours,and finding it adequately powerful enough to be close in my RVMs whenever I blasted the P220 suddenly ....you already got complimented with a new design on your white tee.....the mud-spot macho looking design
9.Sayan ZMA-very sorry to know that if you buy a Superbike,you wont be allowed to park the bike in your house
10.Sayan R15-thanks for joining in - shortly ,since u dont enjoy city rides (infact even I dont)
11.Independence Ride Tees-beautiful ones,Srikanth told that I look like a wrestler in it ,though he also told,I look like a small boy on my bike ...and everyone liked their tees
12.Myself- I found my heart going for the Fastest Indian,I love the Pulsar220,so much power..........I felt it,it told me-smoke'em
But my mind went for GS150R-cruise,speed,streetrace,comfort,mileage......GSR tells me-be versatile,develop your skills,welcome your future Superbike

13.The new members-I dont know all of them by names,despite the introductory session(I was searching for a loo then )-Mehtab(Platina),Abhisek(FZ16),Rider of Apache150,Rider and Pillion of Red Pulsar 150DTSi,Joyrpm,the two riders of P220 and Kaushik and his pillion on the R15............they learnt the respect that is prevalent in the Xbhp community.Our brotherhood lies in its unity and versatility

Once more,I am Legions,for we are many.




Brothers in Arms......Hells Highway........




Sermon Of Chris .......words of biking wisdom for new members


The Victoria Memorial


The Fastest Indian


The Horses @ Xbhp.com all three


The Lafanga Horse and the Lafanga bike of Autorickshaw fame


Xbhp mealtime



The Chai at Paradise Cinema


The Fast and the Furious


The Independence day ride rocked...........Xbhp a haloed presence in the Biker's living daylights

Thanks

The new members-I dont know all of them by names,despite the introductory session(I was searching for a loo then )-Mehtab(Platina),Abhisek(FZ16),Rider of Apache150,Rider and Pillion of Red Pulsar 150DTSi,Joyrpm,the two riders of P220 and Kaushik and his pillion on the R15............they learnt the respect that is prevalent in the Xbhp community.Our brotherhood lies in its unity and versatility.


@Mach50- Hi Mach50 aka Sudhattma, right, thanks for remembering me, I am Digbijoy Sen AKA joy@rpm6000, working in the same company as Chris Da. So, you have this short intro and hope you would remember me.

aare koi toh apna email add do...
I am having some problem in my pc....so you guys upload the pics....

K, Digbijoy I would remember ya,infact I am not still aware of Chris's real name ................anyway,my name spells as Suddhatma.

what???!!!

MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER WU, HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TO INTRO MYSELF YAAR!!!!!!! anyways its not Joy's fault of the wrong spell, it was me typing so it was a typo error, missed out the 'd' and added the extra 't'......anyways thanks a ton for your co-operation at rear-end....you have supported and complimented me well.........

dint need the thanks for the rear end part,its my responsibility.
I never got your name Christopher Wu,its the first time,I am knowing it for real.So don't worry,now I got it.

"you have supported and complimented me"-this part requires Thanks So I relocate your thanks in my mind

Thanks for the photos and videos guys...!!

Loved the ride! It was awesome!!! Just 2 small corrections:
1) I was also wearing gloves (along with ayaz)
2) I didn't leave for home from the Lake Gardens flyover crossing. I and guitarfreak went for it and gunned it all over the flyover. Lovely place to practice cornering!


@ Mach- bro, one observation I have made about you is you're steady and calm and cool. And that corresponds brilliantly with your ride.

Nice observation ,I would take that as a compliment.
Hence Thanks.