Motorcycle Diaries

Passion for riding bike strangely came quite late in life. I don't remember ever discussing with friends about bikes during the college years. So when the desire came to get a bike I had no clue which one to go for. I don't recall what made me to like Bullet but soon i was looking for a second hand. Was not sure this passion would last even one season, so didn't want to invest in a new one. The search soon ended when i found someone selling his Machismo.



The initial learning period was interesting as i came to understand a lot about my bike when i made multiple rounds to mechanics and spent time and precious money there. On one occasion i took it to mechanic only to find that the fuel tank was empty. The first road trip was in about 2 months time and it was a wonderful experience. The rush of cool air hitting your face at 80Kmph, the background music generated by the thump and the feeling of being so close to the road is something all bike lovers live for. The first big trip was a ride to Badrinath, that was when i realized the real advantages of riding an Enfield. It is always given priority when roads get blocked for other traffic and it always helps in opening up conversations with complete strangers. In the villages and small towns of India Enfield's are like legends, there would always be someone who has a story to tell about his (mis)adventures with Enfield.



Moving on bike helped in seeing and meeting real people. Many a times I was astonished by the helping nature of people. Strangers stop over and spend time with you till help comes in, sometimes also taking you to the nearest mechanic even though its not on their route. A long bike ride gives you enough time to contemplate. The blow of wind on the face helps the mind to get rid of useless thoughts and reach a state of trance. Nothing like going out on bike for a ride when mind is in a disturbed state. A long drive in a car doesn't match with a bike ride as usually a long drive is no fun if you are alone :) and then there would be constant chatter. There is always a strong urge to turn on the music and then windows have to be pulled up to prevent the sound of wind disturbing the music. So you reach your destination without getting a feel of the surrounding air. In a bike like the Royal Enfield, if you want to talk to the pillion rider, you need to shout at the top of your voice. After a few torturous attempts, its generally given up and any further communication is only for urgent topics and that too by gestures.



The best roads for bike riding in my experience have been the country roads or the state highways. They have comparatively less traffic and are more close to humanity. This gives enough opportunity to look around and also move at a leisurely pace. Royal Enfields are not  to be driven like typical Japanese bikes which can go from 0-100 in under 5 sec. These beasts are to be ridden like royalty as if you own the whole world and have all the time in the world. The way one rides the bike, shows their character. More on that later....

Seekers

The process of seeking is a beautiful journey which takes a mumukshu to various places. He/She discovers unexplored spaces/aspects in the process and keeps learning. This journey brings a variety of experiences, some of them filled with joy/ecstasy while others are bitter. The bitter experiences are the one which brings the greatest learning. In spite of the experiences the journey must be continued till the destination is reached. As with all journeys there is lot of excitement in the beginning, new experiences come every day, everything looks rosy and there is great enthusiasm. Over the time the newness is all gone and it appears that nothing worthwhile is happening. This is the time when doubt sets in and comes the first real test, to continue or give up and search/seek something else. A true seeker will continue inspite of everything and will not be swayed by these doubts.

Everyone of us is a mumukshu, some know what they seek and are on the path while some search for the path itself and while the rest just exist.The journey must be completed by everyone, some might take few days while some many years. 

Rivers

Rivers are traditionally viewed as feminine. When it starts from a glacier high up in the mountains its a very narrow stream of water, very delicate like a new born baby. Then slowly as she descends from the lap of mother nature, she starts to grow in size, as water from other streams gets added to her. She runs here and there, like a small playful girl who is exploring things on her own. As she moves further down she starts to take shape, her banks are quite narrow like the slim waist of a beautiful young girl. She is very attractive, full of raw energy and ready to explore any new path. Even the best of swimmers find it difficult to resist her current and anyone who is careless would be swept away by her force.

As she leaves the foothills and enters the plains,her banks widen and now her gait is like that of a beautiful young woman. In due course she meets several other small and big rivers which add to her experience and give her depth. Moving further downwards she acquires maturity and now moves with very gentle pace with the grace of a family matriarch. She becomes the lifeline of millions, like the lady of the house, she takes care of her household and her children. Her life giving waters are used for drinking, irrigation of fields, transportation etc. At times she do gets angry when her children stop respecting her and then she also punishes her errant children. She shows her wrath on those who have encroached upon her space., but like a true mother her fury is short lived and in few days she's back to her usual self.

As it moves towards the ocean, its final destination, it carries with itself the burden of millions of people. Its long journey ends when it finally merges into the infinite to be reborn again as the daughter of the mountains.

Journeys

Journeys are undertaken to discover something, it can be either about places, people or about self. In the days long gone, when people used to go out on journeys, no one knew if they would come back. There were no means of communication and sometimes it used to be several years before a person returns. These occasions called for celebrations as it would be like a rebirth for someone long assumed to be lost.

These journeys would make people wise, they would encounter several dangers on the way in the form of dacoits, thugs, natural calamities, disease etc and then they would meet fellow travelers who would become like family members sharing their fortunes and misery. They would also meet saints and men of knowledge who would share their experiences and teach them about the way of life. These travelers would go to places which were hundreds of kilometers from their home into places completely unknown to them, without any kind of the support and leaving everything behind.

Nearly all great philosophers had done these journeys sometime in their life. Adi Shankaracharya went to all the four corners of the country, Guru Nanak went even a step ahead and went to Leh and then on to Mecca. What used to drive these people to places so far and even unheard of? These ancient people must have realised something which the modern man fails to see.

People these days even refuse to venture out of their cities. Their journeys are restricted to the nearest mall where they enjoy a movie with scenic locations, else staying at their air conditioned homes watching "Travel and Living" and doing pseudo traveling!!Some of us do undertake journeys and instead of leaving homes behind we carry them along with us. So we keep the windows of our vehicles up with the boot of the car filled with all kind of food items and come back to the comforts of our homes in a couple of days when we run out of supplies.