I wanted to write about this for a long time... Only now I did get time and resources to write about it.. I am writing things recollecting from my memory and I'll try to be as genuine as possible..
Last Sunday (21st sept,08) I was all alone at home... It was boring.. As usual I woke up late and followed the usual sunday routine of having a brunch, chatting with friends and stuff like that.. But I got irritated in the later part of the day (around 4 o clock).. Then, I took my Honda Unicorn to outer ring road. I started from K.R.Puram railway station end and drove towards Marathahalli... I decided to push it to its limits... There was a bit of slow moving trucks in between which made me impatient.. Then i crossed Marathahalli and went straight, took a U turn and decided to break my previous speed records (114 kmph - Of course, not so great). This time the road was clear. I had to cross one signal after which for about a Kilometre there are no signals or bumps in the road.. I revved my engine and quickly reached 80. I stabilized there for a while and then shot up.. It crossed 100 easily... 100 to 110 the acceleration was not so fast, but i managed to reach 110. From there, I increased my throttle and took a look at my speedometer often maintaining my focus on the road (thought it was dangerous to get into a pit or over a bump at those speeds in a two wheeler.) It had crossed 114, and then 116 and then 118 and finally I could hold it for few moments in 120 till I spotted a rift in the road some metres ahead..
I reduced my throttle and brought it under control.... WHOA.... It was ecstasy I'll tell you... My heart was jumping in joy... Then i came back home with great satisfaction, went to a nearby bakery and treated myself... (My friends would kick me if i told them what i did)...
All this started since I was kid.. I grew up in Madurai.. My dad had a Enfield Bullet.. He used make me sit in the tank and ride around our house before he left in the morning (I vaguely remember, I should have been 3 years old ) .. That time Honda had launched CD-100... I liked its engine sound and I hate Bullets high decibel sound ( Not now, of course).. That "dream dream" sound that comes from a Hero Honda CD-100 silencer was pleasing.. My dad sold his bullet and bought this ..( I used to assume like this, you know... I dont know why he sold his bullet exactly). Everyday I used to take a round in his bike and if my uncle or someone comes home, I ask them to take me on a ride in theirs...
I used to ask my dad to buy me a small bike... He used to tell me he had ordered one for me from Japan and it is coming by ship. He will explain japan is very far from here and ship travels very slowly.. so it'll take few months to get my bike.. So I kept waiting innocently..
I grew up.. I was doing my 5th or 6th standard when i learnt riding a TVS-50... It was a nice experience.. I used to go to my grandma's house ( a village in Cuddalore district).. All my cousins assemble there for holidays.. We take that TVS-50 and ride it through farms and explore unexplored places nearby.. It used to be fun..
When i was doing my 8th there was an uncle in my dad's office... (My dad had bought a bullet again).. We had moved to chennai by then... That uncle used to drop me in my home after my school... He takes me to Beach road before going home.. I used to sit in front and control accelerator and clutch for some distance... I enjoyed every inch I drove... you know, It was all fun..That too, Bullet has lot of excess power, more than what is required to pull you.. That makes you feel like a king in the road.. (Powerful) One has to experience it to appreciate it.. again in those holidays i took my uncle's Kawasaki and learnt it by myself.. (I should have contributed to some significant wear and tear)...
Now I felt as if I was big enough to own a bike...I started asking my dad a bike.. This happens in most of the houses.. Some guys succeed in getting their way, I couldnt.. I had to wait.. I didnt have a licence.. Sundays I used to take my dad's bike to near by places or just roam around in the streets of North Chennai..It was fun everytime I changed a gear, Every corner I turned and the feeling that I was controlling a machine which takes me wherever I want was really great. A couple of times I was caught by cops and my dad had to come for rescue..
Then schooling was over.. Got an admit in Anna Univ.. Didnt stay in hostel for a couple of years.. My friends had started buying bikes.. Again that urge resurfaced... Couldnt ask this time 'cos I was sure I wouldnt get it.. By the end of my final year, My sister had completed her twelfth.. She asked for a scooty.. It was granted.. Man! I asked for a very long time n didnt get it..Girls are lucky.. They are always pets.. Hmmm.. I joined in Bangalore as a Scientist.. I was finding it difficult to commute everyday, or , I would rather put it this way : I was finding a reason to convince my parents to let me buy a bike...
I loved bullet for its raw power and macho looks but I'm a lazy guy you know.. I hate spending time on maintenance which bullet requires a lot.. Moreover mileage will be an issue (It is like feeding an elephant) .I finally bought a Honda Unicorn, exactly one year after joining my job (2nd Nov)... I had Unicorn in my mind since it was made available for sale.. But before I bought it had undergone 3 version changes..
Although I'm grown up, I still play with my bike you know, setting speed records... I went so crazy, I used to remember what was my max speed last and in what conditions like "Dry road or after a shower" etc... My Dry road max speed record is 120 kmph till date and in wet conditions 106.. I use even numbers to mention my speed as my speedometer is graduated like that...
I have plans to explore roads of our country taking long rides.. Let's see.. Happy to be a wing rider..
