Walking on the Compass

Though I was all set I was yet to share the plan with my father. Not surprisingly he wasn't pleased and this was not the first time. By now I have practiced the art of convincing my dad. A day before the journey I went through my most basic checklist: full fuel tank - checked, air pressure - checked. It was cold outside and I made sure to park the bike in shade to avoid early morning ignition issues. By now I could feel the butterflies in my stomach, that very same feeling I get a night before my bike trips; trying hard to sleep but countless thoughts and the anxiety encroaching my mind. Almost 7 in the morning I and my sister were ready to leave and as a rule of thumb I switched on the engine and left it running for couple of minutes. Though a rare sight, my husband woke up early to click some pics for us and see us off. The next moment I was on the road heading towards Churu (enroute Bahadurgarh, Sampla, Bhiwani and Jhunjhunu). Barely I had travelled few mi...

So it all started when we decided to visit India on Holi for 3 weeks and while planning our trip I thought why not I spend a week on the road. But I was in dilemma: which place this time ? Somewhere not very far yet not very close, place I have not explored and a visit for which 6 days should be just fine. After spending almost a year abroad I desperately wanted to feel and live the culture of my home, my country. Colourful people, vibrant culture, variety in food, grand havelis, desert and lakes, I am not surprised if you guessed it correct: "Rajasthan". Where in Rajasthan ? I have been reading auto car magazine for ages and I remember an article from few years back on Audi's promotional drive from Churu, hottest place in India, to Drass, coldest place in india. Since then Churu was in the back of my mind for a road trip. A friend from Churu helped me decide the route from delhi and I was all set to pack my bags. Though not my kind of thing, I booked my hotels almos...

My father owns an automobile shop in a small town called Narora. Since, he got to know about the "Pradhan Mantri Yojana" loan scheme, he wanted to avail the benefits of the same to expand his business. He, then approached the SBI branch manager for the same. Branch Manager,somehow,tried to escape, giving tones of excuses. My father was disappointed and helpless. Then, one fine day, I reached home and my father told me about the same. Next morning, I went to the bank and talked to the branch manager, he didn't even seem willing to talk about it. I couldn't do anything.The very same day,I called regional manager and told our concern. He responded very positively, that gave us lot of confidence and hope. Before that, I had written to PM by Narendra Modi App which I had already forgotten. After few days, I got a call from PMO (which is hard to believe) and the gentle man said," a courier has been sent to the respective branch and your loan will be approved ASAP...

"The scorching heat, diversions, smoke, dust and ruthless trucks, it was a struggle to reach and maintain 90. Insects bumping into my helmet and pitch dark highways, I was drowsy but determined to finish what I promised myself.  It was almost 13 hours since I left Bangalore and was about to reach my destination, Pune, riding solo, overnight on Yamaha SZ-R 150cc."  For the first time I actually realized what a challenge and physical stretch it would be to ride non-stop 24 hour to cover 1000 miles on an Indian road.  I am talking about Iron Butt ride: “The SaddleSore”. But wait, if you are thinking that’s impossible; just imagine 1500 miles in 36 hours, the BunBurner ride. It takes more than passion, skills and best gears & need not to say it’s not for the hobbyist. These are races against time. The Iron Butt association has more than 60,000 members across the globe and handful from India. If one has to drive on freeways and speed is not an issue, it’s still chal...

It has to start somewhere, it has to start sometime. What better place than here ? what better time than now ? - Zach de la Rocha All my life I have stayed in India and never had an urge to go abroad. One reason is because India itself is so diverse and beautiful and there is so much to see and explore that not even one life is enough. Also, through all my biking trips and travels I have found endless peace and excitement that I never had to look anywhere else. For the first time I moved out from India to Amsterdam, The Dutch capital. A country lying below sea level and mostly has flat terrain. It has a long history of social tolerance and generally regarded as a liberal country having legalized abortion,prostitution and euthanasia. I remember some of my colleagues in Bosch who visited Europe and never stopped babbling their experiences. Nobody honks and people follow traffic rules and if you are a pedestrian or a cyclist you will actually be respected more on roads. No one wou...