When the BIKERS meet

20th January 2008

Just another Sunday ..... but a much awaited one for some young men. I was on my way back from Chandigarh after attending a friend's wedding. Was on my Bajaj Avenger and was aware of the fact that there was a Bikers meet being organised at Karnal on this day. 6 guys from Delhi and 1 from Ambala were supposed to meet at Karnal (Jhilmil Dhaba) to share the much fancied bonhomie that exists between avid bikers. I had reached the Oasis restaurant complex and received a call from Varun (aka Mountaintrekker) that the group would be there in 10 minutes. I sipped my cup of "special cardamom tea" and munched on some chikki. And the group (which I had never met, though known) arrived there on their thundering machines ...... all gleaming and roaring. Many people turned around to see that spectacular armada of men and machine. There were 4 Royal Enfield Bullets, 2 Bajaj Pulsars and 1 Hero Honda Karizma; and my Bajaj Avenger to add it. All were in beautiful shape and majority of them had huge carriers installed which screamed aloud that they've been LEH'd (meaning they've been to Leh!). We then thundered on to the Highway and stopped across on the other side of the road at the Jhilmil Restaurant Complex. We all put down our helmets on one of the tables (they occupied the whole of it!) as some of them inquisitively had a look at my Cramster gloves. We sat down and ordered some paranthas (including the then unheard of Chicken paranthas) and other stuff. I came to know that the guys came from different backgrounds and were very diverse in their profession. Some were software guys while others included an architect, a call centre executive, a mechanical engineer and even a patrakaar! No wonder I added to the diversity. The conversation as expected covered topics like the best (read remote) motorable road in the mountains and the best chai they've savoured up in the hills. The most expensive they said was at some shack in Khardung La (highest motorable pass in the world) near Leh which cost them a 100 rupees per cup!!! The different hues and colors of the famous Pangong Tso in Ladakh was one which they all remembered nostalgically. Then suddenly one of them popped up a question at the rest of the group, "What is the most amazing thing you've ever found in your Air Fiter?" A few answers here and there and then he replied, "I had half a dozen tiddas (grasshoppers) in mine around Kargil!!!) I was quite unsuspecting and thus hit me form nowhere, still a novice with this biker lingo :P
The guys discussed various memorable incidents they've had while biking and the numerous gadgets and equipments they've tried on their machines. I had nothing much to contribute! Added my part when we discussed about Himalayan destinations and country roads. As we finished with our afternoon meals, it was already about 1 p.m and it was time we started the return journey, just to arrive back in time before before sun down and the accompanying chill. The bill amounted upwards of Rs 600 and we realized the exotic chicken parantha cost Rs 55 per piece. We picked up our bikes and the synchronous roar of the 8 motorcycle engines drowned every other sound as the 'ordinary' mortals (those who knew not what motorcycle touring was all about, and the the awe it inspires) looked cluelessly at the retreating armada. We took a detour on our way back and did some 20 kms of country road which skirted the GT Karnal Road. We rode non-stop to Delhi and were back at about 3:30 p.m. Sure it was one great experience, one that brought motorcycle tourers together with each other - and their respective machines.