My experiences with 2-wheelers

I learnt to ride the bicycle when I was about 8-9 years old. In a couple of years I graduated to the BMX styled bicycle. Sooner than I realized I was doing power skids, racing friends, handsfree riding and in general being bonkers.

"Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window".

It was one such incident when I was not supposed to be out on road but had sneaked out of the building compound. My dad saw me in the neighborhood and I raced like hell to reach the building compund going scarily fast on the wrong side of the road. The purpose I narrate this short incident is this was the reason my dad gave me when he put off buying a bike and bought a geared scooter instead - "tu bau rough chalave che" (You ride very rash … and a scooter will keep your speed in check).

I lost that argument and sulked for weeks when the scooter arrived. In fact I remember I didn't even touch it for the first few weeks. Gradually I had to concede that I have to make do with it. The scooter in question was a one off offering from Honda, being the only geared scooter offered by them in India. The Honda Eterno came home on 9th July, 2004. Slowly and steadily it made a place for itself in my heart. The creamy Honda motor was too good to be ignored. Its 150cc engine produced only 8 bhp and due to the non-aerodynamic nature of scooters, I was skeptical that it would be very slow. But soon I realized I could leave 100cc bikes in the dust and even 125cc bikes to didn’t seem like a distant dream. I soon learnt to pull wheelies and race 150 cc bikes on short stretches upto 60 kmph.

"Respect the person who has seen the dark side of motorcycling and lived."

If you have ever ridden a 2 wheeler (motorized or non-motorized) and never fell off it, then IMHO you haven't yet learnt to ride.

I have had my share of crashes. First was due to a daydreaming cyclist riding across the road without bothering to look behind. Honk-Brake-Skid-Slide-And_Back_Up_Again. Injuries … Meh!!.

The next one was a bit scary, happened in 2009. I was riding on the highway, coming back from work with a friend riding pillion. It was around 9 PM at night near Malad. There was a patch of oil which was not very visible. I rode into it only to realize I was losing traction. In a split second we were tilting and about to hit the ground. For a brief period, everything blacked out (this is the body's natural mechanism to save us from the trauma).When I opened my eyes I realized my friend had got off and I was dragging with the scooter for some 20-30 feet before I let go off it. The scooter went some 30 feet further before it stopped. Got up. But this time instead of Meh!! kind of response I was shaken up. No physical injuries, only a mental  block.

Ditched the scooter for a couple of months before I regained the confidence to ride again. But I was still to conquer my demons. The story can be found here .