A normal person dreams of many things- marriage, salary increment, buying a house, promotions at work or maybe a word of appreciation from their boss. However, an avid biker dreams of only one thing- a good ride on their metal horse. Being a biker, my love for adventure on my motorcycle is no different. Life has its various charms; however, nothing can equal the thrill of open roads and the sense of freedom it brings to every rider. Hence i too embarked on a journey, one that I needed to burn away my weeks of fatigue and uplift my spirits. Someone like me, does not plan his ride in advance. It’s a calling which I just can’t ignore. I have to hit the road whenever the urge strikes. I have to give-in, something similar to what people say about deciding to go on a pilgrimage. Yes, the feeling is the same in both the cases for any passionate biker and a devout worshipper. A motorcyclist deeply appreciates the expansive biker community we have specially those friendships that endure a lifetime. I am fortunate to have a select group of biker buddies who are always eager to join me at any of my callings and this time too they did not disappoint. Their presence was indispensable on this ride, as it enriched both the start and finish of our journey. Thus, it was a yay and that’s all what we needed for a great start. The Record Motorcycle Ride we embarked on We set ourselves a steep goal that is to cover 600 Kms in and around 8 which is one-third of the a time of the actual record that is to cover maximum distance in 24 hrs , a step towards breaking the record set in the India Book of Records for the maximum distance covered by a group of motorcyclists in 24 hours (https://indiabookofrecords.in/maximum-distance-covered-in-24-hours-on-a-motorcycle). This ride required a great deal of perseverance, mental and physical strength, and good amount of planning. However, a true biker is always ready to navigate uncertain challenges. He is never scared of the unforeseen for it is this adventure which fuels him day in and day out. Thus, our task was clear. This would test our mettle but that’s exactly what excites us. Pushing our boundaries and living on the edge is what both me and my bike are both carved out for ; Its like a match made in heaven. My two biker buddies and me were all brimming with energy and excitement that too on the World Motorcycle Day 2024. Since covering a distance of 600 Kms in one stretch wasn’t feasible, we decided to set shorter targets. Our initial goal was to cover a distance of around 200 Kms in 150 mins, allowing for two short breaks to refuel ourselves and our bikes. If we were to have any chance of covering 600 Kms in 8 hrs we could only afford a maximum of 30 minutes for pit stops throughout the entire journey. Sounds challenging, isn’t it? Let’s see how it unfolds. After all, life is defined by it’s challenges. As the saying goes, “The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph”. Get, Set, Go….Our Adventure Begins We embarked on our ride with full zeal and fervour, starting at 05:50 A.M. from Electronic City toll plaza, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Our objective was to complete a round-trip to Chennai and return to our starting point, covering approximately 620 Kms. We aimed to be back in Bengaluru by 2.00 P.M. However, as often happens, plans don’t always go as expected. In spite of our strong intent and motivation to make ourselves and our company Dwichakra proud, we fell short by a considerable margin, primarily in terms of the time taken to complete the task. While we initially achieved the target of covering 200 to 225 Kms in 150 mins, we achieved 215.77 kms with an average speed of 83 kms/hr reaching our first halt at 2 hr 35 Mins 56 secs ( at a random place which was our first mistake on hindsight ). This halt lasted for 15 to 20 minutes as we realised the urgent need to refuel ourselves as soon as possible. In a flash the record attempt started to fall like a pack of cards with each passing minute. The next stop, at 240 km mark at a fuelling station lasted 10 minutes pushing the time to 9.10 A.M. (already we have exhausted our pit stop time). Subsequent goals could not be met due to multiple factors like lack of planning, miscommunication, extended fuel stoppages, among others. Although we successfully completed our ride and covered 600 Kms, the time taken exceeded our expectations. Even though we pushed ourselves till 401 kms and the timeline showed exactly 6 hrs 49 secs and we decided to not push further since the fatigue was taking it’s toll and the timeline of 2-2.30 which we had initially set to reach Bangalore seemed impossible given the vehicle limits and the traffic regulations we were determined to follow. We choose to enjoy our ride back home without further strain on ourselves or our bikes. Fully drenched we reached Bangalore by 4.30 P.M., fully rejuvenated. Growth and Insights Gained from the Ride Every experience leaves behind a trail of learnings if one is open to them. Despite riding for more than a decade, I believe that learning is in every corner and it’s an ongoing process. My recent adventure reaffirmed this belief. For instance, even though I traversed countless routes and faced numerous challenges on the road, this recent journey taught me the significance of meticulous preparation. Before embarking, I reviewed maps, checked the weather forecast, and ensured my bike was in optimal condition. I packed essential gear, including a first aid kit, spare parts, and sufficient hydration and nutrition. Despite my experience, unforeseen obstacles arose. I encountered sudden road closures, unexpected weather changes. The major lesson I learned is to attempt any such ride or trial run on a holiday or Sunday when there is lesser traffic. Riding during the peak hours is risky due to many riders not wearing proper helmets or safety equipment, not using proper blinkers/indicators, reckless riding/driving and not following proper lane discipline. This adventure reinforced the importance of continuous learning and preparation. Each ride brings new insights. It’s a reminder that riding isn’t just about the thrill of the open road, but also about the wisdom gained through careful planning and farsightedness. Don’t Stop, When Life Calls!!! Thus, my journey is never ending, and I am once again ready to embark on new adventures, wiser and in a better shape than my previous ride. I am forever looking forward to exploring new horizons, eager to accomplish something new with my all-season friend, my all-weather accomplice-my Motorbike. With every ride, I become better prepared, more resilient, and increasingly attuned with the spirit of the road and the wind that guides me. Every new journey presents an opportunity to create lasting memories and to celebrate the freedom and joy that motorbiking brings to my life. So here I go, with my undying zeal for life, ready for my next adventure. Is your adventure calling out to you too??? Go On and enjoy your journey, cherishing the beautiful moments that you create. Do share your experiences; we are eager to hear them.