My maiden ride with the Bisons was a great learning
experience. I learnt what they mean when they say Ride Hard! This motorcycling
club dares to be unique in all their activities. For example the ride that I
went on is originally known as Ashtavinayak (8 Ganesha temples) but
Bisons RideHard are different. Their ride is ‘Dashavinayak’ a ride to10 Ganesha temples,
including the original Ashtavinayak in Maharashtra, in a period of 4 days covering a distance of around
1300kms.
Membership is not easy to come by. It has to be earned by
riding with them for 5 of their consecutive rides. Once you are a member you
get a unique email id as also Tees with the club logo and dog tags with your
name and blood goup inscribed. All members bond very well with each other
though they come from varying backgrounds but with a common streak of riding
passion on their Royal Enfields.
On a wet Saturday morning we met up at the Siddhivinayak
temple in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, the 1st of the 10 Ganesha temples in
the Dashavinayak ride.
After a darshan and praying for a successful Dashavinayak
trip we all gathered for a hot cuppa chai from the local tapri where we were
briefed of our riding positions. Yes, as part of the disciplined riding, each
rider is given a postion to ride which has to be maintained for safety and well
being of the team. The team captain for the ride was ‘Signals’ who decided who
will ride where and the speed to be maintained throughout the ride. All members
have a call sign.
And off we rode into the rains onto the highway in our
predetermined positions. The next stop after riding for an hour was to regroup
with another couple who though members were joining us by car as they would be
with us only for a couple of days. Everyone took this opportunity to tea up too!
And back on the road again. It was heavenly! The constant
throb of seven Royal Enfields blending with the patter of the rains and the
whoosh of the wind! Hypnotically I rode for the next couple of hours till our
next stop at Mahad and then on to Pali where we had our heavy brunch of
Vadapavs and Bhajjia followed by hot chai! Now it was time for the long ride
sector all the way to Ganapatipule. The rains had abated and the weather was
pleasant, cloudy and cool. Perfect for the ride. Near Sangameshwar, ‘Sri Vinayak
Rath’ blew a headlight and we stopped to get it rectified (again an opportunity
utilised for a hot cuppa too by others) but
were unable to do so. ‘Sri Vinayak
Rath’ who was rearing (pun intended) us all this while was brought forward to
ride so that his road could be illuminated by another rider riding close
behind.
Checked into a lodge, had dinner and crashed out after a
real long ride. My butt was showing signs of tenderness as was riding after
almost 25years!
Next morning after a quick darshan of the Ganapati at
Ganapatipule temple we set out for the ride to Morgaon via Kumbharli. We had
our lunch at Kumbharli in a very scenic locale. The ride through the
Kumbharli
ghat was invigorative and refreshed us all!
Checked in at Maheshwari Nivas in Morgaon, had a peaceful
darshan of Lord Mayureshwar, a sumptuous dinner and then we sat chatting for
quite a while during which we, the newbies, had to introduce ourselves.
Next morning we set out for Siddhatek and then on to Theur
where we had the spiciest meal of the journey.
Post lunch we rode on to Ranjangaon where a couple of bikes were
attended to for minor problems like bulb replacements and then checked into Jai
Ganesh Lodge where we were the only occupants hence was like our own property
for the night! The ambiance was lovely. After paying respects to the respective
dieties we had dinner at the Ranjangaon temple as ‘prasad’
Next morning we had an early start as we wanted to ensure
that we dont get stuck in the Mumbai traffic on the home run. We rode onto Ozar
and then to Lenyadri and back to Mumbai via Malshej.
The riding was constant and my butt was protesting at the
stress but there was nothing that I could do as it was part of Riding Hard!
This was all about
riding hence have not given any details of our destinations and since was
forewarned that photography would have to take a back seat, had not taken my
camera (I missed it tremendously). So whatever pictures that I have are using
my phonecam and while we took those rare breaks in the journey.
A superbly spiritual ride!
Thank you Bisons for making it so memorable.
No Country Man by Kedarnath Gm
