Motorbikes

Deviating from regular topics, following young boys who are YouTube moto loggers (Cherry Vlogs and Twin Throttlers - TTF) and traveler Tamil Trekker from Tamil Nadu, made me to write this blog article, similar to a previous blog - Music.  As soon as I could comprehend things in childhood life, I started to have affinity towards motorbikes and travelling. The reason for that was maternal Uncle S.A. Ramakrishnan. He had a motorcycle called AJS, a British model bike slightly bigger than Enfield bike. 

He spend lots on it to keep it in crisp condition with chrome shining everywhere. He kept it spotless clean  - fully loaded motorbike. He would buy parts meticulously at Bapu Lal Auto Spares in Coimbatore behind Railway station. Have spend more such times during childhood. It was fun riding that bike with him. It had a great sound and people would look at us when he gives extra little throttle. Back in Pollachi  (during those high school days), my vehicle journey started with a bicycle (Hercules) gifted by my grandfather.

During that time, we travelled to Top Slip in scooters and TVS50, very risky rides into wildlife area. Later they stopped allowing two wheelers because a wild elephant killed a person riding a two wheeler. After completing my undergraduate degree,  me and a friend took his Suzuki for a trip all along the God's own country - Kerala. 

He had relatives in Palghat, Trichur and Chengannur was our destination. Driving in Kerala, in the beautiful nature serene environments -  was  great experience, which made me to pursue higher studies in Environment field. Unfortunately my friend who rode to Kerala is no more. Sad. Later my uncle  (Chitappa - Father's younger brother) gave me and my brother a Suzuki as a gift. 

We were immediately attached to the bike. I got admission to PSGCAS for my Masters in Environmental Sciences (MSc) and my brother was studying undergraduate there. Most of the time it was bus commute from Pollachi (our home) to Coimbatore. We had great friends travelling with us during these bus travels daily and it was always fun filled great times. When we got the motorbike, we would purposefully get ready very slowly and tell our parents, today we will be taking our Suzuki to college. Even though they did not like it, we always insisted that it is late and by riding our Suzuki we will reach on time. Once we got the approval from parents, we rode the Suzuki to college and had great fun riding it to college. 

What an experience it was. Never in life it will come back. Each and every minute we rode our bike, it was great fun. Our friends group had Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki bikes. 

We would exchange them and had fun with all the varieties of bikes which were available then.  

My dear friend (brother) who is no more was from Vettaikaranpudur. 

One day to impress our seniors he planned and arranged a trip to Kodaikanal. Four of us in a bike and a scooter. It was great fun trip in Suzuki motorbike and a scooter that made the experience an unforgettable one.  Me and him rode a Suzuki bike borrowed from friend. We went to Palani hills and climbed to Kodaikanal from there. Our seniors were in a van and we  followed them in our bike. They were surprised to see us in bikes.  My friend also had similar Suzuki ( same color and model ). Some times for fun we used to compete with each other within the speed limit follwoing the road rules from Coimbatore to Pollachi -  still cherish those moments. One dreadful thing - when we rode,  dogs used to cross the roads. Somehow we managed. If the speed limit, road rules, safety features and use caution were not followed, I would not be here to narrate these stories. We would also use our bikes as dirt bikes from his house to his farm - in rough and tough muddy off roads. 

Later me and friend moved to Bharathiar University for studying another Masters in Environmental Science ( MPhil - Environmental Physiology). Then it was always motorbike ride from Pollachi to Bharathiar University. It was even more fun. My another friend's sister (she is also my sister) was working in Delhi and she bought us a full mask helmet as a gift. 

Then onwards it was riding with the same color bike and helmet. It gave great confidence in riding and the stability needed. Always helmet is a must and it had even saved my life. I had a less speed accident against back of a truck ( Since the truck driver stopped abruptly after constant breaking ) and my helmet broke like a coconut half. My other dear friend was riding as pillion rider and he did not even have a scratch.  If not for the helmet, it would have been my head. So full mask helmet gave me more confidence while riding. I always had riding jacket, jeans while riding along with good shoes and helmet. It is always better to use safety kits.

While doing M.Phil. research, it was our routine in the evening to get some good day biscuits and drink tea at the tea shop. Me, my dear friend Hatha and other friend would go in my bike for this event daily in the evening. One day while going for this tea and biscuit, for some reason, the front wheel lifted in Suzuki, scary moment, since it was slow speed and had good grip of the bike was able to control. That was my first (never planned) and last wheeling in my life. Never did that again. Enjoyed the unplanned wheeling very much, but also felt very scary and decided not to do it anymore. Also had silencer injury in leg because of carelessness. So riding is like meditation - focus, have the right tools, follow road rules, never try to do stunts and follow speed limits. If you do that it will give you life long memories. 

Now it was time to move to USA for my PhD in Environmental Sciences at University of Maryland - MEES program. Always loved Suzuki motorbikes and felt good when riding them.

 First thing I got my motorcycle learner's license. I was planning to ride a motorcycle from Maryland to Michigan where my dear friend who was pillion rider during my small accident was living now. 

Somehow that dream could never materialize. After that never rode a motorbike since most of the time riding car during PhD days. Now I  am aged and relish on memories of younger days in motorbikes. Moved to cars from motorbikes.

Back to square one - riding bicycle again:

Presently,  I like watching youngsters riding motorbikes in YouTube vlogs which brings back great memories of my bike rides.

One of the bike riders I follow in YouTube is Cherry Tagore - Cherry vlogs from Tamil Nadu. He has done great rides in motorbikes. He even completed Trans Russian route which is even tougher for Russian riders. He did it without knowing the language. Great guy and rider. I have seen his great love for animals and bikes. Currently he is on World Trip in his BMW. It is great to watch him and his friend taking on this World tour. I wish him and bless him to complete this ride successfully. He is an inspiration to many. I request everyone to subscribe and support him during this World tour. Go Cherry. Because of his vlog, I wrote this article, since it brought back my motorbike riding days memories. Please subscribe and support Cherry Vlogs.

Also TTF is doing a nonstop ride from Tamil Nadu to Kashmir. Wishes for him to have a succesful safe ride.  Best wishes and success to him too. Support and enjoy TTF rides. Poor guy went little too far with his rides and is in wrong place. He should have practiced normal safe rides and enjoyed his bike rides. Hope he learns from his mistakes and come up in life. Praying for him to learn from his blunders and come out of it in a positive way.

I wish all the young riders good riding, best wishes and have a great time. Again - SAFETY, ABIDE ROAD RULES, and FOCUS on the ride (Even for a second do not SLACK). Eat properly ( at least have dry fruits and nuts) and if you are tired stop, take rest, have a good nap and then ride. As an Environmental Toxicologist, I am also against ALCOHOL and ILLICIT DRUGS. Never use them in life and especially when you are riding. Every travel and vehicles stick to you in your mind and brings back invaluable memories. Have fun travelling and enjoy your vehicle rides. Those are little enjoyable perks we get in our life. Be Safe riding and travelling.

Makesh Karuppiah, PhD

Environmental Scientist and Information Technologist