The Biking family - VII (By Mark Bradshaw)

Almost as soon as Aparna was talking about the lady's day out, Ganesh came over and talked to Aparna. Aparna, why don't you ladies take time off so that we can take care of your household chores or possibly take care of the kids. Ganesh had plenty of vacation left as did the other two gentlemen. True gentlemen they were, Ganesh had nothing to worry about. he was a good cook. He didn't have to do anything to take care of Ragav who was 19 years old. Krishna's son Rahul was with his parents. Bindu was the only child who needed attention. With a child like her, nobody would even imagine problems.
The plan unfurled much faster than imagined. The ladies got new energy and enthusiasm. So, planning started at the right earnest. Aparna gave her bull to the two siblings and asked them to try out driving it. Aparna had already driven Rani's CBZ and Anjali's pulsar earlier. This bull was a newbie. Rani test drove it with Raja as pillion. This was the ride of her lifetime. She had never experienced anything like that. She knew that Bulls have brakes on the left side. But the thunderbird was different and it had brakes on the right side. She was disappointed but only just. The thump of a legendary enfield was missing as well.

Anjali then took over the t-bird and was amazed at the incredible balance the bike provided. Right away, she knew what she wanted. But then, you don't buy bikes by just going to the shop one fine day.
Just when Anjali came back, Aparna's neighbor gave them an idea. There was a bike renter who would rent enfields to people who wanted it. She had a lightning 535 and a classic 500cc bike with her that day. The ladies immediately jumped at the idea went to the renter. The law abiding Aparna broke the rules and drove triples on her t-bird 500cc to the renter.

The renter knew about Aparna's t-bird riding skills. But the renter (it was a lady too!!), did not expect three women to come over that place saree clad and the pillions not riding side saddle. She instantly got over it and handed them the bikes. Anjali would ride the 535 lightning and Rani the classic 500cc. Aparna as usual would ride her own. The paperwork and insurance copies were checked. The ladies' had all their documents in-place. Thus began the ride out of all the three ladies.

It was agreed that the ladies would try out all the three bikes while driving long distance. They would not pack anything except the bare essentials. They will come back late that night. The hubbies will not be contacted except when there is an emergency. The trip would cover no more than a total of 800km. The three ladies would wear only sarees while riding. The maximum speed while riding would be 100 kph. It could go to 120 if there is any imminent danger the way Rani had while travelling. Protective measures such as pepper sprays will be used to defend themselves. All the three women will be within a safe distance of each other.

Aparna dressed in her Red silk saree. Rani dressed in her parrot green silk saree. Anjali dressed in her favourite yellow silk saree. All the ladies also wore jasmine flowers on their head and wore bindis. Even though they were dressed like adults, they had a child like enthusiasm in them. Seeing these ladies dressed like goddesses, the men of the house were in a daze. Ganesh hugged and kissed Aparna. He went and kissed the other two ladies too. The family was the most broadminded one you could imagine. They had the highest respect for each other. The other two gentlemen repeated formalities after Ganesh.

The ladies took off. They started out of their home at 30 kph. Soon they were out of the city. Aparna had recollected her long travel to Ragav's college earlier. It was near a hill station. So, the three decided to drive over to the hill station. Around 100km into the trip, it was time to swap bikes. Aparna took over the 535, Rani the t-bird and Anjali the 500cc. It was slightly different for Aparna to see the brakes and gearbox switch sides. But then, she was a veteran biker with over 100,000 km in her Libero and earlier bikes. Did anyone need to teach fish to swim? They had breakfast at the nearby Dhaba before switching bikes.

Anjali said to the ladies, "After all, the kids and hubbies are not with us, why should we stick to low speed limits. We also know how to drive safe. We all have the most powerful bikes in India. Why not try 120 ks? Aparna and Rani agreed. The next halt would be at the foothills of the hill station. The t-bird ridden by Rani started first, Anjali started her 500cc. The quietness of t-bird gave way to the legendary thump of the 500cc. Aparna started her 535cc. The onlookers at the Dhaba who had been used to ladies riding enfields had never seen 3 women riding alone wearing a saree and having jasmine flowers on their head. Just a few months back, 10 or 15 ladies had stopped by riding on their enfields while driving for the rider mania. This however, took them to another level. The three sisters have been used to the additional attention they got wherever they went. They had defied tradition in a lot of ways and yet remained very traditional. This was true modernity.

The cruise speed was increased to 120k. The ladies biking was like a symphony orchestra. Aparna was actually used to the quite t-bird and the lightning's thump was like a meditation mantra for her. It was meditation in motion. There was something unique about the experience. The three ladies ensured that they were within short distance of each other by overtaking each other once every 2 or 3 minutes. They have experienced wind blowing on their face for a very long time.

En-route Rani was thinking how lucky she was. She had a revolutionary mom who had the guts to teach her biking when even riding a TVS50 was rare for women. She had sisters that anyone would die to have. Above all, her hubby was the best she could get. He allowed her to be herself without imposing his ideas on her. Similar thoughts were going through the other two minds as well.

As these thoughts were going on, the foothills of the hill station arrived. Aparna took over the 500cc, Rani took over the 535 and Anjali the t-bird. The journey continued. The straight roads were replaced by hairpin bends. They reached the first hill station which was around 800 m above sea level. En-route they stopped at the tea estates. Walked through them, sipped a few glasses of tea.

At the hill station, they had food at a local restaurant. It was already 2:30 pm. All along en-route they gave their camera to a few strangers and asked them to take photos of the three riding. This collection of photos now stood at 20.

Soon, bikes were swapped and the descent started. They came to the foothills in about 1 hour. After that, the bike swap took place once again. Aparna realized during the course of this ride. When you travel along with an ultimate aim in mind, the journey becomes a chore. Chores lead you to physical pain and unnecessary stress. However, when there is no such goal and you are free from any worries, the journey becomes a meditation. It was only last month that she had come nearby to Ragav's college to pick him up. That enervated her. This time she was most energetic. The difference between this ride and her Ragav college ride couldn't be starker.

It was already 3:30 pm. Even if they were to drive @ 70 ks, it would be just 7:30 pm. So, a change of plan. They decided to go to the nearby city and do some shopping. The cavalcade of lady bulleteers continued. Even if they were the most unconventional women, the made for women disease of shopping hadn't spared them. They did not buy anything for themselves. Instead they bought for every other member of their family. After all, they got everything they ever wanted. Asking for more would be unreasonable.

Just when they came out of a shop, Rani noticed an old man smiling at her. He was walking along with his son. He (Ram) appeared to be around 65 and his son Sanjay appeared to be around 35. She smiled back and was talking. Within minutes the other two ladies also picked up a conversation with the father and son. Ram applauded the ladies for their courage and said there should be many more like them. While this was going for over 5 minutes, Anjali observed that the man was in some discomfort. All of a sudden, she realized he was having a heart attack. She was trained in first aid and resuscitation. Calling an ambulance would be time consuming. Instead she gave him the first attention he needed.

The hospital was around 2 km from the shop. In a minute they decided to ferry him on the bike. Aparna ferried Sanjay and Anjali got Ram on her bike and moved slowly towards the hospital. The hospital staff took over the treatment. A few medicines were needed. Since the man was poor, he could not afford it. The ladies quickly opened their purses and gave what was required. It turned out that the old man also needed blood. The three volunteered to give blood as well.

Within 10 minutes, their journey took a totally different course. Sanjay profusely thanked the ladies and fell at their feet. They had saved his father from a certain death. That day, they were not just ordinary ladies who ride bulls. They were avatars of goddess Durga who rode their tigers to save his family.

Aparna hugged and kissed Sanjay and said that it was their responsibility as humans to help those in need. They asked if he needed any more help. He requested them to pick up his mom and wife from home so that they can come over. The ladies obliged. Aparna stayed back at the hospital while Anjali and Rani helped out on the pick up.

Sanjay mentioned that he lost his sister to an illness when he was very young and said Aparna came in the form of her avatar. In this day and age when even your close relatives dont care, total strangers came to their rescue. Aparna reiterated they are not strangers and they were connected in some way to each other. We can always earn money and wealth. However, earning goodwill is the most difficult thing in life.

When his family came over, the ladies packed up and were ready to go. Sanjay gave a warm hug and kiss to all the three sisters. He invited them over to their home. The ladies also invited him and his family home. Wished Ram a speedy recovery. The family members thanked the ladies profusely. Rani called up home and said she will be late but did not say what went on. They started out on their bulls. They tanked up their bikes with petrol and were on the move.

They stopped at a roadside Dhaba once again. Aparna switched over to the 500cc. Rani switched over to the lightning and Anjali rode the thunderbird. Since it was around 12:30 am, they thought of touching 150 ks. Better sense prevailed and they decided to stay with a max of 120 ks.

The gentlemen back home were wondering what could have gone wrong. Hoever, Aparna had 70,000 km of driving experience. Anjali had around 30,000 km and Rani had around 55,000 km. They can do nothing wrong and they will be safe. Anyway, nobody messes with ladies riding a bullet. Back home, Bindu was playing and life was normal. She was put to bed. The men of the home had done an admirable job. It was around 2:30 am when the ladies returned home after a long journey of over 700 km. This could make anyone tired. But the ladies felt they had a purpose in this trip. They saved a life that could have been left rotting by careless bystanders.

The men patiently listened to the women upon their return and said they were very proud of their deeds. They had their customary hugs and kisses before retiring to their rooms.