It was a late Saturday evening! Around 8 pm!. The next day was a Sunday. And then again Monday. Again office! Infinite loop of life! Just nothing to look forward to. So, I was randomly scrolling through Whatsapp!
Tomorrow participants list for training
1:- Nishi ( 4th session)
2:- Richa ( 4th session)
3:- Anita ( 3rd session)
4:- Aarti ( 2nd session)
5:- Akanksha ( 2nd session)
6:- Saras (2nd session)
7:- Khushboo (2nd session)
8:- Nandana ( 1st session)I randomly saw the update of Letsryde- a women’s bike training group I had joined a few month’s back! I had to check it out! Their trainings happened in Gurgaon and from 7-11 in the morning on weekends! To go there I had to wake up early, travel for 2 hours and give up resting on the only breaks I got! So, I hadn’t checked them out till yet!
For no reason, without thinking anything, I posted in the group- Can I come tomorrow for my first session! And what were the pre-requisites?
The guy I had talked to last time from this group pinged me! He told me I could join in! Since he stayed near my place, I could even go with him! I joked I would if he would let me ride his bike! I ll be able to practice that way on the way! I told him he could count me in!
I picked clothes for the morning and put an extra pair in my bag. .
For lazy people like me, company means a lot! Especially for traveling to Gurgaon!
So, it was decided. At least this Sunday would not be monotonous. If I go, I'll even have enough new stuff to delve about till next weekend.
Excited, I couldn’t sleep much! Maybe because I had coffee! And anxiety of waking up at 5! Even after setting two alarms, I knew I could change my mind in the morning! I hardly got any deep sleep, just a disturbed sleep for around one-two hours. Thankfully, I had slept enough during the day! I was up on time. And felt like going back to sleep. The inviting early morning sleep! I put in all my will power to fight it! Giving myself the practiced reasons- I'll sleep full on after coming back. If I sleep now, I'll regret it like anything after I wake up 2 hours later. And so, I was finally up and got ready!
Ride to the ranch-
The next morning, I found myself on a bike as a pillion rider with this stranger guy. His name was Ashish and he was a trainer at Letsryde.
The weather was perfect! Cool morning air with a slight chill! And to top it up, light drizzle. Custom made for a ride! I liked being a pillion rider more than the one driving. Sitting back, one need not worry about the road, driving, route, anything. He could just sit back and enjoy the elements around! The weather, the way, and whatever came on the way! As we drove, the weather urged me to open my arms and lift my face to the sky! I would have done that! But I was with a stranger technically and trying to behave myself!
The drizzle increased to rain. Now it was a cause of concern. If the downpour didn't stop, the training would be cancelled. Plus I didn't know how long I could enjoy the ride if it rained. I was well versed with the water logged roads on Delhi and Gurgaon when it rained heavily.
Secondly, I had slipped twice on a scooty on rainy days, and this was a bike. So, the only way I could enjoy the ride was to have faith that this guy is better than me at driving, which he obviously was.
And then I went up for the first and final appeal. Please God, bas 11 baje tak baarish mat karna j! Uske baad mastt baarish karna! Itni mushkil se aaj ghar se nikli hoon! Aaj kuch kaand nahi!
But aise kaise! Baarish to badh gayi. We were forced to stop for a while! Then we decided to proceed slowly. Dekha jaayega!
Aa gayi to waapas chale jaayenge, aur kya! I saw many bike groups on the way! People riding in groups did look cool!
By the time we reached Gurgaon, the rain went back to a drizzle. The Sun peeked out of the clouds. The clouds were greyish- white. It didn't look like it would rain too heavily just yet, but I decided not to make any more appeals or even conjectures.
On and on we went on small and wide roads, on highways, via tunnels. It was fun.
As we turned towards Faridabad from Gurgaon, the air changed. It became much cleaner. The number of vehicles decreased! The roads were now flanked with hills and undeveloped forest land on both sides! I occasionally spotted peacocks and monkeys. I pulled my mask down, deep breaths now- breathe in - breathe out! . The drizzle had also stopped.
Ashish pointed to a cafe by the roadside. Which he said was their usual assembly point before training or rides. Then we took an off road path and after a few kilometres, we reached the place.
This place is called- Throttle Shrottle Moto Ranch
Training Grounds
We got off the bike! Looking around me, I tried to give some name to the place I was at! It was a huge area, with soft mud ground, trees, and some makeshift hut-like structures. There were trees here and there, and one tree in the middle of this section. It had a raised circular platform around it! Like the village tree around which people hold panchayats!
This was just one section! There were many grounds all around calling out to be explored!
Ashish took off his helmet and said- “Aapko lag raha hoga, kaisi jagh par aa gaye hain!”
Kaisi jagah? I really like this place. The air is so clean! And this is space! Something we don't find in Delhi! -:D”
I saw his face for the first time. Till now it was always a voice behind the phone or since morning someone behind the mask and a helmet .
And also, I checked out the bike we had come on! I was black, slightly bigger than the regular bikes, some model I didn’t recognise!
To me all bikes look the same. I can’t usually tell one from the other! Same goes for cars. My sister can tell them apart from their shape or just by looking at them. I can only tell which one it is if I see their name! :p
There were a few people who were already there. A few girls and some guys! Some people looked like caretakers of these grounds. We exchanged greetings!
The place around me was inviting! I put my bag down, excused myself and took off for a stroll! On my right side, was a tent and there were bikes parked there!
Ahead, A gate to another section labelled- “Fauji Adventures”! I went inside! Inside, there was a small pool filled with muddy rainwater, some more makeshift structures. And at one end, some sofas were put in a square position with mats in the middle for some game or drinks or just relaxing!
Adjacent to this section was the track! It was a decent sized soft mud track for off road riding practice.
I went back to the section with the panchayat tree. Everyone was getting ready for the training! They were putting on jackets, gloves and helmets. I met one more trainer! Akshay. Then we went to the track.
The slightly experienced riders picked up a bike and started taking rounds! The less experienced ones were being guided by Akshay!
One girl was asked to walk the bike along the track, another was told to practice sharp turns! I asked Akshay if I could try riding one too!
He said- First day waalon ko Ashish guide karta hai!
So, I went to Ashish and asked him if I could try riding one bike too!
He grinned and said- First day hi bike chalaani hai aapko!
“Isn't that what I am here for? Learning to ride a bike! I said with a blank look”-
“On the first day you don't ride the bike, you learn about it. The machine you are going to ride, it's important to know it.
I knew he was right! Okay, after I know about it, can I ride it?
Yes, but not today.
I didn't argue! I have long been with trainers in sporty fields and know better than to argue with them! It only makes your next few hours hell :p
He asked me why I wanted to learn to ride a bike. Me being me- I like racing. (Chahe zindagi mein kabhi scooty racing naa ki ho, par I like racing! Ab like to kuch bhi kar sakta hai insaan.. Sprinting and cycle racing are also racing after all)
Ohh, you want to race!
I told him about my previous attempt at riding a bike and not being able to control it, especially at turns.
He said it was just a mental block and nothing more!
(I didn't agree. Obviously the bike is heavy and difficult to control! That is a fact but I didn't argue. I have long been with trainers in sporty fields and know better than to argue! :D)
He pointed to the bike in front of us and said- Put in on double stand! It was the regular Hero 125 cc bike. I didn't catch the name of the model though!
Putting a bike on a double stand
I remembered the time I couldn’t put a scooty on a double stand! And it was a question mark on whether I was fit to drive one if I couldn’t put it on double stand. I used to say, I can put it on single stand, to aisa to hai nahi, ki gir jaayegi! To itna load kyon! I was just 14-15 then..
Aaj phirse beizati hogi! Ki bike chalaani hai aur stand par lagti nahi :p
When I tried, I recalled the basic technique in my head, to keep the vehicle rested on the double stand on both sides and then push your weight down on the stand and pull the bike up and back! I gave it all the strength I had! Somehow, I was able to put it on double stand!
Chalo izzat reh gayi! I thought to myself!
See, it's not heavy- Ashish said! (From now on- I'll call him my riding instructor)
(Are you kidding me! Mujhe hi pata hai kaise uthaaya hai maine ise!)
Okay, next try this one! It was a red bike and heavier than the last one! That was all I could tell! As I had mentioned, I cannot tell machines apart by looking at them! To me they all look the same! Different colour, shape, sizes but I cannot exactly tell which is which unless I read the name written on them. -:p
I repeated the technique of putting the bike on double stand. Many times! But this bike was too heavy! It did budge, move halfway up, then came back to its original position.
After I was exhausted, my riding instructor showed me how to do it! Keeping a stance, then putting your entire weight down on the stand and pulling the bike up. I tried the same without any result.
See, I am doing the same thing, but I don't have enough strength! I said demonstrating exactly what he had done a minute back!
The bike moved halfway up and then back down. I literally stood on the stand. No result!
Then I got some results, a burning sensation in my right hand. I had blisters and skin peeled off from multiple places on my hand.
If there was anything left to be embarrassed about, this was it! When he asked me to try again, I said I wouldn’t be able to! Showing him my hand with cuts and peeled off skin!
Then he cut me some slack and said- sab kuch pehle din hi thodi ho jaayega.
Okay, time for the next drill.
My instructor laid the bike down, in the position it is after it slips. And said- Pick it up!
Picking up bikes
I did! Itni baar scooty uthaayi hai, to bike bhi uth to gayi!
He looked mildly surprised and said it's good to have strength! (Ok, chalo, atleast I have strength) But its better if you dont have to use it.
Then he taught me 2 ways to pick up a bike back up which required lesser strength and more technique. One was pushing it from the handle. The other was sitting against it with your back and lifting it by pushing your legs into the ground.
I got them all right, though they didn't seem as natural as my way of picking the bike up.
While I was picking bikes, A girl walked up to our instructor, saying her bike wasn’t moving. He looked at it and said- the chain has come off. He called someone to fix it! And introduced him as Mohar! The most important guy here!
The way this Mohar guy examined the bike- It looked like he knew all about bikes! Seeing him working with it, I asked him if he could disassemble and assemble bikes too! He said- he could disassemble them, though not put it back maybe!
I don't know where the question came from! Once upon a time in college or maybe in high school, I liked mechanics and garages! They seemed so fun.
Building machines, knowing every detail of them, like where every screw, nut and bolt went! How they came together from parts.. Bikes and cars from scrap looking metal- I was in awe of it! I was in awe of machines!
Back then! Well, I wanted to be a mechanical engineer. One who could build and fix all machines. Now that seemed so long ago, that I had almost forgotten about it!
I asked Ashish too, if he would be teaching assembling and disassembling bikes, but nope!
So, I was back to lifting bikes. I was asked to drop and pick back up the red bike after the black one. It was heavier than the black one.
This time I noticed its name. It was a Karisma (225 cc). I first placed it in the fallen position. Then put the side stand. Then lifted it the way I was used to picking up my scooty. Thankfully, I could! Itne saalon ka scooty uthaane ka experience kaam aa raha tha!
Then I tried lifting it with the two techniques I had learnt. I got them right in the second go.
So, now that I can pick up a bike, I can ride it too. If I fall, I'll pick it up and ride! I asked!
You seem to be getting distracted by seeing people riding, so we'll go inside and continue!
I didn't argue! I have long been with trainers in sporty fields and know better than to argue!
All About Bikes
We went to the panchayat tree section. Many bikes were parked here.
So started the theory session-
There were four types of bikes- Normal, Cruiser, Sports and Adventure. They all had different shapes, engine capacity, design and features.
Next I was introduced to the controls- clutch, brakes, speedometer, battery indicator, kill switch, rpm. Simple stuff!
Talking about these terms, reminded me of howstuffworks blogs I used to read about cars and bikes and transmission systems. And spent hours fangirling about how well they explained everything.
My instructor then explained about brakes, engine, engine power and everything I wanted to know! We discussed at length about engine power, speed and how they are interrelated!
He showed me the 2 types of brakes in bikes- Disk and drum brakes and how they worked. Why disk brakes were usually used in the front tire and were better and more effective. And how drum brakes were different and usually used in rear tires.! High end bikes, especially racing bikes, had disk brakes on both tires because they needed more control!
Riding Gears
Next, he told about the importance of riding gears- helmet, gloves, jacket, boots and how people take them for granted
Helmet is the most important of all. If you get injured or fractured anywhere it will heal! But a head injury, you never know what it will lead to! So, you should invest in a good quality helmet if you want to ride.
Next is the jacket. A riding jacket is not just a normal jacket. It has shoulder, back and elbow guard and padding, which reduce chances of injury!
(I used to think leather jackets were a style statement. Didn't know they actually served a safety purpose. -:p )
Then comes knee pads and shin guards. As the name suggests, they protect knee and shin bones.
Last and unknown to most- boots. Normally we all wear sports shoes for riding. And consider them ideal. But for riding boots are best. Although they are uncomfortable compared to sports shoes, boots protect ankles. Ankle injuries are very common if you fall and wearing boots reduces chances of ankle injuries!
All duly noted!
Some more drills
This time without asking if I could ride, I was asked to sit on a bike. See, when you stop going after things, they come to you! -:D
My riding instructor asked me to start it! I started it! So, how do I get it off the double stand while sitting! I wondered! I had never tried to get the scooty off the double stand while sitting on it (Mental Note- Try this -:p). This was going to be new!
Me- But you haven’t given me the safety gears!
My riding instructor- You don't need them.
Me to myself- Whoaa.. Abhi tak to itna confidence nahi tha ki bike chalaane de and ab ekdum se itna ki bina helmet ke chalaane ko bol rahe hain :p
So, start the bike, feel the accelerator. Go from 0 to 1, the range of free motion of the accelerator. Do it 10 times.
On double stand? I don't have to move it?
Why do you need to move it?
I fumed! I know how the accelerator works. Still do it!
Bataao, yahan mujhe video game ki feel dilaa rahe hain bhaisaahab.. Start-stop-feel!
If I be completely honest, I have spent years riding a scooty and still- just giving race to a stationary bike felt cool.. Feel aa to rahi thi! :D
After I did it 10 times, I asked what next?
Now combine the drill with clutch.
When you release the clutch, gradually give the accelerator. Hold for a while.
Then slowly release the accelerator and after you have brought it to zero, pull the clutch.
I had done this on a scooty So, this was easy! Again, even if I didn't want to accept it, ye karne mein feel to aa rahi thi! I did it more than 10 times. -:p
What next?
Take the bike off the stand and take it for a round!
Thank God! Finally .. I took it off the stand and got on the bike..
I said you can take it around. Not to ride on it! You don't need to get on it for that.
Switch the bike off and take a round with it!
I never knew ek bike chalaane dene ke liye koi itna bhaav khaayega kabhi. I took a round with it! It was like dragging a 200 kg load with wheels on a rough ground. Like a strength drill!
After a very long time, the bike’s round ended! When I was asked how I felt? I wanted to say- Ask the bike how it felt! I just said- it was heavy!
So take one more round with it, then it will feel better. - said my instructor!
I need a break after dragging a bike. I'll take a stroll and come back. I said!
When I came back! Thankfully he gave me a different drill!
This time you can switch on the bike and take it for a round! Obviously, even by mistake, don't pull the accelerator.
If you feel it is going too fast, pull the clutch.
This drill was comparatively easy. If the last drill was like carrying a dead weight, this one was like supporting a toddler who was learning to walk. Give him support when he was about to fall! And walk behind him when he was decided to run!
One thing was nice! Chalo bike ke upar naa sahi, bike ke saath hi sahi!
After I took the round, I needed another break!
Now I just sat down on the cot and relaxed and watched everything going around. I was done dragging bikes. Chalaane wo dene waala nahi tha.. Aur ab to meri ichha bhi khatam ho gayi thi! So let us relax!
Then he came up to me and gave me a riding jacket, gloves, knee and shin pads and a helmet! You don't want to take a ride now?
I looked at him in disbelief!!
Now you can take a round. He gave me the lightest 125 cc bike available.
Use dekhkar ichha phir se jaag gayi- :D
I started it, but it stopped before it started! The engine didn’t pick up. After trying 3-4 times with the same result, I went back to my instructor- It’s not starting! And he having found his chance retorted - Isiliye kehte hain pehle basics seekh lene chahiye!
He started it! But it went dead like it did with me! Chalo at least it was consistent. Its chain is off! He gave the bike to someone else to do the dragging drill and I got my red Karisma now. Try this!
I was a little hesitant in my mind because it was heavier! But then I reasoned with myself- It's heavier→ So it was better→ If I start with a heavier bike, lighter ones would be easy → If I start with a light one, my threshold would be set to light!
Good that I am starting with this!
So we went. Me and my Karisma.. Riding it was easier than I expected. And even at a slow speed, it felt like the first time I learned to ride a bicycle! The first feel of balancing, the control that comes slowly, the way you start feeling it like a companion!
After 1 round I was asked to stop! I pressed the clutch out of habit! It didn't stop! Then as the last resort, I pulled the right brake! Later I realised it was because it was not a scooty. It has a brake only on the right. :p. Left is the clutch.
I took a few more rounds on my Karisma. And got a video recorded. Then I asked my instructor if I could try another bike now that I can ride this one.
He said- Sab kuch aaj hi kar loge. Kisi ko first day bike nahi milti. Tumhein maine drills bhi karaa di and chalaane bhi de di.. -:) Plus you have already injured your hand, give it some rest!
There was an Avenger there! I tried once more. The Avenger is free. You saw I could manage Karisma. I can drive this too!
This time the other girls said no before he could! Ashish- You cannot give her permission to ride on the first day. You didn’t let us even walk with bikes on our first day!
I knew I was past my luck. Plus it was already 11.
I have long been with trainers in sporty fields and knew better than to argue!
Now I know why riding the bike seemed easier! How riding a bike became easier than it had ever been!. Because I had dragged it, walked with it, felt its controls - with the clutch, brake and accelerator drills. All those exercises made riding it easier. Classic example of why you should trust the process and the trainer.. :D
I took off my riding gears, got some pictures clicked with the other bikes and the folks! And took the Avenger on a drag ride. I knew it would make riding it easier when I would get a chance next time. -:)
Post the ride
Now that my mind was off thinking how to get on a bike, I saw a jeep. Dude, it was a classic jeep. Someone who likes machines likes both cars and bikes. And so do I. It was like straight out of some movie .
I asked if they taught us how to ride jeeps too. The answer went- No!
This jeep belongs to the owner of the ranch. My instructor said pointing to the person sitting with Amit Sir! He is the owner of the ranch! Ek hoti hai ameeri.. And then you own ranches and jeeps and a fleet of bikes. That is royalty!
Me being me- I went up to him and asked him about the jeep! If we could ride it! Maybe we could get a ride on it someday, but he was definitely letting me ride it! He treated his jeep like his precious!
Amit Sir was also an instructor here! And I guess a co-founder of Letsryde. He had taken a workshop for some 20-30 girls! It was a short version of the theory sessions I had!
After a while everyone gathered around at that panchayat tree. Bean bags had appeared out of nowhere. And I found myself amongst known faces of unknown people! There were 3 girls- Annie, Aarti and Akansha. And Amit, Akshay, Ashish and Mohar! The others had left! So, you see- 6As. -:p
Aarti and Akansha were sisters. Akansha had made parathas and a very delicious heeng ka achaar. And she got it for everyone! This felt like old times when we carried homemade lunches. Now, it has become a hassle. We usually go out to eat. And that is considered an outing! Not that I approve of it! Having said that, carrying lunches felt ancient!
When asked- How and why she made the effort of making breakfast so early in the morning- She said that by the time training ended, they were all hungry and tended to eat whatever we could lay our hands on. Mostly ended up in a cafe. Which was not healthy. So to avoid that she started carrying homemade food.
It reminded me of the times, my mom used to pack me lunch for school, college and picnics! And how in the morning too, she was after me to have something and go!
But this was next level. Waking up in the morning and making breakfast for yourself and others. I couldn't even imagine myself doing that! Just getting out of bed today at 5 was a question of will power!
Did I like it? Yes! The feeling behind it!
Would I ever do it? Nope, too much effort! I would probably carry a fruit and glucon D next time. Mid-way -:)
Ride back home
Amit Sir offered to give us all a ride to the metro in his car.
The ride to the metro was full of deep thoughts! Aarti was the wise talker. She said stuff like- “Here we come to learn to fall and get up! Rather than to drive without falling. We come here to lose our fear of falling!”
Yes.. I guess! If we can fall and get back up, we have learnt it all. And it made sense.
Then, Amit Sir recounted an incident- Last month a new BMW bike was brought to the ranch for a test run. He was asked to try a test ride. He agreed- The ranch tracks were their home turf, they had had countless laps on it! So, Ispar to kuch bhi chala lenge.
Maybe the new bike thought differently. It was a heavy 400 kg bike. And had a pretty different control system. For some reason, he slipped off badly on the race track.
Thankfully he was wearing his riding gears including boots. He picked up the bike, got back on and completed the lap.
He even drove back home. And got an x-ray of his foot.
It was a ligament tear. After that incident, he couldn’t wear shoes for a month. Today was the first day he had put on shoes after the accident.
The lessons he got were simple-
Had he not been wearing boots and proper gear, it might have been a worse injury,
Having an injury doesn't mean he won't ride again!
Falling down can happen anytime anywhere to anyone, the important thing is getting back up, on your own.
I liked the way he recounted the incident and his perspective! I wonder if I would ever have that kind of honest outlook whose magic is its realism and honesty! If I could share incidents and stories with the same real touch!
He asked us about what we all did! Annie, Akansha and Aarti- all three were accountants.
He owned a business of voltage stabilisers from the past 20 years and Letsryde was his side startup.
When Annie asked him if we could come to practice even after our sessions were done or how we could practice- He told us to participate in breakfast rides and then in long rides to other cities. After a few long distance rides, we would have a decent idea of what kind of bike we would like to ride! And if we would want to invest in one or own one! After that if we still wanted, we could purchase our own bike.
Again, a well charted answer.
Amit Sir is a father of two, a wise and fun guy! A difficult combination if not rare!
We got off at the metro! We took the metro together, and on the way exchanged more about ourselves, our phone numbers, Instagram handles etc. and became acquaintances from strangers -:)
After-thoughts
At this point, I don’t know if I'll stick to riding long enough to become a racer like Dulquer or Fahad in Bangalore Days. But I know I did like being on a bike, with a jacket on me. I know I liked the hours I spent here, and also this world of bike lovers! It was as cool as I had always imagined it to be.
Yes, riding with your hair flying back and a black glasses might look cool in movies, but riding with the riding gears feels even better, feels pro!
Trips and traveling always feel like freedom. And I definitely want to know how they feel on a bike!
Today was special not just because I saw a ranch that felt like royalty, met these cool people, rode a bike and learnt so much about motorcycles and other stuff!
Today meant even more! It reminded me of who I used to be like! And I was slowly forgetting that because it was not part of my day to day life!
I recalled being that kid who liked machines. Who was awed by them. Who wanted be a mechanic and an engineer! Who used to dream about building perfect places, sustainable communities and fuel less aeroplanes!
Who wanted to learn to code too, but never did she want to spend her days and nights in front of her laptop!
I recalled being the person who wanted to travel, meet new communities, make friends, see the world, build ideas everyday and write!
I recalled being the person who wanted to build a perfect world that seemed like utopia to everyone else. But she believed she could build that!
And here I was, having completely forgotten that kid!
I want to come back here not just for learning to bike, but to be that person again!
~Vidhi ~twwg ~Manu
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