The air was getting thinner, I was hardly able to breath. Brightness surrounded me, I was hardly able to see. My heart was beating at rates unknown. My legs were refusing my call to support, they started shivering. My palms had to sweat and my throat had to go dry next. I was in a tizzy. This was an alien feeling to me. I could not call for help, as there was none. I could not shout, as my lungs were devoid of air. Knowing not what to do, I let myself sink into it. All I knew was that my life would never be the same again . . . .
Some years ago:
In his literary masterpiece Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts writes, "The Enfield of India 350cc Bullet was a single-cylinder, four-stroke motorcycle, constructed to the plans of the original 1950's model of the British Royal Enfield. Renowned for its idiosyncratic handling as much as for its reliability and durability, the Bullet was a bike that demanded a relationship with its rider. That relationship involved tolerance, patience, and understanding on the part of the rider. In exchange, the Bullet provided the kind of soaring, celestial, wind-weaving pleasure that birds must know, punctuated by not infrequent near-death experiences."
Right from the age when I felt a high riding bicycles, I was always fascinated by the 'Thump' of this bike called Bullet. As the years progressed, I grew up seeing it thumping on the wide roads, unfazed by the passing world. Years went by in fascination, bikes came and bikes went, but Bullet remained. I wont deny the fact that i always dreamt of owning this awe-inspiring machine once when the right time came.
And the time did come. After i was posted to Pune on completion of my training in the initial days of professional career, to my delight, my Papa asked me to get a motorcycle, as it was inevitable to move around without one in a city like Pune. I knew Papa would never agree if i told him about what i dream to own. There were two reasons to it:
1. All the parents across India, who have not tried Bullet, think it is a very heavy bike and would be very difficult to handle. The case was no different with my parents either. And
2. Price.
Weighing my options, I started looking for bikes like Yamaha FZ-16, Bajaj Pulsar 200, TVS Apache RTR 160, Hero-Honda Karizma, etc. When i was inquiring about these bikes, a happened to come across people who owned Bullet! This was my first experience with anybody actually having a Bullet. If I put it in very simple words, they told me how 'majestic' the bike was. At the same time, i happened to talk to my uncle and he assured me that he will try and convince Papa, but before that, I will have to talk to him. Apprehensively, i put forth my choice to Papa. At that point of time, i did not know that my uncle had already talked to Papa. Papa, on listening to me, did not quite agree, but he did not quite disagree too. I thought I had something in store for me here. Papa asked me to go and have a test ride first.
The next day, zestfully, I was standing outside a Royal Enfield showroom, ready for what was going to be a significant moment of my life. After taking some instructions from the showroom, i took what they call a test-ride! A dream came true. The feeling cannot be described in words. It was as Roberts said, a feeling which only free birds can experience. I knew there and then that if it has to be, it has to be this. A fair deal of convincing required on my part, my uncle played a major role and my brother to made an appearance and Papa agreed! I had no bounds to my Happiness!
Royal Enfields are a testament to what motorcycling was really meant for: riding. I love the low compression, the look, the sound, the beauty, the simplicity, and how untouched by time and modern "flare" these motorcycles are. These bikes are beyond practical.
So after many interactions, surfing over the web, talks with Bullet owners, i finally narrowed upon Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 5S, red coloured (http://www.royalenfield.com/Motorcycles/Electra5s.aspx). I decided upon the dealer, booked the bike, got the paperwork done, and all this took some time. My anticipation and excitement knew no boundaries. I wanted my motorcycle out of showroom registered, with its registration number on it, which just added to my wait. Finally, after years of planting that bud in the depths of my heart, finally, after nurturing it with my compassion and enthusiasm over all those years, finally, with help from the universe around me, the moment had come.
Thursday was decided upon, MH 12 FG - 7736 was the identity, 18:30 hrs was the time, I was standing there in utopia, with a gleam in my eyes and a twinkle in my heart. The exhilaration was unknown. The air was getting thinner, I was hardly able to breath. Brightness surrounded me, I was hardly able to see. My heart was beating at rates unknown. My legs were refusing my call to support, they started shivering. My palms had to sweat and my throat had to go dry next. I was in a tizzy. This was an alien feeling to me. I could not call for help, as there was none. I could not shout, as my lungs were devoid of air. Knowing not what to do, I let myself sink into it. All I knew was that my life would never be the same again.
I ride the saddle, hold the handle, kick the peddle and life comes into me. I breathe exaltation, I experience peace. My dream has come true.
