Biking was and will always remain fun. September 13th 2001! This was the day I got my first kinetic. I have to confess that I had begun learning to ride only because my Mom coaxed me. But, it did not take long for me to start loving it.
Biking to me meant FREEDOM. Until my graduation, I was a complete introvert and always dependent. Biking gave me a sense of being unstoppable, being able to choose my own path and somewhere probably allowed me to believe that I can to take control of myself and may be my life. Even though when I look back now and think otherwise, I guess if there is one thing any 16 year would want that would be INDEPENDENCE, and I was no different.
It did not take long for biking to again mean something different for me. From the normal jolly rides and freedom I realized during my graduation that it was my means of letting out my frustration too. I remember riding all alone without bothering as to what time of the day it is. I did not care if it was another hot afternoon in Mangalore or a lazy Sunday evening. On retrospection about it now, I realize one could easily define my mood based on my speed, if it was an inbuilt frustration or untold feeling, I would just zip away. If I drove slowly and swayed a little, I was surely singing to myself. I felt that all the pent up emotions or the stress could never catch on me when I am on my bike!
Biking let me be a little careless, when life demanded me to be responsible. I can still recollect those long gone days when I used to find out all the excuses to get drenched in the lovely monsoons. Whoa! If my friend was in the pillion seat, we would splash the water, howl and then just scoot away. What a feeling it used to be to enjoy the rains when everyone around would drive slowly and safely fully clad in raincoats and I would purposely drive into a pothole (which is in abundance) and splash water. If my pillion rider would be someone I dislike or a person I would never want to ride with again, I would ensure that my kine gets into every potholes possible, so that this person would never ever dare to sit with me again.
I still remember begging to almost all my friends who owned a motorcycle to teach that to me. Alas! I have always been unlucky in this front. L However, Biking had gone to complete different level during my masters when it was the three of us friends who roamed in the two wheeler. Today, I realize the importance of adhering to the rules but back then we were simply lazy to go in for any other means for commuting. I would be the one who always rides since my friends couldn’t take triples. We were termed the “Three Stallions” in our college and this was renowned throughout the Engineering and MBA department.
Three Stallions of MBA dept :)
Biking just sets me free!!!
You ever had days like “what the crap”When all your hope was just sapped!When you felt that the lights went out,And all you have is the doubt!
We all got them, I too had such a day,But at the end of the day, I can only say
Its biking that sets me free, help to regain control,It not only moves my body but also transforms my soul!No pent up emotion or any stress of life,I think, can catch me when I am on my bike!
The wind on my face, the wheels underneath,All of it I love, even the squeaks!!A frame and two wheels, I am convinced,For personal freedom is all you need!!
Having said all this, I do not think I would ever be able to define biking because I think that is what defines me. ;)
Ride safely and wear helmets (I know it’s just not ‘in” but without it if you fall you will certainly be “out”)HPK!!!
