I am a big fan of touring in bikes because I find it as a stress reliever and at the same time gives me some time to connect with Mother Nature. The whole idea behind the touring is the journey itself, the way it takes you to different places, the people you meet, the fun you have riding in groups, the chit chat during the breaks, it all sums up to a great experience and I personally think man made bikes only for the sole reason of touring from place to place.
It sometimes amuses people when you tell them that you‘re touring in bike and people even go to the extent of making a joke of it. It’s a great equaliser and I say that because it makes you realise how small you are in the scheme of things and gives you a chance to look at life with a different perspective. We get so stuck up with our things and problems that we tend to forget what the real world is and what’s happening around us, partly due to our own work but mostly due to our own ignorance and ego. Touring helps you to understand the social dynamics of human interactions and brings out the real person in you. It’s an experience each and everyone should undergo and it is something which everyone should give a try. Yesterday while going to Venkatagiri, saw many youngsters touring on bikes which did make me happy but without helmets, shoes. Are are we so ignorant of the fact that even the smallest of mistakes can end a life? People do not realise the importance of using helmets and shoes during touring, safety is of prime importance during touring. Bikes are the smallest and most vulnerable vehicles on highway; this makes it even more important to wear helmets and proper riding gear. Helmets are dirt cheap nowadays and you can pick a decent one for less than 1000bucks. A decent pair of shoes preferable heavy duty ones like the woodlands would be perfect; again you can get a pair less than 2000bucks. Wearing gloves and a leather jacket would be even better. The bare minimum should at least be a helmet and shoes. Try to plan with your friends, the different places you can visit in and around your place and organise a bike tour. The bike touring fever is catching up in India which is evident from the fact that bike manufacturers have started to promote their bikes as a tourer. Make people realise that they are missing a wonderful experience that can change the way they look at things and make them realise the importance of safety during riding a bike. We have a lot of potential to be creative and do something different but it just gets killed with our monotonous work and our attitude.
We have some good tourers like the Hero Honda Karizma, the thunderbird; actually any bike can be used to tour. The bike doesn’t matter only the person riding it, I have even seen people riding even a Platina for an interstate tour. So it does not matter what bike you posses, only your attitude and your will to push the limit and keep moving. Yes, there are drawbacks of riding a smaller cc, air-cooled bikes but finally it all comes down to the person riding it. You don’t ride to reach the destination instead learn to appreciate the journey itself, the chemistry between you and your bike. Do not try to push her out of her comfort zone and the whole journey should be fine and enjoyable, try to treat her with utmost respect and she will oblige to take you where ever you wish. Don’t be shy to take pictures, stop where ever you can and click as many pictures as possible. After all a picture speaks thousand times more than words! Hope this article helps you to bring out the tourer and the adventurer in you. Always plan and organize the tour, have a plan B and make sure everyone are notified about all the information regarding the tour and ALWAYS wear safety gears while touring. Comments are welcome.
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