By Rajat Uppal
General Manager, Marketing, 93.5 RED FM
For an automobile enthusiast and ‘speed junkie’, a perfectly laid tarmac road surrounded by lush greenery is always very inviting. I have always preferred to travel by road on most holidays, as the journey ends up being the best part of the trip. I have dreamed of owning a few machines just for such long road trips, including a Porsche 911 Turbo (which I hope to buy before I turn 50) and a Harley Davidson, which has been ticked off the list, having bought a Forty Eight last year, and a Fat Boy this year.
Every Sunday at the break of dawn, a few buddies from the Motorhead Motorcycle Cluband I, along with our wives riding pillion, set out to ride our American V-twins exploring newer roads and destinations like Goa, Jaipur, Agra, Pushkar, Alwar, Ajmer, and Kasauli; and make frequent short trips in and around Delhi. The rumble of the exhausts of our bikes, the inviting open stretch of the road and being in the company of equally passionate bikers, make each of these Sundays perfect.
Each time I ride out, I feel the road is a good listener, waiting to hear the sound of the machines we ride. Travelling by road to such destinations on a two-wheeler makes the experience far more adventurous; especially when you’re out of the comfort zone of your air-conditioned car. On a two-wheeler, you experience the wind in your face or at times the burning sun’s heat, making the journey more experiential.
A famous biker once said, “Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.” Only a biker knows that sheer feeling of the wind hitting his face while riding on an open road. And I am glad that I get to do this often.
Everyone should travel by road like this, to truly experience a fun holiday. While you are still young, take the time to see the world and absorb all the interesting, memorable experiences that come your way. Take a road trip to Ladakh or Shillong, or a trip along the coastline of Kerala, for instance. These are the moments that will define the rest of your life; they’re the experiences that stick with you forever.
Become a person of culture, adventure, and compassion. The road is a good listener; it’s inviting you to get on it with your favourite machine. And trust me, it’ll be an enriching experience.
Feedback: rajat@redfm.in
