[Roadinc]

It was a moment that defined our lives, that were to change. The two of us understood that. It was unspoken. In some ways it was a moment of loss. Perhaps an awakening call.

The Pigeons would no longer fly over M8/1. After 25 years of the Bhanumati society generously feeding thousands of birds, their hearts were sealed now. And I would no longer come back to a place I called home –M8/1. For I had chosen my path - Life on the road forever. Almost a wander, in search of nothing but a new perspective of life. Willing to embrace all that the road has to offer.





The pigeons were now wanders in search of a morsel. Life moves on. And the next two days revealed just that. Fewer pigeons came stayed for the entire day, in confusion. And then flew away.... never to come back to M8/1. There was nothing for them to come back to, no hope for mercy, no hope for survival. And they didn’t protest. They simply flew away.

A day before I was to leave Mumbai, a traffic cop stopped me at a signal for not having a number plate. He looked at me and then my bike. In a stern voice he asked, “Why don’t you have a number plate and what’s with the stand attached to your bullet?” I told him I was on my way to fix the bike including fixing the number plate and bike stickering. He thought I was off on a business tour. The cop who had by now mellowed down was surprised to know that I’d quit my job to travel. “You must have earned a lot of money to travel forever,” he curiously remarked. His amusement grew when I told him that I had no savings just around Rs 10,000 in my pocket. He wished me luck, while everyone at the signal were left confused as to whether I was fined or did I escape the fine. Well, I did pay the fine but I knew that cop would remember me for a long long time.





They all asked me, “Where are you heading to?” I replied, “I don’t know. Somewhere down the road I will decide.” Perplexed they enquired, “So how long will you be gone?” I had no concrete answer or rather I did.

“Hmmm...forever. The road will be my home,” I said to them. They smiled in hilarity and wished me luck. A few people didn’t believe me. But all I did was smiled and rode away.

YouTube - Hit the road jack.MOV

Cheers!
Merwyn

[vikrantj]

OK ... Now I am searching for some reaction .... And the first one which come to my mind is "Are you not afraid of the unknown the road throws at you ?"

[MX6]

Man. This is the second best voyage I'm coming across. The best is Jack Sparrows. I loved him when he said the famous words.

"It's not just a keel and a hull and sails; that's what a ship needs. Not what a ship is. What the Black Pearl really is, is freedom."

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Roadinc

was surprised to know that I’d quit my job to travel

Reminds me of Mr. P.G. Tenzing IAS, who quit his job and left for a journey on Royal Enfield Bullet.

Welcome aboard Roadinc; looking forward to read your travelogue.

[AstonMartin]

I am sure this is the start of a great journey. Though I cannot understand your emotions and feelings completely, I can say I have felt these feelings slightly once in a while. Hope this journey will be satisfying one.

[Roadinc]

Originally Posted by AstonMartin

I am sure this is the start of a great journey. Though I cannot understand your emotions and feelings completely, I can say I have felt these feelings slightly once in a while. Hope this journey will be satisfying one.

I'm looking forward to the journey myself....lets see what the road has to offer sheer challenge and/or sheer pleasure!

[Roadinc]

Towards Gujju Land!


One sleeping bag that weighs less than a kilo.
One all season tent that weighs 3 kgs.
One bag with laptop and camera.
Two cramster bags full of bike equipment, camping equipment, medicine kit, toiletries and clothes.

All packed on my 1980 model bullet. Come to think of it this is all I own in life.
With just 10,000 bucks in my pocket, I was off from Mumbai on the morning of 21st July.





Rao, my friend gave me company till Delhi where we were to have a reunion with friends from Bangalore.





The first day we drove till Gujarat. Well, sure it was just 300 kms on day one but the monsoons slowed us down. What added to the rain fairy’s blessing that afternoon was the yum Parsi food we treated ourselves to at Ahura Restaurant 100 kms from Mumbai.

As we drove on the Gujarat highway, we were cheered by people passing by, giving us thumbs up and wishing us luck. The moment of irony was when a few guys driving offered us alcohol! (Alcohol... in Gujju land).

While alcohol was a no-no for us at that point, we were calling out for chai chai. Even the smallest of thelas in Gujarat charge ten bucks for one cuppa tea. But yeahhhh....it wasn’t a cup of chai it was a cup and a saucer full of chai!





That night we settled ourselves in Kamrej in a room for 300 bucks. Passed out...

[Roadinc]

Originally Posted by MX6

Man. This is the second best voyage I'm coming across. The best is Jack Sparrows. I loved him when he said the famous words.

"It's not just a keel and a hull and sails; that's what a ship needs. Not what a ship is. What the Black Pearl really is, is freedom."

My bike gives me the same feeling of freedom.

Originally Posted by vikrantj

OK ... Now I am searching for some reaction .... And the first one which come to my mind is "Are you not afraid of the unknown the road throws at you ?"

you need to tune urself to uncertainity, wht is the point in doing the know?

[joshguy]

Roadinc thats a good write up ,

BTW why where are you heading to Gujarat? and whats the motive behind this roadtrip

[Jaguar]

Awesome start!! Are you still traveling or have settled back to boring life before starting this travelogue? Don't keep us waiting and keep going.

PS: Could you do one detailed post about the gear you were/are carrying with you?

[San Phrangmung]

What every one wishes for but seldom do. Lucky for you to have been able to go for it. All the very best.

[Roadinc]

Originally Posted by joshguy

Roadinc thats a good write up ,

BTW why where are you heading to Gujarat? and whats the motive behind this roadtrip

The motive is to perform the one noble function of time - to move! I always want to retired by the age of 35. Never wanted to be attached to one place and therefore I've dedicated my life to the road. I started off from Mumbai (where I worked for a few years) and want to head up to the mountains, thats how Gujarat and now I'm in Delhi gearing up to ride further.

Originally Posted by San Phrangmung

What every one wishes for but seldom do. Lucky for you to have been able to go for it. All the very best.

Thank you....Its all a matter of choice I have been preparing myself for years, it hasn't happened over night.

[VLOCT]

Safe riding friend. May the almighty watch over you.

Happy riding.

Post deleted by the Team-BHP Support : Please do NOT post one-liners that add little or no informational value to the thread. We need your co-operation to maintain the overall quality of this forum.

Please read our rules before proceeding any further.

[whitesquall]

Hey Roadinc, great and tough decision that you have made! I wonder how you plan to be on road for long since you said you just have 10K in your pockets. Hope you have some reserves to carry this epic journey for long.

Please refrain from using back to back postings while replying, rather, use the 'QUOTE +' option.