Ride down memory lane: My biking journey and trips done over the years

While I may no longer ride as often, the lessons I learned from my years on the motorcycle have stayed with me

BHPian SJM1214 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

“You are on your own. You are not protected by two tons of steel, rubber, foam padding, and safety glass. Neither are you steering two tons of guided missiles toward other cars, people, and property. If you are prepared to accept the responsibility of your own actions, then motorcycling can be both safe and thrilling. Riding is an art as well as a craft and no amount of explanation can take the place of experience.

― Theresa Wallach, Easy Motorcycle Riding, 1970

I do not always agree with the above kind of quotes, which compare motorcycle riding with car driving.

Both of them have their charm. Both of them have their pros and cons. I know some bitter riders who always like to grumble about car journeys, the same way, I know many grumpy car drivers/travelers who keep complaining about discomfort and impracticality associated with long-distance riding. My humble advice for both these kinds is, keep calm and enjoy whatever is you prefer. There is no need to keep bitching.

I am one lucky person who has had a fair share of long-distance motorcycle rides and car/SUV driving. I used motorcycles and cars as daily commute vehicles and long-distance vehicles. I used to enjoy and have fun with both vehicles equally. I did some amazing long-distance riding by my Royal Enfiled Classic 350. I can safely claim that I roamed half of India by motorcycle. I did Ladakh twice by motorcycle ( thrice by SUVs).

Here is a glimpse of my motorcycle rides.

Used to own a Yezdi 250 during my college days.

RE TBTS and our routine rides to Mt. Abu.

Offroading with RE TBTS

Somewhere in Rajsthan

We were in love with the open roads.

Trying my hands on the newly launched Desert Strome.

Paying my respects to Bullet BaBA.

Exploring Leh city by a Pulsar.

Paying my respects to BRO.

The Mecca for all the Bikers: Khardung La (Ladakh region)

Thiksey Gompa, Leh.

A ride to Spiti Region.

Got a new RE Calssic 350 in 2012

A Group ride to LRK.

A Group ride to LRK.

Exploring the Little Ran of Kutch

A ride to Lothal

A ride to Udaipur.

A ride to MP

Rider Mania Ride

A Ride to Jaisalmer

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, much like the roads I've ridden on my motorcycle over the years. For a long time, my life revolved around the thrill of the open road, the roar of the engine, and the camaraderie of fellow riders. However, life has a way of steering us in new directions, and for me, that pivotal moment was meeting the love of my life and getting married.

Riding a motorcycle has always been my passion.
The sense of freedom and adventure it offered was unparalleled. Every ride was a journey of discovery, an escape from the mundane, and a chance to connect with the world in a way that few other experiences could match. But when I met my partner, everything changed.

Wedlock

Yes, I tried my wife to get into riding. I took her on some of the group rides after marriage.

However, as we planned our future, I realized that my priorities were shifting. The thrill of the ride was being replaced by the joy of spending time with my partner, of building a home and a life together. The long hours on the road were now filled with meaningful conversations, shared dreams, and the simple pleasures of daily life. My motorcycle, once my constant companion, began to take a backseat.

I started riding a moped for my daily chores and running errands. No complaints at all, I find the moped (Activa, or I call every moped Activa) the best two-wheeler to bring groceries from the nearby D-mart.

This is how I feel on Activa

Hanging up my riding gear was not an easy decision.

There were moments of nostalgia and longing for the open road. While I may no longer ride as often, the lessons I learned from my years on the motorcycle have stayed with me—resilience, patience, and a sense of adventure. But every now and then, I find myself missing the thrill of motorcycle rides. The open road, the wind in my face, and the sense of freedom are memories that I cherish deeply. There are moments when I long for the solitude and exhilaration of riding. It's a bittersweet feeling, knowing that I've traded one form of adventure for another.

Though I no longer ride as often, the memories of those rides remain a cherished part of who I am. And who knows? Maybe one day, I'll find a way to balance both loves in my life...

Continue reading on BHPian SJM1214's biking journey for BHPian comments, insights and more information.