Marathon??? Again??? Ok??? Why Dilli???

After last year's torture to the body, the amount of mental strength it took to complete the half marathon, Ameya has the guts to ask me again for Mumbai Marathon. He was hell bent on brainwashing me. I didnt want to yield. The reason I gave January too far to plan now.

But fate had its own ways, organizing authorities of Standard Charted Mumbai Marathon 2012 decided to restrict the registrations to those who have ran last year and within the stipulated time. Well I did just ramble all the way. Thanks to Ameya, I am pretty grateful. We did patch up in the process.we were not in talking terms since Moby's marriage.So the bottom line is I didnt qualify. So didnt Ameya. So, he started brainwashing me for Delhi, when that also didnt yield. Shail was also enthu this time. The bait here was Shail's cute nephew, who i have been dying to meet. And also if Shail's sis allows I would bring him with me. :) <awwww feeling>

So eventually I agreed.. well not exactly. I was silent on the going but tickets were booked and its the DDay. With hours counting down, i still cant believe it. Well I did buy shoes as well. Nike Air :) yay. Bday gift from dad.

To know the logic - "Why I am running the marathon??" Why I am running in delhi is a bigger question?? I am actually going to Delhi to run. What is wrong with me. Well in the name of adventure or probably just randomness of it gives me a kick. And it also tells me that I am bad at push backs and saying no!!! That was the main reason I wanted to prove to Ameya that I can say no. Well i did say no to Mumbai Marathon. lol

I had been home with a running nose a week prior. But weather at home town just aggravated the cold, the high rise building added more temperature to me, breeze ensured the fever never came down. Popping crocin didnt work, family doctor injected 3 full syringes of paracetamol. What was left was to pump bottles of glucose. The love of family doctor. Worse was the virus spread to kp, gma and worst affected was mom. Poor thing she spent whole days between her and my bday - with cold, cough and fever. All we got was her coarse voice and irked behaviour due to her heavy head.

The whole idea of talking about the fever is just bahana in case i cant complete the marathon. I am somehow not confident of routes in delhi to run away from the route in case i am not able to go on. With Ameya practicing hard for the marathon, I will not have anyone on back to ensure i ll have to finish it. But at the same time, I ll not have company during the run.

Well Go Mambo Go!!! as rachit said. Just go!!! Rest will be written in blog!!!

The Virgin Beach Ride - Hedvi

I am not sure if I can call it a ride as I spent most of the time in the car - as usual the official photographer. So much that i really wanted to put my face out and even my tongue like a doggie. But the AC was on , hence the windows was up.

I was working late, late enough to leave directly for the ride. No brownie points for guessing that. Had a really hectic time. Not just that week, been hectic for few weeks in succession. Had half a mind to ditch the ride. Colleague's nani was hospitalized. Many unexplainable reasons, i was not feeling not upto it.

Vinni calls me from Delhi, "Are you going for the ride?"

"Mostly No!!!"

"Are you gonna go to Delhi to take care of her?"

"No, So shut up and ride" He was of the impression I was not gonna ride because he was not there. Paaji offered I can come in his car. So this trip is gonna be full of comfort.

Still I had plans to give dandi at the last moment when Josh called and did a very good act of emotional blackmail. He nailed it at a point where I couldnt have said NO!!! Shaana!!!

Locha came to pick me up in the morning. I met Raj's wife Mini. Had this instant liking for her as how everyone predicted. Another one of the lovely couple. Close competition from Anand and Shwetha :) Touch wood and God Bless.

Rode till Datta Vada Pav at Panvel. My Wind Cheater did its best to keep me warm but I was going brrrr, hiding behind Locha. We discussed professions on the way. And some random talks. There was more to Locha's sheepish smile. I realized it was never sheepish but contained a mysteriously naughty grin. I met the other - Josh was showing full atti being the Ride Captain and sported a supposedly Ranbir's look in rockstar. Later realized he was under pressure to make it smooth for us.

Had severe headache because of lack of sleep and I tended to hog to offset it. After breakfast and awesome 2 rounds of chai, we started! Addu followed us - I am sure he would have almost half the distance. It is very difficult to get separated. Wouldnt have even reached Penn, Paaji's car's clutch plate was gone. Vedd ji tried as much to drive the car but the car just wouldnt accelerate.

Paaji, Cherryl Mam, Raj, Mini, Deelux spent next few hours waiting in a temple with blaring pious songs.. shor na macha ya toh bhagwaan nahi aaya!!!

Crazy brahmin theories by Punit Ji

The usual gossip with Cherryl Mam

Gaalis to Vinni - Khud toh aaya nahi mujhe bheja diya ride pe

Only time, I got on to the bike was when someone was tired of sitting as pillion. In one such short period of time and best part this was the last stretch of ride for that day ( how dumb giggle thats why ppl were tired :P
 )  I noticed that the clouds were dense enough to cover the moon. Then it struck me, it was eclipse. Oh it was a lovely experience and I would call it the highlight of the TRIP ( would it be fair enough to call it a ride )

Also i got to know why it is actually called as Virgin Beach - The roads were literally pitch dark ( not entirely due to Eclipse but otherwise also) and trust me - we had no clue where we were headed and are we on the correct path.

Finally when we reached, the eclipse was not yet over. That means no food nor chai paani. We were too late to take a dip in the sea. Usual get to know sessions till late night. And ofcourse the Food :) This was the first time i had soulkadi - Maharashtrian dishes. And some photo/Video sessions Thanks to Josh's room arrangements I got to know Shwetha my roomie 

Had grand plans of waking up at 5 am to make up for the missed dip in the sea in the night. I had forgot my chappal at home, so borrowed oversized slipons from a fellow freshbie rider ( Thanks!!! ) Me, Locha, Punit ji, Shwetha and Anand went to the sea. ( psstt.. Anand is scared of water .. Dont tell anyone ) Locha wandered off to become a sanyasi for few hours. Me and Punit could literally visualize Swami Vivekananda in Locha. Awww watta sight. hehhe

Return was the same and as expected. More photoshoot. Gossip. Break downs. Found close friends in Punit Ji, Locha in this trip. :) I am sure you guys regret it :P But you cant help it. Few win and others lose :P

To Phones we had and Phones we Lost!!!

Phones was always a very integral part of me. I was always like Geet of Jab We Met - well i always oscillate between runaway bride and bhaag ke shaadi karna. Both extremes but still... thats me!!!

Not to digress away from the mail point here - ( Alterego sayins - bus innu air time mil jaave tan shuru ho jaandi hai :P ) Me: Wahi toh gal hai Gamli.. mein bahut gal kardi hain.. taan mennu phone di sakt zaroorat haiga..!!!

Mein jadoon college vich sigi mera pehla mobile - Samsung Golden Color ( yeh mennu model number vagarah nahi pata.. aaj kal aana vi bandh karta hona company ne.. ) I used to keep it hidden in the bag. No one should know i had a mobile. Chori da vi darr siga ude naal professor fad na lein.. uda bhi darr siga.

I had to give away this phone to prove that I can control my urge be in touch with people. Not really sure how much it helped. Well I stayed without phone for few months - i guess 3 approx. Then the need arose to have a cellphone - It was Sony Ericsson. With my family having 100% loss rate of Sony Ericsson phone, it was obvious I was not adopted. But good thing it got me an opportunity to strike conversation with Ericsson Country head and get free invitation for their global meet happening then. Hai hai kadhi kadhi mera bhi luck changa nikalda haiga..

Moved on to Nokia basic model, which I lost in Band Stand miraculously - Thanks to Saini saab and heroine!

Motorola model for 2.5 k, had music playing ability Radio.. probably most of what I needed. Good amount of  phone number storing capacity. Yes, this was the model i exchanged with Dad for a nice Nokia High End. That time i was a garib student who didnt have a say!!!

Finally that phone gave up... most of the time it used to give me blank screen. I could probably dial without seeing anything... felt like old age tring tring. Finally my BB loving roommates and Colleagues - Read BB maniacs got me a BB. Suited my need - Big No for touch screen for my sweaty hands, professional looking for a new job and cheapest in the category.  I toh cried looking at the functions.. bcoz I was lost and was not even able to call my parents to inform about my new phone. Then not even 2 days passed I was a true BB addict.

Well there are few brands left - Probably iPhone underway!!!

Everytime I lost a phone, I have lost a part of me. To gain it back... it really took time. I think i understand the pain of breakups!!!

Gore Gore Mukhde pe kala kala chasma

It was one of my prized possessions. "WAS" :'( I didnt know till then i used to immortalize and anthropomorphize the things i own ( FYI: anthropomorphism is Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena. - which all riders do - they name their bikes and talk to them etc )
 
My eye piece was part and parcel of me in all my trips. Its like I am so used to seeing things through the tinted colors. Most of the harsh realities are probably filtered like how i am protected even in blazing sunlight. And it would just make this world a better place and definitely a more liveable, loveable and beautiful place.

It was much more special because it was a gift from a close friend. A friend who wanted to see the lot of places, explore not just about himself but also this whole wide world and who wanted adventure to be his middle name. {Some asked if Maverick was his father's name lol and facebook refused to let him change his name back. I knew for girls were allowed to change their names in the name of marriage and for once as a guy he was in vulnerable position lol)

Life never allows things to go smooth. No one's life is hunky dory when someone has so much fun and smiles never cease to appear from the faces with whom he is. Jokes, pranks, fun were like an ever flowing drought less river. Shor na machaya toh mazaa nahi aaya. Professors hates him for the pranks and for disturbing the few who were pretending to listen to his boring lectures  - he believed in learning practical stuff rather than snoring away in class.

I guess there is only a portion of happiness allotted to each one of us. I am sure he surpassed the limit long before. He definitely lived his life as if it was the last but we were not ready for it. Even in coma he always has a serene contented look when his whole fragile body used to move to rhythm of the ventilator. I really pity how his mother would have taken it, whole family praying outside his room waiting for a miracle to happen. I, supposedly a lion heart, fainted in the ICU at the mere look of how a split second changed the fate of our lives. I say our lives because it was us who endured the pain even after the bed he occupied became available again.Trust me I really wished it was just the smell of chemicals in the hospital that nauseated me.

Probably he achieved more than what we ever did, more mature than all of us and playful than all of us. I feel he would have floated around and checked out the whole world that he wanted to travel and more and probably beyond. All I could probably give as tribute is few smiles thinking if he was still around and take the gogs through most of my journeys. To ensure you see the world through my eyes in case you have missed it.

As you wished you had your adventure when it happened to you, you wanted to ride till death. We all talk about passion for riding but somewhere I still find the purpose!!! The goggle that covers the most expressive part of us, does sometimes hide the deepest pain.

First of all I almost left it at home, but was generously allowed a delay of few minutes to go get for the ride. Just before going to the beach I even asked my room partner not to wear it but I also landed up wearing it. As usual was alone and aloof in the waters enjoying my "My Time" when Host comes to lure me into a swimming race. Just when I dived, the huge wave washed away my goggles.

Dancers in "us"

Dance to me is purest form of expressing happiness. To the punjaban in me expressing happiness runs in the blood. Like few in the riding circuit used to joke and I think abt it seriously - We can dance to the noise of a generator.


I wanted to draw a similarity between the Song Pyaar ki Pungi which portrays a RAW agent who has a wacky side. And now why i want to talk about a flop movie. Just how this song is portrayed my friends also have a wacky side. Not that the normal side was less crazier.

So this post is a peek into how these so called tuff riders of my club would be if at all they are brought onto a dance floor and elaborate their dancing style.


There is always a hesitation before one starts off to show off their dancing skills. Bheed vich saare de saare sher hain.Everyone wants other to start off first. So finally kisi ek ko itna chadathe hain ki someone starts off.. and everyone follows. Guess who would that be????

none other than Major Saab. Not only because he could be our guest of honour but always ( Dubey Ji aap yahan Shudd Hindi mein translate karenge toh bahut meharbani hogi )

Pandey Ji - Shayad claim karte ki mein jawani mein bahut accha nacha karta tha. 


 Samzy - Claims he cant dance without being high. High could also mean happiness of being with friends. To describe his style - shaky shaky !!! I am not getting into further details

Punit Ji - Once narrated me a story where people around him were hurt by his finger ring. Fuelled my wild imagination to be a typical bollywood style. But then somehow i feel he can actually dance and carry even wildest of crazy steps well with a superb expressions. Zyada hua tariff.. As i am saying its just a possibility.

Mohanty Ji - Jab party pad rahi hon tandi, tab entry maarenge do some steps fuel the energy and be a spectator. :) He has potential to make best use of the props around us - like making a bedsheet into a lungi for a song like nakku mukka :D

Anup Ji - the baby faced rock star. I am sure he would be idling near by but when some rock song plays he would get all his imaginary musical instruments and start playing it. Head banging comes close to dancing for him.

Adi - Shayad steps karne ke alas mein he would just lip sync to songs.

Josh - I really had big expectations from him but somehow "I gotta feeling" he will turn unpredictable and be the opp to his name - Joshless ... We can probably use him as a DJ.

Giggle - Bandhi mein enthu hai. But luck bhi toh hona chahiye. If she doesnt have a crape bandage in her legs probably she might do a step or 2. Ya shayad hasdi rahegi.

Seems like an exciting gang and the idea is enticing to probably arrange for a theme party just to validate and test the hypothesis. WAT SAY FELLAS. Rock the party !!!

Fucchas

It was at Lonar that I really realized How a Fuccha must be feeling coming to ride with a club for the first time. You are generally a hero, a studd with a bike - a big show off!!! But then when u register for a ride and reach a starting point - i am sure it would freak the coolest of dudes.

Experienced Riders, their rapport with other riders even the club lingo. It would definitely take a while to get used to the nicknames and the history behind it.

I wouldnt call it sadism but a procedure to teach life - whole day you get to soak in the self glory and when the night fall there starts a session of ice breaking. How is it different from the handshake and intro , pleasure to meet you dialogues \m/ hahha the devilish laugh. It is pretty obvious if we were so sweet to you do you think we deserve to carry the attitude.

This phenomena gets accentuated in teenager who join us for the first ride. They have this know it all feeling and we know what they have seen in life. Also they still dont know how to judge situations and how they should be reacting in it. lol

You are in actual roadies - what they have been trying to portray if you are in a RM or a Gaddha Mania where more than one club participate.

All said and done - just how ragging in engineering is a forum to build rapport so is our sessions. And we do know our limits depending on the poor soul in front of the riders who had a day of Riding Hard as they call it.

Image of a Biker

Would you allow your daughter to go out with a biker ??? even if its the inner most fantasy of any chic - I am sure as a parent it is a big NO!!!

Just like how we have taboo on Sex, Drugs, Gayism or even Aids - there is taboo on Bikers as well. What comes to your mind when you imagine a biker - a leather jacket, Beard (not necessarily - i didnt have this in my imagination when i imagined about bikers even though the guy who introduced me to club had one ;) ), loudness, quirkiness, cig, booze, even drugs, definitely attitude, dont want to mingle with the world. Oh my fav part - the tattoos

What i have experienced in the last few months of introduction to the club has been eye opening (read mouth wide opened in awe!!!)

First thing that i noticed they are very warm people who really care abt friends and family, Vinni always said they are his family. I never could see how? How can Macho and Care really go togther, I saw it live.
I know each of these guys inside out and each one is an unique antique piece that i treasure - Thought of writing down names but I am sure the list is huge. And considering my short term memory loss I am sure to forget a few names :P

Second, how ever accomplished they are in their fields they are a rider and equal. Respect stems out of humility and with the right set of attitude. Its all about having fun, living life to the max with the people you know.

Hype: who doesnt like to get hyped. When there is a train of bullet passing thro - who doesnt stop to have a look. Sometimes the look of "Oh hopeless creatures" hahha tum kya jaano what you are missing out in life. The sound of thump, each with different frequency but still resonating together.

Loudness: Well the ruggedness and loudness in action stems out of simplicity in life. Know what is right, stand by it, propogate it. Voice your opinions.

One big shout out : Passion. There is a reason to live life. And we guys have discovered our passion and we live by it. We dont coward against social taboo but have guts to live by what they believe. Sometimes we dont fit into the society but that is all the more the reason we are revolutionaries to take society to the next level.

You never understand till you experience it first hand just as I did. May be this is what got me coming back for more rides and i can vouch for the anticipation and longing for club meets.

Kahani Zindagi Ki

For Giggle, Kumbharli was supposed to be the first and last ride. You know those pre marital jitters about settling down. She wanted to enjoy all the time of being single. Now she was going to be a responsible home maker. Giggle didnt know if Param was going to be all that she ever dreamed of. But she was ready to take life up as it came to her.

Giggle was packing to leave Daddu ji's house. Daadi Ma was packing roti shoti for the train journey. Pappa Ji entered home from his usual jog.

"Kisi da phone aya. Shayad Rishta ke liye. Let me call back"

Pappa Ji returned the call and after the call he spoke to everyone seems like a good family. Giggle didnt know how to react, when she was studying she got rishtas and she used to get angry, this time it was different she was blushing. She was anxious. Didnt want to show her emotions blatantly to her parents and relatives.

They reached railway station and Pappa ji again got a call that they have sent photos of Param. Giggle was talking to herself 'Dont expect too much, sab pagal hi hote hain' Turns out they all liked Param, including Giggle even though she was explicit. There was nothing great about him but nothing wrong. Giggle's mom said 'He is a guitarist. Am sure you guys can go on performing' She sneaked couple of more looks at the pic. Too early to say anything.

She got back to Mumbai from her parents place. Started doing a bit of background research. One thing she was sure of, she wanted it to be a perfect arranged marriage as she always wanted. Dadda Ji matched horoscope and was amazed by the result. Giggle's family was waiting for response from Param's family.

If Param was a twitter addict, Giggle was a FB. They started following each other. No actual communication but both knew what each one was upto.

Giggle always wanted to go to Ashtavinayak for the last 5 years. Like a typical girl usne mannat mangi ki - if this get fixed she would go with Param to Ashtavinayak. Now there was a ride planned to Ashtavinayak during the ganpati time and she wanted to combine both. Anyways he has a bullet and can join the group from Pune. It was just a week when she would be engaged and before she turns 25, she would be hitched. Everything as she planned.

Early morning groups of 16 bikes left Mumbai on a saturday morning. Giggle was unusually happy. She was in the clouds, floating and unaware of anything around her. The plan was set, till evening he would just be another new rider. During the ragging session, once he is done with his introduction, she can break the news. {How Filmy!!!}

Unfortunately Param was not able to join because of last moment work. As most of the temples are in and around Pune, Giggle thought Param could join the pack in anytime. He was supposed to get the bike and he didnt know she was part of a biker gang. That was part of the surprise ragging that was planned for him. Once he started following the updates, there was somehow a disconnect between the sweet girl from Jalandhar to what he was perceiving now. Only one thought was coming to Param's mind "What else is in store?"

At every pit stop at Pali, Mahad and Ozar - Giggle gave updates, but there was an unsettling silent from Param's side. Giggle just assumed he must be tired after a tough day at work. The pack halted at Ozar for the night and early morning they were to leave for Lenyadri. Joshil's bike was giving lot of problem. Literally they explored all Mechanics in the Pune regions. Almost 70% of the time was spent in garages.

After Ranjhangaon darshan, they had to almost go to inside Pune to get the bike repaired. Giggle expected Param to come to meet the folks as they were in Pune and it was a sunday. There was blunt reply from the other side and thats when she realised things are not Hunky Dory. She doesnt know Param that well to choose to sort things out or give some space for things to settle. Giggle went with option 1 but later to realise she cant do much, then resorted to option 2. The group reached Theur, suddenly the bubbly Giggle was all silent. Reality loomed over her but there was faith in the devotion. Chintamani Ganapathi ke charanom mein chinta chod chuki thi.  

Giggle wanted to keep the last of the Somvaar vrath with as much belief as possible. But at that point no one can come to a conclusion what will happen. With few more breakdowns, darshan at Moregaon and last at Siddhatek was done. Bumpy roads led to Big Wheels, everyone was famished and feasted on! The next problem was to keep awake in the chilly highways between Pune-Mumbai. Chewing gum and music of Horn helped the crew to ride safe.

Lyrics:
Thuli thuliyaai en idhayathai
kanneeril karaiththu anupinen

Kaatril kalandhu avai Un swaasamaai maari
un azhagiya idhayathil kalandhuvidum endru..

Tholaindha oru iru thuligalai
Theda manam ennakku illai-

Sollaadha pala kodi varathaigalodu avai
Ezhudhapadaadha en kadhal kadhaiyil serndhuvidum..
-----
I dissolve my heart in those little tear drops
And scatter them in the wind, hoping-
That when you breathe, they would become one
With your heart, that which I long to be mine..
I will not search for the lost drops- for they
Along with all the unspoken words,
Would find their place-
In the unwritten story of my love... -Asha Sunil

A week passed and Giggle was still in Mumbai. Param's folks had returned all the things given to them during Roka. Well, Giggle did believe in the devotion and it was evident that this relation was not meant to be and probably thats is why things didnt work out. Giggle still rides, I guess till another Param enters the picture.

Disclaimer: Most of people except the leads are not so fictitious and the story line fits into the real lives pretty perfectly. Well thats the beauty.

Truth is what we have perceived till now and truth completely eludes us!!!

Kyun har rider chutti chutti karta rehta hai

As any explorer would agree biggest set back to just traveling and exploring is money. well don't just read it literally - if we are working towards earning, the next thing that hinders our way is LEAVEs.

Lazy goose that I am i don't apply for leave before hand for I believe planning never takes us anywhere, but fate does. Still I have plan A, B, C...and so on!!! Is that of use, when Murphy's law kicks into action.

The Grand Plan for the next few weeks included: 
Lonar, Aurangabad, Ajanta Ellora and Grishneshwar
Tarkarli
Goa
Bordi


Gaddha Mania with Bisons: Why is this such an important ride for me:
1. Personally I got to know about the Bisons after their ride to Lonar. 2. Now that I missed RM, wouldn't want to miss the next best opportunity to meet with fella riders from many other clubs. 3. Havent had a ride that would test my endurance 550+ kms one way and as our Captain says "NO PIT STOPS" - a meek voice in me says "aye aye captain"

Googlake pata chala, I can combine Grishneshwar Ajanta Ellora and Aurangabad. Them Samzy was also enthu for not wasting his leaves on Holi. We found more bakras - Sandy and Mihir. Captain was enthu but chutti ke problems.

Chote mote issues keep popping up. Too Chi and Samzy met with accident caused by oil spill. But just in time langda tyagi and TooChi were able to ride :) yay Tested this fact in NKF rally.

Again everything seemed set. you think so.. my colleague's nani was in life support. SymK went to Delhi. Syal bhi nahi. Realistically the extension to trip - well atleast i am not in. Sad !!! So much for my PLANNED SICK LEAVE. 

And I was giving gyaan to Samzy - Bandha toh kabhi bhi bimaar padh sakta hai. This plan was formulated when Samzy didnt get leave for Dajipur. The ride captain himself absconds for the ride. He had applied for leave and boss rejected in the last moment. Because he had told it earlier he couldnt even pull an Sick Stunt. After my case I realized kabhi bhi koi bhi bimaar pad sakta hai. Haan others can also fall ill.

Then Samzy also gets into hurricane of work - i was sadistically happy that if i am not going, no one is going but then Shana that he is jugaad maarke last moment ie on wednesday evening, got sandy and mihir ready.

Now they have reached Aurangabad. Seen Ajanta Ellora Grishneshwar and Bibi ka Maqbara. And I am sitting in office trying to work out a deal. Well it was a dilemma between ride vs responsibility. I would probably go parents come to visit me.

Story ends?? No, till 3 am i wont know if I would go to Lonar. Somewhere I feel i would somehow make this happen. Stupid teleco deal. I hate it.

The jist of the whole post is - you need to earn a ride, more the struggle the better it is. woh ride hi kya jispe blog na likhi jaaye!!!

Naamkaran

People you meet just give you random nicknames. Some, suit you. Some, dont. Some, you like. Some, you dont. Some, fits you. Some, dont. Some you are proud of and some you are not.

It, in some way or the other represents the way they perceive you. It gets tagged on you for longer duration if the other people around you also have the same perception of you. So they think it suits you. Not necessarily your view.

Namashkaar mein hoon Giggle Kaur from Punjab. Nice to meet you too!!!