ISSUE 04 | APRIL 2020
BC: What do you feel about riding community? What is the one
thing that you want to change in the riding community?
VI: I met some incredibly kind people who ride motorcycles
everywhere around the world, and I got a touching experience
of help from the stranger bikers. Riding community is different
in different countries, which depends on the culture and the
history of riding there. For example, in India, Thailand, and
Malaysia, riders are a valuable and respected part of society
because of their contribution through charity and support of
vulnerable people. In Australia and South America, bikers have
not such a right image due to some criminal activities related to
people on bikes in the past. Still, again there, I met some great
riders like my friends from Harley Group in Trujillo, Peru like
Christian and Alexander in Quito, Ecuador or Willy B and
German in Bogota, Colombia.
If I can change something in the riding community, it will be
most of the members to be more useful to society and to be
role models for others.
BC: Do you think nowadays, people ride to get instant fame?
Some riders are very famous in social media, but fake. Whereas
some others are real passionate riders, but nobody knows
them, what do you have to say about this scenario? And have
you met any wannabe rider?
VI: I never thought to be famous through riding or set this as a
goal when I started riding. I believe riding is a passion and
freedom, and not to get fame. Those who ride to get recognition
is against the core of riding. If you have something to share,
which could be valuable for others, then show it through your
rides and use social media as a platform for the information.
Fake bikers are the posers without any passion. I have come
across many during my journey. But I met some of the fantastic
people across the world who are not only incredible riders but
good humans too. They don't look for fame, but fame pursues
them.
Glory and fame are temporary, and fake riders set goals like
that.We are living in an age where information is readily
available. Everyone has access to it, and it is easy to get fame,
but if you don't have a real spine in you, then that fame would
be a temporary one.
I appreciate those who got fame not because of their social
media posts but because of their humanitarian and social
approach that made them extraordinary and inspiring.
BC: What do you fear the most, and what are your strengths?
VI: It is a very personal question! I think I fear not being good
enough in my eyes. The pursuit of perfection is a lost battle
because there will always be something better you can do, but
at least I believe I can try. In my opinion, my best side is
positive thinking and self-motivation. Somehow, I always find
some power from inside that keeps me going and tells me not
to lose hope.
BIKERS CLUB ® MAGAZINE | PAGE 20
BC: If not biking, then which other passion you think you must
have explored? And why?
VI: Writing and cooking!
Writing because I think I can share my experience in an exciting
way that can be useful for other riders who wants to ride long
distances solo. I get inspirations from some of the fantastic
writers who made it big through their books, and I aspire to write
a book one day like them.
I love Cooking because, to me, food is something that makes
your family happy, and who doesn't like to eat varieties. I think I
cook well, and I love making new dishes, trying new recipes that
are healthy and delicious for my family.
We have something or the other talents in us, it's just we have to
find it, develop it, and it is always best if you can make others
happy through your work or hobby.
BC: If God grants you three wishes, then what would they be?
VI: In this current scenario, I think the main desire of everybody
in this crisis, which is the coronavirus around the world. I wish to
eradicate this virus from the earth. I would want to keep some of
the good things we all have learned from this pandemic. I want
nature to recover from it fast so that we all can continue in this
way and leave our earth more cleaner for our children. The last
thing would be more personal; to see my daughters happy in
their life.
BC: What is that one thing you haven't achieved it yet? Or the
things for which you are crazy about?
VI: I want to write a book about my adventures. This idea came to
me from my family and friends after my solo tour. But then it got
dropped due to my migration to France and giving birth to my
second daughter. Now I write my daily stories whenever I travel. I
hope to write a book one day about my world tour. It's an epic
journey with so many adventures, accidents, fires, flood,
robbery, and now this world pandemic.
In every country that I have ridden, I have shared my experiences
with them. People always encourage me to write a book, and one
of them is Girish Ranade from Mumbai, who is an author of
Kareena Calling, The Reluctant Rider in Spiti Valley and Beyond.
He advised me and helped me to be more confident in writing
and the process of publishing a book. I hope we can work and
ride together again someday.
BC: What is Holy Moto?
VI: Holy Moto is my brand; I created in 2015 with an idea to build
some future business related to motorcycling and women riders.
I still didn't do any business out of it, but it is on my priority list
in the future. Holy Moto is the face of my travel adventures
around the world. You can find more and how to support my
mission of being the first woman who rode the 5 continents on a
Harley-Davidson on www.holymotorbike.com
B I K E R S C L U B ® | www.bikersclub.in