I think most riders recognize the legendary riders in the
above picture. On the left is Ted Simon, the pioneer of
world travel who went around the world twice on his
motorcycle. He travelled through more than 45 countries
in about 7 years. His journeys were chronicled in
JUPITER'S TRAVELS. He is still an inspiration for bikers like
me.
spend at home as we go to the west. We discussed a lot
more and they understood why so few Indian (still it's
only me till 2014) go around the world. By the end of
that program, I felt lika a LEGEND.
The bored looking gentleman on the right (because he is
asked to sit and not ride) is Nick Sanders, known as the
'fastest man around the world'! He completed his world
record circumnavigation in just 19 days! Can you imagine?
And then he went around the world 7 times! These are
the true Legends.
When I was asked to sit with them to talk about the
world travel at the India Bike Week 2014, I was on cloud
nine, you can actually see my face glowing like a bulb.
They wondered why so few Indians travel around the
world. But then I described how difficult it is for an Indian
to ride around the world.
With Navroz Contractor - The veteran biker and
journalist.
As I said, I never attended bike festivals or contests
until the founder of the Motorcycle Travelers Meet,
Santosh invited me to their first meet in Bangalore. I was
reluctant, but he assured me that all the participants
were seriously interested in motorcycles and travel. I
met many accomplished riders there including the
Legend Navroz Contractor, the veteran motorcycle
journalist and traveler who traveled from India to
London in 1977 ! When he told the group 'I am left with
no words, I have nothing to speak after seeing
Bharadwaj's achievement', I felt like a LEGEND.
Talking about the difficulties of Indian riders at India Bike
Week 2014.
It all starts with VISAS. An American or a Britain (like Ted
and Nick) can't even imagine how hard it is for us Indians
to get visas. They get them right at the borders while we
need to secure all the visas before we leave the country
and that itself will take a year. They have the best bikes
available which can safely and comfortably take them
around the world while we have only street bikes.
Importing a bike is three times more expensive for us.
They get sponsors more easily (both Ted and Nick were
sponsored) while Indian companies still believe only film
stars can add value to their products.
Former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India - Padma
Vibhushan Sri M.N. Venkatachalayya.
There were a few surprise invitations from eminent
people who generally are not interested in motorcycles
Former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India, Padma
Vibhushan Sri M.N. Venkatachalayya followed my
And most importantly, a year's salary may be sufficient for journey online and invited me to his home. We
them to afford a world tour. Whereas we the Indians may discussed travel and adventure spirit in India. I never
imagined to meet such Legends in my life and it is
have to work hard over many years and save required
surprising that my motorcycle made this possible. That's
funds. When Americans starts travelling, everything
becomes progressively cheaper as he/she goes to the east when I felt like a LEGEND.
while we shall spend a lot more than what we would