BC: Most memorable ride till date and why? Who was with you in
that ride?
VR: There are so many rides but to name the best of one then it
would be My first ever ride to Leh-Ladakh in 2011, and I have
named that ride was "BEYOND THE ODDS"
7 riders, 7 disabilities, 26 days, 5000 kms (to and fro) and to the
highest motorable roads in the world almost above 18,000 ft. It
was a cause ride for the victims of cloud burst in Uttara Khand
and J&K, we raised 18 lakhs of rupees to help 25 people of six
families, helped them to build their houses which was destroyed
in the cloud burst.
There was a incident, when we reached the top and we went to
army camp to get some warmth, and when they realized after they
saw us removing our artificial limbs, we got lot of appreciation
and motivation from the Indian Army, in fact they invited us for
flag hoisting on the top as well. So this was one of my most
memorable and amazing ride.
BC: Would you ride a different types of bikes, i.e. Cruiser if you
have a sport bike or Sport if you have a Cruiser bike?
VR: Definitely I would like to try all types of bikes. For bikes, I
don't discriminate, as far as it's two wheelers, I game for it.
BC: If you have to pick up one protective gear before hitting on
the road, what would it be? Jacket, Helmet or Gloves ?
VR: I prefer to have full gear, not just only three, I prefer safety
first, so full gear is must for me before hitting the road, but if you
ask, if I am riding in just my city or near locations the I prefer
helmet and gloves.
BC: What's your dream bike? Or a next bike?
VR: If God willing I would love to own Kawasaki Ninja 650 or
Triumph Tiger 850, or else BMW GX 1200 R.
BC: What type of rider you think you are? (Aggressive,
Conservative, or Point A-B).
VR: I land in to all three above category, It depends where I am
going and How much time have, accordingly I ride.
BC: Does your family support your passion of riding ?
VR: Hahaha.. That's a valid question, and may be this is with
every rider.. I usually
I don't say about
my rides at home, if I say
- PRAVEEN
SAHU
in advance then, they feel worried, I never say, where I am going,
I only tell them after my ride gets over. If I say my family doesn't
support me then it's true, but my both the sons feel proud when
my photo comes in any newspapers, they discuss that things
amongst their friends. But I get least support from my family.
BC: That means you keep your family different and your passion
for riding is different.
VR: Yes ! That's true...
BC: Do you think, bcoz of social media, many people started
riding? Or do you believe it's about coolness in riding, or people
have really started showing passion about riding? Or means of
entertainment is changing, people prefer riding over movies and
restaurants ?
VR: Yes, Social Media plays a big role in it, every body is after
riding records and where they show off ? Social Media isn't it ?
But I think a true rider won't ever care for records or social media,
they ride for themselves, they ride for peace of mind, so first they
ride for their passion then they put it on social media. But those
who put some things on social media first and keep their riding
second then they are not called real riders. But these kind of
riders are more than a real riders.
Passion is not something which can be planted but it should
come from inside.
BC: What is your point of view on breaking rules in riding or
disciplinary riding ?
VR: I don't prefer or I condemn who break rules in riding. In our
club ride or whichever ride I do, I make sure all the necessary
papers are in place, full gears are mandatory and in fact we prefer
riding boots for our rides, I don't allow my fellow riders in sport
shoes or any other shoes, because, for us safety comes first and
that's our priority. In our club majority are disabled, and gears
are compulsory to those rider also who's riding bike with side
wheels. And through your magazine I want to say this to all that
"IF YOU HAVE LIFE, YOU HAVE THE WORLD", so when you are
riding a bike no matter what cc but please wear full gears or if not
then wear necessary gears at least.
BC: Have you come across to any wanna be riders?
VR: Hahaha.. I have come across to many, I won't name it. These
kind of people are for show off. And I want to say one thing,
selfies with bike doesn't make you a biker and if you are biker
then you won't have urge to take selfies with other riders bike.
BC: Have you ever come across to any girl or woman who wants
to learn geared motorcycles and join bikers community?
VR: I don't have to go far away, my late wife Vidya, she one day
expressed her wish to learn bullet, and I taught her and in my
many rides she rode along with me. And like her there are many
girls to whom I have taught geared motorcycles. And I like that
spirit. And more of it when abled people come to me to learn
motorcycles, so I feel proud and pleased that they don't
discriminate but they appreciate and say to all that Vinod Bhai
taught me motorcycles.
BC: What do you feel or say about those girls or women who
wants to become a rider?
VR: I don't prophecy, but I am sure down the line in five years,
you will see more female riders than a male riders and that too
geared motorcycles, and it has started happening. I always gives
them thumbs up. I support them totally.
BC: Do you feel a female rider faces more challenges than a male
riders?
VR: I don't want to name it but I have had witnessed these kind of
problems.. There was a race I was participating which included
female riders too, in between the ride, there was one foreigner
rider who wanted to pee, but could not find any place to pee, so
she stopped me and told me if you can cover me so I can be
relieved. I helped her but yes this is the major challenge a female
rider faces.
There was a group ride I was in part of and it was in summer of
may, too hot and when guys can roam around in inners and
shorts but girls can't in openly. so like this there are many
challenges they face, in fact some times they get their periods
while riding and that too much challenge.
So I believe and respect girl riders more than a guy rider.
BC: Do you know any bikerni? What suggestions you wanna give
it to them?
VR: I know many bikernis.. I just wanna say is that "Don't look
back.. and keep riding" doesn't matter who say what, just keep
going.