"COURAGE IS NOT HAVING THE STRENGTH TO GO ON.
IT IS GOING ON WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE STRENGTH"
All I knew is that.. yes that area is dangerous but I have been invited by government authorities so I was bit relaxed
and started thinking about the road journey of mine. As I am a rider I know my riding capacity.. So I was confident
about the distance I would cover within 2 days. I had to be there on Saturday, I suppose I should start my riding on
Thursday.
Before I left from the KEM hospital, I went to meet my department head and told him about the event, they readily
agreed on it, I wanted a holidays for few days, which I was granted. I have a good work reputation in my hospital
and being a specially abled and a rider, I have been always targeted as a motivational factor for others. And I
thank God and my hospital management that they have never said no for any of my ride, and this ride was special
for the invitation but more of it, it was about girl education and empowerment.
The next thing I wanted to do is to service my bike properly so that I should not face any mechanical problems on
the road and as a rider I myself know many of the mechanical stuffs, if in case my bike breakdowns on the road..
And this the speciality about a real rider, they never give up or not stop.. they carry all the necessary tools with
them including puncture kit during their long distance ride (LDR).
Excited me went to my regular mechanic guy for the service directly from the job, till now I haven't told my family
about it and I never wanted to because of the risky area.. And I know I was about to lie to them that I would be
riding to Raipur (Capital of Chhattisgarh) and not Dantewada, Chhattisgarh.
I take care of my family emotions because, riding is my passion not theirs, and why to panic them by saying truth. I
am sure most of the riders would be doing the same thing what I was about to do.
At the dinner table I told my family about this, initially their reaction was pale but then they agreed on it because
they know my nature, even if they would say no then also I would be going, so they didn't try to argue but they
granted me the permission. Next day after Job I met the members of my convoy club, we greeted and chatted
about my ride as well as my club's ride to Malshet. One of the member gave me some numbers of Chhattisgarh
riders and some riders of Maharashtra, specifically Nagpur and Amravati, because I would be stopping or rather
would be visiting them in my return.