After an all-night-out project work, thriving on 3 cups of coffee, a bar of Dairy Milk Silk and a plate of Aaloo Paratha, I had made up my mind to heed to Manmohan's call for a group ride around the city. Manmohan, had posted a couple of days ago, both on XE (Xtreme Enfielders) and ASR (Awadh Spirited Riders) FB groups, about an event this Sunday: a 130 odd km ride around the city. The route map posted is shown below. 14 members had confirmed to participate. I wasn't sure, whether to go or not to, till dawn, when it dawned on me the need to reward myself for the night-out.
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| Route-map posted by Manmohan |
7.10 AM - 355 km - Left IIML Campus
The traffic was sparse, and I could easily glide to Badshahnagar. Reached Royal Enfield Brand showroom by 7.30 AM, just in time to leave. There I met Piyush, Rastogi ji, Farook, Manmohan & his brother Govind, Rajeev, Rizwaan, Sumit and Ajay. After a small chat that included Rastogi ji's private routine reminder of our most cherished and nourished NE trip(!), we rode off to Chinhat from were we would be team up with a few more riders.
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At RE Showroom [Photo Credit: Govind Bashera]
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| Our Resident Photo/Videographer: Govind Bashera [won't get to see him again in the pics] |
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| Mounted on the bulls [Photo Credit : Manmohan] |
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7.50 AM - 369 km - Left RE Showroom
Heading to Chinhad. By 8.00 AM - (376 km), we reached Chinhad where the group slightly expanded to include Som, Anand, Capt. Akhilesh, Deevaashis and his son Debanshu, who was very excited and looking forward to the Sunday Ride with his Big Brothers.
At 8.05 we started towards Dewa Shareef Shrine, a famous pilgrimage spot near Lucknow. Som was our lead rider and Manmohan was our sweep rider.
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| Manmohan shouldering the responsibility of the Tail/Sweep Rider in Style |
We drove in a single file formation as the roads were narrow at some places especially while passing through some villages on the way. Following are some pictures of riders driving in vogue.
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Farook blazing away on his Desert Storm
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| Rizwaan in a cool orange helmet |
We reached Deva by 9.00 am - (401 km). Parked the motorcycles outside the shrine and bought a shawl as offering.
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| Royal Enfields parked at Dewa |
After walking along the alleys with shops on both sides, selling colorful artwork, saris, pottery, sweets and eateries we finally reached the Shrine.
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| A shop selling different types of earthen utensils |
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| The First View of Dewa Shareef Shrine |
We entered and gave our offerings. The place was buzzling with people, deep in prayer, some enjoying the nuances of the fine architecture, while others singing the celebrated Qawwali.
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The Qawwali Group outside the Shrine
After clicking a few snaps, we were ready to continue our trip, next to Itaunja, but before that we'd have to stop to have some breakfast.
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| A group photograph outside the Shrine |
By 9.25 am we left Dewa and were on the way to Itaunja. At 10 o' clock - (414 km), we stopped by a Dhaba for some breakfast. I filled petrol for 500 bucks in a nearby pump. While we were waiting for some egg burjia and aaloo paratha, we chatted about some riding adventures in border areas. Capt. Akhilesh shared his experiences during his time in the Army. Sumit, who is a certified fitness trainer, offered us some tips on body building and diet routines. The breakfast took some time, that was filled in with a much animated discussion with many viewpoints from all riders.
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| The motorcycles parked in front of the Dhaba |
By 11 am, after breakfast, we pushed off to Itaunja. Got trapped on the unlucky side of a railway crossing. It was about 11.40 am - (434 km). Meanwhile, Som got a call from home, informing him that his dad was ill. So Som along with Anand returned back to Dewa. Manmohan took the position of the lead rider.
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| On the way to Itaunja |
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Pitstop on the way: Deevaashis, Farook and Ajay
The ride to Malihabad was beautiful. Driving through a narrow strip with lush green maize fields and mango orchards and nicely maintained boulevards on both sides. Govind too a video of the journey to Malihabad.
After Itaunja, by about 12.30 pm - (462 km), just before Malihabad, Sumit's motorbike started fuming. He stopped, turned off the ignition. We looked for the cause of the problem. The ignition wire had heated up and the insulation had burned off. Deevashish & Manmohan were hands-on with the job of fixing it. They removed the circuitry, and then re-insulted it with tape, and finally connected it back to the battery unit. The motorcycle was back in motion.
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| Deevaashis and Manmohan in Action |
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| A buffalo was enjoying a clay bath right next to where the motorcycle started fuming |
We started to Malihabad by 1 pm but luck was again not on our side, got trapped on the wrong side of yet another railway crossing. This time it was funny. We moved in a integrated group with a 1 second gap between the riders. But the guy closing the gates made it sure that that some of the riders passed through, Manmohan and few others were behind the gate, while Ajay and I were in between the gates, but still a good amount of space for the trains to pass by without our interference :-)
By 1.15 pm - (464 km), we reached Malihabad and from then on it was a pretty smooth ride. By 1.45 pm, we entered IIM Road (10 km to IIML campus), by taking a left cut. The road widened up to a nice 6 lane.
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| Burning the Turf of IIM Road |
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| Lining up in a single row spreading over the full span of IIM Road |
By 2 o'clock in the afternoon - (491 km), we reached at 0.7 km to campus, were my fellow riders bid me goodbye, looking forward to yet another ride, whenever that may be.
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