The Quest for Enlightenment

Mayank had suggested a spiritual ride during the 3rd weekend of September, for a change, to Shravasti, one of the bordering districts between India and Nepal. Although, initially there was some reluctance to take this route, especially after Sumeet (who had traveled recently) revealed the poor condition of the road to Shravasti, some nudging and daring to take the toughest of turfs made the Enfielders beckon on the ride. After all, we've seen the worst on the way to Ladakh, this would be child's play.

Shravasti was once, one of the 6 largest cities in ancient India during Gautam Buddha's time, who spend most of his monastic years and gave the largest amount of discourses & instructions in this ancient city. The name Shravasti originates from the legendary King Shravasta who lived there.

Buddha Statue at Shravasti

20 September 2013, Friday, 10.17 pm, IIM Lucknow

Had dinner – getting ready to pack up things for tomorrow's ride. Som had called me in the evening and confirmed my participation. By 10.51 pm, I had done packing up – a pair of Tees and socks, boxers, protective gear, knee and elbow padding, riding gloves, shoes, bungee ropes, and helmet all neatly arranged and kept so that I can put myself in those the first thing in the morning.

21 September 2013, Saturday, 6.13 am, IIM Lucknow

Woke up to Manmohan's phone call. Damn! overslept :-|

Dressed up quickly, a bit panicky but hunky dory in my armor and left campus. Meter Reading : 11538 km. Reached Royal Enfield [RE] show-room, Badshahnagar, by 6.32 am. 15 Riders were set to go. Rastogi ji and Ajay came to see us off. Rastogi ji had backed out in the final minute due to medical reasons. The 15 riders and Arshad [Farm house owner and ASR Rider Amit Singh's partner] are shown in the picture below. From left to right: Munish, Austin, Mayank, Somendra, Zrichard, Manmohan, Arshad, Joshin, Piyush, Amir, Deevaashis, Rajeev, Kay Kay, Amit, Ashish, Vivek.

The 15 Riders and the Ranch Owner [Photo Credit: Munish Khan]

Group Photo at RE Showroom

By 6.40 am - 11551 km, we pushed off, took the Barabanki Bypass. Ajay had accompanied us for a couple of miles and took an awesome video of the raging machines.

We rode into the beautiful sunrise, the highway stretched long and beyond the eastern horizon, until at 7.25 am, 11582 km – we got trapped at a railway crossing. Had to wait for about 2 minutes when the train passed by and the gates opened.

Crossed Gaghra River Bridged & stopped by to take some photographs.

Me at Gaghra River Bridge [Photo Credit: Zrichard Judema]

Group photo at Gaghra River Bridge [Photo Credit: Zrichard Judema]

From L to R: Zrichard, Manmohan, Ashish & Piyush at Gaghra River Bridge

At 8.02 am - 11602 km, we stopped by a pertrol pump for fueling. I had fueled yesterday itself for 500 rupees, and had ample in the reserve for the entire journey, to and fro.

We were trapped again on the unlucky side of another railway crossing and reached Ganeshpur at 8.25 am -11612 km – were really starving after a bumpy ride on an empty stomach. Had chai and aaloo tikki for breakfast.

Having Breakfast at Ganeshpur [Photo Credit: Zrichard Judema]

We were talking about our last Independence Day Ride, and the visit to La Marts, Lucknow. The Principal, Mr. McFarland, who had given a very witty address to the riders gathering suffered a cardiac arrest that day, in the evening, and was using a binder, albeit slowly recovering. All were a lil' perturbed about that incident on Independence Day, which otherwise was a very fine and memorable day.

After the brief chit-chat, by 9.02 am - 11612 km, we pushed off to our destination. We would be first visiting ASR-rider-cum-host, Amit Singh's ranch near Bahraich, leave our backpacks there and then move on to Shravasti. The roads started becoming worse, with potholes cleverly designed at a distance of every 2 feet.

Road enroute Bahraich [Photo Credit: Munish Khan]

By 10.37 am - 11647 km, the inevitable happened. Som's motorcycle managed to puncher its rear tyre. Thankfully, there was a repair shop in the next 50 meters. The location was "Gulalpurva". The wheel was taken off, and the tube was plastered while we helped ourselves to some hot tea and washing our heads in cool water to beat the heat.

Som's motorcyle without the rear wheel

Meanwhile, most of the riders noticed something strange during the ride on the highways. Very often they could hear the honking of a truck, and when they looked around, there was no truck to be seen. It was only during this pitstop that we found the culprit. It was none other than our Tiger Babla. He'd done some improvisation to his horn, but a very annoying one indeed. More than half of the riders were conspiring to take it off after putting Babla to sleep that night.

Babla's cacophony truck horn that confused the riders!

By 10.58 am - 11647, the puntured tyre was fixed. There was a dent on the motorcycle tyre guard. A stone or some sharp object which caused the puncture must have hit it while flying out centrifugally and caused the impression. Anyways, time to move on.

We reached Amit's farm house by 11.44 am - 11669 km – Did some off-roading in segment from the highway to the gates of the farmhouse in a village called "Narayan-Singh-Purva", 10 km before Bahraich – a lot of greenery and trees on the either side of the road – lots of fun – close to nature.

Entrance to the Ranch where off-roading begins

Motorbikes parked at the farmhouse porch

The FARM HOUSE was spread over 28 acres. Paddy and wheat were the major agricultural crops. Poultry farming was also done. There were 3 buildings that housed 10,000 hens each, summing up to 60,000 legs of bunny, healthy chicken. ASR Rider Amit Singh and Arshad were partners in the farm. The running of the farm was pretty high tech, with drip hoses to prevent unnecessary loss of water, timely feeding, incubation, weather conditioning to name a few. The poultry birds were very sensitive creatures. The number of chickens would drop by 2% by mere change of  labor who fed them. The business, although high risk, these young entrepreneurs put up a good show on how to run things tight.

The hosts and the owners - Amit Singh and Arshan Imtiaz

The fields and the poultry farm

Me inside the poultry building with my favorite birds

By 12.40 pm, 11669 km – we were ready to leave for Shravasti – Zrichard’s  accelerator wire had broken off. Som fixed it. We visited the poultry farm in the farm house. 30,000 chickens housed in 3 buildings. Amazing view. We are on the move now. Will come back in the evening and make chicken for dinner.

Som fixing Zrichard's accelerator cable

By 1.11 pm, 11681 km – We reached Bahraich, about 40 km still to reach Shravasti – Stopped at the city traffic junction for some water. It was very hot and humid, and we were sweating profusely. Will be moving on soon. 

By 2.05 pm - 11708 km – about 15 km to Shrawasti, we took another pit stop – guys wanted to  take a leak, somebody wanted to smoke a bit. There were fields on both sides of the road. Chatted for a few minutes until all puffs gave away for the last golden one.

The Big Boys sharing a lighter moment.

We reached Shravasti by 2.47 pm - 11729 km. Entered the Bodhi Tree complex where I got to see monkeys running helter skelter. Then I saw that homo sapiens weren't doing much different. There are times when your beliefs about ancestry are reinforced beyond doubt.

The Monkeys! Our Monkeys!

Did a bit of exploring within the Bodhi Tree Complex. There were umpteen stupas. The most striking among them is the Bodhi Tree itself under which you can find Buddist monks meditating in eternal peace and tranquility.

The ancient Bodhi Tree - supported by girders [Photo Credit : Vivek Singhore]

Description about the Bodhi Tree [Photo Credit: Vivek Singhore]

We exited the Bodhi Complex and by 3.55 pm - 11730 km, we reached in front of Buddha Stupa. Unfortunately, the complex was closed on that day as some officials from Thailand were visiting the place. Hard Luck! Taking pictures were were also difficult as there was too much of light from the facing horizon to take a clean shot of the Buddha Statue.

After visiting few other places, like excavated ruins, temples and other religious sites & tourist spots, by 4.32 pm - 11734 km, we reached UP Tourism Bungalow for lunch. A beautiful Jain temple stood at the adjacent lot. A Korean Monastery was also nearby.

Kay Kay & Me atop an excavated ruin

Manmohan sounding the bell at a Buddha temple. He sounded it 16 times for the entire group.

It was 5.20 pm - 11734 (196 km on trip meter) – Had a frugal (even that would be euphemism) lunch from the UP Tourism bungalow. Zrichard, a dedicated body builder, gave me some free tips on fitness during the lunch which was very expensive. The lootera hotel charged us 30 rupees for one parantha. We split it in the common account like always, but decided to go dutch for the drinks tonight. Left back to Amit Singh's Ranch.

The UP Tourism Bungalow a.k.a Lootera Hotel [Photo Credit: Munish Khan]

6.46 pm - 11779 km.

On the way to Bahraich, 5 to 10 km more. Had a couple of hiccups on the way. My motorbike’s key sometimes moves from its position when the bike jerks over potholes. Got a lil' panicky and then turned on the choke for kick starting and forgot to turn it off. My mean machine ran about 10 km with the choke ON, superfluous burning of precious fuel and possible spark plug burn out and carbon coating which has to be now cleaned up. Waiting for the guys who have gone to buy some drinks - are they brewing it? :-}

Bahraich City Traffic is very messy. I had one bad experience before while going to Nepal with Joseph. This time I've evidence. More animals on the road that humans :-)

A cow blocking the traffic at Bahraich

7.35 pm - 11795 km (256 km) – Back at Amit Singh’s Ranch – Everybody getting ready to take a shower and be fresh for tonight’s party. We have to cook food. Som and Manmohan are the main chefs, legends among ASR riders with their secret ingredient that makes chicken curry the best dish on earth. 12 chickens have been slayed for 15 riders, 3 of whom are pure vegetarians, who’ll be helped with vegetarian biriyani. Additional chicken biriyani has also been ordered. The shower is in open air. You need to fill the bucket with water using hand pump and help yourselves with a gush of liquid bliss over your head. Our expert photographers were showing no mercy towards the half naked souls, (especially Piyush Gupta) shielding themselves from the awkward angles. The first to come out after the bath was Austin Raj.

Too hungry for cooked food - Manmohan & Kay Kay!

Manmohan & Som preparing chicken fry for dinner [Photo Credit: Zrichard Zudema]

All in a days work: Story of a Hen [Photo Credit: Munish Khan]

11.23 pm – Had a wholesome dinner with chicken and biriyani. Lots of interesting conversations. To remember in chronological sequence: How agriculture is done here at Amit’s farm. Types of Mangoes, the local ones from Malhihabad, Alphonso mangos from Goa, the exports during good season and availability in local markets only during bad seasons. Then the talk drifted to confessions of Enfield Riders. Vivek Singhore started off by elaborating on his experience on the Ride to Munsiari, when the rain was merciless and the weather conditions extreme. Then a bit of fooling around the Ladakh Ride. The quentessential ADS problem of the rider we won't name here. Austin's & Ajit's melodrama at Narkhanda. My experience after Changla pass where Saurabh pushed the unrelenting machine for 11 km at 14000 feet. Austin's plan to go to Tibet on bullet, which eventually became a buzz among all. The talk freewheeled back and forth about couple of random things – jokes and stuff – and yet lots of biriyani and chicken left. We went up to sleep on the terrace of the farm house building.

22 September 2013, Sunday:

00.51 am – Taking about ghosts, genies, spirits and sixth sense. Austin shared a story about seeing a Muslim Jinn in his childhood. Vivek Singhore refuted, saying that all religions are man-made and that constant conditioning of your mind from childhood, sometimes makes you see things out of fear, even when you don't want to see it. To add to the Masala, Amit revealed the fact that the farm was bought from a Sardarji, who was cremated in this very farm after his death. Ha! The eternal watch for the Sardarji begins.

We were on the 'look out' for something like this! [Photo Credit: Munish Khan]

Then the talks inevitably moved onto army stuff. This happens during every meet and I really find it very entertaining.

5.15 am – It was pretty early for me to get sleep at 2 o'clock. Woke up to Cock-a-doodle-doos of 30,000 chickens when the cow said Moooo. You should try waking up to that someday, quite an experience. Zrichard was up and busy taking pictures of the sleeping logs. Munish was sort of up – on and off. The sky was star studded and absolutely clear without a speck of dust. I sat up counting the stars and trying to decipher the constellations. Venus, the morning star, was the brightest object in the sky after the moon. 

5.30 am – Sound of prayers coming from the  nearby mosque, birds chirruping, nice calm breeze, the golden rays of the sun were just blanketing the darkness. After a wait, that seemed like eternity, the sun popped out just in an instant. Yet everybody were still dozing, nice time for a morning nap.

Rooftop Napping

Mayank making tea [Photo Credit: Zrichard Zudema]

Chatting over breakfast [Photo Credit: Zrichard Judema]

Vivek Singhore - Happy Happy! [Photo Credit: Zrichard Judema]

Austin Powers - Getting ready for a morning ride [Photo Credit: Zrichard Judema]

Zrichard getting charged by Solar Energy [Photo Credit: Munish Khan]

Different Models of Thunderbird from RE Stable [Photo Credit: Manmohan]

The Knowing Smile [Photo Credit: Zrichard Zudema]

8.50 am – 11795 km – Took bath, we had breakfast – bread with jam or/and butter with tea, took a few snaps of the motorbikes with and without us and then started back to Lucknow. My bike had a relay problem which Deevaashis Babla fixed quickly. Said he's going to open a servicing shop, giving a better deal than the market price. Hear, hear, ya'll !

2 Apples a day keeps Dr. Zrichard away [Photo Credit: Munish Khan]

11.42 am – 11853 km (315 km on trip meter) – Reached Ganeshpur. The road was full of potholes (looked like there were more on the way back, just dug up exclusively for us). Some of the riders developed pain in the back. Tip: Get bungee ropes next time so that you can fasten your backpack to the motorcycle instead of carrying it. I wouldn't recommend carrying more than 2 kg on your back while on long drives. Again, faced some problems with my bike – relay was weak, front shock absorbers were leaking - the oil seal must have broken, the key lock problem persists. Need to get the motorbike serviced on a priority basis. Meanwhile, Piyush distributed us the donor cards for the blood donation we did on Independence Day. Som, Mayank and Austin had B+ blood group while I had A+ blood group. Som contemplating on another idea: Iron Butt ride from Jaipur to Kolkatta. Phew! 1000 miles to be covered in 24 hours. Yeah right!

Tiger Babla enjoying tea! [Photo Credit: Zrichard Judema]

1.28 pm – 11914 km (376 km on trip meter) – back at RE showroom – most of the guys had detoured back home. I was waiting for Som, Mayank, Manmohan, and Vivek singhore. Had to drop 2 bags belonging to Munish and Ashish – hope they’ll come here or I’ll drop it at the show room from where they may pick it up. Waited for a couple of minutes when half a dozen riders rode in. We were at the showroom for some time, had Mixed Veg Vada Pav from from Goli, a shop at the RE show-room basement. They said mixed veg was the favorite of most staff at RE. We had a lil' chat over the grub. Mayank and Som were planning on the next long trip to Ladakh next year and told me to join from Delhi. Manmohan was saying the next trip could be in the 3^rd week to Oct , possibly to Banaras. Som gifted me a Sravasti flag - awesome, colorful, and beautiful. Som told me to get bike serviced from Kamil. Left back to campus with Vivek, who showed me through a couple of shortcuts to Purania, from where it was a solo ride. Got a chilled can on the way back to cool down after the ride in the scorching heat.

The Shravasti Flag that Som bhaiya gifted me!

 2.56 pm – 11927 km (389 km on trip meter) - Reached IIML Campus.

ASR Ride of September 2013!