In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of exploring a destination through various means other than the typical car transfers. One such interesting and the adventurous concept is that of exploring a scenic terrain of a place by motorbiking around the country which can give an exhilarating thrill as well as is light on the pocket. But the real question will be “Is it worth it?”
My first real biking experience was when I undertook a bike ride in December 2019 that covered the Bhutan circuit. Starting and Ending in Bagdogra, it was 800+ kilometres ride on a Royal Enfield classic 350. Now it is safe to say that I am NOT a biker and this was my first interlude with a biking adventure. I spent a month researching before booking my tickets and confirming my reservations. Also, I was a noob at biking, I collected all the information I could get my hands on. My first obstacle was not knowing “How to Ride a Bike”. Sure, I knew how to ride an activa but bikes are different in comparison to the other two-wheelers in terms of mechanism, speed and stability. So I started borrowing bikes from a couple of friends and practising, though the main problem was that nobody owned an Enfield and Enfields are substantially heavier than all the other regular bikes. I did not want to invest in riding gear because I wasn’t sure if I will continue biking as a hobby or this is going to be just one-time-love affair. So I borrowed the riding jacket. Riding gloves, helmet, and kneepads and ridding boots from friends along with all the tips of what I should expect from long riding hours and the trip in general. And, then valiantly packed all of these, to kick off a lifetime of experience.
There are a few destinations which are well cultivated for Bike trips namely: Leh & Ladakh, Spiti valley, Arunachal Pradesh domestically and Bhutan, Vietnam & New Zealand internationally. But choosing the right terrain is of utmost importance because that will be one of the deciding factors of how much enjoyment you will get out of the experience. For Beginners like me, Bhutan is a safe bet. The roads are wide and well maintained. There are rules in place and everybody follows them duly and there are a lot of organized trips by travel companies which takes care of excess baggage, the tour captain, the on-road mechanic and the backup vehicle which makes the journey much more comfortable. Also with an inexperienced biker, it is best to start off with a group of people who are acquainted with biking world rather than start off completely on their own.
One of the most critical questions, I have read on internet people asking about biking is “ Is it safe?”. My answer to that would be: Yes it is, subject to the fact the one is well prepared and in the right mindset for it. Biking like most adventure sports is safe but proper attire and accessories are of utmost importance because they are going to play the role of a shield in case of any slip-ups. So being properly dressed for a being trip is not a subject of fashion but that of safety. Next will be knowing and following all the basic rules of the streets. If you belong to a group, stay with the group. Do not race to finish. It is not a marathon but a leisure journey. Always listen to what your tour captain is saying because he will be the one leading the group and any mistake on your part will be dangerous not only for you but for other members of the group as well. And lastly, listen to your body. When you are climbing higher altitudes, give yourself time to adjust to the decrease in oxygen. A little breathlessness is fine, but if you feel unwell, let the captain know and a substitute driver will be arranged for you. The more aware you are, the safer you are.
Given a choice to do this again, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment. My love for biking grows every day and I am hoping that I will be having many such experiences. Biking is a way of transport gives you the freedom to experience nature at its best. You can feel the clean mountain air and see the running waterfalls on your way which generally is difficult when you are travelling through a car or a bus. Sure, it can get tiresome at times and also challenging when weather conditions turn unfavourable. But it is all worth for the unnerving independence that accompanies biking.
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