Bulls On Parade to Ranthambhore

The Ranthambhore Rapiers

The second anniversary of Bulls on Parade (BoP). A BIG milestone. How the time flies! It has been a very busy time. After the first anniversary(http://www.royalenfield.com/community/trip/bullsonparadeanniv-pushkar.aspx), Nishant and I decided to have one ride every month. A difficult feat indeed, especially when its so tough to get so many bakchods to side on one common matter. But we have become accustomed to all these troubles now. The planning was so proficient that even before one ride, we had the next 2 destinations already in sight. Specially, for this ride, we had sent the notifications 4 months back as we wanted maximum participation. There was an eager lot signing up too.
The first anniversary ride had 7 participants. This year we had 13. At BoP, we have certain traditions. For the anniversarry ride, we do not allow newbies. The number of participants would have been much more had we not followed this ritual. But then, without rules, we are just animals, right?

6th Nov 2009
(Gurgaon - Shahpura - Jaipur - Chaksu - Lalsot - Sawai Madhopur)

So, on the D-day morning at 5 AM, the following rebel angels turned up.
Ajit Singh - Royal Enfield Thunderbird - "Ab khaana khila diya. Ab so jaaunga"
Ashutosh Rana - Royal Enfield Electra - "Jai BoP"
Asok Rana - Royal Enfield Electra - "Jai BoP"
Diptinder Singh Chhabra - Royal Enfield Electra - "Tigers are South Indians"
Jagmeet Singh - Royal Enfield Electra 5S - "Raati taan ithe hi si, kithe gaya?"
Nishant Jha - Royal Enfield Electra - "Wahaan baith ke daaru peeni hai"
Pravin Kora - Royal Enfield Standard - "Ride my Bullet"
Rishi Singh Maurya - Royal Enfield Standard - "4 din me office aa raha hu"
Rohit Saini - Royal Enfield Electra 5S converted to 4S - "Poochh rahe hain ki Tiger kyu nahi dikha"
Sachin Bhatia - Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark - "OK"
Sandeep Singh Chadha - Royal Enfield Standard - "Multiplication table bhi banaya thha, ab kar lo hisaab"
Sunny Singh - Royal Enfield Standard - "Chalo yaar"
Zaheer bhai - Royal Enfield Lightning 535 - "Isme pickup hi nahi hai"

We had to wait for an hour as Pravin had just gotten out of office half an hour back and then faced trouble starting his Bullet. Being an anniversary ride, we had to take-off together. On other rides, we would just leave for the late-comers to catch up on the way. Meanwhile, the big, expensive cameras were taken out and their night modes were tested. The early morning parkwalkers looked on with curiosity mixed with amazement.
As soon as Pravin joined us, we set off. The sight of 13 Bullets riding in a single file is an amazing one. Getting a clear traffic line is a side-benefit. Dawn was breaking. Any laziness in the eyes of the locals was erased when we passed by. Thats another benefit for the country. We were helping in increasing the efficiency of the working class.
Some of the riders had become separated as each one has his own comfortable pace. We regrouped after travelling some 60 kms. Then stoppped for breakfast after crossing Behror. There was a huge parking area in front of the dhaba which got completely filled by our Royals.

The sun felt good as it was slightly chilly. We did not feel so cold while riding. To most riders, aloo parathas and lots of butter and tea comes as a staple breakfast. Though the taste was not that good, still hunger has a way of overshadowing tastes. We gobbled for around an hour. Now was the time to form the money pool. We had elected Chadha paaji to be the treasurer for this trip as he had displayed during the previous anniversary ride too. All were stunned when Chadha paaji brought out his excel sheet and pen and began noting down the expenses and shares. If that was not enough, the backside had multiplication tables of 14 to 17 for swift calculation. This had irritated him as the strength was now 13. This was when he spoke the golden sentence, "Multiplication table bhi banaya thha 15 log ke liye. 13 aaye hain. Ab kar lo hisaab". Our respect for Chadha paaji only grew.

After a satisfied stomach, we were in a mood to rip. The pace was good as we crossed Kothputli. Then, disaster struck. I was signalled by passing vehicles to stop. They said one of the riders had met with an accident 1 km back. I quickly turned around the wrong way and reached the spot. It was Rishi Singh Maurya. His Bullet had struck a truck from behind. He had received facial and head injuries and was in a stunned state. He was bleeding through the eyes, nostrils and mouth. It was a scary sight. The extent of injuries, internal or external, was unknown. The only relief was that he was still breathing. The surrounding public had noted down the number of the truck. I left my Bullet there and got in a stopped jeep to carry him to the nearby hospital at Shahpura.
I asked the next persons to reach the accident site, Jagmeet and Pravin, to take care of our belongings. Also called up the rest of the gang to halt at Shahpura. As we reached the town, Sachin came along in the jeep and we reached the hospital. The doctors administered painkillers and suggested to take Rishi to Jaipur, as it was a case of head injury.
I accompanied Rishi in the ambulance all the way to Jaipur's SMS Hospital, 60 kms away. It took around 2 hours and as per Nishant's advice, I had to stop Rishi from falling asleep. Then came the process of admitting him to the Polytrauma ward. By the time, X-ray and CT scans were done, his head had swollen very much. We called up his parents to let them know about the accident. Rishi had not told his parents at Jodhpur about the ride. They notified a couple of Rishi's friends in Jaipur to reach the hospital. A couple of doctors came and examined him. His jaw and collar bone were broken. The head injury was not serious. That would abate with medicines. We bought the prescribed medicines.
After Rishi's friends had reached the hospital, all of us riders gathered in front of the hospital to decide on our future action plan. We realised that there was little for us to do. His parents would reach the hospital in the evening and then he was also out of danger. There was no immediate treatment procedure too.
Now, I have been dissed by many who say "how could you head on and enjoy yourselves when one of your members is hospitalised". I would like to invite such people to argue with me face to face as they would be arguing with half-known facts while I would have the full first-hand experienced knowledge. So don't point any fingers and form a premature opinion.
Now was the time for a great debate. We had decided that Ranthambhore would be conquered. Question was when. It was 4 PM now. Most of us thought it would be better to spend the night in Jaipur and continue onwards next morning. Sachin was asking around for available rooms. One member though, Sunny, was all too eager to continue the journey then and there. I really wonder if his vocabulary is limited to the words, "Chalo yaar". But then he started getting political. One by one, he began to bring more and more of the group to line with his point of view. That left only 3 more people to convince. And then, Sachin said the golden word, "OK". The majority won. I'm sure Sunny can turn the fortunes of BJP if he campaigns for them. Also, if we stayed, we would be riding on all the 3 days and that spoils the vacation. We also avoid night riding, but circumstances force us to do so.
Now, Jagmeet and Pravin had left my Bullet at a dhaba near the accident site. I was to continue the journey as a pillion and that left me very disappointed. Pravin understood this and spoke the golden words, "Ride my Bullet" citing some silly excuse that he hates to ride in city traffic. I was selfish enough to accept his offer. An anniversary ride without riding would have left me all cross for months to come.
It took some time for me to adjust to the new machine as we took the Tonk road out of Jaipur. Right away we could see the smoke from the fire at IOCL petrol dump 5 kms away. This fire had occurred 3 days ago and was still burning strong. That would have a serious effect on our lives.

Now the road had turned single, but there was little traffic. So, we could zoom ahead till it grew dark. We crossed Chaksu and then took the left turn off the highway towards Lalsot. It was now village roads.

The road started out well but after 10 kms, it disappeared. It converted into a thin strip with mud layers lining the sides. This, accompanied with darkness made conditions doubly difficult. We travelled the next 40 kms fighting for road space with oncoming vehicles blinding us with their headlights and overtaking ones with the dust showers they left behind.

We were relieved to reach Lalsot as the road ahead was expected to be much better. But first, the priority was beer. We had traversed from pre-dawn to post-dusk darkness without a drop. This must have been a record for BoP. We began to search frantically for a theka. So much was the heat, that I took a wrong turn and led half of the group with me. But then we found a theka and then dispersed all the temper with much needed beer.

The locals described the road ahead towards Sawai Madhopur as spectacular. It truly was, even though it was single. We were travelling in a single file at an easy pace now. We managed to keep that way for a good distance. But then, as it happens in such situations, somebody's libido shoots up and consequently, his speed. This time, it was me. My hands were set on Pravin's Bullet now and I just gave it a good twist. It sounded orgasmic. I raced ahead overtaking the head of the pack, Zaheer with Pravin as pillion. That had shattering consequences. Soon, Zaheer picked up pace which was no big feat for the Lightning and overtook me like one. Nishant, who had been riding steadily all this time, was the next. The sound of his Goldstar shattering the peace of the time.

Now, we grew even more playful. Zaheer began swaying his Lightning from side to side. I gave another good twist to the Bullet and overtook while standing on the footpegs. Nishant overtook while standing on his. Zaheer easily overtook all again and began swaying. Adrenaline was flowing like Niagara. Inspired by a dear member of our club, BHAYA, I leaned forward on the tank and took the first place again (BHAYA, it really works wonders). Nishant came again to the first and then Zaheer. We must have covered 9-10 kms in those 5 minutes. The rest of the gang must've been abusing us for playing like kids and spoiling the discipline.
I had had enough and applied restraint. I fell back into my rightful place at the last. But Zaheer and Nishant were still zooming all the way to glory. We stopped at a petrol pump to regroup. Sawai Madhopur was now just 5 kms away. We rode like kings on the deserted roads till we reached our resort, Hotel Tiger Safari.
The rooms were luxurious and well-spaced. We had a nice verandah and even a swimming pool. We quickly sat down for dinner as there had not been a proper lunch. The taste was just okay, for the record. This caused much disappointment to most notable, Ajit. His face fell as he was carrying Raffles XXX rum in his right hand and found that he could not find any company. That was when he spoke his golden words, "Ab khaana khila diya. Ab so jaaunga".

Now, the most sensible thing to do after so much travelling, accident trauma and heavy dinner, would be to go to sleep. But then, BoP is not a sensible lot. Pravin took out his Old Monk XXX Gold Reserve bottle and we gathered around at the verandah. It was time for what is known as BBB session. If you dont know the full form, you're not our kind of person and you're better off without it. Sachin brought out another package, Korean Liquor called Shoju. Tastes somewhat stronger than gin. A dash of lemon greatly improves the taste.

Ajit had truly gone to sleep. We sat around for more than an hour before retiring ourselves. It was during this session that Jagmeet spoke his golden words, "Raati taan ithe hi si, kithe gaya?".

07 Nov 2009
(@ Ranthambhore)

We woke up lazily. Although, there are some within us that hardly sleep and get some sadistic pleasure to keep the others awake too. But all of us were up by 9 AM and down for breakfast. Its a funny thing that while in Gurgaon, we dont bother about meals but take special care in covering all the meals while on a ride. Another feather on motorcycles' cap.
The swimming pool looked inviting. Strangely, none of the other guests was interested in jumping in, which was perfectly fine with us. BoP has a special bond with stagnant water. Nishant, Sunny, Zaheer and I lapped up the opportunity to jump in. The water was slightly cold, but it was kind of therapeutic. Moreover, we had beer for warmth. We offered our prayers to the Sun God in the pool.

The next task on day's agenda was Ranthambhore Fort. It was 13 kms away from the resort. I got on as pillion with Nishant and we made our ride videos and took numerous snaps on the way. The trail to the fort was wonderful with the surrounding forest and dried river beds on the way. As soon as our thundering machines, rolled into the Fort parking lot, the countless langurs in the vicinity began to shriek and howl like anything. They ran around frantically. The thump of our Bullets had a psychological effect. Maybe our Bullets were sneering at them like a tiger does when approaching a tied goat. Call it beast talk.

The langurs calmed down after we turned off the engines. We ascended the fort, yet another conquest for BoP. From the top of the fort, one can see the whole surrounding forest around the lake. As Chadha paaji had found out from our hotel manager that there's no boating allowed at the lake. Some interesting photographs later, we made our way back to the resort as the Jungle Safari Canter was to leave from the resort at 2 PM. Some of the riders played wife-swapping and exchanged their Bullets. One pair was Pravin and Rohit, the other Nishant and Zaheer. That was when Zaheer spoke his golden words, "Isme to pickup hi nahi hai". Chadha paaji found an interesting resort for lunch, Jungle Bites. The ambience of the place was nice and a multi-cuisine lunch was ordered. Chinese, Continental, Indian, all kinds of dishes. The restaurant had opened only yesterday.

As we reached back to the resort, the canter to leave for the Safari was being prepared. We all climbed abroad with a few foreigners for company. The canter had a tin top that was very noisy over bumps. It made us think how would we get to see any animals with so much noisemaking. Wouldnt canvas top be a better option? We realised the choice of material later on.

Going through the jungle trail, we encountered several deers, sambhars, wild pigs, birds, etc. Thats when a PJ hit my mind and I blurted out, "Tigers are South Indians". I won't elaborate. On reaching the lake, an alligator was seen floating across the water. A baby alligator was lying beside the lake soaking the sun. Maybe, he was one of the fairer species and needed a suntan.

I was travelling with laze as I had not chanced upon seeing a tiger in Corbett as well. So, I was not counting of spotting one here also. However, after 15 more minutes, we found an eager bunch of people looking through binoculars. As our canter reached the spot, we could not find out what the attraction could be. The guide of one of the gypsies tried to direct our sight as to what seemed to be a tree stump. But then it moved and we could make out the black stripes of a tiger. One of the guides told us her name was Machhli, because she had a scar in the shape of a fish. She had given birth to around 12 Ranthambhore tigers. Seeing the animal in its natural habitat is a satiating experience. You might have seen tigers up close in zoos, but seeing them in the wild without cages and no bars to hinder your sight, is a different kind of feeling altogether. A gypsy carrying the US Ambassador drove some distance close to the animal. I wished we could drive that close. The tiger did move about, but never stood up. It aroused the suspicion as to whether she could be drugged. Call it the Indian mind to think of conspiracies. If the tigers were drugged this much, they would not have survived for so long.

None of the pictures did justice to the majestic animal. We returned from the spot and exitted the sanctuary after some scary offroading. I should also mention here that Rohit got into a very deep conversation with one of the locals. That was when he spoke his golden words, "Poochh rahe hain ki Tiger kyu nahi dikha". He must have extracted the whole biography of that person.
On reaching back to the resort we went into the neighbouring souvenir shop to buy T-shirts. We turned out a lot of business for the shopkeeper even though he was not willing to lower his prices. But he was not overcharging too. The Tees, medallions, sweats were neatly made. I did not find a suitable sized jacket and had to satisfy myself with only a medallion.
This was our last night at Ranthambhore and we had to make the most of it. Some of the guys went to buy pakodas for the night. Some were sent to the kitchen to order some more snacks. Riders were running around in frenzy. It seemed that the world was going to end in 3 hours and that was our last BBB session. Ajit was the happiest person as the time had come for him to open his Raffles XXX rum. But first, we finished the leftover Gold Reserve Old Monk XXX and Shoju. Then the Raffles opened.
Time flew by. We would have been left sitting there had not Chadha paaji raised his voice. It was decided to have dinner at the same Jungle Bites restaurant. We picked up the leftover Raffles and made for the restaurant with those who wanted more drinks, riding as pillion. This did create a small problem as one of the drinkers had to do the riding himself. But, when on the Bullet, the hazy feeling disappears and your mind takes full control.
As we reached the restaurant, those wishing to dine went inside. The drinkers took seats to a side of the restaurant. We didn't get up until the last drop was over and then went inside for dinner. The meat was tasty. We gave a difficult time to the owner and manager as we just sat around talking, refusing to leave. But then at 11 pm, we finally did. The night, however, was still not over. Some of the guys still wanted few more pegs and thats when my Hercules XXX rum came out. We sat around the lounge area for more than an hour. I vaguely remember discussing the Chhamiya movie series that night.

As Nishant and I had to travel back to Jaipur in the morning, we retired for the night.
08 Nov 2009
(Sawai Madhopur - Lalsot - Dausa - Jaipur - Shahpura - Pavta - Dharuhera - Gurgaon)
(Sawai Madhopur - Lalsot - Dausa - Alwar - Dharuhera - Gurgaon)
In the morning, we heard reports of how the others had scared one of the guards while he was taking out petrol from our Bullets.
All of us were ready to go by 6:30 AM. As Nishant and I travelled to Jaipur, the rest of the guys were taking the Alwar route on the way back. We travelled quickly with Nishant's Goldstar bursting so much against my ears that I had to keep my walkman volume up all the way. On reaching SMS hospital at Jaipur, we found that Rishi had recovered a great deal since the time we left him. The swelling on his head had reduced to half and he was also talking in a normal manner now. He would require only plastic surgery for his jaw and no other operation. We told his father and brother whatever info we had about the accident. Wishing him a fast recovery we set off for Gurgaon.
But first we needed something to eat. Our search for a dhaba was agonising. We found one after travelling a good 30 kms from Jaipur. People living in Jaipur must be a skinny lot. We had been keeping in touch with the rest of the group through the phone. We learnt that Jagmeet had had a front tyre puncture, but fortunately, right in front of a repair shop. The other group was making good time to Alwar as well.
After having a small meal at the dhaba, we set off. I was very eager to reach my Bullet. I had missed it so much during this trip. After crossing Shahpura, we had some difficulty finding the dhaba where Jagmeet and Pravin had stored my Bullet, but we did. It was like a reunion with a very old and dear friend. Had I been more emotional in nature, I'm sure I would've cried. I tried to convey my thanks to the dhabawala by offering him Rs 100, but he politely refused. I felt ashamed of offering him the money. But then he suggested to offer the money at the temple near the accident site. We thought of it as the best idea too.
Now, while we were offering this note at the temple a very funny incident happened. I shouldn't be saying this as this incident would have my and Nishant's ass brutally kicked. But then, since we two are so merciless ass-kickers, its only fair that we get a taste of that too.
The gate of the temple was bolted. We could reach our hands inside upto the wrist and just reach the "daan-patra". But putting the folded note inside required some more reach. Nishant also tried but could not reach far enough. Then he realised that the gate was only latched and not locked. We laughed at our stupidity.
Now we got back to the riding. After riding Pravin's Bullet, my Bullet's brakes felt very soft. But soon I got used to it and both of us were ripping through the highway. Not for long though. As soon as we reached Kothputli, Nishant stopped at a theka. We hadn't had any beer since the morning and after seeing Rishi's improvement, we needed something congratulatory. Our country has as many diverse beer brands as there are castes and religions. The local beer served here was branded, Bulldozer. The neighbouring shop served snacks and that too, only non-veg. Refreshed we continued our journey.

If we were ripping before the beer, then after having one, we were flying. We left behind numerous Innovas, Esteems, Corollas, Optras, etc. Most enjoyable is the time through Behror. This place is always crowded and jammed with the numerous trucks travelling between Delhi-Mumbai. Not a problem for the Bullet though as you snake by. Nishant had some fun of his own as one biker overtook him rashly. This got to him and then he started to overtake that bike, give him space and then shut the door on him, repeatedly.
We caught up with the other half of our group at Dharuhera where they joined NH-8. Sachin and Ashutosh bade goodbye and carried on as the others sat down for a late lunch. There we learnt that Pravin's Bullet had broken down with a broken tappet. It had to be loaded onto a Vikram and carried back.

After the meal, we started the last leg of the journey. Nearing Gurgaon, we entered the smog that had engulfed the region during the weekend. It feels sad to compare the clean air we had in the morning to this polluted one. I feel surprised as to how we have not been poisoned to death by now.
We said goodbyes to everybody at Gurgaon. Then Sunny, Nishant and I made our congratulatory last pit stop for a pint each at a theka in Gurgaon. With the anniversary ride completed, we celebrated 2 full years of BoP's existence.

Lessons we learnt:
1. Always let your parents know your whereabouts.2. When travelling at night, ride in a straight line and keep close.3. Even Sikhs should wear helmets.4. Don't play games on roads, especially at night.