WCR 1107

This one is going to be looooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnngggggg.

WCR

The above three letters have haunted us for many years. The idea of travelling along the Western Coastline of India had captured us for many years. Many plans were laid, but never finalized. Sometimes, it was lack of riders, sometimes lack of funds, sometimes, lack of time and sometimes all the three together.

After Ladakh in 2008 and Spiti in 2009, the next plan was to cover either Zanskar or WCR. So, the itch was born way back in 2009. But as Life’s unpredictable events took place, things got shaken up in the next few years. After the dust had somewhat settled down in early 2014, the idea was again floated to conquer WCR in September. This time we were determined. Excitement spread all around. As lazy bones would have it, riders were lethargic saying it was too early to commit. This attitude had been seen many times earlier too. The resistant to commit soon turns more rigid as time approaches. Then soon, it turns to denial. That is why Nilu, Gyan and I were very pushy.

All efforts were in vain when Gyan announced that he was going to be transferred to Barauni in mid-2014. All the plans came crashing down. With the others still in non-commitment mode, that left only Nilu and I confirmed for the Ride. In the beginning, we were still determined to continue. But as the dates drew closer, the Ride didn’t look that much fun with just two participants. So the invite was forwarded in the BoP mail chain in September. The Ride dates were now pushed to November. We were still skeptic about more riders joining in, but BoP has a habit of throwing surprises. Three Riders confirmed for the Ride. Rohit, Ashok and Zaheer. On top of that our Bangalore chapter confirmed to join us for the Kerala leg.

This was the first time that the North and South chapters of BoP will be riding together. So it added a new level of excitement. Now the time started for vigorous action on the logistics. We were to start from Pune. So first, the riders from Delhi had to find a way to transport their Bullets to Mumbai/Pune. My flatmate, Rizu came to the rescue. He works in Honda and arranged for the Bullets to be transported in a CBR truck. This was a big time and money saving for us as transporters were charging between 3000 – 5000. Transport in the Rajdhani as luggage will also cost close to 3000.

A week before we were to depart, Riders from NCR gathered and went to Dharuhera to load the Bullets. The “Ride” feeling started to sink in that time only. This further aggravated our itch making it more difficult for the time to pass on the remaining days.

7^th Nov 2014: Delhi:

The day of departure had arrived. Time had passed anxiously as the location of our Bullets was hazy. Rohit and I met at New Delhi railway station to catch the Rajdhani to Mumbai. On top of our heavy luggage we were carrying a bag belonging to Ashok also as he and Zaheer could carry limited luggage on their flight the next day. The journey was ON.

Train journeys have a charm of their own. Flights arrive too quickly to give one a feeling of travel. Train journeys ensure that one feels the distance one has traversed. Since Rohit and I had our seats in adjoining coaches, time passed easily in commuting to each others’ seats. We also utilized the time to do some research on our travel. I was carrying the book of “Highway on my Plate”. Rohit noted down the recommended places.

A surprise to hit us was that Rohit was no longer a tea-fan. Instead he was carrying a mini coffee brewer with himself. This item would attract many eyes in days to come.