Coimbatore: If you want to become a Lone Wolf biker, all you need to have is a passion for riding, says Major Venugopal, and any bike above 100 or 135 cc. Venugopal leads the Lone Wolf community of bikers that takes off on thrilling biking rides. “Biking clubs are often elitist where riders own Royal Enfield bullets, super bikes, Hondas, or Pulsars. They never allow mixed bikes. We want to encourage all bikers irrespective of the bikes they own,” says Mahesh Prasanna, a Lone Wolf biker.
Many of the members are also part of other biking clubs such as Kovai Thumpers Motorcycling Club (KTMC), X BHP Super Bikes and India Bull Riders. Some of them are a part of Brotherhood of Bulleteers Motorcycling Consortium (BOBMC).
Safety is a priority at our group rides, says Venu. “We don’t encourage showmanship, stunts and overtaking and certainly no mixing of drinking and driving. A senior member leads the group and there’s a sweeper who brings up the rear. We also have a non-rider at the base point who stays connected with the riders.”
Bikers are advised to wear the riding gear during the outings. “We wear a riding jacket, riding boots, helmet, and knee guard and also a riding pant,” says K. Dinakaran, senior software engineer at Robert Bosch. He has explored the virgin beauty of Coorg, Agumbe and Sringeri and the Kerala belt on his KTM Duke and Thunder Bird 500 CC. “We follow ethics of group rides and we introduce the new members to it,” says Mahesh. The new member is taken on a short ride and riding tips are shared with him before he is added on Whatsapp.
The six-month-old community of over 20 bikers have ridden to The Nilgiris, Aliyar, Yercaud, and Kodaikanal. They were also part of the World Wide Relay Ride (WWRR), an international motorcycling event. “We communicate on Whatsapp messenger,” says biker Manoj Vijayakumar from Tirupur who started the community along with Mahesh Prasanna.
Most bikers agree that networking helps build business contacts and friendship, besides a sense of bonhomie. “When we listen to biking expedition stories we feel motivated to explore the terrain,” says Manoj. Mahesh remembers how Venugopal shared tips on how to survive with minimum means during such trips. Dinkaran speaks of a heart-warming experience with villagers at Megamalai in Theni district. “We were left with no money to pay for accommodation and no fuel either. The villagers were so patient, supportive and helpful.” Besides, he adds, “Biking is about flying like a bird enjoying the chill air and exploring places and people. That’s why I am here,” he says.
Venugopal who took to biking in the 80s revived his passion after his retirement from the Army. He says: “Being on a bike has its own advantages. You can take to any non-motorable road. The chill air hits your face and gives you a thrill.” He plans to take a group of youngsters on a riding trip to Khardung La via Srinagar and exit through Leh.
For N. Karthik, who is into jewellery business, it was the sight of bikers riding in a group that got him hooked. “It’s always fun to ride in a group. And the rides works as a great stress buster, rejuvenates us for a fresh week ahead. We want to be associated with a good cause too,” he says. Venugopal explains: “We want to adopt villages, sponsor education, and look at charity activities such as blood donation and helping orphanages.”
To know more about Lone Wolf bikers, call 98435-25000/ 98431-78185 or visit http://bit.ly/lonewolfnoclub
