It’s just another Friday morning and there’s half an hour to go for sunrise. The Sardar Patel Road stretch near Begumpet is empty but for the occasional cab and a few early risers on their bikes. Suddenly, a roar tears into the silence of the morning, throwing its stillness to the winds.
Royal Enfield Bullet bikes, 25 of them, appear in the distance, their rumble breaking the slumber as they ride in. The Iron Heads, as they call themselves, love the thrill of the long and offbeat journey. This time, the bikers are on a 1,000-kilometre drive to Lonar, Maharashtra and back.
“That’s the thrill of riding in groups. The roaring sound of these bikes catches the attention of most and that makes you feel special,” says Kaushal Vakharia, a member of the club.
There is more of the cult — Bullet owners — from across the country at Lonar, some 130 kms from Nanded.
“About 250 bullet owners are participating in the event and we will explore temples, historic monuments and other picturesque locations en route,” Vakharia says.
The club, which was started last year, and comprises students, employees, advocates among others, has vowed to take up long-drives with greater frequency.
“Last time, we covered the 3,200-km long Shirdi-Lonar-Hyderabad stretch,” claims club president Thakur Dharam Raj Singh.
Six members of the club had been on a 30-day trip to Leh-Ladakh last year. The objective behind launching the club was to meet new people, explore new areas and discuss different aspects of being, he adds.
But is it not risky to drive long distances on bikes?
No, the best thing about the Bullet is one does not get tired nor does the engine develop snags. Moreover, most members are adept at handling minor repairs. There are quite a few women riders as well, he says.
On every first and third Sunday of every month, members of the club meet at Secunderabad and chalk out future plans.
“If things go as planned, it could be Chennai next,” signs off Mr. Singh, as he joins the other riders who ride off into the cruel sun.
