‘Mindset needs to change’
Once a biker, always a biker! Neither age nor accidents can whither their passion for these dreams machines. This fits well on Sunita Kunjeer who is the proud owner-rider of 1700 CC Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic weighing 350 kilograms. Growing up seeing her uncles and grandfather ride bikes, she was always fascinated by them. She learnt riding bikes during her visits to the family farm during vacations, including Royal Enfield. “I started using bikes in college and continued doing so. With Harley-Davidson coming to India in 2014, my husband bought me a Street 750. An auto enthusiast, he suggested buying Heritage Softail Classic on hearing my plans to go to Pushkar saying the bike suited my riding style and attitude,” she says.
Describing her riding experience as thrilling, Sunita, till date, receives mixed response from the bystanders. “Those with a nasty streak wonder aloud, ‘How dare she ride such a bike?’ or ‘Who gave her the money to buy such an expensive machine?’.” Taking them in her stride, she welcomes the attention showered on those who look at bike with awe. “You can actually feel the warmth of their respect and fascination. I enjoy that immensely.”
With more women opting for bikes, Sunita feels it is breaking the stereotyped thinking in the society about gender specific activities. “Though we say cooking is a woman’s job, a majority of the world’s best chefs are men. Similarly, how can one say biking is strictly for men? It is a mindset we need to change. In a country when women have started flying fighter planes, then what are bikes?” she counters. In fact, she wants women riders to be judged by their skill and not because they are novelties. “I know of several men riders who are brilliant but are never talked about. The fault lies in the gender,” she jokes.
Inspired by her, several women have contacted Sunita in person and over Facebook. “I feel there is no point in following a fashion. You should take up what you are passionate about and not because it is fashionable.”
Being a member of the Harley Owners Group (HOG), Sunita, who is the director of its Pune chapter, has led several excursions Harley owners out of Pune. Such trips are meticulously planned to ensure safety of the group. “The sunrise and sunsets on such trips are marvellous. It brings complete silence in the pack as it somehow instils happiness and calmness. For me, personally, I feel humbled watching mountains and oceans.” Among her favourite rides is the one to Bhigwan, 100 km from Pune. “On this straight route watching sun rise right in front of you is delightful as is spotting the migrating flamingos.”
Wishing and willing to continue her biking journey as long as she can, Sunita is not averse to her children, a boy and daughter taking up this passion. “I would love that but am extremely worried with the ever increasing cases of road rage and rash driving on the roads.” Having suffered two near-fatal accidents her concerns are genuine.
All for love!
Weighing 56 kilograms and standing 5 feet 6 inches, Soumya Pankajam Narayanan makes heads turn as she thunders down on her 500 CC Royal Enfield (RE) Desert Storm. “Though it shocks men and women alike, I feel like a queen on the road contributing immensely to my confidence,” she gushes.
All set to take part in Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey to be flagged off today, Soumya is brimming with confidence. “I am aware it will be tough because of the landslides and non-existence roads but am sure we will do it.” Besides increasing her stamina by weight training and running, her husband Vipin has been giving her pep talk her while cautioning her to be careful. Covering 2500 kilometres the 17-day trip from Delhi to Leh and back includes the hostile environments of Narkanda, Sarchu, Jispa, Leh and Khardung La.
Fond of cycles and motorcycles since childhood, Soumya was gifted a Scooty by her father when in school. “In my village, Iriyanni, Kerala I was a celebrity as I zipped around on it. College hostel gave me a chance to ride friends’ bikes but it was Vipin, my classmate and now husband, who really taught me how to ride bikes,” she reveals. The Desert Storm she will be using in Odyssey she gifted to Vipin as guru dakshina. “He is very passionate about bikes and so I presented it as a token of my appreciation for teaching me.”
Dispelling the notion that bike riding is difficult, Soumya says the balance and ease of ride makes it a great experience. “I want more girls taking up biking in order to prove that they are capable to doing what so far has been confined to men only.” Soumya does have a grouse against a handful of fellow road users who pass silly comments and indulge in stupid pranks like overtaking women riders. “Most men give encouraging thumbs up sign while women initially aghast become curious about how I do it? On hearing my story many parents want their daughter to follow my example and become bold, fearless and confident.”
Now residing in Bangalore, Soumya participates in rallies organised by Bikerni, India’s first all-women motorcycle association, in and around the city. She counts the one to the Nandi hills as one of her best experience so far. “Riding with like-minded women, between 20 and 55 years, we had a gala time enjoying the weather and scenery.”
Papa’s girl!
The physique and demure personality may not reflect Anam Hashim’s capability of making the motorcycle dance to her dictates but surely her confidence does. She exudes capability of taking on anything in the world. Last year it was a 2100 km journey to Khardung La, the highest motorable roads on TVS Scooty in 18 days, trashed by many as impossible on a scooter. “I never believed the sceptics and I proved them wrong. I hope it will inspire women to join on such trips or at least take up riding.” This year she will lead a group of 10 women to the same destination. Such endeavours she feels will help in women. “Only by exploring new avenues and opportunities can we become confident and grow.”
Passionate about bikes and scooters, she learnt riding from her father in Lucknow the moment her feet touched the ground. She got hooked to stunts seeing boys do them on bikes and scooters making her search the net. “What I saw on the YouTube got me thinking. If they can do it so can I.” Learning by trial and error, she picked up from other stunt riders and by watching videos. “Sarah Lezito of France, one of the top 10 in the world, is my prime inspiration. She makes the bike twist to her command. In India Ghost Riders group are superb.”
Anam’s did her first stunt –– Christ –– on a scooter. This involves standing on the seat with hands outstretched on the moving vehicle. “I learnt it in a jiffy,” she remarks with a wide smile. Now trying to learn circle wheelies –– wheelies on one wheel –– she has already crashed several times. “The accident last year was really bad but I am determined to master it.” Manoeuvring the bike, according to her, is all about negotiating the clutch, throttle and brakes. In all her endeavours her father has remained her steady supporter and guide. “His support and my conviction that I am doing right will carry me through,” she comments.
Frequent accidents must be worrisome to her parents. “My mother always gets sacred but dad believes that by falling only can one learn.” To cope with the strains of doing stunts and long distance trips, Anam spends one hour in gym and 30 minutes doing yoga daily. “This helps in physical and mental well being.” For Khardung La she did breathing and hand exercises. “It was very beneficial. At More plains facing high velocity winds I firmly held on to the handle bar.”
Learning fashion designing, Anam aims to make learning and exhibition of biking stunts organised. “Doing them on roads endangers self and others. We need proper tracks and training.” But before that she wants to emulate successful professional Italian motorcycle racer, Valentino Rossi. “Just as he became famous at a young age, I too wish to be known nationally and internationally.” Going by her spirit it does not seem unachievable.
Upward mobility
Espousing the cause of women’s empowerment through long distance journey across the inhospitable terrain seems to be the flavour of the season. Last month Porchse in partnership with Women Beyond Boundaries (WBB) flagged off a 20-day more than 4000-kilometre journey across the Himalayas covering some of the remote areas like Zanskar, Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti. Led by Nidhi Tiwari founder of WBB driving Porsche Cayenne along with co-driver Neha V. Sadananda, the expedition’s objective is to showcase women’s empowerment through mobility and raising awareness about women’s health and cancer.
“This extreme overland journey (XOL) has been undertaken as a symbol for mobility and empowerment of women while exploring solutions through interaction with women and community at large,” explains Nidhi.
Stressing the importance of mobility Nidhi says “the access and skill to move and undertake journeys of your own choice provide better chances of empowerment –– culturally, socially, economically and politically. This is true of urban and rural areas.”
Talking of her road experiences Nidhi recalls her ascent to Khardung La. “On the way we were overtaken by several vehicles with everyone giving us a close look. When we stopped for a break, we were surrounded by many drivers. Initially, seeing two women they smirked and tried to size us. Our knowledge of automobiles broke the ice. Hearing our experiences and objective they appreciated our endeavour and driving skills. Personally, I feel driving is gender neutral and it is skill sets which count.”
During the journey Nidhi and Neha encountered several wonderful scenes. These include one at Penzi La where they saw snow-capped peaks besides a fresh water lake situated at the top.
Nidhi felt happy meeting girl students of Kargil’s Degree College. “They openly shared with us as to how they were not allowed to move around or learn driving. Talking about solutions, one smart girl suggested, ‘instead of gossiping during dinners we ought to discuss such topics and try to convince our parents’.”
