Bikers are usually considered a motley lot, but when you add Harley Davidsons to the mix, they are perceived as awesome. One such group of Harley owners from Chennai — Coromandel Harley Owners Group, or CHOG — participated in India Bike Week at Arpora, Goa recently. Around 50 bikers rode 900-odd km to Goa to interact with solo riders, biking clubs, enthusiasts, motorcycle veterans and many more at the country’s biggest bike festival. Back in Chennai, the riders recount the journey, their regular rides, and other activities.
Everyone, without exception, talks about how riding takes one away from the mundane stress of everyday life. A diverse group made up of people from all walks of life, what binds them together is the bike, and long rides on their Harleys. And if you are expecting the quintessential image of a Harley rider — muscular men, handlebar moustache, unkempt long hair, tattoos — be prepared to be surprised. Almost all of them are as regular as it gets. It is on their bikes that they stand out.
The rides involve planning and execution. Nilesh Kapadia, director of CHOG, says, “We meet once a month, depending on the availability of the members, and discuss various issues, places to go, routes to take, safety measures. Contrary to what the image might be, we all are safe drivers. We have our own system of communication and hand signals that we use to inform group members of what to expect ahead on the road. In fact, we often stop to educate bikers on the need to wear helmets and other safety gear.”
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The group also goes out for ‘one-nighters’, where they are back in the city the next day after a ride to nearby locations. Dinesh Nichani, the group’s activity officer says, “We go to Yercaud, Yelagiri or similar places and return the next day. The tough parts are the
They laugh when they talk about the reactions they get on the road. “Very often, we are mobbed, thinking we are on a rally, given that we are completely geared up. Sometimes, even cops think we are racing,” says Nilesh, adding, “The villages are where our bikes are a big draw.” What is irksome is when other bikers overtake out of curiosity or to simply prove a point. “We just allow them to overtake us and also inform our group ahead about it.”
Riding isn’t all that the group does. They aren’t far behind when it comes to social service. They arranged for boats during the recent floods in Chennai andinteract with children with disabilities in special schools, putting smiles on their faces.
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Going back to their primary interest, it speaks well of their planning when one learns that the group (ideally of about six or seven) has a leader riding in front, who is in constant touch with the one who brings up the rear. The speed, says photography officer Gopinath Vasantharaj, is determined by the slowest rider in the group.
New riders are instructed and guided well by the veterans. Support in the form of pick-up in case of a breakdown is also provided. As one member succinctly put it, “Riding a Harley is a deeply soulful experience. It is an occasion to bond with like-minded people who think nothing of the destination, but just enjoy the pleasure of the journey. The roar of the mean machine is enough for that.”