I was twelve years old, sitting on the
open terrace of our school building, having lunch with my friends, starting the
discussion from where it was left in the classroom and it was my turn to answer
the question “What would you seriously want to be?” - And I answered
without any hesitation “A Punjabi truck driver”.
A decade later, at my first job in Pune, we had all gone out for a team dinner. After a few drinks, those “popular guys” of the team asked everyone “If it weren’t for this job, what would you be doing?” and on my turn, I answered, “Driving trucks” (This time with a lot of thought and hesitation – Growing up sucks!). Everyone broke out into a laugh. And then it was somebody else’s turn. Now, only one person on that table was curious enough to ask me “Why?”. At the first chance he got, he took me aside and asked me “Why a truck driver?”, “And why a Punjabi truck driver?”
A decade later, at my first job in Pune, we had all gone out for a team dinner. After a few drinks, those “popular guys” of the team asked everyone “If it weren’t for this job, what would you be doing?” and on my turn, I answered, “Driving trucks” (This time with a lot of thought and hesitation – Growing up sucks!). Everyone broke out into a laugh. And then it was somebody else’s turn. Now, only one person on that table was curious enough to ask me “Why?”. At the first chance he got, he took me aside and asked me “Why a truck driver?”, “And why a Punjabi truck driver?”
I smiled and answered, "Simple. Just because their job is to drive around. They get to see new places and stuff. Must be fun, so, why not a truck driver?” I asked. I still was unclear on why I had said 'a Punjabi', so naturally, I skipped that part. “But then you could have said a pilot or a journalist; even they get to see new places every time” he remarked. And I stood there stunned - “Yes, that's true. Why the heck did I say a truck driver! I am such a moron", I thought to myself.
Ever since, I have always wondered why I had said 'a truck driver' and not something else... for many years, without much of an answer. Later, after a point, I just stopped thinking about it. Clearly, unanswered questions don’t bug me. (Incomplete or selective answers do, but that’s a story for another day).
However, on the nights of 10th,11th and 12thApril 2016, I was to find the answer - I think I now know the answer to this unanswered question and this post is going to be all about it (okay, not all, just mostly :P).
The Backstory, as usual:
Thursday, 07th April 2016 - Evening at 5:15
I had to catch my bus at 6pm from Pune to Hyderabad, for it was a long weekend and I had many plans. The plan, after reaching Hyderabad, was to pick Maddy from Airport, watch our favorite Pawan Kalyan starrer then go out for shopping and buy clothes for myself and Avyan over the weekend, because we had a ceremony planned back at our BIL's native, Nirmal, for Avyan's mundan (first hair cut) - I love his messy, long, black hair and I miss it already.
Just after I packed all my stuff and before I could leave, I saw there was a notification on my phone, for an email was received on my personal email ID. Strange, I thought. Because, I have stopped receiving emails for quite some time now. I checked and it was her.
I will not discuss what the email was about because there is not much to discuss. So, curious reader, let me get back to our story - Let's just say that I just took my bus to Hyderabad with a lot of emotions.
Friday & Saturday, 08th & 09th April 2016
After reaching Hyderabad, as planned, we watched the movie (It was disappointing, will give it a 2.8/5) and later we finished our shopping. Thanks, Shammy, for all your help and for putting up with us during the movie. Maddy was going to leave on Sunday evening. He was not going to attend the ceremony and since I was the older uncle, I would be the one to cut Avyan's hair. So, my presence was important and my family demanded it. So, I had to oblige. I took a leave on Monday (11th April 2016) from work as the ceremony was to be held that day. My plan was simple - Go to Nirmal from Hyderabad on Sunday evening (because noons are just too hot), rest for the night there, finish the ceremony on Monday by 11am and leave to Pune the same day at revving high speeds. Reach Pune by night, take rest and carry on with my mundane life after that. It all looked like it was pretty nicely planned. Simple, it seemed. But little did I know that it wasn't as simple as I though it to be.
The Improbable Rides:
Sunday, 10th April 2016 - Evening at 5:15
I started off on my journey at 5:15pm on Sunday after postponing it for more than an hour because I just could not get myself to start in that scorching heat.
At 6:15pm, I had just passed the Cine Planet at fairly decent speeds. Even though it was evening, the breeze was hot and I was dehydrating pretty quickly as my lips and tongue turned dry and were in desperate need of water. So, I took frequent breaks and bought myself cold water. It turned dark by 6:45pm. And thus, my ride in the darkness had begun - For the next three days, I rode in the dark and on all sorts of roads - For now, you may see that the first ride (best of all) was completed with below readings on my digital console.
Thursday, 07th April 2016 - Evening at 5:15
I had to catch my bus at 6pm from Pune to Hyderabad, for it was a long weekend and I had many plans. The plan, after reaching Hyderabad, was to pick Maddy from Airport, watch our favorite Pawan Kalyan starrer then go out for shopping and buy clothes for myself and Avyan over the weekend, because we had a ceremony planned back at our BIL's native, Nirmal, for Avyan's mundan (first hair cut) - I love his messy, long, black hair and I miss it already.
 |
| Look at him, if you are not distracted by his adorable face, unlike me, then please continue while I spend some time staring at his picture |
Just after I packed all my stuff and before I could leave, I saw there was a notification on my phone, for an email was received on my personal email ID. Strange, I thought. Because, I have stopped receiving emails for quite some time now. I checked and it was her.
I will not discuss what the email was about because there is not much to discuss. So, curious reader, let me get back to our story - Let's just say that I just took my bus to Hyderabad with a lot of emotions.
Friday & Saturday, 08th & 09th April 2016
After reaching Hyderabad, as planned, we watched the movie (It was disappointing, will give it a 2.8/5) and later we finished our shopping. Thanks, Shammy, for all your help and for putting up with us during the movie. Maddy was going to leave on Sunday evening. He was not going to attend the ceremony and since I was the older uncle, I would be the one to cut Avyan's hair. So, my presence was important and my family demanded it. So, I had to oblige. I took a leave on Monday (11th April 2016) from work as the ceremony was to be held that day. My plan was simple - Go to Nirmal from Hyderabad on Sunday evening (because noons are just too hot), rest for the night there, finish the ceremony on Monday by 11am and leave to Pune the same day at revving high speeds. Reach Pune by night, take rest and carry on with my mundane life after that. It all looked like it was pretty nicely planned. Simple, it seemed. But little did I know that it wasn't as simple as I though it to be.
The Improbable Rides:
Sunday, 10th April 2016 - Evening at 5:15
I started off on my journey at 5:15pm on Sunday after postponing it for more than an hour because I just could not get myself to start in that scorching heat.
At 6:15pm, I had just passed the Cine Planet at fairly decent speeds. Even though it was evening, the breeze was hot and I was dehydrating pretty quickly as my lips and tongue turned dry and were in desperate need of water. So, I took frequent breaks and bought myself cold water. It turned dark by 6:45pm. And thus, my ride in the darkness had begun - For the next three days, I rode in the dark and on all sorts of roads - For now, you may see that the first ride (best of all) was completed with below readings on my digital console.
Even though I knew I'd ride in the dark, I was not worried about it this time because the highway to Nirmal is just amazing and is rated one of the best highways of India and rightly so. I had completed that ride in about 3.5 hours, including breaks. I think covering 241.5 kms in the dark in such short time has to be regarded as a commendable job, eh?! Not interested in appreciating but only in understanding what this post here is all about? Alright, we are getting there.
Monday, 11th April 2016 - Night at 9pm
Like I said, nothing worked out as per my plan that weekend (Part of the reason why I don't plan, ever - They don't work out any way!). The ceremony took time, I mean, it took very long. At 3pm we were still no where close to the end, instead hungrily waiting for our lunch. Clearly, I could not start for Pune on Monday as planned. So, I called in sick and extended my leave by one more day. Decided, I would leave on Tuesday. Hopefully, start early. My parents left along with my uncle in the super cool Nissan Terrano, that same evening. Ah yes, earlier in the day, I grabbed those keys from my uncle and drove it for the most part of the day and I have to admit, it has got super smooth gear shifts unlike the Honda City. I know I shouldn't be comparing an SUV to a sedan but having said that, nothing out there can even come close to the Honda City's high revving engine (understandably, in the price range that we are discussing here). Definitely, one of those 'Value-for-money' cars, Terrano is, but not for the enthusiasts, in my humble opinion. Alright, so back from digression, one thing Honda City and Nissan Terrano have in common are the super-sized boots. And it is exactly there where I left my jacket, helmet and gloves while I drove the urban SUV around. And the dumb idiot that I am, I forgot to collect them back. And now that my parents had left, all my stuff was gone with them. Only after reaching Hyderabad did they realize what kind of a stupid I am, while I did not even realize until they called.
Me and my BIL invested a good half an hour of our time to find a place to buy a new helmet rather than going all the way back home for my stuff. But it was all in vain. I realized that I had to take a call and so I did. I decided to ride back home, collect my stuff and leave early Tuesday morning to Pune, as planned, but from Hyderabad and not Nirmal.
So, I started off at 9:23pm from my BIL's house towards Hyderabad. And there I was, on the road, in the dark, without a helmet, with neither protective gloves nor a jacket! And that mistake of mine cost me. It cost me very badly!
This above picture was taken at 10:03pm, sharp, while returning. Yes, I had to take a lot of initial breaks (So, obviously, many pictures taken!). Because, it was, undoubtedly, the most painful ride I've ever endured. Why? Well, usually, my eyes turn lava-red when I ride a bike without a helmet at city speeds where the speedo flickers around 60kmph. That night, I was doing triple digit speeds so due to the constant wind blast, my eyes hurt like someone blew a high pressure air blower into my eyes. They were swollen, teary and very painful. I could barely open them. Every time I blinked, they hurt. Because, gentle reader, the skin around your eyes is very thin and is very sensitive. Now, when you do not wear a helmet and ride a sports-bike (hitting triple digit speeds in the dark, when all the bugs in the world have a gala time at your face) you will find that your doe-eyes turn into those puffy, teary, bloodshot eyes, in no time.
4 Days later that ride, I am still coping from it. My eyes are much better now. Just in case you are concerned, dear reader.
Now, The Point:
One Night, 127 Trucks!
Tuesday, 12th April 2016 - Night at 9pm
The next day, I started off to Pune from Hyderabad at around 11am. From the start my eyes were hurting. By noon, I could see blisters forming on the sides of my index finger (must have been due to the heat). By evening, I had wasted a valuable hour of my ride-time-in-the-light talking to people on phone. And by 9pm... boy, by then, I was still approximately 150 kms away from Pune. And that 150 kms seemed like a lot. It seemed very distant.
Monday, 11th April 2016 - Night at 9pm
Like I said, nothing worked out as per my plan that weekend (Part of the reason why I don't plan, ever - They don't work out any way!). The ceremony took time, I mean, it took very long. At 3pm we were still no where close to the end, instead hungrily waiting for our lunch. Clearly, I could not start for Pune on Monday as planned. So, I called in sick and extended my leave by one more day. Decided, I would leave on Tuesday. Hopefully, start early. My parents left along with my uncle in the super cool Nissan Terrano, that same evening. Ah yes, earlier in the day, I grabbed those keys from my uncle and drove it for the most part of the day and I have to admit, it has got super smooth gear shifts unlike the Honda City. I know I shouldn't be comparing an SUV to a sedan but having said that, nothing out there can even come close to the Honda City's high revving engine (understandably, in the price range that we are discussing here). Definitely, one of those 'Value-for-money' cars, Terrano is, but not for the enthusiasts, in my humble opinion. Alright, so back from digression, one thing Honda City and Nissan Terrano have in common are the super-sized boots. And it is exactly there where I left my jacket, helmet and gloves while I drove the urban SUV around. And the dumb idiot that I am, I forgot to collect them back. And now that my parents had left, all my stuff was gone with them. Only after reaching Hyderabad did they realize what kind of a stupid I am, while I did not even realize until they called.
Me and my BIL invested a good half an hour of our time to find a place to buy a new helmet rather than going all the way back home for my stuff. But it was all in vain. I realized that I had to take a call and so I did. I decided to ride back home, collect my stuff and leave early Tuesday morning to Pune, as planned, but from Hyderabad and not Nirmal.
So, I started off at 9:23pm from my BIL's house towards Hyderabad. And there I was, on the road, in the dark, without a helmet, with neither protective gloves nor a jacket! And that mistake of mine cost me. It cost me very badly!
This above picture was taken at 10:03pm, sharp, while returning. Yes, I had to take a lot of initial breaks (So, obviously, many pictures taken!). Because, it was, undoubtedly, the most painful ride I've ever endured. Why? Well, usually, my eyes turn lava-red when I ride a bike without a helmet at city speeds where the speedo flickers around 60kmph. That night, I was doing triple digit speeds so due to the constant wind blast, my eyes hurt like someone blew a high pressure air blower into my eyes. They were swollen, teary and very painful. I could barely open them. Every time I blinked, they hurt. Because, gentle reader, the skin around your eyes is very thin and is very sensitive. Now, when you do not wear a helmet and ride a sports-bike (hitting triple digit speeds in the dark, when all the bugs in the world have a gala time at your face) you will find that your doe-eyes turn into those puffy, teary, bloodshot eyes, in no time.
4 Days later that ride, I am still coping from it. My eyes are much better now. Just in case you are concerned, dear reader.
Now, The Point:
One Night, 127 Trucks!
Tuesday, 12th April 2016 - Night at 9pm
The next day, I started off to Pune from Hyderabad at around 11am. From the start my eyes were hurting. By noon, I could see blisters forming on the sides of my index finger (must have been due to the heat). By evening, I had wasted a valuable hour of my ride-time-in-the-light talking to people on phone. And by 9pm... boy, by then, I was still approximately 150 kms away from Pune. And that 150 kms seemed like a lot. It seemed very distant.
Here's s a glimpse (the above picture) of what I was seeing - (You know, boredom and a stressed mind can make you do all sorts of stupid things, sometimes - The above picture was taken while riding and every time I see that pic, I say to myself "You dumb f***!! It is because of people like you, "mishaps" happen!). Well, every stupid decision you make is directly or indirectly related to a thing or two from your life! Right?! No. In my case, I was tired and losing focus... and bored.
Uh, well, I have pushed my limits at many occasions in life (I am often reminded by my near -and-dear that it's only for such unnecessary things. They think that I like to punish myself by doing such silly stuff. They ask me, "Rather than take a train or bus, why would any sane guy go on yet another ride, in the hot summer, after having spent two days on the saddle, already?" - Well, um, I don't know what to say. May be, I'm just wired like this). And there I was, doing the same that night. Pushing my limits. Punishing myself, like they said.
Riding in the dark - for the third day in a row. Rode in 40+ degrees temperature. Skipped my lunch (Ah, that's another story I don't want to talk about now). And decided not to have my dinner unless I reach my destination. Brilliant, isn't it! (Now, reader, this is the official recipe for disaster and I am pointing all this out just so you don't make such mistakes). Any clever rider would drink enough water to stay hydrated, eat a light meal regularly, rest when needed and stay focused, always. So, when on road, follow such discipline and please don't be like me where you can be a danger not just to yourself but to someone else too.
The roads are pathetic from Hyderabad to Sholapur, and your KTM RC 390 will only ensure that you feel every bump. This will call for slower speeds which in turn cause boredom. However, only after crossing Sholapur do you feel alive. The roads are great. Back in 2011 when I was on my first ride from Hyderabad-Pune-Hyderabad, it was the other way around. Looks like the Sholapur to Pune roads are now complete and renovations have started on the Telangana side of the route.
Now that I hit the Sholapur road, albeit in the dark... it wasn't long that I found my smile back. My RC 390 ensured that it brought the widest grin on my face (Even after 11000kms on it's odo, she still knows how to keep her man happy). It is here, for the first time in all that day, I felt I was riding for the fun of it. Frankly, until then it did not feel like the ride was serving any purpose other than me just getting my ass back to work before the said deadline. Like, I was chasing time... Just because I had to and not because I enjoy it. And it is here that I realized I enjoy riding.. even in the dark.
Just then, HONNKKKK!! Heavy trucks passed me honking their loud horns. They were quick for such old trucks, I thought. There were many on this highway. However, I got used to them by this point. You know, riding on the highway for more than 24 hours, you get used to a lot of things. It was very scary, in the start, to ride along these huge, rusty and intimidating machines. Their engine noise will only add to it. I had to keep myself busy and focussed. Importantly, not be fatigued. So, I slowly rode on the left of the road while counting the trucks I passed. There are just too many on the roads. I counted until 127 and then I stopped. Why, you wonder?
Because what I experienced on that beautiful highway that night was overwhelming. My fear of the trucks on the highway slowly mellowed down a notch while I counted and rode. Many trucks drove on the left side of the road. So, soon, I started to cut right in and out of their way, flickering my headlamps. They were okay with it, of course. We moved in a rhythm, dear reader, like it was all rehearsed, with the perfect synchronization. I slowly caught up on speeds and started to get the hang of it. I started enjoying riding with those big, aged, mean things. And it seemed like they liked me too. Like they were smiling when I flickered my headlamp. Sometimes, I passed by cutting my way through 3-4 trucks and you should know, it just felt great.
I don't know if it was because of the lazy ride all along the day or if I am this dumb idiot with a death wish? But, I just liked that feeling when I was among those trucks.. in the dark... riding my bike at those mid 90ish kmph speeds. It then struck me, may be, this is the reason why I said a truck driver. May be, I had this in me all the while, you know. To be out on the road in the dark. That should explain my love for those late night drives/rides. That could be the reason for that synchronization. I just never knew it until that night. I felt connected to those drivers in the dark.
Hmm... well, it has been quite some time since that ride. I reached my guest house in Pune at just over midnight, that day. The best part of that whole long weekend?! First was the welcome I received by Avyan on my arrival in Nirmal (BIL's place on the first ride) - His wide smile! And then this ride I had with these trucks on the last night of that weekend. It was an exhausting weekend, truth be told. But in the end, a memorable weekend.
Ever since, I have done loads of stuff in Pune. I shall write them all down for you, caring reader. One by one. But for now, make do with this.
Stay tuned to this space for more stories about my travel. (I have many other stories to tell you about my "connection" with trucks, roads and darkness which I experienced on my trips to Vizag, Bangalore, Ooty and Mangalore. Yep, I traveled all these places and many others in such a short while. So, stay tuned.
See you on the other side,
K
PS - Please excuse the spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and poor quality finish - This one was completed while recovering from my bout with writer's block. Understandably, without proof-reading. (I know, I suck!)
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