Thanks Castrol (www.facebook.com/CastrolBiking) for making me do what I was wanting to for a
long time. Write an ode to my bike of 6 years… my Pulsar 150.
I love my bike. I do not believe that the first people who
invented the grotesque looking iron spokes thing called bicycle ever felt that
this will be the beginning of a very unique relationship between a man and a
machine which will possibly last forever. I have half mind to believe that the
famous “dosti” song in Sholay was sung not for the two heroes of the movie but
for the bike which was taking them places. How many guys do you know who have
seen the “World’s fastest Indian” and not felt a similar binding to their own
machine? I truly have…
My P150, as I affectionately call her (I might not be really
creative but I do have feelings) is my second “bike”. The first one, bought by
my dad was a TVS NV Special scooter bought way back in 2001. I somehow had a
liking for the word “Special” and never let that not be mentioned whenever
asked which vehicle I had. Running around with my NV Special on Delhi roads, I
knew that my relationship with engines on two wheels had just started. Post MBA
and first job, P150 was my first purchase in the first month itself in April,
2006. The gleaming black structure with alloy wheels and that awesome 150CC
power of the engines on full throttle was something which I used to cherish
everyday. Dreams of having numerous girls sitting in the back starting
colouring my sleep with all hues found only in the rainbows. (Another matter
that these remained mostly just dreams.) All those night adventures to Empire
on bikes became a daily routine with my friends. Weekend getaways are still
common with my wife – sometimes even on the P150. Name one place around
Bangalore which my P150 has not seen and chances are that even I have not seen
it!
Its now exactly 6 years since you came into my life. There
have been instances when you might have felt bad. The time when I had to leave
you at the Bangalore railway station and be off for almost a month while you
were just standing in the parking. I was really surprised when I returned and
saw you standing right where I had left you! I know you must be feeling lonely
now when I leave you parked and go off in the car. But it has nothing to do
with our love for each other. You are the one who makes it so easy to navigate
this pathetic Bangalore traffic and roads. You are the one who continues to be
easy on my pocket with minimum maintenance and still give me 45 kms to every
litre…again a wonderful thing with Bangalore fuel prices. You are the one who
has got me back home in rain and sun, in midnights and in early mornings, my
partner in crime and in peace. Hats off to you, my P150… for having taken me
around for almost 60,000 kms and many more to come.
