People over 50 share experience and knowledge gained during their rides
During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, motorcyclist friends Mohan Mallappa (50) and Babu Visvesvaraya (56) rode from Bengaluru to Wayanad (about 270 km) to deliver cancer medicine for a retired lieutenant colonel. He was part of an eight-member team of Riders’ Republic Motorcycle Club (RRMC), which used to transport essential medicines to remote corners of Karnataka and beyond. They could not meet the officer. On his way back, he called to thank them.
“A man who laid down his life for our country called us to thank him. It was very touching,” says Mohan.
Many people could not get their regular medicines during the first phase of the lockdown. The elderly were especially in need of help. Mohan and Babu read an article on a police constable riding a scooter from Bengaluru to Hubballi to deliver a life-saving drug. This prompted him to form a team with the support of the Bengaluru Police. This team made around 20 deliveries across South India.
Mohan and Babu have ridden over 100,000 kms on their respective BMW adventure motorcycles. In August, RRMC honored him for crossing this milestone. But they don’t make up much of a number because, “it’s just a number”. For him, experiences like Colonel’s Call mean more.
“We don’t always ride for pleasure; we ride with a purpose,” says Babu of his and Mohan’s association with RRMC. Apart from the club’s involvement in social services within Bengaluru, it has also led to two We have also adopted government schools – in Coorg and Andhra Pradesh.” Children are very excited whenever we visit them. They make us start their bikes and rev the engine. It gives them a lot of happiness,” says Babu.
ride start
Mohan entered motorcycling in his early 20s. He had a Yamaha RX 100cc for exploration. The initial rides were mostly within Karnataka and occasionally to Goa. Then, due to work, he took a break for a while.
He debuted again in 2013 with the Harley Davidson Super Glide. Babu, who had known Mohan since 2008, used to accompany him on some trips. Around mid-2010, the duo switched to their current BMW GS adventure motorcycle.
“We ride mostly on alternate weekends. Now, due to the pandemic, we are stuck in places like Chikmagalur, Mangaluru and Coorg within Karnataka,” says Babu.
But before the pandemic, Mohan and Babu used to ride at least 2,500 kms a month. “Our long ride to the western part of India, or the northeast, was about 8,000 km and took 15 days,” says Mohan. He has also explored Australia, Thailand and some countries of Europe. However, they say that India is the most beautiful motorcycle destination. Because, in no other country have they visited snow-capped mountains, deserts, river valleys, beaches and plains. Apart from the multifaceted beauty, the experiences and encounters during the many rides here were enriching. “Every ride is an adventure, a lesson,” says Babu.
Mohan agrees. For example, she learned how to deal with hostility during a ride to Gangtok two years ago. “When I stopped for tea in Bihar, a gang of five wanted to take pictures on my bike. I politely declined. At this one of them got angry. He was like, ‘Do you know who I am? If I want, I can buy this bike now!’”
Mohan assessed the situation instead of jumping into the confrontation. Their number was four to one; He was in an unfamiliar place; And, he and his bike were in danger. So he pacified them. “I offered him tea and cigarettes. I told him patiently that he could stand next to the bike and take pictures. Because if they accidentally damage any part while sitting on it, I will not be able to continue my journey. He immediately changed his tone. And, he helped me!”
“It is about how you react and interact with people,” says Mohan. During his ride from Kanyakumari to Ladakh five years ago, he stopped at the Kargil War Memorial for a photo. The place was cordoned off and Mohan could not enter. As he was about to leave, he saw a senior officer going in his vehicle. So he hurriedly went to her and said that he was coming from the other end of the country. A few minutes later, the officer instructed his team to help him get Mohan’s picture clicked.
“You meet all kinds of people during the journey,” says Babu, “some are hostile. And, some go out of their way to help you. A long ride teaches you to adjust to any kind of weather. Rain or shine, sometimes, you just have to keep riding. “
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