Got Wheels,Will Fly

The idea of women bikers travelling on a route that is considered among the toughest is novel enough. But it is the stories of many of these bikers that make the show extraordinary. Without the drama,politics or competition to emerge at the top — the usual factors associated with reality shows — Fair Riders saw these women,members of the women-only bikers group,Bikerni,work as a team to make it to their destination.

This is precisely what got Sheetal Bidaye interested in the show. The 36-year-old businesswoman had the experience of driving from Delhi to Leh with an all-boys’ group. She was glad when the offer to ride with women came by. “I was used to being pampered,but here,since I was the one with most experience,I had to keep an eye on everyone and take the lead. But everyone was a team player and I know I have made friends for life,” she recounts.

For Ketaki Pimpalkhare,the one factor that almost held her back from riding to Khardung La was the thought of her eight-year-old son. A restaurateur with her husband as partner,the 34-year-old is used to driving through the Western Ghats. “My husband and I are both passionate about riding. So he was jealous that I was making this trip with my girlfriends. But leaving my son

behind was a matter of concern,” she says.

Each of these women started riding two-wheelers during their early teens as a necessity. But the passion for riding was rekindled a few years ago. While Bidaye returned to biking after a hiatus with a Pulsar,Gajjar evolved from gearless scooters to bikes after retirement. Pimpalkhare fell in love with a Kawasaki Vulcan,a collectors’ edition,three years ago and decided that it was time to hit the road again.

Though Fair Riders was a dream come true for the three women,it threw up challenges. Each of them confronted their fears to return,as they say,wiser.

Bidaye has travelled to Goa and Leh in the past. “But never before had I crossed a river on two wheels. I was never one for adventure sports so the mere sight of the river with a powerful current made me wonder if I should instead take the bridge,” recollects the Mumbaikar. In the end,her trip was liberating. “I have always been scared of activities like bungee jumping and skydiving but now I am looking forward to attempting those,” Bidaye asserts.

Pimpalkhare says,“I hurt my hand and had to ride pillion in the second half of the trip. It made me realise that we are mere specks in front of nature.”

Gajjar ends on a more optimistic note. Despite being on the ventilator for the last leg of the journey,the Rajkot-based biker says,“I realised that I can push myself beyond my limitations to achieve what I wish.”