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Srinidhi |
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Srinidhi Raghavendra L.V.
Sri was initiated into adventure sports through a trek in the wilds of the western ghats. The great outdoors kindled his interest and spurred him on the wilderness trails of western ghats, the Himalayas and all the local hills and dales around Bangalore. An adventure sports enthusiast, Raghavendra has qualified Basic and Advance mountaineering course with ‘A’ grade from HMI, Darjeeling. He has cycled to the world’s highest motorable road (Khardung La 18,380 ft asl) in 1993. Later in 1999 he crossed the same road by scooters and in 2002 on motorcycles. During December 2001-March 2002 Sri volunteered as a computer teacher with Indian Army and taught at the Army Goodwill School, and Women Empowerment Center, Tyakshi (4.5 km from Indo-PoK LoC). During this tenure as volunteer he crossed the Khardung La about 13 times on different modes of transport ranging from a Maruti Gypsy to a Military Truck (Shaktiman).
He has also participated in white water rafting, sea kayaking, parasailing and other adventure activities. An avid biker he has travelled over 50,000 km in India. In 2006 he had a chance to visit UAE and take part in the desert white water rafting i.e. dune bashing and jet skiing activities in Dubai, UAE.
Starting his career as a graphic designer Sri soon migrated to his true calling i.e. journalism and travel writing. Currently employed as a special correspondent with EducationWorld, India's sole education newsmagazine, he also writes for all the leading publications in India including Deccan Herald, The Telegraph, Deccan Chronicle, The Asian Age, Longriders Magazine (USA), The Teenager and Bhavan's Journal.
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Sri's impressions and experiences on the tour
November 17, 2006 was a momentus day for us. We had our first and clinching discussion with TVS Motor Company's executives and were promised motorcycle sponsorship and support wherever possible. But weren't sure as to the time gap between promise and delivery. All corporate work needs time to happen and we were in dearth of that vital aspect.
After rigorous follow up with TVS we finally received word that we could receive the bikes from Bridgestone Motors, Bangalore. We immediately called one Mr. Murali at Bridgestone, who advised us to bring our documents and four mug shots for registration. Yikes... I didn't have a single picture of myself. We rushed to Bridgestone gave our documents and went to Rajajinagar RTO to get my picture clicked. It cost Rs.60 for ten pics but at an urgency that was the only option left for us.
After handing over the pictures to Murali we returned to our repsective offices and that's where I got stuck in the quicksand of work and couldn't make it in time to collect the bikes the same evening. Next day (Thrusday, November 23, 2006), exactly 10 days before our scheduled departure date we collected our bikes and went for a pooja at Narasimha Swamy Temple, Malleswaram.
In the excitement of getting bikes, I lost my helmet in the auto we travelled to Bridgestone in... too bad... but maybe it is gods way of telling me "out with the old and in comes the new"... TVS reiterated that they would supply us "Apache" braded riding gear and helmets. But for the time being I had to pay through my nose (Rs.550) to get a new helmet... so what if it is for temporary use.
Anyway I have done about 65 km on the new bike and it is moving pretty well and is a comfortable rider too. I hope like all my other bikes this also serves me well till the end (it's tenure with me) and we (me and the bike) can discover and enjoy new locales and exotic vistas.
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November 27, 2006
Apart from being my Dad's Bheema Ratha Shaanthi day (70th Year Birthday), today is the beginning of the last week we are in Bangalore and leaves only 5 days to complete all the preparations for our tour. After a day at the function and going through all the motions of the religious rites and ceremonies we started tour work at 3.00 pm.
Later in the evening we visited Cramster office to collect Motorcycle luggage (soft panniers), magnetic tank bags which really stick hard to the fuel tank and can be ideal luggage solutions for motorcycle touring. Cramster director Keerthi Jayasimha has kindly consented to sponsor these gear for our tour. These bags made of imported material are slowly but surely becoming popular among motorcycle tourers in India and the sub continent. Jayasimha was perhaps one businessman who made a quick decision to sponsor us. Promoted in 2003, Cramster is one luggage company which specialises in producing bags, panniers, tank bags and backpacks for motorcyclists.
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