High on riding

There’s an unmistakable energy and positive vibe when members of the Rollingthunder Motorcycle Club (RTMC) begin to narrate their experiences and take you through a journey which they all describe in one voice as ‘memorable’. 

A bullet club for touring enthusiasts, RTMC blends the passion for Royal Enfield Bullets with long distance motorcycling. The members of the club say that they are just a hobby group. “The sense of belonging, closeness and friendship that one experiences is hard to explain. It is not just about biking but also about bonding and knowing that the club is dependable like a family. It delivers a real sense of well-being,” says Vijayaraghavan, one of the oldest members of the group. Vijayaraghavan adds that one also learns and grows in the process. “Interacting with different personalities, organising events, maintaining safety during rides and overcoming obstacles as a team on challenging terrains offer invaluable lessons. I feel I have grown tremendously as an individual after being part of the club for many years,” adds Vijayaraghavan. 

Madhuneet and Santosh, young professionals, feel joining the group was a good decision. “This club is sure to put a reckless rider back on track because they believe in following road rules,” says Madhuneet. He also says joining the group helped him discover a lot of things he didn’t know about himself. Santosh pitches in, “There are a few among us who are also well-versed with the mechanics of the bikes. All problems and questions related to the bikes are solved within the club.” Subbu, a dentist, says he never rode with a group until he joined the club. “It’s nice to get together with a bunch of like-minded people. Each one of our rides is planned in advance and nothing is done in a half-hearted manner,” says Subbu. Prasad, another member of the club, says that he has been a part of several clubs but this club has clicked well for him. “This club stresses on safety and never riding without wearing safety gear. It’s safety before speed for this group,” states Prasad.

Sharing the perspective of a woman rider, Rekha Rajeev, one of the many women bikers says she joined the club after marriage. She says she has never missed a single ride with the group. “My father bought me my first bike and later, after marriage, my husband encouraged me to continue riding. It is important to have the right kind of company when you travel and I think both my husband and I have found the right blend in this group,” says Rekha. 

The rides with the club serve as a perfect outing for the family. Vishwas, an employee with Delta, says that he and his wife look foward to riding with the group. “Most of our overnight rides are eventful because this gives us all enough time to bond and get to know each other better.”

It is the camaraderie within the group and a sense of responsibility that drew Navaneet, an employee with Accenture, to join the group. “It is interesting to listen to the stories narrated by the older members of the group. Some of the members have ridden to Leh and negotiated the toughest of terrains. There are a lot of tips youngsters like us can pick up from their experiences,” shares Navaneet. Karuna Joseph, who runs his own business, says that he has gone on many a solo trip but has started enjoying his long distance rides only after he joined the group.

(The group can be contacted on 9900933207)