The last time Sasidharan undertook a long drive on motorbike was almost two decades ago. He had cruised down the Goa-Kerala NH on his Royal Enfield Bullet to reach his home at Palayam in two days time. At 65, he feels the Bullet would be a little too heavy for easy handling. So this time, he has opted for a Bajaj Aventure 220 for his journey across the country, which begins on August 2.
If you ask the robust Sasidharan alias Rajan about the late-found resurgence of the adventure streak, he would attribute it to the penchant for driving. “I have always nurtured a love for vehicles. In fact, I learned driving quite early and drove a car all the way from Kolkata to Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 21,” says Sasidharan, an employee of Kallingal Motors, Palayam. “I had bought this brand new Ambassador from Kolkata and enjoyed driving it down to my home. Much later, I travelled up the Delhi-Manali route in my Fiat. It has always remained a dream to scale the hilly regions above Manali. I hope to realise it during this trip,” he says.
Sasidharan has planned a journey that will start from Kanyakumari at 7 am on August 2 and stretch across the length of the country till Kashmir. The trip is chalked out over a period of four weeks.
“Over the years, I have undertaken trips of various lengths to different parts of the country. I have found that there has been a change for the better in terms of food and accommodation facilities. During the early years, I would plan for a halt every 300 and odd kilometres but often found myself travelling for 800-1000 kilometres at a stretch in search of a decent stay.”
Arrangements for stay have been made at a few destinations beforehand since he does not want to take chances at this age. “Halts have been planned at Baroda, Delhi and Srinagar. I would also stop at some spots within Kerala to attend the felicitation events organsied by well-wishers.”
He envisages the biking expedition as a message for peace and unity. “I would also try to pass on awareness about safe biking and the importance of following traffic rules.”The only regret he has is that the proposed meeting with P T Usha at Payyoli will not take place as the ace sprinter is away in London attending the Olympics.
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