Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Belfast Bopian


Okay, so it was one ride you get a chance to do maybe once in lifetime, so I couldn’t let it go at any cost. It does needs bit daring to go out on such expedition of unknown lands, on an unknown bike; but we bikers are like that, crazy you might say J. I'm not very good at describing things in detail, so will just point out few things I think are worth sharing..
  • Top speed touched 160 kph, yeah J
  • Total distance covered-somewhere b/w 1100 and 1200 kms. The trip meter stopped working after the first day, so trusting google maps, I'll put it at 1121 kms.
  • The bike was awesome, as BMWs are supposed to be. Not even a single glitch in whole ride, and performance both acceleration and braking were superb. I have to come down from around 130 to 60-65 a couple of times on highway, and bike didn't show even a slight wobble. Thanks to both disks and ABS.
  • Overall riding experience was not too much different than doing it in India, only thing was that it was my first coast ride. Secondly, bikers are given all the respect on the road here in Ireland. People in waving, giving thumbs ups, flashing lights and everything. I really liked that a lot here. Especially the other bikers are concerned even if they see other one straightening his legs on the roadside. They move ahead only after making sure that everything's okay.
  • The guys I rented bike from (www.motorental.ie) are really helping and are doing a very good job. They are the only ones renting bikes in Ireland and they make sure everything goes like clockwork, even when they couldn't figure out my old indian driving license J
  • I'll dedicate this ride to all my BoP friends there, Jai BoP....

  • One thing is for sure, riding solo give you lots of time to ponder on all sorts of things, and I came up with this first amateurish poem of mine..
The roads are lonely, the ride is long.
But if you're with me, I'm gonna be strong.
I'm gonna climb the mountains, I'm gonna cross the passes,
If you're with me, we're gonna go places.
Be it the scorching sun, be it the beating rain,
if you're with me, I feel no pain.
I feel no hunger, I feel no thirst,
if you're with me, I'm always first.
I'm always roaring, I'm pushing the limits,
if you're with me, there is no 'leave it'
There are no worries, there's no fear,
if you're with me, there's always cheer
there's always fun and there's always thrill,
if you're with me, I go for the kill.
Oh! the sun is setting and there's nothing to hide,
I do get lonely when I don't ride.
So, you're the one, you're my ride,
you're my ride and you are my pride.