On the occasion of World Motorcycle Day, Discover East talked to Subhadeep Bhattacharjee. He has traveled to almost all biking destinations in the country and is a founding member of Assam Bikers. Apart being an avid motorcycling enthusiast , he is also into trekking.
Q. What was your first bike and when did you have it ?
A. It started with the first two wheeler which I bought in the year 2003. I got a Honda Eterno, a geared scooter. Initially I used to go out for short distance trips within Assam.
Q. How many two wheelers have you owned ?
A. My first two wheeler was a geared scooter, Honda Eterno.
Gradually owned 8 two wheelers of different categories, till date.
Q. What are the Safety Measures each biker should take?
A. A minor bike mishap can change one’s entire life. Helmet is the most important safety gear one should use while riding. Good quality riding jacket, gloves, knee & elbow guards, shoes are other safety gears one should use too.
Q. What kind of risks and challenges are there in this field?
A. Accidents are one of the major risks , proper safety gears can minimize the damages. For long distance tours, one should be well prepared with necessary tools etc. in case bike breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
Q. Which is the most dangerous route that you have traveled on ?
A. In 2010, during my first bike trip to Ladakh, with my co-rider Rajib, we unknowingly reached Srinagar during strict curfew. Army personals helped us partially to cross the city. We faced a few violent protesters on the way & somehow escaped.
In the same night our bike’s tyre got punctured and it was not in a condition to repair. So we had to push the bike for 16 kilometres the whole night till we crossed the curfew area. There a local Kashmiri family helped us to get a person who could repair the puncture. During that period Srinagar was really a dangerous place to visit for any outsiders. Things are way better now.
Q. What is your longest single trip ?
A. Longest bike trip was Guwahati – Dehradoon – Manali – Ladakh – Srinagar – Ludhiana – Delhi. Who was approximately 4500 kilometres
Q. How important is the weather factor while embarking on a bike journey?
A. Weather is one of the major factors one need to consider before starting the trip. I personally avoid rainy seasons for motorcycle trips.
Q. Any tips for riders during the Covid – 19 pandemic?
A. I personally feel, during Covid – 19 pandemic, it’s wise to avoid such trips until & unless it’s urgent. In case of unavoidable ones, make sure to use proper masks and gloves. And follow social distancing as much as possible.
Q. Tell us about your most special trip.
A. My most special trip was a solo one, again in Himalayas. Delhi – Chandigarh -Shimla – Rampur – Kaza (Spiti Valley) – Keylong – Leh – Jammu on my Harley Davidson Iron 883. Though this bike was not meant for Spiti Valley roads, taken it just to test myself & the bike.
Team Discover East wants to thank Subhadeep Bhattacharjee for taking out few minutes from his busy schedule for us. We have also compiled a list of destinations in Northeast India specially for bikers.
