License to....

It sucks to spend a hundred thousand dollars on learning the art of using one of the most interesting machines of modern times, something that can achieve the miracle of flight. And the Indian government recognises your achievements with these 2 gaudy coloured books with 3 pages of printed recycled paper stapled to them. Would I have traded it for that 1098R, a WrenchMonkee BMW and a ride in the Baja? Hell no! This is my ticket to fly!!

From runway to raceway

Once upon a time at Kari

You could barrel down the runway in one of these, hit the ton and be airborne

Now...

You blip, shift, brake, stick that knee out and drag it around C1 and feel the rush come...

This used to be Kari's playground until his untimely death in 1995. But thanks to the legend, it's now a playground he's left behind for all of us to enjoy.
The Smell of the unburnt fuel, fresh rubber and the wraith of the chambers on song...Divine!
PS: if you're in the area this weekend, join T.W.O trackside, cheer, jeer or just come and inhale!!

Live it, love it, but....

Two Wheels...One Dream

Don't join the herd, take the Ride!

Once upon a VF....

Saw it...Lusted after it...The world's first superbike

Fell in love...The gold wheels were race bred and drool.

Emptied the bank...Bought it.

Relished the vee, experienced what anti-dive meant in 1983

Pencil pointer needles hit a hundred and sixty louder and quicker than most new aged motors.

 Still regret not having done this...

Ride for food programme

 What a Chuduku is to the Goma tribe, a hummer is to the West. It is a cross between ingenuity and poverty and is seen as tool that aids family welfare.
 

 This scooter-like contraption, made of eucalyptus wood can carry up to 250 kgs of anything with relative ease replacing a beast of burden in this impoverished society. Maybe this post will make a more meaningful Thanksgiving for those of you celebrating it. Two wheels do move the soul.
And oh Happy Thanksgiving!

 via leblogmoto

Personal Jesus

I had the opportunity to visit a traditional Goan house a few months ago and along with alcohol cellars, the other thing that got my attention was the presence of God in the form of clay and glass frames.

In keeping with the hippy atmosphere of Goa, this painting had a psychedelic touch

But a not-so-little tabernacle in the corner of a room had sketches and paintings of all the saints in the Catholic church and oh, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Sometimes I wonder why the fanatic word is always paired up with religions other than Catholicism.

Dirty, slow and heavy!

When you're landing a plane this big with a few hundred people and disaster relief material at ten and a half thousand feet, a sick crosswind and just about 10000 feet of black stuff, you've got to be dead accurate. And these guys do it everyday.


Not sure if this is pic jeopardises national security, and if it does I'd be glad to take it off

Brittown...the DVD

They say Japanese motorcycles made up in horsepower for the character they lacked. With the British motorcycles it was ride, wrench, repeat... just they way i like it! Brittown showcases a staunch Britbike aficionado who eats, sleeps and lives motorcycles draped in the Union Jack. It's on my wish list... if you have it... I'd like to borrow it. If you don't, get it. It's worth it.

When in Ambur...

Eat their biryani! Ambur a little hell hole in Tamil Nadu is famous for it's leather tanneries and shoe shops, but thanks to the Nawab of Arcot who once had his capital near here, their Biryani is what makes it a hot spot when you're passing by. Chicken, mutton or beef you can pick, but make sure it's at the Taj restaurant, it's just one of a kind and sometimes a little hard to spot.

Why Georgia, why?

Driving up 85 in the
Kind of evening that has a big bright moon
Just stuck inside the gloom
4 more exits to see it depart
I am tempted to keep going on and ride
And leave it all behind

Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?

Eight hours of fast!

The Suzuka 8-hour is a big deal for the big four

The physically draining race is a playground where emerging talent is noticed and where some established racers are forced to race to fulfill contractual obligations.

Not sure bout you, but I'd like to at least once, race through the night and watch the sun peek over the horizon as I'm putting in some fast laps. Bloody Surreal!

Pics: Honda

The Breakfast of Champions...

James Hunt beat Niki Lauda to F1 crown in 1976. But he'd often beat his friend and motorcycle legend Barry Sheen to the number of BA Air Hostess they could bed at the Tokyo Hilton. One of the most charismatic drivers to ever grace the F1 grid, JH claimed to hate racing, and would get violently ill, throwing up and trembling before a race. His remedy...stitched on the badge on his race suit.
JH was married to Suzy Miller for a few years before she left him to marry Richard Burton, who was so smitten by her that he offered to pay Hunt the $1 million divorce settlement. Hunt was just happy that Burton had "taken on the most alarming expense account in the country" And they say the 2010 F1 championship is fun!!!

Via TSY

The Magic of Flight

Little winged 'M' badge on the tank, two wheels in the air and a smirk on the rider's face. Love the straight faced woman's expression the most though. Just another day in the pillion seat.

LIFE: Wake up, get moving, enjoy the ride

Via: Cay Broendum's cool blog

Head art!

Chad Hodge is a Design student who came up with these brilliant designs for his Thesis at his Uni. he's looking for someone who can put these into production. Frankly I'm I'd love to help him find that someone, coz i want the one that sports the Japanese flag. Cool? Super drool!

Via: bubblevisor

Ship shop

We had a kit shipped out to Madrid... Celebrations all around..

Big problem? No problem

I discovered this through a good friend and top Indian motorcycle tuner. And all of us folk know that it's exactly how shit works in almost every motorcycle workshop o'er here

Sunsets...

They're always spectacular at airports.

Start 'em young....

Kr JR started young on his dad's OW48 and was credited not only to winning a 500cc World Championship but also to beating Honda's six-year winning streak. Only goes to show - if you start 'em young, you're gonna have a blast watching 'em grow.

pic: Yamaha

Red Neck Ride

Riding in the south Georgia area is a blast. Vast unexplored areas of marsh where motorcycle swallowing mud puddles are just part of the adventure. So is a southern lad trying to salvage old car tyres! Can't help but reminisce the fun days.

Just for...FUN!

Isn't it just fantastic when people do things just because they can Just because they want to Just to see if it goes someplace.

Here's a pic of George Hurst sketching his 'light bulb' moment over coffee. The Hemi under Glass was one bright light bulb that would light up drag strips across the States in the '60s and '70s

The Hemi Under Glass project was no more than a Plymouth Baracuda with a 426 cu in Hemi placed essentially where the rear seats would be. It took performance to an all new level and made it a stonking mid-engined car. I'm not sure what they claimed or clocked on the quarter mile.Bbut hell, they almost always did it on two wheels!! All the way to the finish!

via Selvedge Yard

Sky high

Went to the mountains this year. Had a blast. Rode into Nubra. Ticked another corner of the earth off. Was a hundred clicks from Siachen. Into Turtuk, discovered secret air strips. Found the end of a rainbow. Watched little choppers disappear into mountain ridges. Watched Pangong Tso, change from blue to black to blue again. Got stuck in a land slide. Saw earth move. Move like she owned the place. Heard water roar. Like the deafening rumble of a thousand bass drums heaving on your home theatre in a tiny living room. Almost swept away on a dirt bike by a raging stream. Now a river. Pelleted by golf sized hail. Wandered out in the dark to save my motorcycle. Felt fear... Real Fear. Took a motorcycle to safety. Saw a non existent road right before it caught me. Returned to a refuge, drenched, cold and on foot. Sub zero temperatures. Soaking wet in weather proof gear. Felt cold. Real Cold. Camelbak's almost dry. Emergency food already donated. Felt exhaustion. Real exhaustion. Realised that it's 'all in the mind'. And the adventure had only begun.... Here are some of the pics.

From Skyline bouLEHvard

From Skyline bouLEHvard

From Skyline bouLEHvard

From Skyline bouLEHvard

From Skyline bouLEHvard

From Skyline bouLEHvard

From Skyline bouLEHvard

From Skyline bouLEHvard

From Return to Sender 2010

From Return to Sender 2010

From Return to Sender 2010

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods

From Leh Floods