Mission Accomplished! Biker Sachin Shetty Ends 11,200 Km Ride
Mission Accomplished! Biker Sachin Shetty Ends 11,200 Km ‘Lights Camera Ladakh’ Ride, which started from Kaup/DK to Jammu and Kashmir on 28 May 2017- and back to Kaup on 3 July 2017.
Mangaluru: Sachin Shetty a native of Kaup, in the outskirts of Mangaluru- a cinematographer with distinct skills, who loves to ride his motorbike and travel to distant places, whose name is entered in the Limca Book of Records, has made his dream come true, by riding his motorbike from Kaup/DK to Jammu and Kashmir- and back to Kaup/DK- His dream ride which was launched on May 28, 2017, ended today, 3 July 2017, completing 11,000 kms. He toured 16 states riding his Royal Enfield Himalayan (Bullet) motorbike, fitted with four cameras, where during his journey documented the life, culture and heritage of the places that he passed through, with narration. He had named this thunderous ride as ‘Lights Camera Ladakh’. Sachin completed his mission in 37 days today, 3 July at 3 pm, where he was welcomed in Mangaluru at Forum Fiza Mall by bikers belonging to Mangalore Jawa Yezdi Motorcycle Club (MJYMC); the Mangalore Bulls Motorcycling Club (MBMC), and Mangalore Bulls Motorcycle Club.
With a modified bike to carry clothes, food, toiletries and other stuff, and his helmet fitted with a microphone and camera which transmitted data to a hard drive, Sachin from Udupi rode to Mumbai and then to Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Amritsar, Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, Manali, Bhopal, Ajantha Yellora, Chandigarh and other places- towards Kanyakumari, Mysuru, Mangaluru and culminating at Kaup, his native place. His whole trip cost him around Rs 1.5 lakhs which he managed on his own and from the financial support of his biker friends.
Making a pit stop at Mangaluru Forum Mall before culminating his ride of 11, 200 km at Kaup at around 5 pm today, he was greeted with flowers and mementoes by his biker friends of the Three Motorcycle Clubs mentioned above, well-wishers and friends. To celebrate his accomplishment of this mission, Sachin was made to cut a custom-made well-decorated cake, specially ordered by his biker friends. Everyone shared a piece of the commemorative cake, amidst some fun and frolic. After a few photo-shots and selfies, it was time for Sachin to head back to Kaup.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean Sachin Shetty said, “This was my first long motorbike journey, and I am happy that I completed it without any major problems. This accomplishment is indeed my dream come true, and I am grateful to all my family members, relatives and friends who supported me in this mission. Other than three or four times of minor breakdown of my motorbike, which was fixed by the Enfield mechanics in that area, I never encountered any major trouble with my bike. I was overwhelmed to ride with my Yezdi boys from the MJYMC club and the Mangalore Off-roaders, who joined me in the ride from J&K to Chandigarh. We all had fun. While my biker friends flew back to Mangaluru from Chandigarh, I went forward on the next leg – straight down towards Kanyakumari- from there to Bengaluru-Mysuru, and reaching Mangaluru- from where I will culminate my trip in my hometown, Kaup, thereby completing 11,200 kms. Thanks once again to all my fans, friends, and public for encouraging and supporting me in this endeavour. Thanks also to Mangalorean.com for giving excellent coverage”.
Yes, travelling is something that is ingrained in all of us. Some of us have the privilege from small, some of us grow up with the dream in mind, of visiting new places, beautiful locales, experiencing different cultures and varied cuisines, and taking it all as a new learning aspect. While the majority, would go the trusted way of booking flights, trains, buses or private vehicles, there is a small niche that has blossomed over the years – of Travelers who prefer to travel by road, in their own vehicles. And among them are those motorcycle riders who have taken the roads, literally, by storm! Bypassing long traffic jams, avoiding bad roads and stretches to the max, parking easily in a crowded area and then just experiencing the flow of the wind, while out on a straight open road – the reasons can be many of why motorcycle riders do what they do.
One among them is Sachin Shetty, a brilliant Cinematographer from the Kanada Film Industry and Owner of Shutterbox – his own Cinematic business. An avid biker, member of the Mangalore Jawa Yezdi Motorcycle Club (MJYMC) as well as the Mangalore Bulls Motorcycling Club (MBMC), he has always taken an active part in many group rides as well as solo rides, to various destinations, creating short videos and documentaries in the process. But when he had the vision to create a complete documentary on the varied culture of all our many States, he realised that the best way to do it, would be to do it on the move – in the way he loves best – on his motorcycle. And Yes, he did it! Mission Accomplished-where he finished 11,200 kms in 37 days covering 16 states. Kudos to Sachin Shetty for his daring adventure and accomplishing his goal.
BIKER CHICKS! IF GUYS CAN RIDE, WHY NOT GIRLS!
L-R Krithi Uchil and Pooja Jain
Now more than any other time in history, women are taking up motorcycle riding in record numbers. If you’ve found your way to this article because you’re a woman thinking of getting into the sport, you’re certainly not alone, because quite a few motorcycle riders on the road today are women! As a man, have you ever wondered why you don’t see many women motorbike riders or racers (or, if you’re a woman, wondered why there are so many male racers)? Is it because women don’t come equipped with the same number of arms and legs as a bloke? Is it because, in general, female brain chemistry predisposes the fairer sex towards skills not immediately associated with those required to win races? Either way, there are exceptions. And for that matter, Team Mangalorean ran into two female motorbike riders from Kudla at Forum Mall today (who had come to wish Sachin Shetty on his success), who just got back from their nearly 2000 km journey riding their respective motorbikes from Mangaluru to Hyderabad -and back.
Meet Krithi Uchil and Pooja Jain, both entrepreneurs and members of ‘The Bikerni” Motorcycle Club for Women- Mangalore Chapter, who on 3 June 2017 rode from Mangaluru to Hyderabad, and were back in Mangaluru on 7 June 2017, covering a distance of nearly 2000 kms. Krithi riding her RC 390 KTM motorbike, and Pooja riding her Yamaha F2 motorbike, were thrilled to have taken this ride, and finishing it without any hassles or problems during their journey. “If men can ride motorbikes and travel to various destinations, and have their best times, why not women. We call and want to encourage women to take up this sport and be great female bike riders,” said these two biker chicks!
With an inspiring motto – Mud for makeup, petrol for perfume – The Bikerni (https://www.facebook.com/TheBikerni) is a group of women who love to ride. The group started off with 15-20 riders in January 2011 and now has over 600 riders all across India. It has now spread its wings across Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bangalore, Mangaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Assam, Pune and still counting. The criteria for registration are: You need to have a two-wheeler (geared or non-geared), you need to have a valid license, and you need be a woman! If you meet all these pre-requisites, you can fill in their registration form available on their Facebook page and someone will get in touch with you.
So far, the group has conducted several rides and social awareness drives including helmet awareness, blood donation, etc. Several chapters of the group took off on a ride on the International Female Ride Day in May. ‘The Bikerni’s started off just as riders wanted to ride their bikes and explore new places but it has now become much more. The group stands for women empowerment, freedom and a special bond between the riders. So if you are a woman who dreams of being a rider, you have some cool company to do so. The Bikerni is a group you must join! Check out their Facebook page for more details. If Kudla damsels, Krithi and Pooja can ride motorbikes, have fun and explore various destinations on two-wheelers, you too can!
