I saw this post in the Honda Whatsapp group created by the dealer.
“Honda Beer Club” logo had gone to Umling La! I immediately asked how do I join this club.
Someone messaged me the criteria. They want to know how good a petrol head you are. My blog links helped and I was let in.
That very weekend they were going on a group ride to an old Cement factory near Bangalore.
I being an introvert did not want to do a group ride at first. But the wife had banned all solo rides ( after she spotted me opening a package I had ordered with a dog tag with my name and her phone number – this spooked her ) – I thought let me try out a group ride for once.
So I signed up for this one.
Also My bike had just run only 120 kms since the day of purchase and the first service was coming up. It is always good to run the bike as much as possible as the new engine’s rough edges will get shaved off and the minute shivvings will get removed with the first engine oil change – and the engine will be all set for the long haul.
This might be a myth – as the new engine manufacturing technologies have improved and the engine and its parts are precise to the nano meter.
The ride was on a Sunday July 14th. I booked the first service appointment on Monday July 15th – the day Teesta completes 1 month.
Saturday I dug out my riding jacket, knee guard and riding shoe and let them air out in the sun. The last ride I had was around 2 years back I guess. Evening I went and filled petrol and air.
Sunday morning the reporting time was 5:30 AM at North Bangalore Honda Big Wing. I woke up at 4:30 AM and bathed in half a bucket of cold water – I had missed filling the bucket – our Apartment Complex still rations water – and finally left home around 5:20 AM.
Later I was speaking to one Anil, another newbie like me – he came from Athibele and had to wake up at 3:30 AM and left home at 4:30 AM. I kept quiet after that and did not crib about waking up so early!
Reached the Bellary Road Big Wing around 5:56 AM. They were just getting ready to depart. I introduced myself as a newbie and they repeated the instructions for my sake. We immediately left after that around 6:05 I think. These guys are so punctual.
There were 4 key people in this group.
A leader – Rajesh.
2 Marshalls – Siva and Pratik
A Sweep – Harsha
We riders are not supposed to over take the leader. And not fall behind the sweep.
Also we riders should not unnecessarily over take our fellow riders – unless it becomes necessary.
Marshalls will keep moving up and down and regulating the flow.
First I felt odd. Even for a bump or a small pothole the rider before me will point. And I was to relay the actions – which was optional for newbies.
This was so useful. Lot many places I either missed a pot hole, or a hazard like a dog waiting to cross the road on the side – and the rider ahead of me alerted me with his actions.
The signs that were shared in the group.
Our first stop was around 7:30 AM at a breakfast place just off the highway. They had arranged a party hall and a sumptuous spread. It was too early for me so I skipped the Masala dosa and had just idly and vada.
Big mistake. The lunch stop was much later around 2:30 PM.
Post breakfast we got off the NH highway and into State highways. Lot of speed breakers.
Then we got off the highway and onto a broken road – the approach to the old Cement factory and now abandoned limestone quarry.
We reached the limestone quarry – which is quite deep and filled with clear blue water. No algae no fish.
Here there was an impromptu session and the newbies were inducted into the club.
I got a HBC badge and a sticker for the bike from Rajesh, he was the Leader for this group ride.
He is Valerian Fernandes – founder of HBC. The Beer in HBC stands for – Bangalore Expedition Exotic Rides.
After some photo ops on the beautiful ( dead ) lake we headed over to a temple – Teertha Rameshwaram Temple. There is a natural spring here which never dries out. The teertham the priest gave was very sweet!
Interesting fact – for this ride there only Honda Highnesses. No other CB 350s or CB 300s came along.
Post temple stop – the ride was through some beautiful curving roads. I could lean the bike pretty confidently in the curves – I was following others and was learning how much I can lean.
There were no other stops. The Bangalore Tumkur Highway would have lot of truck traffic, so a little longer road was chosen through state roads and we reached Empire restaurant for lunch – around 2:30 PM.
It started raining moderately and I did not have any cover – but it was enjoyable nevertheless.
Starting from Empire Restaurant.
We made one final pit stop for tea just after a toll and all dispersed home. Bangalore greeted me with heavy traffic but heart was so full that I did not mind.
All my misgivings on group rides were gone. The group was fantastic. We spoke a lot about bikes and very less of work and they shared so many stories.
Also this group is not one of the racy types. We puttered around 80kmph most of the ride and occasionally hit 100kmph when the roads were fine. This was exactly my pace and not once I felt they were going fast or too slow.
The organizers also announced that there will be a ride on the first Sunday of every month. This is fantastic as I can plan for it.
The next ride is on August 4th to Horsley hills inside Andhra. I have signed up – hopefully will be able to make it.
Here are the SM handles
Insta : Honda_beer_club_bengaluru
FB : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556726514899
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@hondabeerclubbengaluru
