The Biking Tales: Chapter 3 - Riding the Unknown

June 13, 2023 — From Bareilly to Lucknow

Bareilly: By midday, the bike was finally ready, and with no time to waste, I rushed back to my hotel, packed my gear, and felt that familiar adrenaline rush. The sun was casting sharp shadows on the road, and I could feel the heat seeping into my skin. With the engine humming beneath me, I set out of Bareilly, heading toward Lucknow. The road stretched out in front of me, and I welcomed it like an old friend, even with the challenges it was sure to bring.

My first stop came around 2:30 PM for a quick water break, but my bike had other plans. The ignition refused to cooperate. I switched to neutral and got it started, but every time I shifted into gear, the engine would cut out. It hit me—it had to be the luggage setting off the side stand sensor. Under the blazing midday sun, I felt the heat on my back as I readjusted the balance. Locals watched with curiosity, some stepping in to help, a warm reminder of our collective spirit. With everything repacked, I hit the road again.

4 PM: I found myself at a petrol pump, battling with that pesky luggage again. Yes, again! This time the refuuiling guys stepped in like seasoned pros, securing it with practiced hands. Their smiles were the real deal—genuine, unfiltered joy from simply lending a hand. Moments like this make the world feel like a better place. I’ve always believed in the goodness of people, like my father, who would help others without a second thought. That day, their kindness reminded me of just that—selfless and pure.

Baraily to Lucknow Highway; please wear a helmet!

Just past 4:40 PM: I had an unexpected pit stop when a bunch of kids flagged me down. They ran up to me, eyes wide with excitement, and without warning, started flexing their abs. It was as if I’d wandered into an impromptu fitness show! They were so eager, mistaking me for some kind of celebrity or YouTuber, probably because of the camera strapped to my bike. Their energy was infectious—a lighthearted moment that added more fun to my ride.

As I navigated through the busy lanes of Lucknow around 8:30 PM, exhaustion started to creep in. Yet,

there was something comforting about the bustling streets; they reminded me of Connaught Place in Delhi—a place close to my heart. Lucknow had the same vibrant energy, the same rhythm. After a long day, I found a hotel near the railway station, grateful for a chance to rest and recharge for the next leg of my journey.

Dinner

Breakfast

June 14, 2023 — Lucknow to Ghazipur: A Detour on the Purvanchal Expressway

The following morning, with the sun already high, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as I prepared to leave Lucknow. I had initially planned to head to Vaishali, but a conversation with the hotel receptionist gave me a new idea. He suggested I take the Purvanchal Expressway to Buxar. “It’s a straight shot,” he said, “and they even use it as a runway for planes!” The thought of riding on a road with such a history thrilled me, and I quickly changed my plans.

I set off mid day again. I felt a surge of anticipation cause I did not really know where am I gonna end up in the end of the day today. The road ahead was unknown territory—uncharted paths that promised both excitement and uncertainty. As I took the turnings that lead me into the express way, my ignition gut again. There was no power as I accelarated. A restart again solved the issue but this time was a little scarry as the express way will have no connection to any cities for miles. I quickly spotted a Roadside assistance helpline number while paying the toll tax.

The expressway itself was a marvel: wide, well-paved, and seemingly endless. It was built for speed, and I pushed my Yamaha R15 to its limits, feeling the thrill of high-speed riding on a road that seemed to go on forever.

The heat was merciless. Riding at speeds over 100 km/h in temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The wind was hot and dry, like a furnace blast, and breathing felt like inhaling fire. Despite the discomfort, there was something exhilarating about it. The road demanded all my concentration. The elevated highway was free of pedestrians, stray animals, and no unexpected obstacles. It was just me, my bike, and the open road. Yet at such speed anything as minute as a 3cm pebble can be fatal. It felt like a race against the elements, a test of both machine and man.

Around evening, I stopped for a break at a food court built around the premise, a few hundred meters off the main road. The heat was taking its toll, and I could feel the exhaustion setting in. I decided then and there that I would find a hotel nearby and call it a night. The sun was setting and I was exhasted too with all the high speed thrill. All I see is endless roads and a name of a few towns I have never heard off.

The kindness of strangers, the thrill of the unexpected, and the raw beauty of the road itself had made this chapter of "The Biking Tales" unforgettable. More on where do I go and find a shelter coming on Chapter 4. Stay Tuned and show your support by being a member on my Website.

Signing off Amit Baruah