They bite the Bullet
Times of India

Here’s a club which might interest bike – maniacs in the twin city: InddieThumpers Bullet Motorcycle Club, a fellowship of men who are passionate about biking in general, but Enfield Bullets in particular.

Daman and Rasik, who founded this non – profit group in December 2001, decided upon the club name ‘InddieThumpers’ short for Indian and Thumpers for Single Cylinder Machines. Rasik says “Daman first put up the website on Yahoo Groups, and ever since, the group has three guys in December to 30 bikers in Feb.” To be a part of the group, one needs to share the passion for Enfields, get a kick out of riding it and of course, posses one.

InddieThumpers have a rather enthusiastic New Bombay crew – Manu, Nitin, Hari, Nikhil and Dhruv. Says Manu from Vashi “The best part is enjoying each other’s company and exchanging info. Cruising along Palm Beach Road is simply heavenly. Mumbai has no answer to this stretch of concrete to burn rubber. We are planning to organize races here soon, as the roads are good and empty. Needless to say: Only Bullets!”

The meeting point for the Vashi chapter is at Jai Ambe chaiwallah behind Golden Punjab, Mahavir Centre, Sector 17. The Vashi chapter meets here almost every evening after seven. Those who cannot meet their Bullet pals here everyday meet as often as possible.

The Saturday evening meeting, though, is a ritual must for the Vashi group. They go riding to Palm Beach Road, sometimes to Uran and Karnala, but generally in and around Navi Mumbai. The Mumbai group comes to Vashi at least once a month.

Coming to the practicalities, Manu explains, “We compare notes by e-mail or phone, and as there are so many of us, we come to know where genuine parts are available and who is selling spurious parts. Also, we tell others who the good mechanics are, and who is messing around.”

The Vashi troupe often spends Sunday evenings together in Bandra, where they team up with the Mumbai members.

Daman adds, “The sole purpose of the group is recreation. It brings together people who enjoy these powerful machines, which have stood the test of time over 50 years. Each person in the club is very passionate about his machine, and treats it like his woman! And what’s more, they keep them in top condition.” Interestingly, when a bike is sold for whatever reason, one does not say ‘my bike is being sold’. The bike in question is always referred to by ‘her’ name. one would say, for instance, ‘Angeldust’ is up for sale.

Names like Juggernaut, WidowMaker, Fantom and Hawk seem to reflect an intimate relationship between man and machine. Says Rasik “Everyone has a unique name for their bike”. Different models of Enfields and makes from 1972 to 2002 form part of the fleet. The members of the group are aged between 20 – 35. While some of these bikers are students, most of them work. The highpoint is their monthly 200 – 300 kmm two – day trip.

Recently members Subbu and Hanif drove to Delhi and Manali for 14 days. The return to Delhi was by road, but they took the train back from there, as time was running out to return to work. Apart from weekend trips, the group also plans to organize technical sessions for riders, to educate them about the working of their iron steeds. They also plan to organize a slow biking competition