May 21, 2009 Part 4


THURSDAY NEWS GOES ON AND ON WITH K&N INTAKE ASSEMBLY, CANADIAN MOTORCYCLE NEWSPAPER NEEDS HELP, MORE RESTRICTIVE HELMET LEGISLATION, RADIO ADS SAYS MYRTLE BEACH RALLIES ARE OVER, KIDS & CHROME, LIFESTYLE CYCLE DEALS OF THE WEEK, KENDON BIKE LIFTS SAVE THE DAY AND BIKE BAGS FROM BIKERS CHOICE.

Continued From Page 3

Spydere

SPYKER CARS AND RM AUCTIONS PARTNER FOR UPCOMING EVENT CALENDAR–BLENHEIM, Ontario (May 7, 2009) − RM Auctions, the world?s preeminent vintage motor car auction house, is pleased to announce a new partnership with exclusive premium sports car manufacturer Spyker Cars N.V. for its 2009 and 2010 U.S. schedule of events.

RM?s discerning clientele − accustomed to experiencing the very best collector cars, can now enjoy the privilege of special access to Spyker?s handcrafted sports cars onsite at RM auction events.

Calendar of Events:
Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook ? August 1, 2009
Sports & Classics of Monterey ? August 13 ? 15, 2009
Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey ? October 9, 2009
Automobiles of Arizona ? January 2010
Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale ? February 2010
Automobiles of Amelia Island ? March 2010

For further information, visit: www.rmauctions.com

Additional information can be found on Spyker Cars? website: www.spykercars.com

article breaker1

LEARN AIRBRUSH TECHNIQUES WITH MIKE LEARN–We’ve noticed that you’ve not been active on Airbrush Artists Resources by Mike Learn for quite some time now, and we miss you!

Why not drop in and check out the LIVE Web Cam, Current Projects, Promotions and Community Events or just to see what other like-minded individuals are up to.

If you don’t remember your password, you can request it here: http://www.learnairbrush.com/forums/login.php?do=lostpwWe hope to see you soon.

–Airbrush Artists Resources by Mike Learn
http://learnairbrush.com

article breaker1

Oldshop

Roeder’s Harley-Davidson ClosesThe Ohio dealership calls it a day–Today’s edition of the Sandusky Register in Ohio features a story on Friday’s closure of Roeder Harley-Davidson, the dealership owned by Will and Julie Roeder and founded by the late George Roeder in 1972.

According to the report, National City banked filed a forecloser lawsuit against the dealership on April 29, alleging that the Roeders have defaulted on roughly $2.5 million. Harley-Davidson, meanwhile, followed that with a lawsuit of its own, saying the dealership owes the Motor Company $2 million.

In addition to its financial woes, the dealership serves as the main sponsor for Ohio Bike Week, which is scheduled to start on June 5. The Sandusky Register says that signs on the dealership window directed customers to Shifters Bar and Grill, which is located next to Roeder’s, to purchase passes for the event there.

Steve Ernst, who runs Ohio Bike Week as the president of Advantage Entertainment and Consulting, told the newspaper that the event would continue.”We’re certainly affected,” Ernst told the Register. “They are our lead sponsor. They are the ones who started all this.”

–Cycle News

article breaker1

BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS WITH DR. WEIL–5 Ways to Lower Cholesterol Through Diet .For people battling high cholesterol, choosing meals wisely can be a challenge, but it is essential. Restaurants, parties, even an office potluck may present unhealthy temptations. But simple dietary modifications can help you eliminate those unhealthy choices, while still allowing you to enjoy your meals. Try these healthful ways to help lower your cholesterol:

Reduce saturated fat. The richest sources of saturated fat (fat that is usually solid at room temperature) in the diet are red meat and dairy foods. Substitute whole soy protein for animal protein, and use low- or non-fat dairy products.

Avoid trans-fat. Stay away from items that list “partially hydrogenated oil” on the label, especially snack foods. Try baked or air-popped versions instead.

Use fresh garlic regularly in your meals. Garlic has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels.

Drink green tea daily. The antioxidants in green tea help lower cholesterol and prevent the cholesterol in your blood from oxidizing.

Eat plenty of soluble fiber. It has a powerful cholesterol-lowering effect. The best sources are beans and lentils, apples, citrus fruits, oats, barley, peas, carrots and freshly ground flaxseed.

–Learn more from DrWeil.com

article breaker1

AMA BANNER

Dal Smilie Faces Extradition ChargesFormer AMA Board Member Dal Smilie in hot water–Former AMA Board Chairman Dal Smilie went before the court in Helena, Montana, Thursday to face extradition charges originating in Ohio that he stole $109,000 in travel related expenses from the AMA, according to a Helena Independent Record report that appeared today on www.missoulian.com.

Smilie, a former chief legal counsel for the state Department of Administration in Montana, is accused of grand theft by deception and receiving stolen property between January 2003 and December 2007 from AMA. Smilie was a member of the AMA’s board of directors for 25 years, including a term as chairman, before resigning in November of 2007. A few months later he retired from his job with the state of Montana.

The 60-year-old Smilie, an AMA Hall of Famer, was quoted on the website as saying he was surprised by his arrest because he thought he had reached a settlement with the AMA a year ago.

“The amount that we had in dispute about the travel claims were all more than refunded,” Smilie said. “Our indication was that it was a civil matter.”

“Two things took place,” AMA spokesman Pete terHorst told the website. “There was a civil action, which was resolved between Mr. Smilie and the AMA, that happened last summer. But we also turned over the results of the investigation by AMA to the county attorney.”

Smilie was released from custody after posting a $25,000 bond. Now it is likely that Smilie will travel to Ohio to enter a plea in court.

–CycleNews

article breaker1

bikers choice kendon

KENDON BIKE LIFTS SAVE THE DAY–Tired of taking your bike to a shop to have it worked on simply because you can?t lift it off the ground? Kendon has lifts for all your bikes mechanical needs. The Cruiser Bike Lift is perfect for your domestic or import bikes and has a 1,000lb weight capacity. This lift will fit bikes up to 90? long (measured from the front of the front tire to the center of the rear axle).

The Chopper Lift is ideal for all your choppers and extended length motorcycles. This lift also has a 1,000lb weight capacity, and has optional accessories available such as the Bike Builders Kit and the Frame Jack, not pictured. The Chopper Lift will fit bikes up to 115? long (measured from the front of the front tire to the center of the rear axle).

For more lifts and products for your motorcycle and the rider, visit www.Bikerschoice.com or visit your local Biker?s Choice Dealer.

Happy Riding!!
–Carmen

BIKERS CHOICE BANNER

article breaker1

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEALS OF THE WEEK!–Check out our entire inventory at www.lifestylecycles.com . Lifestyle Cycles has the largest selection of pre-owned Harley Davidsons in Southern California! Call today at 714-490-0155

1992_heritage

1992 HARLEY HERITAGE SOFTAILONLY $8,995.00
Wow! How’s this for a deal on a Heritage? This 1992 Harley features a 80ci motor with Vance & Hines Long Shot custom dual exhaust, 5-speed transmission and tons of extras!

Features include metallic burgandy red paint, chrome oil bag, chrome highway bars, factory two-up seating, passenger pegs, Nacelle headlight, 16-wheels with diamond cut spokes, Kuryakyn axle coves, chrome pulley and shaved fenders. This bike also comes with custom flamed grips, mirrors and a teardrop hot rod taillight with a blue dot. To be sure, there’s a lot of Harley here for only $8,995.00. Call today at 714-490-0155

2001_fatboy

2001 HARLEY FAT BOYONLY $16,995.00
Now here’s a tricked out 2001 Harley Davidson Fat Boy that’ll turn heads where ever you go!

This ’01 features custom blue paint with green tribal flames, accented with tons of chrome accessories! Power comes from an 88 cubic inch motor and 5-speed transmission! The Fat Boy also comes with Carlini bars, riser and dash! The flame scheme goes all the way around the bike from the custom air cleaner to the custom made seat. This 2001 Harley also comes with a chrome front end, axle covers, twisted spoke rims and a lowered suspension. The only thing missing is you! Call today at 714-490-0155

2004_lucky7

2004 LUCKY 7 CHOPPERS PRO STREETONLY $15,995.00
This 2004 Lucky 7 Pro Street has all the trimmings and more!

Features a RevTech 110 cubic inch motor with up shot chrome exhaust WCC Spade air cleaner and 5-speed transmission! This bike is custom painted black with red hot rod style flames, solo seat, blacked out lower legs and triple trees, blacked out spiked riser and wheels and much much more! You really have to see this one in person to get the full effect! And at this price, it’ll be gone by the weekend! Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity! Call today at 714-490-0155

2005_XL883

2005 Harley SPORTSTER XL883COnly $5,995.00
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a back up bike or a bike for your wife or girlfriend, this 2005 Sportster is ready to ride!

Features a factory 883cc motor with Screamimg Eagle exhaust system and 5-speed transmission, factory Black Cherry Paint, 21-inch front wheel and more! This bike comes complete with removable leather saddlebags, windvest wind screen, chrome engine guard and forward controls with heel rest. Ready to ride anywhere, anytime! Call today at 714-490-0155

2007_roadking

2007 HARLEY ROAD KINGONLY $15,995.00
Why buy new when you can have a gently pre-owned Harley Road King for a fraction of a new bike?

This awesome 2007 Road King features a powerful, factory 96 cubic inch motor with Vance & Hines slip on exhaust and six speed transmission ready for any road you can throw at it! Features a Suede Blue Pearl paint job, highway bars, chrome front end leather saddlebags and much much more! Too many extras to list! You must see it to believe we’d sell it this cheap! And with only 2971 miles, you know it’ll go fast! Call today at 714-490-0155

Like all of LifeStyle Cycles pre-owned Harleys, this bike has been inspected, tested and approved by a certified LifeStyle Cycles technician.

Lifestyle Cycle Banner

article breaker1

Nashsale
Tell ’em Bikernet posted the offer late.

Nash Banner

BIKERNET SPORTS CENTER–At one point during a game, the coach called one of his 9-year-old baseball players aside and asked, ‘Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?’

The little boy nodded in the affirmative.

‘Do you understand that what matters is whether we win or lose together as a team?’

The little boy nodded yes.

‘So,’ the coach continued, ‘I’m sure you know, when an out is called, you shouldn’t argue, curse, attack the umpire, or call him a pecker-head. Do you understand all that?’

The little boy nodded again.

He continued, ‘And when I take you out of the game so another boy gets a chance to play, it’s not good sportsmanship to call your coach ‘a dumb ass’ is it?’

Again, the little boy nodded.

‘Good,’ said the coach. ‘Now go over there and explain all that to your grandmother.

–from Art Friedman

article breaker1

kids n chrome trike

Lehman Conversion Harley-Davidson Trike andFat Boy Customized by RSD Headline 2009 Kids & Chrome–Kids & Chrome, a one-of-a-kind benefit dinner and auction held annually during the Sturgis Rally, has a tradition of attracting motorcycle enthusiasts and industry legends who ?Rally for a Reason? to benefit ?Kids,? the Children?s Home Society, and ?Chrome,? the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.

Since its inaugural event in 2005, Kids & Chrome has donated well in excess of a half million dollars to its charities.

The 5th Anniversary Kids & Chrome is slated for Wednesday, August 5th, 2009.Headlining this year?s Kids & Chrome live auction are a 2009 Lehman Conversion Harley-Davidson FLH Trike, donated by Lehman Trikes and Black Hills Harley-Davidson, and a 2009 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, donated by Jim and Monica Burgess, and customized by Roland Sands Design (RSD).

kids n chrome rsd

For more information and to purchase event tickets for an opportunity to bid on these awesome motorcycles and other great auction items, visit www.KidsandChrome.com.

Kids and chrome

article breaker1

Radio ads tell bikers Myrtle Beach rallies are over–The city of Myrtle Beach is running radio ads throughout the Carolinas to discourage bikers from attending the upcoming Atlantic Beach Bikefest. The ads also ran ahead of the Cruisin’ the Coast Spring Rally, according to Mark Kruea, city spokesman.

Myrtle Beach is “a great place to visit,” the ad says, “but don’t expect to find a bike rally.”

The ads are running in these radio markets: Florence, Sumter-Columbia, Charleston, Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, Fayetteville, Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Wilmington, N.C., Kruea said.

–from Cindy Hodges

article breaker1

MORE RESTRICTIVE HELMET LEGISLATION–They call it grant money I call it bribes.I have some questions about how law enforcement can take your personal property (helmet)When the helmet is stolen from the motorcyclist by law enforcement and the motorcyclist is now helmetless in a mandatory helmet situation what happens then.Certainly the motorcyclist will not be able to ride away helmetless. Will Police be selling helmets out of the trunk of their cars? Will they be staying with the motorcyclist and or motorcycle until the operator produces a helmet of their liking?

Since there would not be any thing illegal with the motorcycle what do they plan to do with it?

I see this being a Big Can of Worms and I hope that anyone who does get stopped and has any of their rights violated to take legal action against those doing it.

— Rogue

The Omaha Police Department received grant funding to begin operations to enforce motorcycle helmet compliance in Omaha.

Operations will begin Wednesday, May 27, 2009 and run through Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at various dates and times throughout the entire city.

The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety has awarded $25,000 to fund extra officers on the streets to ensure motorcyclists are compliant with Nebraska state laws regarding motorcycle helmets.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration, NHTSA, estimates that helmets reduce the risk of a fatal head injury by 40% and the risk of a death in a motorcycle crash by 37%.

Nebraska state law specifies that protective helmets that meet the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #218 are required for all operators and passengers of a motorcycle or moped.

The protective helmet must be secured properly with a chinstrap on the head of the operator and /or passenger while the motorcycle or moped is in motion. The helmet shall consist of lining, padding, and chinstrap and shall meet or exceed the U.S. D.O.T. 218 Standard.

This compliance initiative is designed at saving lives by gaining compliance with Nebraska’s motorcycle helmet laws.

Officers will be looking for operator’s who are in violation of this law by not wearing a helmet and /or not wearing a helmet satisfying or exceeding the U.S. D.O.T. standards.

Helmets found in violation of this standard are confiscated and the driver cited. http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/45400402.html

article breaker1

Canadianewspaper

CANADIAN MOTORCYCLE NEWSPAPER NEEDS HELP–Maybe you help. One of the papers my articles run in is call the BustedKnuckle Chronicles. It is a weekly newspaper put out by Renee Charbonneaua.k.a. Belt Drive Betty that centers around motorcycling in Canada. Likemany of us she has hit hard times and is looking for investors and/orfinancial help.

I thought I would float it by you to see if you knew ofanyone in your stretch of the woods that might be interested in beingpartnered with it. Its website is www.beltdrivebetty.com and I’ve includeda couple of .PDF samples of the newspaper itself.

–Uncle Monkey Wayne

article breaker1

K N PARTS

With over 6 Horsepower gain to the rear wheels, K&N?s New Custom Intake Assembly gives your Dyna the punch it needs, to get you movin? down the highway!– May 2009, K&N Engineering, Inc., Releases a ?New? High-Flow Custom Intake Assembly (RK-3931) for all 2008-2009 Harley-Davidson DYNA Models. Designed to fit neatly behind your Dyna Model?s stock air cleaner cover, this new High-Flow, Custom Intake Assembly is performance designed to provide low restriction, resulting in increased horsepower & torque.

K N graph

An ?Original? High-Flow filter provides a large filtration area offering low restriction and long service intervals. A Zinc-coated Top-Plate ensures years of filtration without corrosion. A Bump-Seal is used at the base to provide a perfect seal. Like all most K&N High-Flow Filters, this filter is washable & reusable, pre-oiled and ready to ride. The cast aluminum backing plate includes built-in, internal run breathers that directs heat dissipation direct to the throttle body. A bolted-in, dyno-tuned, velocity stack increases airflow velocity into the throttle body.

Spacers and hardware are included to mount your stock Harley Davidson air-cleaner cover. Fuel management modifications are not necessary to obtain increased performance.

K&N Logo

article breaker1

THE BIKERNET WEDDING TEST– I was a very happy man. My wonderful girlfriend and I had been dating for over a year, and so we decided to get married. There was only one little thing bothering me…It was her beautiful younger sister.

My prospective sister-in-law was twenty-two, wore very tight miniskirts, and generally was bra-less. She would regularly bend down when she was near me, and I always got more than a nice view. It had to be deliberate, because she never did it when she was near anyone else.

One day her ‘little’ sister called and asked me to come over to check the wedding invitations. She was alone when I arrived, and she whispered to me that she had feelings and desires for me that she couldn’t overcome. She told me that she wanted me just once before I got married and committed my life to her sister.

Well, I was in total shock, and couldn’t say a word.

She said, ‘I’m going upstairs to my bedroom, and if you want one last wild fling, just come up and get me.’ I was stunned and frozen in shock as I watched her go up the stairs. I stood there for a moment, then turned and made a beeline straight to the front door. I opened the door, and headed straight towards my car. Lo and behold, my entire future family was standing outside, all clapping!

With tears in his eyes, my father-in-law hugged me and said, ‘We are very happy that you have passed our little test. We couldn’t ask for a better man for our daughter. Welcome to the family.’

And the moral of this story is: Always keep your condoms in your car!!!

–from Scooter

micah mccloskey banner

Continued On Page 5

Please follow and like us:
Pin Share

Royal Enfield Wins Best Documentary

POSTER

Synopsis: Gaurav Jani is a founder member of 60KPH a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle club. He rode and recorded his solitary trip to Changthang among the Himalayas and to Marsimek–la, the highest motorable pass in the world at 18,634 feet. He shot 40 hours of his ride which has been heartbreakingly edited to a 94-minute documentary. The project won many awards including Golden Conch for Best Documentary at the Mumbai International Film Festival (2006). His memoirs are now available on DVD.

I met Gaurav on 26 May and we talked till 3 AM at a road side dhaaba (food joint) in Thane Ghodbunder Highway.

Long

Man, Machine and Myth – Romancing the Roads

Men are not emotional creatures. We have a strong façade for the expansive world. But we do have passion. It is this intense drive to do what is unique to us, a force driving us towards a different world view. When you realise you are not a sheep in a herd but a beast far more extreme – you do what cowboys have done since ages – tame a wild bull or die trying.

For Gaurav Jani this began years ago as he founded the all India Bullet club – 60 KPH ( http://www.60kph.com ). Don’t be fooled by the name, their speed or reach is not limited to 60KMPH. Over the years members have gone on group rides throughout the country and into neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan on their trusty Bulls (Bullets). But he had not discovered himself yet through these group rides. He craved a personal adventure to realise what Bullet-eers call Bullet Nirvana. This he achieved in “Riding Solo To The Top Of The World.”

Talking about his trip; why choose a motorcycle that retains a 50 year-old technology in its current production. Royal Enfield’s cast iron engine has gone with almost no technical improvements since it started operations in India. Today the Indian company is the only one functioning while its British parent company and all others have shut shop long ago.

Remember Biking In India article–We mentioned thehistory of Royal Enfield in India.EXCERPT from the same:”The Indian debut happened in 1949 with the 350ccBullet when Madras Motors started assembling the RoyalEnfield motorcycles to supply it to the Indian Army.The Bullet would disappear from most regions of thebiking world but Enfield India Company thumped along.In 1994 the ailing company renewed its reach afterthey were acquired by the Eicher Group .”

“I didn't have a line up of bikes from which I could choose a 350cc Enfield over a 650cc or 1100cc bike. The Enfield in Riding Solo… is my five-year-old bike and my only option for this ride” Says Gaurav confident of his Bullet. Year of Manufacture / Purchase of your Bullet used forthe tripModel and CC capacity/BHP of his Bullet = 2001 model,350 cc, Std Bullet iron engine, 18bhp.

None of the financers were willing to put money on this project. A solo ride with no route or itinerary planned. In these desperate circumstances was his state of mind, firm on doing it solo. That was the essence of the trip – doing it on his own and capturing it on film. Having worked behind the camera; facing the camera was another challenge for him.

Author's Note: It is the passion for riding the WW II technology withno changes – drum brakes and spokes and CB pointignition et al. Most of all the Thump and displacementgives the unique comfort of riding in the top gear(4th gear) at the speed of as less as 20 KMPH withoutmissing a beat or engine problem. Also due to thedisplacement the bike runs at same speed with pillionor luggage. It is a hard core Indian bike now – evenwith the British Royal Enfield tag.

Gaurav explains, “Both Rajiv (a friend) and I knew that riding the bike wouldn’t be a problem. The problem would be handling the camera (a Panasonic DVX-100e Mini DV camera). I would have to experiment with the kind of shots I would take, check them, rectify mistakes and learn on the way. But the biggest problem of all was – Who would face the camera? I have been working in films as an assistant director. But that’s behind the camera. The other side is for actors and for people who are camera friendly. The body was prepared for anything but the mind just could not get over the fact that I would have to face the camera and talk to it. Once I accepted this fact, everything fell into place. And throughout, I had the support of fellow 60kph members, the only guys outside Dirt trackers (his production company) who believed in the film.”

Monastery

Being an experienced rider, Gaurav was confident about his solo trip. He knew where he could stop and where he could refuel. Minor maintenance of the bike would be done by himself on the road. The tank capacity of the Bullet was 14 litres, and he could carry 19 litres of fuel as luggage. Rest of the fuel would come from various Indian Army and Indo Tibetan Border Police camps in Changthang. “Midway into the ride I did return back to Leh for fuel and most importantly food supplies.” In Changthang itself his Bull consumed 95 litres of fuel.

Originally the ride was to start from Bombay (Mumbai). But to avoid damage to the camera from the heat the bike and equipments were taken by train to Jaipur and then the bike trip began on towards Delhi. At Delhi he met with Discovery Channel executives who were not too keen on this documentary with no defined plot or structure. Gaurav was yet to know himself what he was going to do and where his final destination will be. Not disheartened yet he rode on. A year later Discovery Channel has shown interest in his production. Telling us about his riding preparation Gaurav says, “The maximum amount of space was occupied by the camera box and camera accessories. The heaviest bag had the bike spares and tools.”

So how does a man document his own biker trip on the road? Who records him riding on the mountains and through brooks underneath frail rope-wood bridges?

“Once on the road, each time I had to take a shot, I had to untie the camera bag and tripod, remove the camera, tie the camera bag back onto the bike, set the frame, wear the helmet, ride away from the camera, come back to unpack the camera bag on the bike and pack the camera and tripod back onto the bike.”

That seems like a lot of work to a layman. But not for the passionate film-maker, Gaurav wanted the best footage for his dream-run into the Himalayas. Some people in the initial cut of his documentary disbelieved he performed the solo trip and recording. There were scenes of the camera panning. Gaurav explains that two scenes were not shot by him. One was shot by Zee News channel who were doing a feature on paragliding near Rohthang pass at Manali. Another shot was from Royal Beast, a Delhi based Bullet club. “I actually wanted to inquire from the cameraman on what all precautions I should take while taking shots in sub-zero temperatures,” explains Gaurav about his shot with Zee News team.

Though Gaurav is experienced in film-making this was his first fully-owned project. He was to direct, present and capture everything by himself without knowing what was in store for him ahead and what the final-product would look like. He shared his thoughts, “Filming my own journey on the high altitude region was tough physically, but mentally it was satisfying. Any first-time director would be nervous on the sets, crew and cast waiting for his directions. But for Riding solo… there was no one to judge me or look at me for further instructions. I was filming without any plan or schedule and most importantly, I had complete freedom. A perfect scenario for a first time director.”

POSTER2

But even at desolate places Gaurav would have imaginary million eyes on him whenever he tried to face the camera. He had to analyze his speech, and as advised by his colleagues back home, face the camera while talking, to connect with the prospective audience. This changed overnight as, “The fear was considerably reduced when I lost my way searching for a place called Datta. The sun was about to set and it was freezing cold. In that moment of panic, the camera was the only companion I had. My whole approach to the film changed on that restless night. I had never imagined that I would ever get lost or be in a situation where I would fear for my life.”

What followed was a humbler approach topped with a camera-friendly attitude. Another turning point on the jouney was when he stayed with Chang pa nomads. Their simple life was enlightenment for Gaurav, “When strangers meet (on those mountains), there is no manipulation, no faking of identity.” After Changthang, a breath-takingly beautiful region, he reached Hanle. At the Hanle Palace he got the tremendously moving sight of huge grasslands and the Hanle river winding its way among the fields. Nearby was the Chumur monastery where even the National Geographic Society was denied permission to enter despite their reference letters from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Indian Home Ministry. (See here http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0401/feature5/index.html?fs=www7.nationalgeographic.com ).

The landscape was desolate except for plenty of wild-life. Hundreds of Kiangs (wild-assess) made way for the Bull which hoped for a single day ride to reach Chumur. Then on, a mighty hike to get to the monastery.

chang

To make the bike lighter, Gaurav had left most of his luggage back at Hanle. “I reached Chumur in four hours. After a 30-minute interrogation on what I was doing at Chumur, I was allowed to shoot.” He had already shot 7 hours of the Hemis festival when he had reached Leh. The daring effort now would be to ride back to Hanle. He had exposed tapes and no tools if the Bullet broke down. A suicide run, he camped at Khargyam grassland, where the stream besides his camp froze to ice. When at 6 am he tried to capture the frozen stream, his battery died in 2 minutes due to the cold (instead of the usual 3 hours life).

“Riding to Marsimek–la, the highest motorable pass at 18,634 feet was also tough, but that was my day off from work. Camera batteries were getting charged at the Army camp. I was not operating the camera or facing it – that day was my vacation on a vacation so as to speak. Getting to Marsimek-la was for the biker in me and not for the filmmaker.”

He completed his solo trip as he dreamed but not planned. He had 40 hours of footage, and the post-production team was editing the same. Heartbreakingly the final cut is reduced to 94 minutes on the screened documentary and on the DVD which is available for purchase at 60 KPH website http://www.60kph.com/photos/video/riding_solo.html .

Festivemonks

“I wanted the film to have multiple angles, shots that would do justice to the beautiful Changthang. It's tough for the filmmaker to decide where the film is going when there is a constant clash between the filmmaker and the biker who wants to enjoy the ride uninterrupted; without having to stop every now and then to set up a camera.”

Having won the Golden Conch and Critics award for Best Documentary at the 2006 Mumbai International Film Festival among many other awards at various festivals; it seems the biker and the filmmaker are both at peace with the results.

Commenting on the well-received film he says, “I was away on another trip when my Editor, Sankalp Meshram informed me that the selection jury of the Mumbai International Film Festival had left for their respective homes after they saw Riding Solo… I said, come on man, our film is not so bad for them to react like this. He said ‘Idiot, they loved the film so much that after watching our film, they didn’t want to see any other film and spoil their mood’.”

Adventure Sidebars:Total Petrol used in your Solo trip = around 210liters (or 47 gallons).
Total Kilometers ridden on solo trip = 5,000 Kms (about 3,200 miles).KM = A metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters (or0.621371 miles)

Litre = A metric unit of capacity equal to the volumeof 1 kilogram of pure water at 4 degrees centigradeand 760 mm of mercury (or approximately 1.76 pints)

Gallon = A British imperial capacity measure (liquidor dry) equal to 4 quarts or 4.545 litres

Mile = A unit of length used in navigation; equivalentto the distance spanned by one minute of arc inlatitude; 1,852 meters

Now we need a Calculator 😉

P3

The Film “Riding Solo To The Top Of The World” on the Festival circuit:

1) Indian Documentary Producers’ Association Awards 2006
Technical Award for Sound Design – Dwarak Warrier
Technical Award for Editing – Sankalp Meshram
Documentary – Gaurav Jani

2) Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 2006
Audience Award – Best Documentary

3) Mumbai International Film Festival – February 2006
Golden Conch for Best Documentary Film / Video
National Critics Award

4) Signs Film Festival – August 2006
Best Documentary – Biography Category

5) Calgary International Film Festival – September 2006
Nominated for Best International Documentary Award

6) Indo American Arts Council Film Festival
Nominated for Best International Documentary Award

Copyright Ujjwal Dey May 29, 2007. Here's theman's self-run Production Company – Dirt TrackProductions:http://www.dirttrackproductions.com

Please follow and like us:
Pin Share