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Ahhhh, India. What a place! Probably the most dangerous country in the world to ride a motorcycle in. You do see the occasional helmet, but "de rigeur" if you'll excuse that ironic pun, is normal loose fitting clothes for a hot climate and no head protection what so ever. It's not uncommon to see three or four people on a bike, that is, rider plus passengers, blasting around blind bends in a completely insane way, and the girls ride pillion side-saddle!!!!
About 20-ish years ago, Royal Enfield Motorcycles Sold all the tools jigs and fixtures and a whole load of engines frames and cycle parts to the Enfield India Corp. and to this day, they produce a 50's style 500cc single the "Bullet" which is the national motorcycle of India...There are thousands of 'em.
I don't say I'm particularly brave or fool hardy, but just to get the braggin rights, I had to experience a ride in these sort of conditions to add to my own memories, so after much coaxing and cajoling, I convinced MrsBB to join me on a trip to Anjuna market, an old 60's hippy colony abt 20 miles from Candolim where we were staying.
To the rear of Zappa's, a beach shack bar, was a parking lot where a bunch of local traders had stalls and stuff set up to sell to tourists. Next to the row of ever ready taxis and tuc-tucs*
.........
* The tuc tuc... local colloquialism... is like a three wheel rickshaw powered by either a lambretta or a lawnmower engine....and thats the sound they make on over-run.
.........
There stood a Thai lookin lady in a sarong, hiring out Enfields!
More Ltr if any farquar interested.
....btw today May 13th is the anniversary of T.E.Lawrence's demise. Lawrence of Arabia shot through six days after he piled his SS100 Brough Superior into a tree as he swerved to avoid some kids on bicycles.
Although known as the Rolls Royce of Motorcycles, the brakes and suspension on these bikes were like a bad dream by modern day standards, and the SS100 achieved over 169 mph in the late 1920's
So, hats off to Lawrence, he's part of the streetfighter heritage.
About 20-ish years ago, Royal Enfield Motorcycles Sold all the tools jigs and fixtures and a whole load of engines frames and cycle parts to the Enfield India Corp. and to this day, they produce a 50's style 500cc single the "Bullet" which is the national motorcycle of India...There are thousands of 'em.
I don't say I'm particularly brave or fool hardy, but just to get the braggin rights, I had to experience a ride in these sort of conditions to add to my own memories, so after much coaxing and cajoling, I convinced MrsBB to join me on a trip to Anjuna market, an old 60's hippy colony abt 20 miles from Candolim where we were staying.
To the rear of Zappa's, a beach shack bar, was a parking lot where a bunch of local traders had stalls and stuff set up to sell to tourists. Next to the row of ever ready taxis and tuc-tucs*
.........
* The tuc tuc... local colloquialism... is like a three wheel rickshaw powered by either a lambretta or a lawnmower engine....and thats the sound they make on over-run.
.........
There stood a Thai lookin lady in a sarong, hiring out Enfields!
More Ltr if any farquar interested.
....btw today May 13th is the anniversary of T.E.Lawrence's demise. Lawrence of Arabia shot through six days after he piled his SS100 Brough Superior into a tree as he swerved to avoid some kids on bicycles.
Although known as the Rolls Royce of Motorcycles, the brakes and suspension on these bikes were like a bad dream by modern day standards, and the SS100 achieved over 169 mph in the late 1920's
So, hats off to Lawrence, he's part of the streetfighter heritage.
BB
