A Bike at One Rupee Down Payment

When the thought of buying a bike crossed my mind, advice started pouring in from all directions. “This model is the best!” one said. “No, no, you should get this one instead,” chimed another. It was overwhelming, to say the least. Then, one day, a newspaper ad caught my eye:
“Own a Honda Shine with just one rupee down payment.” It sparked a boldness in me.

With renewed enthusiasm, I visited the Honda dealer at Bengenakhowa in Golaghat, accompanied by a colleague from my office. However, my enthusiasm quickly turned into disappointment when I discovered the offer was only valid for older models. I walked out, determined that I’d only buy the new model or none at all.

The dealer didn’t give up, though, calling me to reconsider. Around this time, a cousin suggested, “Why not get a Royal Enfield instead?” I laughed, imagining myself—a slender 5’5”, barely 50 kg—riding a massive Enfield. “People would burst out laughing when they see me riding such a huge bike!” I said. But he argued that even thinner people managed just fine.

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From Curiosity to Commitment

Curiosity got the better of me. I decided to visit the Royal Enfield dealership in Jorhat. But since I’d never dreamed of owning one, I never even cared to know where the showroom was. My first stop? A tractor dealership—an embarrassing but amusing detour.

Eventually, I found the right place, and before I knew it, I’d made a bold decision to purchase a Royal Enfield Desert Storm, a beast of a bike with a 500cc engine, the bike that would take me on adventures I hadn’t even dared to imagine. including fulfilling a dream I thought impossible: a journey to remote and mountainous terrains like Kodari, Mustang and holy places such as Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha.

Finally, the day came to bring the bike home. After signing all the papers, the dealer’s staff asked, “Who’s going to ride it home?” My appearance must have given them pause. They could see I wasn’t exactly the stereotypical Enfield rider. How could someone like me handle this beast of a bike?

After bringing the bike home, doubts started creeping in. The bike felt overwhelmingly heavy, weighing 197 kg without fuel or accessories. Adding a leg guard and a full tank of petrol, it easily crossed the 200 kg mark. It was daunting for someone of my build.

Riding it initially was exhausting. After all, someone who had only ridden bicycles till then wasn’t prepared for this! My arms ached, particularly my right hand, which had some nerve issues. For a moment, I even thought about giving the bike to one of my brothers.

A Growing Bond

Of course, I didn’t give up. I started riding regularly—commuting about 46-50 km daily to my office in Golaghat, from my home place Borholla, making trips to Margherita and Namrup. Over time, handling the bike became easier.

In February or March of 2018, I came across a Facebook ad for a Nepal tour organized by Royal Enfield. Registration was ₹23,000. I wasn’t sure I could manage the funds but resolved to give it a try. Later, I realized it wasn’t just about money; there were other preparations needed for such a journey.

Though at first, it was just casual curiosity, gradually, it became a serious pursuit. Quietly, I started preparing myself mentally for the adventure. Even my family wasn’t aware of my plans until the last moment.

The tour was set to start on 13th April 2018 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh—1,700 km away from my home in Assam. So it was a matter of overcoming fears and stepping out of my comfort zone.

Crossing Comfort Zones

As I mentioned in the previous post until then, I’d never traveled solo outside Assam. In fact, the last time I left the Northeast was in 1990 on a school excursion. So, deciding to join the tour was no small leap. At first, I kept my plans to myself, quietly preparing mentally and financially.

I feared my mother might outright refuse. When I finally told her about my intention, though she was not panicked, “How will you manage alone? What if something goes wrong so far from home?” she worried. But she also knew me well enough to understand that once my mind was made up, there was no stopping me.

Preparing for the Unknown

As the departure day neared, I was filled with mixed emotions. At night, doubts and fears would haunt me. “Why am I doing this?” I’d wonder. “Is it worth the money and effort?” But by morning, my resolve would return.

Preparing for any adventure, especially a solo one, requires mental strength. It’s not just about the physical ride—it’s about adapting to unknown environments, unfamiliar people, food, and terrain. Riding long distances isn’t as simple as filling up the tank and hitting the road. It demands preparation, resilience, and adaptability.

This journey wasn’t just about riding a bike; it was about breaking barriers, facing fears, and embracing the unknown. My Royal Enfield wasn’t just a bike; it was my companion on the road to self-discovery.

To be continued…