02 September,2009 06:50 AM IST | | Swathi Narayan
There was this movie that I saw only recently Wild Hogs (yep, the same one where a bunch of complete 'misfits' led unofficially of course by John Travolta, decide to go on a bike journey and induce some passion and fun into their lives). I fell in love with the movie instantly. It was just so well done! I realize it's meant to be a comedy of sorts but the movie made me crave for something more. That all elusive 'zing' in my mundane life.u00a0
I remember watching a show on a television channel where a bunch of girls would work for a while, save up some money and cruise away on their cruisers all around the country. It made me jealous. I'd yearn for a bike like theirs, I'd be jealous of all that freedom, I'd want to be there, go on a trip, cruise through the countryside, live on food from dhabas on the highway explore, experience.
The movie got me thinking. We stereotype people so easily. If it's a biker, you have to have leather pants on, a leather jacket. If you were a girl, then definitely those tight fitting leather jeans or better still, a leather skirt that was really short. Of course you'd have to be super thin to be a biker chick.
If you probably saw me out riding, you'd call me a wannabe too, by the looks. The few times that I've managed to get my hands on a bike I don't consider my activa a 'bike', that's just my scooterette if you will after a series of arguments with the bike 'owners' about the safety of their bikes it was always about the safety of their bikes, never about my safety! I'd go for a spin with people staring at me like I was mentally retarded.
It didn't affect me for long though, I was too busy having the time of my life in those few minutes of what only felt like absolute bliss. I couldn't tell if they thought it was crazy for a girl to be riding a bike or if it was the fact that a bespectacled, completely un-biker chick kind of a girl was actually riding a bike! That's why I love this movie so much. It brought the underdogs or in this case the 'hogs' right on top. Such a delightfully done movie, this!
When the news about the Harley coming to India came out, I jumped with joy! Finally I could buy a Harley! A HARLEY!!
I thought, I'm even working now, so I don't have to go running to dad asking for one. I started thinking of where I'd go with my new ride. How I'd be like one of those biker wannabes in the movie and be scorned but still end up having the time of my life. After all it's what I've always wanted. The road stretching on for miles together, the bright blue skies and me on that brand new Harley of mine.
All that died when I heard that the price of the Harley was Rs 7 lakhs and that's one of the lower end models! I was crushed.
It didn't seem fair that something as inconsequential as money would stand between me and my dreams. I know there's no way I could buy one of those machines anytime soon but I still hope that somehow, I'll end up owning one, or at least ride one for more than five minutes at a stretch. I hope this dream comes true! I so do!
