From Fear to Freedom: A Biker’s Comeback Story

Riding had always been personal. My elder cousins introduced me to biking at 14, and I had long dreamed of owning one. But my traditional, working-class parents, firm believers in astrology, never approved. So, in October 2013, I took a leap—without test rides or second thoughts—and brought home a brand-new Royal Enfield Classic 350 with my first paycheck. The look of shock on my family’s faces, my mother asking for a ride the next morning—it was everything I had imagined.

The bike wasn’t easy to afford. With a modest salary of ₹18,000, I scraped together ₹35,000 for the down payment, while HDFC financed the rest. The on-road price then was around ₹1.35 lakh. But just two months later, fate intervened. A hit-and-run accident left me bedridden for months. Though I recovered, my carefree riding style turned into cautious maneuvering.

In 2019, a taxi collision shattered my confidence completely. The bike sat unused, but I couldn’t part with it. During COVID, I undertook a full restoration, spending nearly ₹40,000, but the fear remained.

Then, marriage changed everything. My wife’s passion for biking reignited mine. We repaired the bike together—new wheels, suspension, and comfort-focused seats. The first road trip we took was more than just a ride; it was closure.

From a lone pursuit to a shared passion, biking became more than just a machine—it symbolized resilience, growth, and second chances.

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