March 2025 Part 2 The Bike Ride 1

 

March 2025

Part 2 The Bike Ride 1

 

Nazira to Bamunbari a welcome escape with Chinmoy, his family and friends to his home. We will be staying there a few days enjoying the delights of Rural Assam before setting off on an adventure. E had one glorious day of sunshine before the weather changed to persistent rain sometimes very heavy as the weather fronts moved through. It was the day to check out the bike, fill up with fuel and give Gita the chance to test the comfort of the Husky. When it did stop raining it was almost dark and no time to do a test ride. Chinmoy did all the preparations and fettling necessary for the trip.

We were up at six to have an eight am departure. Breakfast consumed, geared up, communicators working we set off in light rain with Gita on the back. We rode as a group to Arunachal picking up bikers on the way including some welcome breaks in the weather. There was a short delay at the border to check our permits to enter. It is close to the Chinese border and has a strong military presence. Shortly after the border we stopped for lunch at a hotel. Some spectacular views even though the clouds were low and around us and wet.

Some distance on we were on a very poor road that went from potholed tarmac to just potholes and rocks. It was hard work for me but very uncomfortable for Gita and I asked her to take the car which she was happy to do. I could manage the rough road without Gita on the back. We rolled in to Aalo at around 5:30 in drizzle. I did not know it at the time but we had covered 270km in about nine and a half hours. Google maps says a six hour journey time. I had arrived at the Reyi Homestay cold and wet. There was no heating only a hot shower and no way to dry my gear.

A very social evening around an open we retired early in preparation for a 5:30 am start. To do this we were was up at 4:45 into we gear packed and ready to go and did get away just before six. Gita was in the car again as it was raining. As we progressed to the mountains and into the clouds the rain became heavier with more standing water with mud lining the road. Through the clouds the rain eased and was on and off along the route. We had warnings of road closures at mid day for road works. The pressure was on to keep going. Short stops at small cafes on the way kept me going. The road seemed like a perpetual road work with miles of mud challenging my riding skills. Sometimes the mud won and I had a “Holi” moment. Holi is the festival of colour where it is distributed everywhere. Mine was mud on my jacket. I had problems with my wrist coping with holding the throttle and operating the front brake. I pressed on with frequent stops. In many place the road improvements had been completed and we had lots of miles on four lane roads but it was not continuous marred by Bailey bridges that had potholes and or mud to contend with before, after and on. I had had enough. We had lost touch with the car. It would not be coming back. I had to keep going. By this time we had been on the road for seven hours in the most difficult conditions I had ever encountered. We stopped at Tato for lunch where Chicken noodles sated my hunger. I had nothing much to eat other than fruit and nuts when the car was around. After eating our riders group was on the road again. Poor roads were a nightmare, potholes and mud seemed to be at every corner. My wrist problem persisted and more frequent stops. Finally we were dropping down into Mechoukha and pulled into GTL Homestay at about 4:30 pm. Ten and a Half hours on the road covering 184km. Google says it is a 6h 12min journey. It may be in dry conditions but not in mud.

 

March 2025

 Part 1 Wedding

I flew out of Heathrow on the 27^th February on our next expedition to India. Only four suitcases this time, two of which contained bike gear. We had enough clothes for five weeks away and included a wedding and a bike ride and returning on the 4^th April. This is the chronical of that trip. The cards were unreliable but the internet access by a virtual internet downloaded to my mobile worked extremely well for the duration of the trip. It is Nomad downloaded and set up before we left on a thirty day contract it ran out just before we returned to Delhi.It is a tiring flight, made more so when you arrive at your destination at midnight. Back in Noida to have the first few days with Gita’s mum and sister. We had problems with credit cards and bank cards on our last trip. Better prepared we had what we thought was enough cash but as a backup we had use of an Indian credit card used by Ankur, Bhonti’s son. AS we could not carry everything presents had to be bought for the next stage of our trip, the wedding in Assam. To get there was a flight to Guwahati and a two hour taxi ride to a town to the east Nagaon where the brides’ family live and the first part of the wedding takes place.

This is the first time we meet the bride and her family. It is the time the bride is “given away” receiving presents many are symbolic of preparing for a new future. Many of the customs are similar in all wedding ceremonies but this one does not include the groom. He is not allowed. Prior to this we have a family conference to sort the gifts out and make sure we have not forgotten anything. We are staying at a Hotel and the rest of the family are in a Guest House down the road. Gita and I are tired having travelled from Delhi at stupid-o-clock in the morning and arrive in Nagaon at seven in the evening, not having eaten and are pestered by the family for the things we have brought with us. It was not good for family harmony. The next day was the “giving away” ceremony during the afternoon. In the evening was the ritual “bathing” of the groom. Not as it sounds it is more anointing with traditional things. I am not sure what, but one looked like yoghurt. Other than the groom wishing he didn’t have to do it, it was a very social evening. Rishi, the groom, had more to endure the next day. There are three “bathing” ceremonies followed by the wedding in the evening.

We gathered at the hostel where were staying about seven in the evening. It was dark by then and parked ready was the decorated car which Rishi, best man and the “maids of honour” travel in. Lots of photos at this point before departure. Rishi’s friends were getting hyped. When the whole entourage departed it was with much noise and show o let everyone know they were coming. The boys took the opportunity to be hooligans leaning out of the car windows and making as much noise as possible.

 They took the scenic route through the town and arrived at the brides’ parents house for the ceremony. It was even noisier with music and firecrackers announcing the groom had arrived. There is a certain amount of pagan traditions that need to take place that I did not understand like the groom and best man have to stay in the car with nose and mouth covered to stop being infected by evil spirits. When released were showered with rice before being received by the matriarch who blessed him in four directions. He was facing a wall of relatives. Finally the matriarch allowed him to proceed. He was lead to the area set aside for the priests. The groom and best man were to their extreme right, space for the bride then the priests. It was not long before the bride arrived and the ceremony really began. 

So did the food so most people went for something to eat. They missed the important bit of sharing their vows and the actions that went along with them. It was not like anything I had seen before but it seemed so familiar. There were exchanges of rings and the presentation of a symbolic sword and after games of who could find the ring quickest of which best of three worked. The evening ended with lots of photos and meeting people. I went back to the hotel and Gita stayed to help clear up. She got back at three. We had to leave early to take a taxi to Guwahati airport. It was a mistake to take a plane. The logistics of where towns are located  it was three hours back to the airport and two hours from Dibrugahr where we flew to, to Nazira. The relatives who went directly from Nagaon got there before us. It only took them six hours. We, however, took Twelve most of which was airport driven. I’ll not do that again.

Chinmoy and Bikash collected us from Dibrugahr airport and took us to Nazira and the Oil India accommodation and met up with Gita’s brothers there. Another suitcase full of presents to be dished out. We had another family day before the wedding. Another lavish affair this time from Rishi’s family. Namely us. 

Wedding day was busy with a constant stream of people coming to wish the bride and groom well and have food as well. It felt like the whole town was there including the mayor. Chinmoy and Bikash came too talk to me about the forthcoming bike ride. Can I do 200km in a day? Ofcourse I can. I thought silly question I did not realise the implications at the time. It was an event to show off the bride with so many pictures taken.  I went back to the accommodation around ten and Gita stayed to help out and got back at one. Another experience to ponder.

 

February 2025

 

I am a bit behind with sorting things out post trip to India and the fun I had there riding a Husqvarna. When I got back the first venue was Wey Valley Observed Sunday. The weather forecast was frosty and knowing how treacherous the roads can be I set off in the C3 for warmth and safety.  It took ages to defrost the car and I arrived at Cobham village hall about a quarter to nine. I was told then that Observed Sunday was cancelled due to weather conditions. The committee has a mandate to ensure the safety of riders. Temperatures below five centigrade pose a risk and rides should be cancelled. This didn’t help me, the notification wet out by email at 08:13. I had left long before that and so did quite allot people as well. For a cancelled meeting it was quite busy and so was the shop. I did my usual round of photos to mark the occasion with long shadows and receding frost from the grass.

Although the weather was cold, damp and gray I checked the cars and bikes for battery charge and tyre pressures and put the Burton and El Cid on top up charges. To my surprise both batteries were in good condition and they fired up once the fuel had got to the carbs. Such  is the joy of not having fuel injection. I caught up with hospital appointments that were delayed until after our India visit and the damage caused by the first Covid vaccination in March 2021 causing stroke like symptoms. The damage is in the area of the pons and has caused all my symptoms. There is a long list causing referral to most of the specialists at the hospital. One of my old work colleagues did not fare so well and I went to his wake.

On a happier note Valentine’s day  came along with the London Motorcycle show. I had a mission to check out suitable luggage for the Kawasaki and sit on a few bikes that took my fancy and to see what surprises Sammy Miller had on his stand. At the end of the afternoon Henry Cole was hosting the interview with Sammy Miller along with Skid and Allan Millyard who happened to have brought Nemesis along and fired it up. Now that is a howling V8.

Shopping went quite well with Gita buying a leather waistcoat and a new helmet. The old one was ten years old and was no longer as comfortable as it used to be. I had a success with Shad luggage for the Kawasaki we found something that I could adapt. From an enquiry to buying soft luggage and the carrier on the day and even more of a surprise getting it delivered the next day. I installed the Cardo Spirit  system to Gita’s new helmet and got her phone paired as well.

The luggage arrived and my brain went into overdrive. In the next few days I bought extra long high tensile socket bolts, 20mm spacers and 25mm by 4mm mild steel strip. I needed the long bolts and spacers to move the mounting plates away from the grab rails. I drilled 10mm holes for the 8mm bolts to give me some wiggle room and 8mm stainless button head bolts to attach the plates to the carrier frame. 4mm steel is tough to bend so I used 15mm bar for a curve to make it easier. Two of the brackets had right angles and the other two were at an angle to match the frame. I had to do a couple of adjustments to the positioning of the frame to make the saddle bags clear the pillion feet and footrest. I need to do a test ride to make sure.

I had an email from the Citroen Car Club  to say there was a French Car Meeting at Blackbushe Airport early Saturday morning congregating at the cafe there. It was damp and miserable when I left home in the El Cid. I brightened as the morning went on. It was not good for pristine classic cars but enough people turned out to make it all worthwhile, including a super dark green Citroen cabriolet. There was a collection of Renaults  but it was best supported by local twoCVers even one from Bristol who came for breakfast. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday.

January 2025 Part 3

 

January 2025 Part 3

 

The reason for staying at the Taj was to be close to the venue for the event being put on by Dipjyoti and Depankur. The 6^th Manikanchan Nritya Mahotsav, 2025 Manikanchan Kala Manjari, Guwahati. It was amazing. On the Monday many artists from their academy performed some outstanding work and with the children’s’ dance class, some exceptional performances.

 It was an all inclusive group that included some disabled girls. All tribute to them for being part of the team and performing with credit. It brought tears to my eyes. The final performance of the evening was by Depankur the moves and lighting would have done any pop group proud.  

The next night was a full blown performance by Dipjyoti and Depankur a traditional play from the life of Rama. 

Again the choreography would have done the West End proud. At the end of the show Gita and I were invited on stage to receive honoured guest awards. What a night!

 

Sad to leave the luxury of the Vivanta Taj but it was not so good location for us. We moved to one of Gita’s brothers’ flat for a couple of days to spend some time with them and support their trade faire efforts. We went to a recording studio for Gita to have an interview with Pallabi Hazarika in Assamese which was published on Youtube  by the Kotha Studio about two weeks later and has received tens of thousands of views and hundreds of comments. I’m very proud of her, she did a really professional performance.

The next day we left the flat and headed to the India Club as a guest of our old friend Joonjyoti. We were there for the Magh Bihu for the celebration of food and is the reason also for so many Trade Faires.  There were celebrations at the club and we met some old friends from the UK along with some new ones. One was Rajib also a biker who had a number of customised  Royal Enfields. He had been touring the UK on his own on a Triumph. He is a man of adventure and we spent most of the evening sharing our experiences. Eating didn’t come into it somehow the evening disappeared with lots of Kingfisher.

Soon we were on our way back to Delhi for another wedding and more Bihu festivities. Back with Bhonti and a lunch time Bihu celebration at the Oil India complex. Most of the people we had met before. Today it was sunny but there was a chill in the air and we spent the afternoon around a log fire enjoying the singing and dancing. Next day Bhonti and Gita go to the(Hindi) ladies group. Bhonti is the guest of honour as she is translating her “just published” Assamese poetry book. The reason for going to the book faire in Guwahati was to get a copy for her. The publishers had not yet sent her some copies.

More celebrations at Bhonti’s Oil India club across the road from her. Next day the Wedding celebrations take place at the Gymkhana Club miles away. I was quite cold that evening and we managed to get a table next to the gas heaters. Just about kept me warm.

 There I met a lady doctor who was having the same symptoms as me. Lethargy, joint pain,+ no resistance to infection and no drive to do anything. I suggested she write a paper about it. We left about midnight and I was please to get home and warm. The last event for us was another Bihu event with the Assam Association of Delhi of which Bhonti is a member. Another afternoon of enjoying peoples’ company thank fully not being a celebrity and be involved in selfies with people I didn’t know I was sitting next to a guy called Omar who does allot of writing.

 I suggested he might want to write about me for the Association newsletter. I spent the next hour telling him about my motorcycling adventures, the cars I have built and a bit about my career. I was also bemoaning the fact that Assam was swamped with plastic waste with no way of disposing of it and put to him a solution for the problem. We exchanged Whatsapp details and shortly after we were called for food and after I lost contact. Later when we had got home there were a number of Whatsapp messages confirmed I had not lost contact.In a few days we were back in the UK to the cold and damp. Almost six weeks of intellectual discourse and time to reflect on our visit to India for Christmas and New Year. The last two postings and this one are only a snapshot of all the things that have happened and I will be writing it all up to keep my memory straight.

January 2025 Part 2

 

January 2025 Part 2

 

We travelled from Nazira to Bamunbarrie by car with Chinmoy. When we arrived at his home we were greeted  in the Assamese way with touching feet and being presented with a gamosa. It was the first time of meeting Chinmoys’ new wife and there was no time to get to know her before she caught a bus to take her to work. All the remaining family we had met on our last visit in 2019. The evening started with a beer and gathered around an open fire and as the evening progressed more people arrived to share our company. This was how every evening during our stay panned out. There didn’t seem to be any planning but it was incredibly social. 

Like last visit I had a choice of bikes, a 250cc Suzuki trail bike that I sat on and found the seat too high then I tried the 250cc Husky, a Husqvarna Svartpilen. I think that is an unfortunate choice of name and with twists of a few syllables had me in fits of laughter for hours. Just one to give you a flavour, Svartschpatten is one of my favourites. It fit me well and felt very manageable. The treat for me was going to Arunachel on the bike. Events and beurocracy conspired against me. It was a Protected Area, Gita could go in but not me. I needed a permit and as much everyone tried online no permit was available. It was very disappointing as at the border more bikers had assembled to ride with me. They went on to ride the fabulous winding roads of rural India and I returned to Bamunbarrie with Chinmoy and Jobal who made a recording of the day. It is too long for this posting but will appear in a reel. I enjoyed the Schsplaatven when wound up it performed and handled well. I would have liked to test its potential on some hills and bends.

After biking we paid a visit to one of Chinmoys’s friends in Moranhat and enjoyed chai and some snacks in the Fast Food Cafe which was safe for me to eat at. On our return we stopped to buy fish for the evening meal then retired to the camp fire for another social evening including this time some Bihu dancing. More poor “dad” dancing from me but Gita as graceful as ever.

Another flight and back to Guwahati for a cultural event with Gita’s dance Guru’s Dipjyoti and Depankur. Gita was due to dance but her health and smog in Delhi and Guwahati prevented any practicing but we had booked a luxury hotel the Vivanta Taj close to the venue for convenience. In the evening we had a visit from Chinmoy’s sister, Lakhu and her friend and had a buffet meal.

The next day we went shopping, first to Uzan bazaar for a specific Indian shop then on to a trade faire to pick up Basa’s wife Deepa and with Majoni, Utpal’s wife to go to a book faire to find the company that published Bhonti’s first poetry book, Gita’s sister. Then back to the trade faire for Deepa to carry on selling her homemade products, pickles, preserves and parochial wines. A busy day.

January 2025 Part 1

 

January 2025 Part 1

The first post of the New Year with hope trying to spring a surprise on us. Even so there are events planned to keep the posts flowing with optimism that the weather will play ball with fine, warm weather. We have arrived in Delhi for Christmas with Gita’s mother and sister and the grandkids. There was the Christmas build up with last minute present buying and festivities Indian style. Chinmoy and Lakhu arrived for a few days to meet Isaac, Ivy and the children. It was just like Christmas sharing gifts and there was still a week to go.

 

The next day there was a group visit to the Red Fort. Gita and I had to pay extra for being foreigners. There was a Christmas carnival at the Club across the road from where were staying. Great for the kids with bouncy castle, train rides and trampoline. That evening we were all together playing sitars, singing and reciting poetry. There was not enough room for dancing. It was a very special gathering. The next day Chinmoy and Lakhu depart back  to Guwahati after visits to a number of markets.

Christmas   was spent in the usual child lead mayhem and a buffet meal at the Eros hotel.

 Boxing day was a visit to the nearest Mall for children to play on the facilities there. On the 27^th Ivy, Isaac and children fly off to Goa and we fly off to Dibrughar and have more family engagement in Nazira. We were collected by Bharti, Gita’s elder brother and taken to the family home where Gita was born. Just ready for an early night when Gita’s other brothers and wives unexpectedly arrive. Christmas continues. Over the next few days we were on the Ahom people heritage trail visiting ceremonial palaces, temples, shrines and burial mounds near Nazira where Gita went to school and Sivasagar where she went to university. 

Over the next few days I had my best fun so far in getting Bharti’s eldest son, Rishi’s,  Hero Honda running. It was the one I rode on a family visit in 2014. I didn’t do much as I kept my hands mostly clean. As it had been standing some time it would not run and I diagnosed a carburettor problem that needed a removal and strip on the carburettor. It turned out to be a stuck diaphragm piston. With some persistence I got it free and a bit longer to make it smooth in operation Rishi assembled it.

It started and ran with choke but was not right.  It needed a little fettling, a touch more enrichment of the mixture and a tad more throttle it would start cold without doing  any more than a prod of the kick start. It ran well with no smoke from the exhaust showing all was in good condition. The reason is the atmosphere in Assam is very damp.

During this time of the year washing does not dry after 3pm and it is dark by 6pm. It just does not dry overnight so any ingress of moisture causes corrosion very quickly. The float needle was stuck because of this. To prove the point that it had been a successful job Bharti wheeled out the bike next morning and it started first kick with no fiddling. Rishi had learned allot from me as he did the work and I was

 pleased to do something useful.

Gita’s brothers and wives departed  for home in Guwahati and we soon  travelled to our next location,Bamunbarrie, and Chinmoy and Husky.

JC  January 27^th 2025