Biking lessons – part 1
by vijay
One day in August, I had gone to office in bike since I missed the cab(I was still in Cab scheme then). When returning home, Sandeep, my team mate also joined me since it was too late and it will take some more time for him to get his cab. I was just few rides old in terms of riding with a pillion then. I felt Sandeep was bit heavy and but I was able to ride without any discomfort. We got out of office and turned left to the narrow road that leads to the Velachery main road. The road was pretty empty. I switched to 3rd and then 4th gear and I was riding in about 40 kph There was some four wheeler coming in front of us. I did not want to reduce the speed since there seemed to be a way to the left of a lamp post. The lamp post had a car standing few meters in front of it. But the space was enough to turn the bike notwithstanding the speed we were riding in. I followed my whim to use that way between the lamp post and the left side of the road. The part of the road was slightly sand covered, which I didn’t think about when deciding to go that way. After going that way, I had to turn my bike right to avoid colliding with the car that was standing in front. The sandy ground was not happy about me turning my bike to the right towards the road. Sandeep was telling something. “Go slow dude…”, I think. I realized it myself as well and pressed my front brakes, which made the sandy ground even more irritated I think. The back wheel slipped to the left and my handle bar towards the right. I was not holding it in balance and the front wheel went and jammed onto the rear of the car standing in front. I fell down to the right of where my bike was and Sandeep was out even before me and somehow managed to not fall on the road. He ran a few step using his hand to prevent not falling on the ground I think.
There was no one around. I picked myself up. I asked Sandeep if he is fine. He said hes fine. I told him, “This is the first time I am falling from a bike”. I felt ashamed, obviously. But yeah, I was happy that Sandeep was good. But, I felt bad that I drove him to the accident. I had bruises just above my left elbow and in my right knee. I tried to start my bike as usual, but it was not starting. Guess it was upset. It needed some time of kicking to bring it back from the shock of the impact. It started after like 7 or 8 kicks. We turned right in the Velachery main road. I told Sandeep that I will take a small round in the road to ensure that the bike is running fine. After I did that, we continued. On the way, Sandeep was telling how bad the Velachery road too is and that its always good to go slow in this road. I had to agree.
I dropped him near the turning to his house. He waved bye, asking me to drive safely.
I realised later that this mishap might have happened even if I was not pillioning Sandeep. But me being a learner, I shouldn’t have experimented with someone in the back seat. Sandeep was a good sport to take this. He was even brave enough to come with me few days back(a similar office to home ride). 
Lessons learnt:
* Dont panic. Use both back and front brakes.
* Dont be too brave on sandy roads.
* Drive safely!
* Be Extra careful when you are pillioning someone.
