Pan shot of rider Bhuvan, Rubber Smoking Angels.
2008/11/30
2008/11/24
2008/11/23
Panning the TVS RTR 160:
TVS RTR 160: This has everything a pan shot needs...
Originally uploaded by Captain Nandu Chitnis, BikeNomads
Place: Lavasa, Pune
2008/11/19
2008/11/11
2008/11/07
The President Elect arrives for making his Victory speech
The President Elect arrives for making his Victory speech
Originally uploaded by Captain Nandu Chitnis, BikeNomads
2008/08/17
Red Devil, Street Fighter, Black Panthar: Pic of the Day
Red Devil, Street Fighter, Black Panthar: Pic of the Day
Originally uploaded by Captain Nandu Chitnis, BikeNomads
Ride to the mountains, August 15th 2008.
www.bieknomads.com
2008/08/12
2008/07/28
The Big Day Dawns 27th July 2008
All members arrived at Chandni Chowk dot on time except me, Frozen Photon, Srijith and Sunder Iyer. We are old members.
It was great to meet these guys after a long break. I saw Srijith cross my house and stopped him. He was in a new car, same as mine, Wagon R. Frozen out of his senses, Harsh drove past me to nowhere, returned.
Studio Blossoms made lot of noise “I am coming. I am in for the shoot on my Big Bull”. He never came. He even konfused me about Shoonya. I never knew Aperture Junkie had a dual personality. Now I have SB’s money, it is for him to collect.
At Chandni Chowk: After short introduction about who I am, gave a briefing about the shoot to majorly new members, who I never met. We were in some 5 cars and 6 bikes. SX 4 was sexy.
I told bikers “Get into cars, leave your bikes here, will be safe. More bikes means more chances of breakdowns. No one cared. Eventually two bikes flamed out at Lavasa.. More of that later.
Keep Headlights On I told all of them. I did some environmental social work and told everyone to get all their garbage and plastic junk back to Pune.
The sky was overcast, the weather looked good to me for a wet and wild shoot.
MUTHA GHAT
I led the pack on Street Fighter (my Pulsar 220).
As I started climbing the twisties of Mutha Ghat I felt like WoW! The clouds, the green grass, the mountains and hills were magnificent.
LAVASA TOP
The Lavasa Ghat was even better. Next to no time, fog and mist hit all round us, enveloping us in a big hug.
I was riding a bit fast in 15 meters visibility on a nice twisty. Suddenly I saw a big truck! But Street Fighter banked right and overtook the truck safely. My heart had stopped beating momentarily.
At the Lavasa Top the weather and the scenery was like PARASIDE. Visibility was a low 5 to 50 meters.
!! Exactly what I wanted. Perfectly WET AND MISTY AND WILD !!.
It was drizzling, many did not want to risk taking out their cameras. Only POPAT cameras were out. The Nikons the Canons were safely tucked in weather proof cars and bags.
The thick fog did not permit visibility beyond a range of 50 meters. I wanted to shoot the twisties in fog, told Sahil to pull out my camera from Srijith’s water proof car.
Sahil said anxiously: “Captain, camera will get wet, damaged.”
I replied “Look Sahil, I don’t care, it is only a camera not some million dollar life threatening thing. Even if it is, to hell with it. I have not come here for some touristy past time. Besides I have a big umbrella. We will shoot the bike, the twisties, the fog, everything. Tis a Wet and Wild Shoot, remember?”
One amused new member, was listening to our conversation. I told him to hold the umbrella while we struggled with the long nose of the Nikon 80 D in rain and drizzle.
While the others were sauntering in the vicinity of Lavasa Top, enjoying the weather, I took Sahil, with the naked Nikon round his neck, astride Street Fighter. We zoomed off to the twisties.
I briefed Sahil how to shoot the running bike pics. I told him to make whatever settings on the long nose of the camera. He got confused, saying some numbers like mine is 40 and yours is 80. New gyaan for me that D 40 is different from D 80.
I told him “Sahil baby, 40/80, tis all the same really, just push the shutter hard. Something will happen. Rest we will Photoshop.” For good measure told him to set the ISO to some weird fig like 325. Don’t remember what.
That done I rode off.
It was drizzling, foggy, dark and misty. I was zapped, transformed. Ecstasy pills don’t give you the highs of Lavasa in this foggy wet weather.
I zoomed around the curves astride Street Fighter, while Sahil kept shooting.
Sahil asked me, “Captain you got hanky? Lens is wet.” I told him to use his shirt to wipe the lens dry. But keep shooting. Sahil thinks too much. He worries too much. At his age he should be Wild, Crazy. After all Pappa was a Rolling Stone.
We went further down to nicer twisties. Sahil became bold and I found him shooting me right in the Center of the Road!! Sahil is getting there. He is Crazy.
We returned to Lavasa top. By now a few cameras were out and members were finally shooting. They got amazing shots.
We assembled before departure Lavasa Top. Moderator Mahipal asked new members to introduce themselves. They all looked happy. We forgot to shoot the group pic and headed down the slopes to Temghar.
I kept Sahil with me. On the way down I met my buddies from the Rubber Smoking Angels! Some 12 bikes neatly lined up Rash the Prez of RSA, Smokey, Stoner, Priya…not all names are right but all kick ass suicidal riders. We bear hugged each other and I left.
Sahil as a pillion was a good stabilizing factor on wet roads for my bike.
Shooting done, Freedom ride over!
We headed down the slopes to Hotel Hilton Prasad for breakfast
Mahipal came panting “Captain two bikes are not starting.” My wisdom like advise to Mahipal “Go to Pirangut, hire a Tempo and retrieve the bikes to Pune.” I was done.
One broke down bike was Mahi’s, which was towed by RSA from Lavasa to Hotel Hilton Prasad , the other was Chinmay’s and he was still stuck at Lavasa Top. Some water in carburetor issues. Brokeback Lavasa Mountains broke dem bikes. I had told them at Chandni Chowk “Get into cars.”
THE RETURN HOME
Was raining continuously now from Mutha to Pune. Arrived home safe at around 1:15 pm.
Pics from Nikon D 80? They are naish naish. Camera body is soaked with water. Camshot will take care of that. I got 100% warranty.
I can see many good pics from members now. Regretfully the tag P@P20082707 is not showing all pics. Why? Mantriji Suhas explain.
Thank you all Members. I am done...The Rider Rests
All members arrived at Chandni Chowk dot on time except me, Frozen Photon, Srijith and Sunder Iyer. We are old members.
It was great to meet these guys after a long break. I saw Srijith cross my house and stopped him. He was in a new car, same as mine, Wagon R. Frozen out of his senses, Harsh drove past me to nowhere, returned.
Studio Blossoms made lot of noise “I am coming. I am in for the shoot on my Big Bull”. He never came. He even konfused me about Shoonya. I never knew Aperture Junkie had a dual personality. Now I have SB’s money, it is for him to collect.
At Chandni Chowk: After short introduction about who I am, gave a briefing about the shoot to majorly new members, who I never met. We were in some 5 cars and 6 bikes. SX 4 was sexy.
I told bikers “Get into cars, leave your bikes here, will be safe. More bikes means more chances of breakdowns. No one cared. Eventually two bikes flamed out at Lavasa.. More of that later.
Keep Headlights On I told all of them. I did some environmental social work and told everyone to get all their garbage and plastic junk back to Pune.
The sky was overcast, the weather looked good to me for a wet and wild shoot.
MUTHA GHAT
I led the pack on Street Fighter (my Pulsar 220).
As I started climbing the twisties of Mutha Ghat I felt like WoW! The clouds, the green grass, the mountains and hills were magnificent.
LAVASA TOP
The Lavasa Ghat was even better. Next to no time, fog and mist hit all round us, enveloping us in a big hug.
I was riding a bit fast in 15 meters visibility on a nice twisty. Suddenly I saw a big truck! But Street Fighter banked right and overtook the truck safely. My heart had stopped beating momentarily.
At the Lavasa Top the weather and the scenery was like PARASIDE. Visibility was a low 5 to 50 meters.
!! Exactly what I wanted. Perfectly WET AND MISTY AND WILD !!.
It was drizzling, many did not want to risk taking out their cameras. Only POPAT cameras were out. The Nikons the Canons were safely tucked in weather proof cars and bags.
The thick fog did not permit visibility beyond a range of 50 meters. I wanted to shoot the twisties in fog, told Sahil to pull out my camera from Srijith’s water proof car.
Sahil said anxiously: “Captain, camera will get wet, damaged.”
I replied “Look Sahil, I don’t care, it is only a camera not some million dollar life threatening thing. Even if it is, to hell with it. I have not come here for some touristy past time. Besides I have a big umbrella. We will shoot the bike, the twisties, the fog, everything. Tis a Wet and Wild Shoot, remember?”
One amused new member, was listening to our conversation. I told him to hold the umbrella while we struggled with the long nose of the Nikon 80 D in rain and drizzle.
While the others were sauntering in the vicinity of Lavasa Top, enjoying the weather, I took Sahil, with the naked Nikon round his neck, astride Street Fighter. We zoomed off to the twisties.
I briefed Sahil how to shoot the running bike pics. I told him to make whatever settings on the long nose of the camera. He got confused, saying some numbers like mine is 40 and yours is 80. New gyaan for me that D 40 is different from D 80.
I told him “Sahil baby, 40/80, tis all the same really, just push the shutter hard. Something will happen. Rest we will Photoshop.” For good measure told him to set the ISO to some weird fig like 325. Don’t remember what.
That done I rode off.
It was drizzling, foggy, dark and misty. I was zapped, transformed. Ecstasy pills don’t give you the highs of Lavasa in this foggy wet weather.
I zoomed around the curves astride Street Fighter, while Sahil kept shooting.
Sahil asked me, “Captain you got hanky? Lens is wet.” I told him to use his shirt to wipe the lens dry. But keep shooting. Sahil thinks too much. He worries too much. At his age he should be Wild, Crazy. After all Pappa was a Rolling Stone.
We went further down to nicer twisties. Sahil became bold and I found him shooting me right in the Center of the Road!! Sahil is getting there. He is Crazy.
We returned to Lavasa top. By now a few cameras were out and members were finally shooting. They got amazing shots.
We assembled before departure Lavasa Top. Moderator Mahipal asked new members to introduce themselves. They all looked happy. We forgot to shoot the group pic and headed down the slopes to Temghar.
I kept Sahil with me. On the way down I met my buddies from the Rubber Smoking Angels! Some 12 bikes neatly lined up Rash the Prez of RSA, Smokey, Stoner, Priya…not all names are right but all kick ass suicidal riders. We bear hugged each other and I left.
Sahil as a pillion was a good stabilizing factor on wet roads for my bike.
Shooting done, Freedom ride over!
We headed down the slopes to Hotel Hilton Prasad for breakfast
Mahipal came panting “Captain two bikes are not starting.” My wisdom like advise to Mahipal “Go to Pirangut, hire a Tempo and retrieve the bikes to Pune.” I was done.
One broke down bike was Mahi’s, which was towed by RSA from Lavasa to Hotel Hilton Prasad , the other was Chinmay’s and he was still stuck at Lavasa Top. Some water in carburetor issues. Brokeback Lavasa Mountains broke dem bikes. I had told them at Chandni Chowk “Get into cars.”
THE RETURN HOME
Was raining continuously now from Mutha to Pune. Arrived home safe at around 1:15 pm.
Pics from Nikon D 80? They are naish naish. Camera body is soaked with water. Camshot will take care of that. I got 100% warranty.
I can see many good pics from members now. Regretfully the tag P@P20082707 is not showing all pics. Why? Mantriji Suhas explain.
Thank you all Members. I am done...The Rider Rests
2008/07/03
Pacific Ocean: On EXPLORE!!
This pic on the Pacifica HW # 1 stormed flickr world wide....was surprides
2008/06/27
2008/06/26
2008/06/22
2008/06/20
2008/06/19
2008/06/17
SUZIE Q RIDES OUT WITH RON AND JENN
Final Part III
!! June 01, 2008: Ron Mathewson’s Birthday!!!
On the morning of June 01, 2008, I went to Harley Eastside, Bellevue to pick up Suzie Q. Ambarish take care of the paper work with Alex Astern.
Alex handed over Suzie Q to me. Since I had last ridden with her, Suzie Q had NOT been rented out. I was in touch with Ron on fone. He and Jenn were in Seattle taking delivery of their bikes, sorry Harleys, from Eagle Riders at Seattle.
Around 1100 Ronn and Jenn rolled down to 226th Street, PL NE. I was ready with by camera as the 2 Harley Beasts of Fortune roared alongside making a deafening noise in the neighbor hood as never before. Here on 226th street, you cant hear a thing except the wind blowing ……
Yes the answer my friend, was blowing in the wind, the answer was blowing in the Wind....
RON AND JENN WERE FINALLY HERE..
We the Chitnis family and Mathewsons exchanged pleasantries, I presented Ron with a BikeNomad tee and Jenn with TANTRA tees. She presented me with a New York Yankee Tee.
Ron immediately wore the tee and that fitted him very well. A few quick pics and we were
Ambarish the Route plan on a Map to Ron. Redmond>Duval>Manroe>Stevens Pass>Leavenworth., some 120 odd miles.
I made an observation to Medini “Jenn is so beautiful….”
Ron smirked and looked the other way. I said “Hey hey Ron, Man you look good too!”
Exactly at 11:00 hrs, we roared off, 3 Harley Monsters.
I was leading, Jenn center and Ron sweeping. The roads were nice and clear, the weather was holding out, but a bit chilly.
Off Monroe, Ron took the lead, Jenn center and me sweeping. Ron stopped the bikes at a Gas Station for a butt break.
The twisties started and Ron started ripping his Monster 1400 cc bike. He was taking the bends in style at high speeds. He is a Honda CBR man. Surprisngly, Jenn also started to rip and take the turns at high speeds, keeping up with Ron. I kept Suzie Q to my riding limits.
As we gained altitude at the Stevens Pass rapidly, the weather started to deterirate. It started to freeze and later fog reduced visibility to around 5 car lengths, some places even less.
The traffic from the opposite side was heavy, as tourists returning home from Leavenworth. Our side traffic was thin. It started to get colder the fog got thicker.
And then, the most unexpected happened. …suffice to say we got away with Nil losses, plenty of Profits, thanks to experiencetial learning from this incident.
I remembered Dr Arn Gupta’s Golden Words……
“Riding on unfamiliar roads on unfamiliar bikes…is asking for serious trouble..”
Dr Arnob Gupta, MDS
Bun Burner, Saddle Sore Rider
Iron Butt Assoc of USA
I will leave out the details for the time being. Jenn’s hands and fingers had started to freeze, no circulation no feel. We pulled over at a curb at the apex of Stevens
Pass. Her hands were white and yellowed. Took some 30 minutes for her to get fit again.
I relaxed Jenn. “Look Jenn, this is NOT going to happen again…so Ride as if you stole the bike…!! She smiled.
This time, Jenn lead the wolf pack, me center Ron sweeping. We had 30 miles to go.
Jen was riding at high speeds…I had a tough time keeping behind her …Ron had slowed down to a leisurely speed enjoying the breath taking views of the Stevens pass.
Once we started to ascend the weather cleared up beautifully. We arrived at Leavenworth.
I found a nice German restaurant for lunch. Ron ordered German home made beers all round, as legally permitted by Law
We were famished.
I ordered a nice big dish of Sausages and Greens.
To my horror, Ron said “Jenn we have home made Indian food waiting for us at the Chitnis’ residence, so lets not stuff up..” He ordered just one small sandwich, ripped it to half and that is ALL they ate! She did not protest one bit….and I, a small Desi, was eating like a Big American Harley Man and the Americans (Ron is lean, tall, a 6 footiya) were nibbling at half sandwiches! Complete role reversals!
Lunch eaten, we walked back to our Harleys ..here Jenn just lay down on the foot apth for a quick power nap!
The Ride home was going fine. We stopped for some pics at the beginning of the Stevens Pass.
Once up the Stevens Pass, was cold again. This time Jenn was lead, Ron center and I was sweeping iin a formation that DIN not allow any cars to pass us. And no cars honked or protested coz tis was 3 Harleys leading all the way. No one messes with Harley Riders in America.
Was a cold rainy windy ride. Jenn pulled up at a 100 years old Post Office cum Coffee restaurant. Gratefully, we went inside, warm and nice. The Coffee was great …only Riders know the value of each sip of hot coffee, what it means to be warm. Ron got his for free as I told the counter lady that it was his Birthday.
We headed out to Monroe…here I was in the lead with GPS in pocket with earfones. But the noise of Suzie’s engines drowned the voice of the GPS. I lost my way and we stopped to cross check the GPS. Done with that and Jenns bike would not start!
We decided to park her bike at a Vet hospital, locked and Jenn held my GPS in her hand riding pillion on Ron’s bike. Ron was feeling bad that we were now late to reach home. I assured him that this was an Emergency and the family will understand. ETA home was 20:30 hrs we made it at 23:00 hrs.
Oh sure the Chitnis Mafia was glad to have us all home. Ron enthralled them with the ride story….
I told Jenn and Ron…”Look a nice ride to Leavenworth and back makes for a boring trip log…..tis when you have incidents and rains, fog and cold winds, unexpected twists and turns, that makes for a great trip log…..We will remember this ride for a long time to come some years down the line.”
Few days later Ron sent me an email
“Captain -
Thanks for the kind words.
It was a crazy birthday for me. Your calmness made it and adventure. Without you it would have been classified a disaster!!”
Final Part III
!! June 01, 2008: Ron Mathewson’s Birthday!!!
On the morning of June 01, 2008, I went to Harley Eastside, Bellevue to pick up Suzie Q. Ambarish take care of the paper work with Alex Astern.
Alex handed over Suzie Q to me. Since I had last ridden with her, Suzie Q had NOT been rented out. I was in touch with Ron on fone. He and Jenn were in Seattle taking delivery of their bikes, sorry Harleys, from Eagle Riders at Seattle.
Around 1100 Ronn and Jenn rolled down to 226th Street, PL NE. I was ready with by camera as the 2 Harley Beasts of Fortune roared alongside making a deafening noise in the neighbor hood as never before. Here on 226th street, you cant hear a thing except the wind blowing ……
Yes the answer my friend, was blowing in the wind, the answer was blowing in the Wind....
RON AND JENN WERE FINALLY HERE..
We the Chitnis family and Mathewsons exchanged pleasantries, I presented Ron with a BikeNomad tee and Jenn with TANTRA tees. She presented me with a New York Yankee Tee.
Ron immediately wore the tee and that fitted him very well. A few quick pics and we were
Ambarish the Route plan on a Map to Ron. Redmond>Duval>Manroe>Stevens Pass>Leavenworth., some 120 odd miles.
I made an observation to Medini “Jenn is so beautiful….”
Ron smirked and looked the other way. I said “Hey hey Ron, Man you look good too!”
Exactly at 11:00 hrs, we roared off, 3 Harley Monsters.
I was leading, Jenn center and Ron sweeping. The roads were nice and clear, the weather was holding out, but a bit chilly.
Off Monroe, Ron took the lead, Jenn center and me sweeping. Ron stopped the bikes at a Gas Station for a butt break.
The twisties started and Ron started ripping his Monster 1400 cc bike. He was taking the bends in style at high speeds. He is a Honda CBR man. Surprisngly, Jenn also started to rip and take the turns at high speeds, keeping up with Ron. I kept Suzie Q to my riding limits.
As we gained altitude at the Stevens Pass rapidly, the weather started to deterirate. It started to freeze and later fog reduced visibility to around 5 car lengths, some places even less.
The traffic from the opposite side was heavy, as tourists returning home from Leavenworth. Our side traffic was thin. It started to get colder the fog got thicker.
And then, the most unexpected happened. …suffice to say we got away with Nil losses, plenty of Profits, thanks to experiencetial learning from this incident.
I remembered Dr Arn Gupta’s Golden Words……
“Riding on unfamiliar roads on unfamiliar bikes…is asking for serious trouble..”
Dr Arnob Gupta, MDS
Bun Burner, Saddle Sore Rider
Iron Butt Assoc of USA
I will leave out the details for the time being. Jenn’s hands and fingers had started to freeze, no circulation no feel. We pulled over at a curb at the apex of Stevens
Pass. Her hands were white and yellowed. Took some 30 minutes for her to get fit again.
I relaxed Jenn. “Look Jenn, this is NOT going to happen again…so Ride as if you stole the bike…!! She smiled.
This time, Jenn lead the wolf pack, me center Ron sweeping. We had 30 miles to go.
Jen was riding at high speeds…I had a tough time keeping behind her …Ron had slowed down to a leisurely speed enjoying the breath taking views of the Stevens pass.
Once we started to ascend the weather cleared up beautifully. We arrived at Leavenworth.
I found a nice German restaurant for lunch. Ron ordered German home made beers all round, as legally permitted by Law
We were famished.
I ordered a nice big dish of Sausages and Greens.
To my horror, Ron said “Jenn we have home made Indian food waiting for us at the Chitnis’ residence, so lets not stuff up..” He ordered just one small sandwich, ripped it to half and that is ALL they ate! She did not protest one bit….and I, a small Desi, was eating like a Big American Harley Man and the Americans (Ron is lean, tall, a 6 footiya) were nibbling at half sandwiches! Complete role reversals!
Lunch eaten, we walked back to our Harleys ..here Jenn just lay down on the foot apth for a quick power nap!
The Ride home was going fine. We stopped for some pics at the beginning of the Stevens Pass.
Once up the Stevens Pass, was cold again. This time Jenn was lead, Ron center and I was sweeping iin a formation that DIN not allow any cars to pass us. And no cars honked or protested coz tis was 3 Harleys leading all the way. No one messes with Harley Riders in America.
Was a cold rainy windy ride. Jenn pulled up at a 100 years old Post Office cum Coffee restaurant. Gratefully, we went inside, warm and nice. The Coffee was great …only Riders know the value of each sip of hot coffee, what it means to be warm. Ron got his for free as I told the counter lady that it was his Birthday.
We headed out to Monroe…here I was in the lead with GPS in pocket with earfones. But the noise of Suzie’s engines drowned the voice of the GPS. I lost my way and we stopped to cross check the GPS. Done with that and Jenns bike would not start!
We decided to park her bike at a Vet hospital, locked and Jenn held my GPS in her hand riding pillion on Ron’s bike. Ron was feeling bad that we were now late to reach home. I assured him that this was an Emergency and the family will understand. ETA home was 20:30 hrs we made it at 23:00 hrs.
Oh sure the Chitnis Mafia was glad to have us all home. Ron enthralled them with the ride story….
I told Jenn and Ron…”Look a nice ride to Leavenworth and back makes for a boring trip log…..tis when you have incidents and rains, fog and cold winds, unexpected twists and turns, that makes for a great trip log…..We will remember this ride for a long time to come some years down the line.”
Few days later Ron sent me an email
“Captain -
Thanks for the kind words.
It was a crazy birthday for me. Your calmness made it and adventure. Without you it would have been classified a disaster!!”
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