Abhijit Shome is an electrical engineer by profession and an avid biker by passion, hailing from the beautiful city of Silchar in Assam.

Abhijit Shome often hits the road to explore new things and experience life. The COVID-19-induced lockdown offered him an opportunity to travel across the country and raise awareness about the deadly virus.

A COVID-19 survivor himself, Abhijit Shome undertook a 4000-kilometre journey from Rajasthan to Moreh- a town located in Indo-Myanmar in the Tengnoupal district, Manipur- and spoke to people about the deadliness of COVID-19.

The Story Mug (TSM) caught up with the enthusiastic Abhijit Shome and learned more about his passion and the journey that he undertook.

TSM: How long have you been riding?

Abhijit Shome: Travelling and exploring had always been my passion. My first long-distance ride was the Nagaland Motor Rally, a 900-km ride in 1991. But since then, due to family obligations and work, I have not been able to pursue it further. This ride was a journey back to the old days for me.

Later in 2019, I decided to continue with my passion for riding, and the journey is on.

TSM: Have you taken any rider-training courses?

AS: No, I have been mostly self-taught, figuring out the rest along the way.

TSM: Is it critical for a rider to have formal training?

AS: I do not think it is critical, but it helps to know the intricacies of off-road driving and the driving capabilities. Formal training certainly enhances your driving skills.

TSM: When did you take your first solo ride?

AS: Previously, most of my rides were shorter distances. My first solo long-distance ride was flagged off from Barmer on January 30, 2021, to raise awareness about COVID-19.

TSM: Tell more about this COVID-19 awareness trip.

AS: My ride aimed at spreading the national integration campaign Ek Bharat Srestho Bharat to unite the North-Eastern states with the mainstream.

Assam and Rajasthan were paired for cultural exchange. This ride was also associated with creating awareness about the ongoing pandemic and highlighting the importance of wearing masks.

I distributed masks to the construction quarry workers at Sanchor, the national-level swimmers at Fateh Sagar Lake in Udaipur, the farmers at Kota, the tribal people at Dima Hasao, Assam, the Banskandi ME, and the school students at Silchar. I also asked these people to take the COVID-19 vaccination.

TSM: How did you come up with the idea?

AS: Being from Assam, the initial riding plan was conceived to introduce my children to the state route- NH 27, which is an East-West corridor beginning from Porobonder to Silchar and the second-longest highway, NH44, covering over 4000 km, connected to Barmer and my place of origin - Assam.

I have been working on an Oil and Gas project in Barmer since February 2019, and the trip was scheduled for April 2020. But with COVID and the lockdown across cities, the trip had to be put on hold.

With the completion of my contract in December 2020, I decided to continue with my travel plans but to pursue a solo trip. Unfortunately, I was hospitalised for COVID-19 treatment, and then the objective of the trip changed to self-discovery and creating awareness towards COVID-19.

TSM: Which places have you visited, and what were the experiences

AS: The trip began on January 30, with a flag-off by the BSF at the Pakistan border in Munabao, Barmer District, Rajasthan.

On the first day, the route ended at the Royal Enfield service centre in Barmer, Rajasthan, to replace the rear wheel bearing.

The Second day began at Thar Hospital, post flag-off by Dr Vikas Chaudhary. The route was via NH 68 to Palanpur and then onto Udaipur via the NH 27 East-West Corridor.

In Udaipur, I stopped by the Royal Enfield Service Centre to have the speedometer fixed.

Later, the journey continued, passing through various routes across many cities, including Barmer, Udaipur, Kota, Kanpur, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Forbesganj, Siliguri, Bongaigaon, Maibang, Silchar, and Imphal.

On February 13, from Imphal, I rode to Moreh on the Myanmar border and ended the trip at the Friendship Bridge over the river.

The total distance covered was 4000 km approx crossing eight states' borders - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya  Pradesh,  Uttar  Pradesh,  Bihar,  West  Bengal,  Assam and   Manipur along with two international borders- Pakistan and Myanmar.

I was driving a 2016 Himalayan, and the start odometer was 23000 km.

TSM: What has been the support of the local administrations of the places you have visited

AS: The trip was self-supported and focused on daily mileage and spreading awareness on COVID-19 and National Integration.

To start my ride from Barmer, I sought permission from the BSF, and they extended their support, including accommodation and refreshments.

During my ride, I fell ill upon reaching Kanpur; there, I approached the Gorakhpur police for help. DIG Jogendra Punia extended all his support with accommodation and bike custody.

TSM: What was your family's reaction when you shared with them the idea of taking a sabbatical?

AS: While I was in Barmer, I was part of the ongoing Oil and Gas project. After the project's completion and the end of my contract, I decided to take some time off to focus on myself and explore life.

When I expressed to my family that I wanted to go ahead with the ride, they were not quite happy, as I had just recovered from COVID, for which I was hospitalised for two weeks.

They were concerned about my well-being as it was a solo ride. But I managed to convince them, and I continued with my ride, and it definitely wasn’t easy. But returning to them at the end of the trip was a big moment for me, and it keeps motivating me.

TSM: What bike do you mostly prefer to go on a trip on?

AS: It is always a pleasure to ride with the Royal Enfield Himalayan, and it gives you comfort when you are travelling.

TSM: What are the preparations required before embarking on a trip

AS: Planning is essential, and it requires a lot of time and effort to ensure a successful trip.

As my journey was alongside the N27 Highway and had to travel through different states and also considering the pandemic situation across the country, I had to do a lot of research on the mapping of routes, distance to be covered each day, setting up a timeline for completion of a journey, rules and regulations set by the respective state government, precautions to be taken as per the state requirement, locating pit stops, accommodations, etc.

Apart from this, I serviced the Himalayan, fitted the back carrier and saddlebags, and decided to carry a tent with me to camp on a road if required.

As the journey was in January, when temperatures are likely to drop at night, I decided to do a dry run at my friend Dr Vikas Chaudhary's farmhouse, who has supported me throughout this journey.

TSM: Tell something about the protective gear you use

AS: This included LS 2 Riding Jacket, Shin Guard, Full Mask Helmet, Gloves and Riding Shoe.

TSM: Have you made any collaborative rides?

AS: I was part of the Nagaland Autumn Motor Rally in 1991, which is now part of the Hornbill festival.

TSM: One place you love visiting over and over again?

AS: Being born and brought up in Assam, the northeast is a place that always fascinates me to explore.

TSM: Any message for the budding riders

AS: One has to be passionate about solo rides, mainly for long-distance tours, crossing country borders, etc. It is always good to have someone accompanying you.

For a solo ride, one needs to be mentally and physically prepared, but it offers an unimaginable experience.

One should enjoy the momentum of the ride, after all, it is not just the destination but the path that leads to it.