How I fell for Rodo

The place where I study now, IIT Madras is located in the middle of a National Park. So we hostellers aren't permitted to use motor vehicles ( It's not of much use anyway, considering the fact that I don't have a motorbike despite having a driving license. Also, the experience at the driving school was gut-wrenching). So all hostelers had the option to walk or ride a bicycle. Given the vast campus (around 660 acres), walking for a lean person like me is out of the question. Also, it had been a long time since I rode a bicycle, so I decided: Get a Bicycle!!!

Every year for freshers who don't have a bicycle, there is a bicycle sale at the Sangam grounds inside the campus, where over a thousand cycles are for sale. Me and my father went there and a salesman showed us a Red colour XYZ bike.( I don't want to hurt the sentiments of the lovers of the particular brand, it was a well-reputed one, and it took me a while to come to terms that this bicycle was made by this brand). Took it for a test ride. It screeched like a slowing Railway engine!!!! Immeditate Rejection. Went to the next bike, rejected, next one, rejected. I could tell by the look on the salesman's face " Is he going to pick something today?"

After a series of rejection, I saw someone take a Black and Fluorescent Yellow cycle, contrasting like in neon. Liked the colour combo. Asked the salesman whether he had a bicycle like that. Showed me one, black with bright yellow. Took it for a ride. Rides like heaven!! Fell for it...

My father immediately purchased it, registered it with the police ( In IIT Madras, bicycles are the equivalent of motor vehicles for students, and therefore for the police) and thus began our story together. 

Seeing that in an atmosphere like IIT Madras, which is very huge to be left alone and left behind, it is advisable to always find that one person or group of people who just loves you and be with you always. This Cosmic Jus Bike 2.0 cycle turned out to be exactly that for me. 

It's not right to keep calling someone as 'someone' so I decided to give my cycle a name: Rodo (Felt nice with the name, so kept it). I try to take extra care that Rodo doesn't get damaged at any cost. All proper care to be provided ( Ok, I know some of you might be thinking I'm taking this a bit too far. But you have to take care of your best friend, no matter what the costs are, right?). Sent him for service the Second Saturday of every month. I got to tell you something, after that service, Rodo looked just like he came out of the factory. 

There were times when I was a bit rough with Rodo. Once the back wheel was screeching while riding. Despite repeated kicks, the screeching persisted. Took it to the Service Centre and was told it's due to a collision with something 'quite hard' ( Some of you might be thinking it's my kicking, but I got news for you.) The Service Representative told me it could be due to a collision with another cycle. I haven't hit any. Possibly someone hit mine while it was parked. Anyway, got it fixed and Rodo was good as new.

One time I felt that the handle was more loose than it should be. While riding the handle literally came out of the socket of the cycle!! Thankfully I jumped from the cycle before it went crashing. Out of anger, I kept kicking it mercilessly. But then this is my only cycle. Took him to the Dealer's Showroom outside the campus and got it fixed. All this happened in the first semester of college. After that, two semesters later, no problems at all. Like how Sachin Tendulkar said, you have to take good care of your kit and the kit will definitely take good care of you.

When there emerged a situation where we were asked to leave the campus ASAP as a precautionary measure before the pandemic, I remember parking Rodo in the third spot of the first parking space of the Brahmaputra hostel where I was. I remember telling Rodo, 'See you in two weeks time' because the lockdown was initially for a two week period. But six months later, I keep thinking of Rodo and the good times we had together...... 

(P.S. You should look after your ride for all your rides to feel like heaven. But, make sure your Ride IN Heaven doesn't become someone else's Ride TO Heaven....)