Brendan Clarke

Generations of Gentlemen

Friday 29th Mar 2024

I can still remember the exact moment my father rode in on his new bullet, it was a beautiful spring evening, everyone heard him make his way through the narrow lanes of Mumbai towards our building.
The whole family came down from our apartment to see it, heck, everyone either came down to see it or were peering from their windows. Beautiful in burgundy red she looked like she was a young Indian bride on her wedding night.

 

After taking my mother for a ride, my father invited me and my brother for a quick spin. I was 7 and my brother 5. My brother sat on the tank and me behind my father. "Hold on tight" he said and with a slow release of the clutch we could hear the engine rumble and we were off.

 

The two most profound memories from that day was the smell of my father after a hard day's work mixed with petrol and his denim perfume. The second was the thump of the bullet as we zoomed around the city. It was an instant connection, as if the beat of my heart synced to the rhythm of the bullet. I was hooked. I felt each shift, each pull, each thump.

 

Once we returned home, everyone was there, like a celebration, it felt like people came to see a celebrity. My grandfather had just come home from work and immediately grabbed the keys for his own experience. You could tell he was emotional as his one and only motorcycle was a Royal Enfield as well. My grandfather felt as though he had travelled back in time on a time machine knows as Royal Enfield Bullet. After he returned he showed us pictures of his bike and that's when I saw it, a sepia toned image of my grandfather in a vest on his Royal Enfield. Although I regrettably don't have that picture anymore, the memory of it is still fresh in my mind.

 

"You know, your great grandfather had a black Royal Enfield model K a beautiful machine,  I used it for years and eventually bought myself a Bullet, it was the same color as your dad's" he said while taking a pause to absorb the moment. "Alright, I'll be taking it to work from tomorrow" he joked which brought a smile to my fathers face but for just a second he paused to see if grandpa was really joking or was he being serious.

 

Cut to 2023, I never really lost connection with the spirit of the bullet. I've always been delving into to avenues of present day media, keeping up-to-date with Royal Enfield's progress. However, on one faithful evening, I saw one for sale in chrome red and it was love at first sight. I went to check the bike but couldn't muster the courage to take it for a ride. The condition was pristine so I wasn't worried. It was a 'no-brainer'. Paid in full we headed to the registration center and after a few hours that seemed like forever, she was finally mine. I felt like I eloped with the woman of my dreams. But for some reason, I still needed my father's approval, so I asked the previous owner to ride it to my home where my father was busy watching the television. 

I ran up the stairs to his room and asked him to come down immediately as I had something to show him. I wanted to get ahead of him to see his expression. The moment he saw her for the first time, what a moment it was. Filled with emotion he just placed his hand on my shoulder as I gently grabbed it and placed the keys in it. "I haven't taken it for a ride yet dad, I want you to be the first one to take it for a spin." I said.
He did not hesitate. With a quick kick, she growled like a wildcat and he was off. 

After a quick round of our community he returned with tears in his eyes. I asked if he was ok, to which he replied "the last time I was on a Royal Enfield, it was with your mother"

I didn't mention this earlier but my mother passed away in 2020 from Covid complications. It was the hardest moment in our lives. We could never have imagined how our lives would come to a screeching halt. She was the trailblazer for our family. She shaped the culture of our home and the essence of our characters. 

I hugged him deeply, and for a whole minute we were silent. After I stepped back to allow him to get off the bike, he said "I could feel her sitting sideways behind me with her arm around my waist like she used to." I couldn't hold it in anymore, both my father and I shared another hug but this time we both had tears in our eyes. 

Just then I heard an excited voice, my son rushed to us and with a face stretched by absolute joy, he exclaimed "it is beautiful dad" to which my father replied and said "how do you like MY new bike?" and laughed. I laughed along and explained that he can take it for a spin anytime he wanted. He smiled and asked my son " would you like to go for a spin?" "Yes!" He shouted and proceeded to sit on the tank. As they rolled away from the driveway, I remembered that very moment I saw the bullet for the first time. I only hope that this interaction with my son leaves as lasting an impression as it did on me when I was a child. 

Four generations of Enfielders in our family and after seeing my son's face after the ride, filled with pure joy and excitement, there is no doubt in my mind there will be a Fifth. We have been on several rides since then, every chance we get we take her out for a spin. My wife loves the bike (and it's vibrations). It has been the talk of the town and the second takes are just priceless. It's a true head turner. I may own other motorcycles in future, riding is a high you just can't live without. However, my Royal Enfield Classic 500 will always be my first and only true love. I would have it no other way.

Royal Enfield for Life!

 

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Thursday 28th Mar 2024 On Sunday the 19th of May 2024, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.