tnw: Please introduce yourself and about your motorcycling
Dimpy: Firstly, I would like to thank for this opportunity for introducing myself. I am Dimpy Karekar (ankita). I am a graphic designer by profession & work as a freelancer. Have always been a motorcyclist by heart. Its been more than 10 years I started riding motorcycles but never thought of travelling so much.
tnw: Any specific reason you ride for?
Dimpy: Riding is like a therapy for me. It sets me free from all the stress, I ride to celebrate, I ride to forget things to ease my mind, I ride for a cause, and if there is no reason I ride to find a reason.
tnw: Describe on how you got to where you are with motorcycling today
Dimpy: The dream of riding a motorcycle started back in school days, when my mom used to drop me to school on her Bajaj Chetak which makes it obvious that she is my inspiration. I used to stand in the front of our scooter & enjoy the ride.
My dad taught me how to ride a motorcycle. I started with basics of motorcycling on my uncle’s Hero Honda Splendor. I got my first motorycle – Bajaj Avenger, started going on rides on that bike, exploring places as a novice rider. Today here I am with a tall adventure tourer (Royal Enfield Himalayan) covering unexplored places with all safety precautions.
My dream of riding a motorcycle has turned into a passion and I am living up my dream.
tnw: Tell us more about the motorcycle you ride now
Dimpy: The motorcycle I ride now is the Royal Enfield Himalayan. It is a 2017 BSIII model, a perfect adventure tourer by Royal Enfield. I have clocked more than 30k kms on it.
tnw: Do you maintain and repair motorcycles on your own?
Dimpy: Indeed!! Its fun handling and learning out new things. I do some basic maintenance of my motorcycle. I spend most of my free time at my friends workshop trying to learn more things, so may be soon I can fix issues better.
tnw: Joined any riding clubs/ motorcycle clubs? Any motorcycling event that you tried and attend regularly?
Dimpy: Most of my friends ride with an Enfield club in Mumbai, so I ride with them. Usually I choose to ride solo or with my close friends. I have attended few motorcycles events like Royal Enfield Rider Mania, India Bike Week (IBW), West Coast Riders Meet (WCRM) , Burnfest, etc
tnw: How far have you ridden your motorcycle?
Dimpy: My 1st solo ride was around 600km in a day to Goa, then did many, in and around Maharashtra. I have ridden from Mumbai (Maharashtra) to Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) to Leh (J&K) and back to Mumbai, covering almost 7000 kms and 8 states in a single road trip. I have used multiple bikes so far clocking more than 50k km in total
tnw: Do you have a motorcycling achievement that you take pride in?
Dimpy: I have covered close to 7000 km in 24 days, I got featured in 4 news papers, was felicitated by Rotary Club, WCRM, Burn Fest and a Radio Interview for completing Mumbai – Spiti – Leh – Mumbai expedition.
tnw: 3 things your learnt from motorcycling?
Dimpy: Every ride teaches some or the other thing. May it be to believe in myself which helps me to overcome all my fears, to be focussed , which makes achieving the goals easy. To always help others; this comes from the brotherhood what all the bikers have for each other. To be cool minded and have patience, rushing or shortcuts does not always lead to right direction. To live every moment and enjoy the smallest thing.
tnw: Hobbies / Interests that you spend time on apart from motorcycling
Dimpy: Apart from motorcycling, I love to cook, dance, try to build things from best out of waste, participate in social works.
tnw: How are women motorcycle riders treated by most people and by male motorcyclist?
Dimpy: At times people get amazed looking at me riding a motorcycle. They give a smile or a thumps up and are always curious to know how I manage long distance rides. On solo trips whenever I have faced any breakdown I was lucky to get help with some appreciation.
My fellow riders, male motorcyclists, have never differentiated with me and have always been supportive and encouraging.
tnw: Parents/ Friends- How do they feel of you riding a motorcycle. Any special comments
Dimpy: I am lucky to be born to parents that helped me nurture and pursue my passion. My parents and friends have always been proud of me and encouraged me in what I am doing. On my solo trips they are worried, but they are equally confident & set me free.
tnw: The motorcycles you wish / dream to see parked in your garage
Dimpy: I wish to buy a Triumph Tiger and will love to have a cruiser and a dirt bike parked in my garage.
tnw: Message to other female riders?
Dimpy: Don’t keep thinking, just do it. There is nothing to worry about of travelling alone, it’s our country and our people. Don’t hold yourself from flying. I wish that there should be equal no. of women and men riding motorcycle on road so that there won’t be any discrimination and I think that day isn’t far. Its time to stop talking about gender equality and women empowerment and start taking actions. It all begins from us. Yes!! Women Can!!” It’s time to fly ladies.
Follow: Dimpy on Instagram
Unedited interview. As told to team technwheelz
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