Good Bye ITES Hello Bun Burner
By Hitesh Shetty

The booming IT-ITES industry in India has empowered many Tech Specialists to drop out and pursue their passions.  Some IIT Graduates have stopped pursuing lucrative careers in India and overseas and are with NGO’s as well as organizations like ISCKON.  A leading security expert has cut down on his hours to practice Art of Living. Vinu S.V took a break from ITES to pursue biking.

Techgoss (TG): Tell us about your Educational Qualification? What kind of IT have you studied?
Vinu S.V:  I have done my Graduation (B.Com) from Osmania University. Apart from that, I do not have any IT educational background.

TG: How long was your IT career?  Which IT companies and software did your work with?
Vinu: Instead of IT, I would call it ITES. I have worked with Amazon and Deloitte in its ITES wing. In my last job at Deloitte, I worked as a consultant in the ITES division of the company.

TG: How did you get interested in biking? When did your hobby actually turn into full time passion?
Vinu: I have been riding bikes for close to 9 years now. I started riding only because of my late brother, Dhruv. He taught me how to ride, took me to the highway for the first time, taught all the tricks in the book. He was very fast, in fact really fast, yet safe. .

It all took off when I happened to read about Iron Butt Association USA couple of years back and got hooked on as I have always loved long distance safe endurance rides. People who knew me reckoned that I can pull one of the IBA challenges real easy but I kept hanging back for a bit. But last year during my South Solo ride, I dashed across from Cochin to Hyderabad under 17 hours flat under not so friendly road / weather conditions. That ride changed a lot of things for me from deep within in terms of confidence, how much I can push, where to draw the line etc. After that it was just a matter of time

TG: How would you explain the BunBurner competition to a lay person? What are the pre-requisites required to enter this competition? How did you prepare yourself for the event?
Vinu: The Bun Burner is an endurance ride that requires a motorcyclist to cover 2,500 kilometers over a span of 36 continuous hours. Ride needs to be backed up with adequate proofs like ATM receipts / credit card receipts / Electronic Fuel Bills etc. along with the start and end witnesses. Only a handful of Indian riders have been certified with the IBA Bun Burner certificate in India so far and I am the first rider from South India to have achieved this.

I was inclined to take the Bun Burner challenge, after a spirited performance in the Saddle Sore Ride, where I completed 1600+ kms within 24 hours. After the saddle sore ride, I was not in the greatest of physical shape. I had some issues with my cervical spine and some other back related trouble. Regular medication, physio therapy and ample amount of rest kind of got me back on track. Further, regular cycling, Jogging and other endurance building exercise definitely helped.

I was aware of the road condition for the whole stretch of BunBurner as I have ridden through the entire route previously during my touring adventures. I even knew exactly which fuel stations I will be tanking up. And if there is any town or city that you cannot by pass and might face heavy traffic jam then you have to plan the ride in a way that you cross that stretch either late midnight or early morning.

TG: What advice would you give to young aspiring Indian bikers for safe road experiences, taking into considerations the recent road accidents in which former Indian Cricket Captain Azharuddin's son and few others were killed after overspeeding?
Vinu: My advice to aspiring bikers would be to plan every tiny detail as much as possible in terms of route, fuel stations, and every other little thing possible. Make sure you are in great physical and mental state. Make sure the bike is ready to face the demands of a grueling ride ahead and have all the right set up for it. Try and gather as much information as you can from people who have done or attempted the ride etc.

Make sure you understand your own physical capabilities as to where to draw the line in terms of how long you can ride at one stretch without a break, how long you can manage to stay up without sleep, food etc. Once you know your own limits, try and work alongside them to achieve the goal. Keep yourself hydrated with water, carry plenty of Red Bull. And always wear safety gear regardless of whether it’s a ride of this magnitude or a small one. Be positive and ride safe.

TG: Did you make enough money in IT that you can now follow your passion? Or do you now have to manage expenses more closely?
Vinu: Whatever savings I had is long gone. I have left work about 15 months back and of course its tough. Everything is at a bare minimum. I have literally stopped hanging out with friends or doing the other casual stuff that I used to while I was working. Whatever little money I have is for the bike maintenance, fuel and rides. And since past few months, the going has been really tough to say the least.