Its September and the city is welcoming autumn in its full swing. Outdoor activities are becoming more fun as the weather has cooled down a little and what better way to enjoy it than on a two wheeler!
A motorcycle is one of the
most common means of transport. Almost all men learn to ride a bike in their teens. Though somehow it is not associated with a
gentleman in our part of the world which is quite the contrary and as soon as one has a stable job the first thing they do is get a car.
Bikes have a history dating back to World War II when they started getting very popular. Those were the days when baby boomers returning back from war wanted to live life to its fullest and motorcycles provided just the right amount of fun mixed with thrill, speed and adventure. At that time old
classic bikes like
Cafe Racers, Bobbers, Flat Trackers & Scooters were very popular. Then came 1960 and entered Honda - the brand from Japan that took over the world by storm! Their unforgettable campaign "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" was spot on. The motorcycle sales almost doubled in 3 years and kept on multiplying until they became the biggest player in the market. Their local version "main te Honda hee le saan" is also on of the most popular tag lines in our country. The most common bikes we see on the roads are mostly 70CC bikes more suitable for city commuting & transportation with low fuel consumption.
But it is the classic style of bikes that actually brings out the true essence of riding a bike. One such event taking place is the
"Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride - 2015" which is trying to revive the classic era of motor bikes. This is an international event that takes place every year on 27th September; and this year it is happening also in Pakistan - Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
"We are working towards bringing together motorcycle enthusiasts from all areas of the city. We see this event as a first to boost the moral of bikers and raise awareness about safety rules while riding a bike" explained Faisal Malik, one of the organisers.
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| Adman Don Draper on a Matchless G3/LS motorbike |
The event started in Australia inspired by a poster of Mad Men's
Don Draper on a motor bike in one of his timeless threaded suits. The idea behind the event is to counter the
negative stereotypes associated with bike riders in general. Most of us cringe at their rude and rough riding, loud exhaust pipes and recklessness on roads. However the riders in DGR are not only required to behave as true gentlemen but also dress like one. Yup! the participants have to dress up in their finest suits, dress shirts, jackets, ties and bows! When I spoke to one of the participants Nabil Hasan on the mandatory dress code, he sounded a bit hesitant but nevertheless ready to follow the rules.
"The only thing that's bugging me a bit is the dress code. But then what better way to be a gentleman than to wear a suit? I will be wearing a blazer, tie, Steve Madden boots and riding my Honda 1981 ".
The DGR ride this year is happening simultaneously in more than
400 cities across the world. The rides are being organised by volunteers in each city. Apart from bringing motorcyclists together, DGR aims to raise money and awareness into men's health issues specifically prostate cancer.
One of the participants Anas Khan is already pumped up for the big day, "
I am very excited for DGR to be happening in Karachi. I have made my bike from scratch with a lot of hard work and time. I would love to interact with other classic bikers in the city and ride together for a good cause"
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| DGR style guide |
The event is open to all the
gentle ladies as well which are not many in our city but are urged to join.
Details of the event and registration info can be found at the following link:
http://www.gentlemansride.com/rides/pakistan
We all have fond memories of KFC when they opened their first franchise in the country. They were among the first international food chains to come to Pakistan and we literally grew up loving, craving and fantasizing their succulent, juicy fried chicken. However down the road, with so many new entrants KFC was somewhat sidelined. But then came the Zinger and once again everyone was hooked on! Zinger was the first burger of its kind that had fried chicken in it. No one could compete with Zinger and proof lies in it becoming a generic name for all fried chicken burgers sold in local cafes, restaurants and even dhabbas and thelay walas. 
