“I like mud for make-up and petrol for perfume” — The Bikerni: Association of Female Bikers-India makes no bones about the stuff its brood of women bikers are made of. They love the sound of their mean machines and love to be mean to anyone who thinks that the machines don’t belong to the ladies. All-women cross-country bike trips are becoming increasingly popular and the need for speed has bitten some Calcutta girls too. t2 caught up with four women bikers — a homemaker, a chef, a student and a software developer

Who: Sukanya Pal, an MPhil student of sociology at Jadavpur University

Age: 24

Her hotwheels: Apache 180

Dream bikes: Harley Davidson Fat Boy or V-Rod. “V-Rod is very sporty, it’s a classic. I hope I can save enough for either one within the next few years,” says the girl who holds a joint Limca Book of National Records (2011) for being a part of the largest contingent to reach Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable road in 2009.

First thrust: “I went to school at Auxilium Convent, where one of the teachers would come to work on a bike. She inspired me and by the end of high school, I had learnt how to ride a bike,” says Sukanya, whose bike mania did not go down well at home initially. “My father was a biker, but he didn’t quite approve of his daughter riding one! After much insisting, he showed me just once how to start, brake and balance a bike. The rest, I learnt on my own. Where there is a wish, there is a way — that’s my belief! Funny thing is, I am scared to ride a bicycle,” laughs the girl who bikes daily from her Barasat home to JU.

On the road: “I have made some extensive tours around the country. The best trip was Delhi-Khardung La-Delhi in 2009, when we travelled up to Leh, Kargil, Jammu, all in 14 days. There were 107 bikers, but just two women.” She has also traversed the roads between Vizag and Calcutta, where she was the only woman in a group of 75, and another all-women trip to Leh on bicycles and bikes.

Highs & lows: “Driving a bike as a woman is never a good experience. While travelling from Delhi to Chandigarh, I happened to take off my helmet when we stopped at a roadblock caused by a landslide. There were male bikers around me and as soon as they realised I was a woman, thanks to my longer hair, they started humiliating me. It was a nightmare!” recounts Sukanya.

Sometimes there’s a silver lining too. “Once, when I stopped at a traffic signal, I saw this father-daughter on a bike stop beside me. The man smiled and told his daughter, ‘When you grow up, even you should ride a bike like this didi.’ That was perhaps a good experience,” smiles Sukanya. She also points out that in Calcutta, traffic cops would stop her bike, only to let her go without any checks once they realised she was a woman. “I don’t understand the basis of this gender-based discrimination! I may very well not be carrying my papers, yet they wouldn’t even check. What’s the point then?”

Next stop: “The highest battlefield in the world — Siachen Glacier. Six of us will set off on August 4, so that we can reach by August 15 and celebrate Independence Day with the Indian soldiers up there.”

Who: Arundhati Das, software developer

Age: 31

Her hotwheels: Yamaha Enticer

Dream bikes: Harley- Davidson Fat Bob and Fat Boy Special.

First thrust: “I was passionate about bikes since the age of eight, thanks to my Bapi (father), who would get some of the best models back home. My introduction to bikes happened with a Yamaha Siren, a German model. Later I moved on to different models. Like the Stallion, one of the best that I have used till date, with its big wheels and auto gear,” says the Shibpur resident.

On the road: “I have been on long rides only as far as Chandernagore. There is a dearth of like-minded women bikers in the city, but the numbers are increasing. I hope to go further, but only when I come across a good group with confident bikers.”

Highs & lows: Having a passionate biker for a father made things easy for Arundhati. “The experience of driving in the city is good overall, except for the occasional jeers and comments. The main problem is navigating the traffic outside Calcutta. Like in Howrah, bikers are often quite indisciplined.”

And a high? “It was around New Year 2012 when I was riding up the AJC Bose Road flyover and a bike sped past me. Suddenly the driver looked back and saluted me. I was pleasantly taken aback! Such actions and gestures help motivate you,” she smiles.

Who: Sachiko Sheth, chef at The Blue Poppy

Age: 21

Her hotwheels: Royal Enfield, the older version, and Yamaha Ray for everyday work

Dream bikes: Honda Shadow 1100 and KTM Duke or Kawasaki Ninja. “Honda Shadow is the real dream bike since it is really heavy. But if I ever get to ride that beast, I will surely fly,” laughs Sachiko.

First thrust: “I started riding a two-wheeler since I was in school. My mother (Doma Wang) was my biggest inspiration. I’ve always found biking really cool,” says the chef at the Salt Lake outlet of The Blue Poppy (inside Gorkha Bhavan).

On the road: “I am not really into long trips since I don’t get the time, but I love riding through the city at night, especially along the EM Bypass.” Highs & lows: “There is a lot of staring when a woman is biking. Calcutta is not yet accustomed to us. You literally feel like a monkey in a zoo,” says Sachiko, who’s in demand among bike enthusiasts. She gets loads of requests for hands-on training on biking, including her younger sister.

Who: Raima Samui Sarkar, homemaker

Age: 21

Her hotwheels: Avenger

Dream bikes: Suzuki Hayabusa and Harley- Davidson.

First thrust: “I started biking way back in Class VI, when my brother had started learning. I first learnt it on my father’s moped. Today, I have my own bike and biking has become an addiction,” says Raima.

On the road: It is the National Highway for this little lady. “I keep heading out alone or with my club mates to ride along NH2. Recently, I also undertook a long drive with my husband to Gangtok and Pelling. He loves bikes too and understands my passion. Now I am planning my next trip.”

Highs & lows: “I have never faced much of a problem in Calcutta, but of course you can feel the disapproving looks thrown at you and comments being passed. Calcutta takes a long time to accept new things, even if they are healthy. For instance, when I had approached some of the biking clubs in the city, they discouraged me saying ‘You are a woman. How can you join our tours? We can’t take you along.’ They just did not accept me as a member. This pushed me towards starting my own biking club in 2011, called Bengal Lady Biker (www.facebook.com/ladybiker13). We have barely eight members but we are extremely dedicated and we love riding our two-wheelers,” says the lady from Khardah.

Text: Sreyoshi Dey

What is your message for these four bikers? Tell t2@abp.in