Sunday ‘badshahs’ of Bangalore roads

Sunday ‘badshahs’ of Bangalore roads

Sudipto Mondal



Daredevils: The ‘wheelers’ competing for the coveted title on the roads of Bangalore.

Bangalore: The frenzied riders, who zip around the town in their imported super-bikes, would do well to take a few tips in stunt-biking from 13-year-old Muzammil, a.k.a, “Wheeler Muzammil”. He currently holds the record, in his circles, for the longest wheelie on a bicycle: he covered the Lingarajpuram flyover.

The best time to seek an appointment, to share those invaluable tips, would be post 3 p.m. on a Sunday. Unlike other boys of his age, it is not the pressures school, but a full time job at a motorcycle workshop that keeps “Wheeler Muzammil” busy throughout the week.

“Wheeler” is a title conferred upon him by the motley crew of teenage bicycle enthusiasts – “Vasanthnagar Wheelers”. The crew’s leader and oldest member, 17-year-old, “Wheeler Wasim”, who runs his own bicycle repair shop, says, “I do not call everyone who rides with my gang a ‘wheeler’. One must have talent and should have won at least one competition for our crew.”

Thirteen-year-old, Shoaib, who is yet to earn the coveted title, says that there are dozens of such groups from the areas of Shivajinagar, R.T. Nagar, Muni Reddy Palya and Tannery Road, and they meet only on Sundays to compete with one another since most of the boys are employed as casual labourers .

Sixteen-year-old “Wheeler Seena”, who works as a construction labourer says, “I can’t wait for this day of the week. On Sundays the ‘Vasanthnagar Wheelers’ are the ‘badshahs’(kings) of the road.”

Haroon, another aspiring 13-year-old ‘wheeler’, who works at his uncle’s fruit-vending business, explains that the first round of the competitions is for the longest wheelie. This is followed by competitions for the best “stoppie” and then for the best stunt.

As the boys crowd around, a shrill whistle pierces the air and everyone turns to look. The boys who call themselves “Jasbaa”, from Muni Reddy Palya, are here. They arrive on the scene, hooting, squealing and whistling, mounted atop their bicycles.

The chiefs of the two groups walk up to each other. While the rest look on, the two seem to be engrossed in some negotiations. A few minutes later “Wheeler Wasim”, walks back and briefs his boys, “The prize money is Rs. 1,000 for the longest wheelie. The competition will start in half-an-hour after the rest of the teams arrive.”

After what seems like an eternity, the other teams arrive — “Valentino Rossi boys” and “Daring” from Shivajinagar, “Josh” from R.T Nagar. “Josh” goes back home with the day’s honours and Rs. 1,000 cash prize, while little Shoaib fights back tears.

He must spend another gruelling week in his workshop before he can come back here for another shot at earning the title of “Wheeler Shoaib”.