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Expert Speaks | 18 Jan 2021

Expert Speaks with Rohith Ashok

After deciding to begin his professional life as a lawyer, Rohith Ashok didn't waste time to realise that he was on the wrong side of life's laws. Deciding to break free, he began chasing what he truly loved. Soon, the chase turned into a journey, where the travels, as Rohith discovered, are toll-free. We are in conversation with the Rohith Ashok, Toll Free Traveller, who tells us more about his story, and the ones he wishes to say to others.

Tell us about your journey with motorcycles?

For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn towards automobiles of every kind, but it was the gravity of two-wheelers that put me into an orbit around motorcycling. I find riding a motorcycle to be the most engaging experience. It is a great middle-ground where the machine does the hard work for you, but you are still connected to the elements around you. For someone who loves the outdoors, I took opportunities to escape the urban landscape and visit far-off places. A motorcycle turned out to be the perfect accomplice.

For the longest time, though, I was using motorcycles like everyone else - as a tool to commute from point A to point B. And then I reached this phase in life where I acknowledged that I wanted to spend a majority if not all of my time travelling, as I believe it is a great way to connect with people. In 2015 I quit my job as a corporate lawyer in Mumbai, packed my stuff and sent it to Chennai. I strapped my motorcycle with saddlebags and hit the road. Before I knew it, I started doing this full time. That is when it solidified into what I’m doing today.

How did you carve out a niche for yourself?

Making YouTube videos was never a part of my initial plan. It developed organically. Even today, I can’t call myself an all-out YouTuber. I don’t upload videos very frequently.

My priority, when I started this new life, was to explore India. And the more I did that, the more I realised that most of us have not fully witnessed India's splendid beauty. It is there for the taking but hidden away in the remote areas and available only to those who would make an effort to explore it. This natural treasure is not there on the tourist map, but it is breathtaking, nonetheless. Having seen all of these beautiful places, I believe that while International Holidays are tempting and have grown into a norm, it is amazing to see how much there is to see in India itself.

Having visited the places I did, I had a strong desire to share my travel experiences with people, hoping it would make them see and experience the magic I did. I started with a blog but quickly realised that people today don’t read as much, and an audio/visual medium is what connects with most people.

I had no background in film making, so I used the internet to teach myself to shoot and edit videos. I wanted to give people a new perspective, not just about the places and terrain in remote corners of the country, but also about the people living there and their culture. This, in a nutshell, is how it all happened.

How do you engage with your audience?

I think anyone out there who has an audience must consider himself extremely lucky. But this good fortune needs to be nurtured. For a creator or anyone who has an audience, interacting with those who appreciate what you do must be a primary responsibility. I dedicate specific time to reply to people on Instagram and YouTube. Of course, sometimes there are just too many comments and queries, and I can’t reply to each one of them, but I do try my best. I try to keep it as interactive as possible.

Some of the content that I create is driven by questions from my audience. Social media ensures that when you go to a new place, you are no longer an outsider. People recognise you. It is not about being famous, but about strangers understanding why you are there and guiding you to places you would love to see that the internet would never tell you about. It’s a lovely experience altogether.

Can you take us through your pre-ride preparations?

I think I am the wrong person to answer that, as my ride plan is usually very vague. I spend a lot of time ensuring that the motorcycle is in top condition. I replace any part which might be close to wearing out, as I need the motorcycle to be as reliable as possible since most of the places I visit may not have great repair/service facilities. I have struggled due to breakdowns in the past, and it takes away from the travel experience, so I focus a lot on that.

As far as my ride plan is concerned, I broadly decide where I want to go, and then the itinerary slowly expands as I travel. For example, when I was riding to Nepal, I rode to Lucknow, and only then I sat down to figure out where I was going once I crossed the border. Sometimes, you get bogged down with too much information and stress about it, even though it doesn’t matter because it is so far ahead of you. I try to avoid that.

Can you share some interesting incidents/learning from your rides?

The most memorable incidents for me include my interaction with people. While being in the city, most of my conversations with people have always been transactional. Everyone is looking to gain something, and that breeds a certain sense of distrust. While travelling to remote places, I have met people who are so kind, they make you unlearn the scepticism you may have developed about human behaviour.

They have been remarkable to the point where I became suspicious initially but realised eventually that it was all genuine. It made me wonder whether I would have been that kind to an absolute stranger, and it makes me want to be like them. To have those experiences and interactions in today’s day and age is priceless.

The second thing I have learned is to have a sensible and reliable motorcycle. Don’t chase big numbers and power. The machine you choose must enable you to do what you want to do and more, rather than becoming a limiting factor.

Any advice you would like to give to budding riders?

It is always a good idea to start slow and within your comfort zone. Prioritise why you are doing it because it is essential to stay motivated. If you look at it from a macro level, travelling the world on a motorcycle sounds like a dream. But the reality is that it can be extremely demanding, both physically and financially. I have witnessed this trend of people chasing speed or records or wanting to say ‘my first ride was to such and such extreme terrain’, and while I see the allure in that, I feel it is important to graduate into it. And while it will differ from person to person, I think it is paramount you prioritise why you are out there on the road. It will make the experience far more enriching.

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