Mini Augustine defied expectations by being the oldest Indian lady to ride a motorcycle up the Khardung La pass in Ladakh.
Mini Augustine, 56, a senior manager (scale 3) at Canara Bank’s regional office in Kerala’s Kottayam district, is a skilled rider. While it is commonly considered that as individuals age, they become less interested in adventure and risk, Augustine broke expectations by being the oldest woman to ride a motorcycle to the Khardung La crossing in Ladakh in 2017. She recently completed a 2600-kilometer bike journey through Rajasthan.
She has been riding motorcycles for the past 28 years. “I just returned from a trip to Rajasthan. We were taken on a history tour of the state by Royal Enfield, and it was a fascinating experience to see the cultural artefacts. Last year, I went on a 2,600-kilometer road trip with 27 other bikers from December 17 to December 26. I rented a ‘Classic’ model Bullet, and it took me a bit to get used to it.”
Augustine said her trip to Ladakh in 2017 was a dream come true. “I couldn’t locate a woman who could do it.” Before embarking on the expedition, I prepared for a year. I got mountain sickness on a previous climb and had to have my backpack carried by a porter. I didn’t want that to happen again on my fantasy voyage.”
“I practised Surya Namaskar and performed running for a year and it let me begin on my journey without backache or mountain sickness,” she added of the preparation. I even looked through the suggestions and tricks I heard from time to time naively. Garlic is supposed to aid me with altitude sickness, according to someone. I ate a lot of garlic because I wanted to realise my ambition.”
She claims to be the oldest Indian lady to do this feat. “The squad consisted of 61 cyclists, with some individuals above the age of 60.” I was the oldest woman in the room, at 51 years old. So yet, no one has managed to break the barrier. Unfortunately, five of the 61 cyclists were unable to continue their route owing to mountain sickness and technical troubles with their bikes.”
The travel has its own set of difficulties. “Getting a bullet from Delhi to Ladakh was a difficult but doable undertaking. Riding across the rugged terrain was challenging. I didn’t know if I’d be able to finish the trek. I went forth with determination and boldness. “My spouse was always there for me, and he kept in touch with me via WhatsApp and text messages,” she claimed.
She remembered one specific occurrence that still gives her goosebumps. “At 80 kilometres per hour, there was a dramatic drop.” Keeping in mind my age, I remained cautious during the tour. I was cycling through a bend when I noticed a rider ahead of me who looked depressed. A second cyclist followed suit. “While I was biking, I was watching the accidents there in front of me,” Augustine explained.
She also mentions the delight she had after conquering the difficulties. “I had to wait behind once because my boots were saturated. It became dark, and at 11 p.m., I had to go another 40 kilometres. Everyone else had departed. My escort was provided by two Royal Enfield riders. We continued riding into the night into the deep valleys. There wasn’t even a blade of grass on the hard landscape. As I travelled the region, I felt relieved and happy to be at a calm place glistening in bright sunlight.”
Augustine boasted that she learned to ride a bike at the age of 27 and had already mastered the moped. “I was working in Chennai in 1994 when my spouse Biji Paul encouraged me to ride a Bullet. He taught me how to launch a bike and is now my unwavering supporter on lengthy road journeys.”
Her excursions were suspended because to the Covid epidemic, but she expects to resume them shortly. “In January of last year, I purchased a new bicycle. “However, it has been sitting inactive for a long time,” she explained. Augustine intends to go to the Konkan coast, Gujarat, and the Northeast in the near future.
