Motorcycle diaries: Bikers team up against prostrate cancer
Enthusiasts take a ride through streets on revamped vintage scooters
Vintage motorcycles lined by the roadside. PHOTO: AMMAR SHEIKH/EXPRESS
LAHORE:
Vintage bikers rode their two-wheelers through the streets of Lahore on Sunday to create awareness about prostate cancer. Many of them also showcased their vintage bikes under the banner of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR).
Komal Chaudhry, an organiser at DGR Lahore, said the initiative was arranged to create awareness about prostate cancer. “DGR was an international collective that helps fund awareness for cancer,” she said.
Under the initiative, more than 30,000 people in over 400 cities will ride their bikes for the cause.
On display
A large number of revamped vintage scooters were also put on display at the event.
Bilal Hussain, who owns a 1962 Vespa, told The Express Tribune that he and his friends managed to find a few of these scooters and bought them. They eventually formed a group called ‘Scooter King Pakistan’ and sought to restore the scooters to their original condition.
“These [scooters] are excellent Italian machines,” he said. “Besides being beautiful, they are fun to ride.”
Bilal said his group regularly rode their bikes in Lahore. They even rode their scooters to Khunjerab Top. About the restoration of his scooter, he said spare parts and other components were easily available even though the vehicle was old. “Restoring a bike or a scooter, in my case, is a wonderful experience,” he added.
Pimp my ride
Umar Aftab, another enthusiast who owns of a 1940 Triumph, told The Express Tribune his bike had been restored to its original condition and bears historical significance. “These bikes were used during the Second World War,” he said. “I found this bike in Quetta after asking mechanics in different cities for classic bikes.”
The enthusiast said his bike looked as good as new. “I only replaced some old wires,” Umar said. “Even the footrests are original.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2016.
Vintage bikers rode their two-wheelers through the streets of Lahore on Sunday to create awareness about prostate cancer. Many of them also showcased their vintage bikes under the banner of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR).
Komal Chaudhry, an organiser at DGR Lahore, said the initiative was arranged to create awareness about prostate cancer. “DGR was an international collective that helps fund awareness for cancer,” she said.
Under the initiative, more than 30,000 people in over 400 cities will ride their bikes for the cause.
On display
A large number of revamped vintage scooters were also put on display at the event.
Bilal Hussain, who owns a 1962 Vespa, told The Express Tribune that he and his friends managed to find a few of these scooters and bought them. They eventually formed a group called ‘Scooter King Pakistan’ and sought to restore the scooters to their original condition.
“These [scooters] are excellent Italian machines,” he said. “Besides being beautiful, they are fun to ride.”
Bilal said his group regularly rode their bikes in Lahore. They even rode their scooters to Khunjerab Top. About the restoration of his scooter, he said spare parts and other components were easily available even though the vehicle was old. “Restoring a bike or a scooter, in my case, is a wonderful experience,” he added.
Pimp my ride
Umar Aftab, another enthusiast who owns of a 1940 Triumph, told The Express Tribune his bike had been restored to its original condition and bears historical significance. “These bikes were used during the Second World War,” he said. “I found this bike in Quetta after asking mechanics in different cities for classic bikes.”
The enthusiast said his bike looked as good as new. “I only replaced some old wires,” Umar said. “Even the footrests are original.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2016.