Rule No. 1 of bull riding: Do not grab the bull by the horns. Rule No. 2 Don’t let the bull’s horns grab you
EXPERTS CALL BULL RIDING “THE MOST DANGEROUS EIGHT SECONDS IN SPORT.” I CALL IT A CHALLENGE, WHICH IS WHY I RECENTLY FOUND MYSELF SITTING ATOP A 500 Kg BULL, ABOUT TO GIVE IT A GO FOR THE FIRST TIME
Every week, hundreds of bull-riders, both elders and children, take up the challenge at a place in Bangalore. We were 8 of us there, motley-crew of 3 men and 5 women. None of us have been on bull before and none wanted to try that too.
Sunday evening, hot and cloudy, and we were sensing a heavy downpour. After spending the whole morning with my uncle and his family, we were out looking for something different. We entered the park and were walking by the lake side. The park was heavily crowded, bangaloreans like to hangout on the weekends. On the go, we found a small child enjoying the bufford ride. Not many people around that game. We all went near to see a big black bull in large barricade with a man controlling it. We started murmuring let’s try it, but none were ready to take the first step.
My uncle is around 50 years of age, but his enthu n energy is of 25. He said he want to try the ride, and with him was my Ashu, she is even crazy then him. They both went and bought 2 tickets for the ride. I was still not sure whether they will go on with the ride. By this time the place was fully crowded. Ashu went in for the ride first and my uncle was waiting for his turn. Though I tried to stop Ashu at the beginning, now thought it would be good to encourage her for her ride. Bull was calm; it was like a muted horror movie. Still it flipped her over twice, I watched her as she was knocked down. Thanks to the master as he controlled the beast as she came out. We all were watching her in concerned disbelief, but I was happy to see the sparkle in her eyes for winning the toughest ride. Uncle seemed bit nervous after this episode and asked me if I want to try. Now it’s my turn to ride.
This is crazy, I thought of myself, looking around my family faces. Their expressions all seem to register a similar thought: Why am I doing this again? But before I have time to ponder my fate long enough for second thoughts to surface, Ashu’s eyes met mine. “Good luck, Piyu,” she said.
I climbed over the beast. It had a rope behind its shoulders. I wanted to prove myself, wanted to get hold of that beast for some time. I sat firmly taking the rope across my palm, passed it behind my wrists and across my palm again. Waited for the whistle, and as it moved I just closed my eyes…
Yes. I am not talking about the crazy, cowboys bull riding. This was my experience in Bangalore's one of the leisure point Lumbini Park. It was a special feel as I came out of that ring. Any one with a bit of guts can try out this. As the operator takes care of frequency of the ride, I feel even a childerns above 12 years can try out this ride. You even have some other attractions and food stalls. So it would be a nice weekend spot for some of you as well.. Enjoy and take care...
