She’s just 21, she looks like the girl next door, but give her a bike and you’ll be surprised what she can do on two wheels, at times even on one.
She can as easily do a ‘wheelie’, a ‘stoppie’ or a ‘flamingo’—these are the names of a few stunts one can perform on a bike, riding on one wheel—as she can ride a puny two-wheeler up the highest motorable road in the world.
Anam Hashim, hailing from Lucknow, discovered her passion for motorsports many, many springs ago. A self-trained motorhead, Anam is considered by many to be India’s youngest female stunt rider.
She is currently based in Pune, and intends to introduce a federation and championship for stunt riding in India. Recently, she organised the India Bike Week Stunt Championships.
Her love for motorsports has its roots in her father’s passion for two-wheelers. “When I was a kid, my father used to take me to biking events. As I was old enough to ride, I began to train under his watchful eyes. In addition, in Lucknow, I used to observe young boys who would race bikes and perform stunts. I wanted to do better.”
Under her father’s guidance—and as soon as she got her driving licence in 2013—she started riding lighter bikes which were easy to handle. “Over a few months, I graduated to heavy bikes.”
The internet, too, played a role. “Once I was done observing boys perform stunts, I would head home and watch YouTube videos of foreign professional riders.”
Even though she grew up in Lucknow, a traditional city, she didn’t face any cultural barriers. “My family was supportive, as were friends. As soon as they realised that biking is my passion, they encouraged me.”
Her next stop was Pune, in 2013—it’s the mecca of stunt biking in India—where she is pursuing a degree in fashion design from Dream Catcher Art School. She owns two bikes—TVS Scooty Zest and Apache RTR 180. “I have trained extensively on the RTR 180; it’s light and nimble.”
In Pune, she gradually got in touch with people who shared similar interests. “I used my Facebook page to let the world know my capabilities.” Soon, she started receiving requests from organisers to perform, first in Pune, then across the state, and soon across India. “There are a few men who can perform bike stunts, but how many women have you heard of? I enjoy an edge.”
Her biggest break came in August 2015 when TVS Motor Company approached her, for a ride to Khardung La—the mountain pass located in Ladakh, at a height of 5,359 metres (17,582 feet) above sea level. “I initially thought they wanted me to ride a performance bike. But, to my surprise, it was their small scooter, the Scooty Zest 110. I was apprehensive. To quell my doubts, TVS gave me the Scooty Zest for a week so that I can familiarise myself with the machine. All it took was a ride to Lonavala for me to realise that this small scooter can take me even to the mighty Khardung La.”
Anam didn’t have much time to prepare. She immediately went on a strict diet and fitness regime.
Her trip started from Jammu on September 1, 2015, taking her to Leh and then beyond to Khardung La, via Patnitop, Srinagar and Kargil. She took 7-odd days to reach. Of course, a TVS safety team trailed her. The event was termed Himalayan Highs.
“The experience was breathtaking, an eye-opener. I faced challenges such as sub-zero temperatures, landslides, low levels of oxygen, incredibly tough riding conditions and altitude sickness. But since I have always maintained good fitness levels, at no point did I feel low or weak. To my surprise, my machine too proved to be a perfect companion. It has a good suspension, efficient handling and comfortable seating. But the best thing was that the engine, at no point, appeared to run out of breath, even at dizzying heights of over 10,000 feet.”
Did she perform stunts on the road to Khardung La?
“No, I was promoting safe riding. Stunts are for professionals, and even though I am one, I am also a role-model. Stunts should be performed only in closed spaces and at dedicated events, not on public roads.”
The ride led to Anam getting featured in the India Book of Records, as the youngest Indian female rider to reach the Khardung La pass on a two-wheeler.
TVS Motor has extended her contract. “Currently, I am focusing on Himalayan Highs Season 2. Next month, in August, I am leading a group of 10 women with me to Khardung La. It would be an experience of a lifetime.”
For the Himalayan Highs Season 2, the 10 women have been selected, who would soon be undergoing the necessary training sessions at a TVS facility in Bangalore, to hone their riding skills. Once again, the machine used will be the Scooty Zest 110.
While Anam’s world revolves around riding, she also likes sketching, painting, cooking and music. She plays guitar very well.
Performing stunts isn’t considered a serious sport in India; some don’t even consider it a sport. “I call it a sport, and my endeavour is to inspire more and more women to take up the same in India. In the near future, I intend to work towards setting up a federation for stunt riding and promote the sport through exclusive events.”
She is among the finest female stunt riders in India—there’s no agency which rates such performers—but she feels she has a long way to go.
Her role model is the French stunt biker Sarah Lezito, considered by many to be the world’s best.
“I want to be like her.”
Bike-stunts glossary
Wheelie: A bike manoeuvre in which the front wheel get off the ground due to sufficient torque being applied to the rear wheel.
Stoppie: Also called ‘reverse-wheelie’, with the rear wheel in the air as the rider presses only the front brakes and pushes the body weight forward.
Flamingo: Standing on the seat of a bike, with one leg sticking out behind you, as you wheelie.
CHRIST: Standing on either the tank or the seat as the bike is in motion, while assuming the pose of Jesus Christ.
Reverse Christ: Doing the ‘christ’ stunt while facing towards the tail of the moving bike.
Leap of Faith: Standing on the seat of a moving bike, and jumping to land onto the tank.
