Biking trips in India
Like a pack of
wolves with strong determination and tremendous sense of bonding, biker groups
are on the rise and this trend is here to grow by the day!
Many of us try to weave some
adventure into our travel plans to stay in touch with our wild side and
‘Biking’ is a trend that has resulted into a movement now (thanks to adventure
seekers). Keen biker and
ET-Panache Travel readers D Singh (riding since 25 years) and KM Ram Mohan from Mumbai (who is
part of a riders group named ‘Road Stallions’ has been riding for over 20 years
now) share their joie de vivre around their rides with us.
THE BRO CODE
IS UNBREAKABLE
Being a part of Bike Clubs has
many benefits. Clubs take brotherhood to another level. When you ride in a group,
you know you are safe, protected and have brethren to watch your back. Bike
breakdowns, accidents and a host of other worries are almost nullified when you
ride in a group as support is always at hand. You will discover his bond
created by the love for adventure and riding, is often thicker than blood!
THE
EXPERIENCE OF BIKING IS PHENOMENAL
D Singh feels that biking gets him
closer to nature and sets him in the moment and in a pleasant mood instantly.
The roar of the bike as he revs it up is one of his favourite tunes. KM Ram Mohan has done
around 10 major rides this year, both solo and in a group. For Ram, riding is a
liberating experience and he has been riding his bike (lovingly named ‘Teela’)
for more than a decade now. As a part of the ‘end of the ride’ ritual, Teela
gets a parting kiss and a thank you pat for helping him stay alive. Every ride
for him renews the thrill of being alive! Recently the Road Stallions hosted
the WCRM (West Coast Rider Mania) in Igatpuri, which is a collaborative initiative
of various riding clubs along the west coast of India, celebrating the
brotherhood of riders each year. There were some physically challenged
participants with prosthetic limbs, which spoke volumes of their passion and
grit. Many riders came in with their spouses making it a family affair. There
were some riders who were over the age of 65 years, which reinforces the fact
that riding is not age-bound at all. Riding is no more a monopoly of the male
fraternity, as membership of women is rising rapidly, with participation as
high as 20 per cent in certain riding events. Ram along with a fellow rider
Sriprakash Krishnan also conducts ‘Ride to Teach’ jaunts, in which they travel
to villages where students are handed out books and learning materials.
SOCIAL MEDIA
IS A BIG PLUS FOR BEGINNERS
Social media has had a major
influence in the exponential increase of the rider community and helped connect
riders across the spectrum. Beginners are always welcome at Road Stallions.
They need to register with the club, which can be done online too. Whether you
are rekindling a lost passion or cultivating it anew, focus on buying the right
riding gear. Safety is of prime importance on the road.
TOUR
OPERATORS OFFER BIKING EVENTS
While biking road trips in India
have been popular for quite some time, there is a steady increase in the number
of bikers travelling internationally to cement their love for riding. This
trend has prompted a lot of traditional tour operators to roll out riding
tours, and popular bike brands to host riding events outside India, in recent
years. So what are you waiting for? Go hit the road.
ETTR 7DEC17
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