Royal Enfield Rider Mania 08

Nearly 350 Royal Enfield riders made it to Royal Enfield Rider Mania 08 held in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad on the 18th and 19th January 08. This unique celebration akin to a national reunion of Royal Enfield enthusiasts takes place ever year (January second or third week) at a pre designated venue, decided in consultation with the prominent Royal Enfield Owners clubs from different parts of the country.

This year the venue was Ramoji Film City and riders couldn’t have asked for a better venue. The massive parking lot outside hotel Sahara was filled with Royal Enfields and more Royal Enfields. Kerbs and footpaths were converted to vantage lounges and riders tripped on discussions about Royal Enfields and motorcycling.

Bikes from each city had a distinctive flavour to them. The Royal Beasts from Delhi who rode over 2000km to get to the venue had the most radically modified bikes on the lines of the American Chopper. With costumes and personalities to match, they personified the bad biker with a heart of gold image.

Inddiethumpers from Mumbai announced their presence in style being one of the largest group at RM08. They regrouped outside the venue till the last of their riders caught up and rode in together to a spectacular reception from the other clubs. However the honour of the biggest club and undoubtedly the most spectacular was reserved for the Mad Bulls from Chennai. They rode a distance of nearly 650km with 69 riders in one day. No mean feat.

Most of the clubs arrived on 17th night itself but Rider Mania starts a lot before that. The buzz of activity and planning for the ride and event starts a couple of months in advance. The bikes get serviced and readied, riding gear is brought out of the closet and spit and polish result in gleaming bikes and enthusiastic riders. The riders buddy network is abuzz with activity and leave applications are the most important paperwork of the time. Who’s making it and who’s not, is the hot topic. Many riders leave jobs and there are always a handful of people who come into India just for this event.

Amongst this largest collection of Royal Enfields in India are some very extraordinary motorcycles. Some dating as far back as 1955 and 1956, still in original condition, others radically modified for a special purpose like the Raid-De-Himalaya, others in the footsteps of the American Chopper and some uniquely sticking to their original themes. One such extraordinary bike is chosen every year as the best modified Royal Enfield. And the Honour this year belonged to Anthony of Inddiethumpers from Mumbai.

Destroying the predominant myth that only macho males can handle the joys of the Royal Enfield was a contingent of women riders from different parts of the country, three from Bangalore, two from Pune, one from Mumbai and one from Delhi. And that’s not counting the many that came as pillions. The events in the women’s category were as hotly contested as the boys. Snigdha Riding with the Roadshakers, from Pune took top honours amongst the girls for the dirt track and slow motorcycling races that were held on the 19th. Inderjeet Malvi from Wanderlust Nagpur took the top honours for the open class with a spectacular performance in the dirt track. Close on his heels was Sachin and Naveen from Roadshakers. The undoubted champ of the fine art of balance on a Royal Enfield at slow speed was J P Shetty from Inddiethumpers.

The bike assembly wars resulted in a tie between the Wanderlust and the Royal Beasts due to a small technicality but the spirit of brotherhood triumphed as they decided to share the prize. But the one event that got really tight was the ‘Figure of 8s’. This year the course was so tight that only two teams managed to actually complete the course and both belonged to the Roadshakers. In the Arm wrestling competition it was Aarman and Indu, both belonging to the Highway Nawabs from Hyderabad who took top honours in their respective categories.

Though events and competition are an important part of any Rider Mania, its never complete without the celebration and the bonding. Every evening was a mega party at a new venue. On the 18th it was the sprawling lawns of the fountain gardens with the premier rock band of Hyderabad – Alter Ego starting the show and Priya the star DJ from Pune continuing it late into the night. 19th was a house night with the stage being managed by the riders themselves. DJ Black Jack from Hyderabad was the main anchor throughout the three days. And Shiva from Mumbai provided a refreshing change through his collection of trance mix.

After three fun filled nights it was finally time to ride back home. While there were no emotional displays or tearful farewell these riders of the highway waved at each other and exchanged heart felt hugs as they took to the road again. The prospect of a ride will lighten any heart here. Most will keep riding to meet again in the next Rider Mania.

Write up courtesy: Sachin Chavan