Rider Mania - Its one of the most awaited events any biker - Bullet enthusiast could wait for. The biker will not block his caledar but rather remember the dates for the ride,,,,,,, Its on the concept what we have in OOsa - the annual Harley Bikers meet. The RM has been hosting this event for the past 7 years on different locations where the Clubs. get a chance to host. The earliar places were Goa,Panvel, Chennai, Nagpur and now Hyderabad. Its one of the events not to be missed. Individual Bikers & Clubs from all over India come to the "Mecca" to enjoy, pardy and meet old friends. "Its the spirit of Biking" and of course an event for "Bullet enthusiasts"Preparation : since the earliar RTMC anniversary in Coorg - i had lokesh and Bhupi-where we toured and trekked in Coorg. This was an event where i wanted my Mexicano freind to join. Cesar - a common freind of ours form Oracle GFIC joined us,,,,sending mails, calling and last minute checks on the bike,,oh yes,,running to JC road and picking the Cramster Jacket and turtle bag was hell of a task. I had one busy day,,,,did a last minute check up with all riders before to start our journey next day. Day 1. 17th Jan.08 : Bangalore to HyderabadIt was the longest i have done in a day. The last i covered max. in a day was way back when i did Leh with Karthik, Sachin and late Raja with Royal Beasts - Manali to Delhi in 1 day - approx. 520 kms. This time 620 kms. Inspite of having a Lumbar Slip disc - i broke all odds and did it one day. As a rider - i was just too anxious to leave and was not able to get enough sleep. Wake up calls to all members,,,hurrying to get our stuff ready and boooom, we head straight to the meeting point at Hebbal. Tanked up and ready to move. Infact it was a moment to see all, all donned with the Biking gear - ready to go for the "RM"- all bikes with flashy lights on the National Highway. We got for a while the early fog. our 1st stop was in Chikballapur. Had an early one since we had a tuff day go ahead. The char bikers were together after break fast. at 11ish the sun was on our heads - and i could get the heat. Of all th highways - i find Blr. to Hyd. - a very dry,arid and lonely ride.You just didn't get any scenic on the route. As we left the capital, clocking some 200 kms. ,,,Yes - i would say - we were in the "Deccan Plateau" ,,,,most of the km boards were in Telugu, no passer by on the roads, and only Bullets on the roads. Infact - i had to cool down many times to gulp water before i would get dehydrated. As far i can recall - there were only 2 stretches where i could stop for a while and click a foto. Lokesh and Cesar had zoomed off with the RTMC gang. Either we could not catch up or we deviated somewhere,,, Bhups. and me rode for some 1oo km together,,,we stopeed at 12:15 at Gooty for Lunch. I did not want to have at that moment - since some 300 kms odd was left - and having lunch would mean - lethargic on the highway. I still recall the last time i hit this highway when i did the announce ride to Timbaktu - Penakonda. Now - i found loads of change. The entire stretch is been turned into a six lane, loads of consrtuction and dhool mitti. Bhups. and me stopped for lunch at 3 after Kurnool. 25 bucks for a mini meal- you bet,,,i was just into it. The dal was so hot - you had to wait for it to cool down,,it reminds me of the north - the road side dhabas - i wouldnt say a rip off,,yes - but for 2 - a wee 100 bucks. here the quality for what you pay is real good. Food - idlis and rice - you can manage ur day out. very impressive on lunch.
We hit the highway and found Lokesh and Cesar.Just at sunset - we stopped a chai - and a small briefing by An?l for the where abouts to Ramoji. It was some confusion as to where to turn - we didnt had to enter the city - a deviation we had to take for Ramoji. We clocked almost 550 kms by 8pm - bones started to ache, and i could see myself yawning in my helmet covered with the balaclavas.Now - i couldnt wait to see ramoji and hit bed. Varun and ady had joined since it was dark and we need help to Ramoji. Finally, we hit Hyd. as you come so billboards of Reliance and SBI,,,the Wanderers at 1 junction told us the way to Ramoji,,traffic at some junctions we pathetic but we managed our way in,,one Hyd. nos. escorted us to the venue.I still recall that moment where the gates were open for the 'Grand entry" ,,we were in Ramoji and someone escorted us to the venue. 8kms dot. we reached the main venue. One hell of a ride - loads of biked parked,,a stall for us to check in and welcome drinks. It was a moment to see - the machines ready to relax so as the bikers. The dorms were neat.checked in for a shower. Now - we rejuvenated from the fresh bath and we could see bikers coming in,,,had good food,,chit chat and hit for bed.
Day 2.18th Jan.08 : Ramoji Film City
Breakfast was good.We could see various groups coming in for the event. It was a moment to see- all bikes getting parked and people checkin in,,the 1st event to be held was the arm wrestling,,most of the organizers were busy in people check in,,,Chennai - Mad Bulls, Pune - Road Shakers, Mumbai - Indie Thumpers and above all - the Royal Beasts - i was waiting for them to come..10 bikes rocked the entry,,,,,Karan,Bijoy,Karthik,Shaina,Mahima,Rajan, gadget and Bawa. Once they reached - i went to meet them,,,how could i forget my frnds. its been a long way from Royal Beasts to RTMC. Seeing Mahima at the venue was one moment. Events followed like - assembly wars,,,BBC and NDTV good times were doing a good coverage. You seemed to be special for 1 moment. Fun talking to old freinds - after that is what "RM" is all about. While blogging this - i just recall what events followed,,there were so many things that i would have done but couldnt remember. Drinking, seeing new bikes, hulla gulla, meeting new people, crazy bikers,,some much to do. How time passes by - you wouldnt know here.The last i heard was - we had to reach the venue - where Royal Enfield was hosting the party. By joe - i still cant forget that moment. A hard rock band amongst cameras, a spectacular fountain and a lovely lawn. It looked like an event. The back drop was amazing and thanks to the organizers. Bikers could be seen gulping beer, other drinks. The pardy was all set,,head banging on the rock songs,,,some were busy to get the Hyderabadi cuisine,,after all - you travelled so long for this. i was in full pardy dancing with everyone. DJ from Pune - i cant recall her name,,,she was tooo good,,,kept on n on n on. the count of beers, vodka and other drinks,,,,,hmmmmmmmm. The pardy got over by 2ish. Some tully - difficult to make it to the main bus and others laughing by,,we reached to our rooms.
Day 3.19th Jan.08 : Ramoji film City
By the time i woke up - it was too late for breakfast--anyways,,i didnt mind - since the 2/3 helpings of the Mutton Korma during supper was delicious . There were host of events lined up for the day. The most was the "Rider Mania" ride for all groups. All biker with their bikes had to come in a queue - random and do a ride. There were of course - at the moment - loads of people taking pics. videos of the ride. Unfortunately - i dont have a video but i will not forget that moment riding with almost 320 bikers in a formation. There was discipline in riding and it was a sight to see. The event went on for a 8km where we passed the Ramoji Film sets to the racing ground. One dry piece of stretch - but it was a vast land - for racing, dirt biking and stunts. Not to forget - some avid bikers - i mean - vintage bikes to be seen. "Drongon Fly" " Indian Chief" were some of them to be spotted. Everyone rider was busy taking a shoot - i did not miss this one. Under the heat - events came by and so all were glued to watch the riders in action - the best of the events was racing. The monster racing is one event to watch. Prashi's modified "urge" and karthik in action - moment to watch. I rushed by noon for a nap before i could get a heat stroke. Had to rush in the evening to the army cant for Ranvirs wedding. Met the JNU gang and of course thanks to Varun for ride in HYD. I had almost spent 4 hours on the wedding and had to come back for the last night. The event was organized in the lawns far by the main venue. Thanks to all,,pardy,booze and then RTMC hosting the next RM.
Day 4.20th Jan.08 : Hyderabad to Bangalore.
Early morning wake up, all in a rush to head the highway back to home. Bid farewell to all riders and once we were back on the roads - RTMC in "eshtyle". Getting to the main highway took us 2 hours. By the time it was 9, we had covered good distance. After that, there was no stopping, all wanted to reach home before sunset and we did. Stopping for lunch at gooty, stops at Penakonda and puncture near airport station - Conrod. I would have reached home by 8ish but had to wait for the flat tyr - Conrod. It was hell riding - as most of the time - we were touching 95. Statistics.
Route : Hebbal,Chikballapur,Ananthpur,Gooty,Kurnool,Jadcherla Ramoji Film City.
Total distance covered : 1422- kms.
Riders : Rajiv Jispa, Lokesh, Bhupinder & Cesar
"Caman the enjaiment"
ode to the second Coffee shop. I will never forget entering the Coffee shop- we entered with a bang with the dug,,dug,,echo at the backdrop.Some had their jaws falling off - as they were shocked to see us riding in the night. Well, it looked liked one shot film - we caught attention. It was pretty humid outside - so well settled inside. We stayed for quite a while as we caught up with some jokes. Bhoopi and Rony were in there full ishthyle withtheir advertising spoofs.Thanks to Cafe Coffee day - for maintaining suck a lovely place. Good ambience, nice parking space with a superb courtyard. It's worth a visit for a saturday night.
Biking along that 3 kms sea shore route was unbelievable. A bit scary - as I have a cliff to my left with the Arabian Sea. With the Standard 350 on 1st gear, we rode along the lonesome paved track to get some of the best glimpses of my riding times,,,yes – it reminded me of the blue-turquoise lake of Pangong Tso,,,it was an absolute blue out there with the rhyming of the waves,,,a few bright colored boats could be spotted along the beach. Me and Soma just loved sitting in the shade and enjoyed the view. I guess – the rented bike helped us visiting these places – of all the days I stayed in Varkala – I heard only a few visiting these places.
