Bike week to celebrate joy of riding

On Sunday, over 20 motorcyclists set off from Gurgaon for Goa, all riding superbikes. Similar teams are converging from several parts of the country, for this weekend will see the culmination of the second India Bike Week (IBW).

The event is organised by 70 Event Media Group (EMG), the same people who put up Zhambhala, a spiritual festival over the end of the year in the state of beaches, Goa.

"The first edition was a super success," said Martin da Costa, CEO of 70 EMG. "We had about 6,500 bikers. This year we are aiming for 10,000."

The event, which generated a lot of buzz among leisure bikers in the country, is organised on the lines of an expo. Highlights are exhibits from bike and accessory manufacturers, and entertainment that includes two days of rock bands, and a bikini babe bike wash that was a great hit with bikers in the first edition.

This year, the event will also feature signature participants in the form of biking legends Ted Simon, a journalist who has circumnavigated the globe on a bike twice, Nick Sanders and Sam Childers, and India's own Jay Kannaiyyan, Navroze Contractor, Bharadwaj Dayala and Avinash Thadani, who will participate in the rides and share their experiences. There will be sessions on riding techniques, bike handling and safety.

Simon, who has ridden extensively in India in both his world tours, told HT: "I was surprised when I got the invite from the organisers, because I saw few bikers when I came here, and India is a place where one thought nothing would change. But everything is so different now. Biking is catching on, I am glad."

IBW is billed as a family event, and will feature women riders such as Sheetal Bidaye and Bikerni, her all-women biker club, as well.

"I went last year, and am going this year as well," said Arun Thareja, a senior doctor and founder of "Group of Delhi Superbikers" or GODs.

The primary sponsor is Harley Davidson, which will feature a ride by Harley owners group (HOG). "The other manufacturers are still waiting and watching to see how things go," said da Costa. "But they are interested, and we are in talks with some more companies." By next edition, he believes more bike-makers will be on board.