Meet bikers from around the country, and share stories as part of the two-day India Bike Week that flags off in Goa this weekend
Mark Wilsmore
After a successful debut in 2013, the India Bike Week is all set to return, three years older and wiser. Despite the fact that several of last year’s top exhibitors are missing from the line-up, the biking event seems to have gained more momentum as the organisers are expecting between 6,000 to 7,000 bikers from all over India, to ride to the Vagator beach in Goa for the weekend.
Ace Cafe, London founder, Mark Wilsmore will be present at the India Bike Week
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Martin Da Costa, director, India Bike Week 2015, says that from what they are aware of, around 6,000 to 7,000 bikers from all over the country, as far off as Delhi, Shillong, Chennai and Bangalore, are already on their way to Goa. “And, this is just the number of bikes; we are expecting a minimum of 12,000 footfalls, this year,” adds Da costa, while on his way to Vagator with a gang of six bikers.
What to expect?
“We learnt a couple of important things in the last two years, and we have made some changes based on that,” he admits. On the entertainment front, the IBW will have more than 20 artists playing live music over the two days. The line-up includes the festival headliners Babyhead, Nucleya and The Blackstratblues among others.
While music, dance and barbecue on the beach will continue to be an attraction, the major crowd pullers, says Da Costa, will be the launch of bikes from DSK Benelli, and American motorcycle brand, Indian Motorcycles. DSK Benelli is launching six new motorcycles at the event, whereas Indian Motorcycle will be showcasing its entire line-up at the venue. But most importantly, there is the Howling Dog Quarter Mile Drag race, where motorcycles and cars will race against a single competitor at a time, to achieve the quickest time stamp.
“Most people attend such an event to meet new bikers, learn new things and share their stories. This is why we will have bikers from across the world sharing their stories, along with special photo and video contests as well as a series of safety and DIY workshops on both days at the India Bike Week.”
Ace it from London
Among the speakers, the major highlights this year is Ace Café, London founder, Mark Wilsmore, who will be attending the event. Also sharing their experiences will be Grant and Susan, the founders of the motorcycle network, Horizons Unlimited, Rashmi Thambe, the Seattle based editor of the ‘Global Women Who Ride’ project, and bikers Avinash Thadani, Kedar and Gokulram who will be sharing experiences from their journeys. Gokulram travelled across India in a Bajaj M80 passing through the rough terrains of the Himalayas and several cities across India.
Gawk and ride
What’s a bike event without custom rides to explore and gawk at, right? While the IBW Bike Build Off contest is back again for the third year, the exhibitors will feature several new names in custom rides like the Autologue, who will be showcasing a Youwecan KTM Bike called X12, as well as body kits for KTM Duke, Royal Enfield Café Racer and the Hero Impulse. Also, part of their exhibit is a custom bike, which Autologue built for Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who will also be present at the venue.
On: February 20 and 21
At: Vagator, Goa.
Log on to: www.indiabikeweek.in
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