Royal Enfield the Beat June 2014

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2014

< www.royalenfield.com >

Royal Enfield Tour of Bhutan 2014Himalayan REunion 2014

TOP TO TIP RIDE

ONE RIDE

NEW BRAND IDENTITY

inside02 Upcoming Events

•REunion North 2014

•REunion South 2014

•REunion West 2014

05 Upcoming Ride •Royal Enfield Tour of Tibet 2014

06 News •New Brand/ London stores

•USA Ride

•France/Chicago Ride

•Himalayan Odyssey 2014 Flag off

10 Marquee Ride•Royal Enfield Tour of Bhutan 2014

•One Ride

16 Marquee Event •Himalayan REunion 2014

20 Club Profile •Rudra Riders

21 Rider Profile •Mohit Ahuja-Biker for Good

25 Internatioanal •Top to Tip 2014

•Flashback: Top to Tip 1965

K I C K S T A R T

A pril saw Royal Enfi eld riders traverse the mystical kingdom of Bhutan, as part of the Tour of Bhutan.

This year, the event witnessed a bunch of Continental GT bikes riding along the winding mountain roads. The ride marked the beginning of the riding season for this region. April also saw the celebration of Royal Enfi eld’s ‘ONE RIDE’ across the world. It is a day when all RE bikers come out on the streets and ride as a family to express their love for this legendary motorcycle. The ‘ONE RIDE’ is celebrated on the fi rst Sunday of April every year. May witnessed the opening of the RE Concept Store in London, which coincided with the 50-year celebrations of the Continental GT Top to Tip ride. This issue features a story on the epic ride, which fi rst took place in 1964 to showcase the versatility and endurance of the RE Continental GT bike. To commemorate 50 years of the Top to Tip ride, an event was organised in May along the same route. RE also implemented the new stripes in its logo, monogram and the crest, the details of which are given in this issue. These stripes will be visible in all our motorcycles

and accessories. June saw the Royal Enfi eld Himalayan Odyssey 2014—the mother of all rides—being fl agged off from India Gate in New Delhi. This is considered a dream ride for any motorcycling enthusiast, as it takes them to the highest roads in the world. Besides HO 2014, the Himalayan REunion was organised in Leh and witnessed huge participation from riders across the country. There is also a feature on one of the most popular Royal Enfi eld clubs in India, Rudra Riders, besides a story on Mohit Ahuja, one of the prominent Royal Enfi eld riders who has contributed signifi cantly to the riding fraternity.

The International section brings to you features of the two Top to Tip rides that happened in UK.

We look forward to your contributions and feedback on the new look and on the articles you have been reading. Do send us a mail with your views on thebeat@royalenfi eld.com.

Editorial TeamThe Beat

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Editorial Team: Praveen P Sathaye, Sachin Chavan, Swati Mitra, Geetika Sachdev

International Contributing Editor: Gordon May

Published by: Royal Enfield, A Unit of Eicher Motors LimitedGurgaon

Do send us your feedback at [email protected]

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2014 1

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June saw the Royal Enfield

Himalayan Odyssey 2014—the mother

of all rides—being flagged off from

India Gate in New Delhi

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U P C O M I N G E V E N T

It's time for a family REunion; a day

filled with motorcycling banter, tales of the

road and an all-out biking binge

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Royal Enfi eld organises a number of events for RE

enthusiasts all through the year. These are adventure-fi lled, exciting, leisure activities which include riding out to interesting locations for the events often through spectacularly scenic, off -beat roads and on challenging terrains. It's time for a family REunion; a day fi lled with motorcycling banter, tales of the road and an all-out biking binge. At the REunion, enthusiasts and experienced riders will ride together and meet like-minded riders from other places, bond over their rides and spend a relaxed weekend with friends away from the hustle and bustle of city life. We call upon riders to join up in Manali, Himachal Pradesh where REunion North 2014 will be held. Spread over 1st, 2nd and 3rd of August 2014, the weekend will be

spent competing with fellow riders on Saturday and partying the evening away -- with some old and some new friends. Registration counters will be open from 10 am onwards only. Please plan your ride so you reach the venue accordingly. Besides a musical extravaganza, the action-packed weekend would see various events and games around motorcycling with attractive prizes to be won by one and all. These would include team events like ‘Assembly Wars’ which would test sheer strength and knowledge of the participants, and individual events like the crowd favourite ‘Slow Race’ and ‘trials’ testing the riding skills. For more information on RE REunion North, please email Adarsh Saxena on adarsh@royalenfi eld.com.

REGISTER

ROYAL ENFIELD

REUNIONNORTH 2014

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To know more about the REunion South,

please email Adarsh Saxena on [email protected]

Day 1 : Ride in, Registration, Evening Party

Day 2 : Events

Day 3 : Breakfast and Ride Out

ITINERARY : 1st –3rd August 2014


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The 3rd edition of REunion South

promises a fun-filled weekend with games

and motorcycling events, while partying the

evenings away

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It’s time again for REunion South— a

weekend of motorcycling banter, road talks and biking binge. At the 3rd edition of the REunion South, riders will get an opportunity to mingle with other like-minded enthusiasts over a leisurely weekend. A host of activities have been planned at the REunion, ranging from competitive events to informative sessions. For the REunion South, riders from across the country have been invited to converge at Munnar in the heart of south India. The three-day action-packed event will feature music bands, along with popular motorcycling events like Slow Race, Carry Your Bike, Assembly Wars, among others. Stalls showcasing motorcycling gear and accessories along with RE merchandise are set to draw massive

crowds. Registration Fee for REunion South will include accommodation on a sharing basis on all days. Dinner is included on Friday, all meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Royal Enfi eld organises various events for its enthusiasts throughout the year. These are adventure-fi lled, fun and leisure activities which also include riding out to interesting locations for the events often through spectacularly scenic, off the beaten path places and on challenging terrains. The REunion is one such event which also focuses on getting together of riders from one region for a weekend celebration. For more information on RE REunion South, please email Adarsh Saxena on adarsh@royalenfi eld.com.

ROYAL ENFIELD

REUNIONSOUTH2014

.................................................................To know more about the REunion South,

please email Adarsh Saxena on [email protected]

Day 1 : Ride in, Registration, Events

Day 2 : Events

Day 3 : Prize Distribution, Events and Ride

Out

ITINERARY : 15th – 17th August 2014

REGISTER

NOW

The action-packed weekend will

witness an array of motorcycling events,

including 'Assembly Wars', 'Bike Towing'

and 'Carry Your Bike'

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With the advent of spring, it

is time again for RE riders to set out to the lush green mountains around Western Ghats and be a part of the REunion West. This annual motorcycling meet is organised by RE for its ardent fans from the western part of the country. The action-packed weekend will witness an array of motorcycling events, including ‘Assembly Wars’, ‘Bike Towing’ and ‘Carry Your Bike’. The ‘Slow Race’ is always a hit with bikers, wherein they are required to ride at a slow pace through a small stretch, without putting their legs on the ground. A musical evening has also been planned as part of the event. Custom bikes at the REunion and the special Royal Enfi eld

merchandise will be the cynosure of the riders’ eyes. Registration fee for REunion West will cover accommodation on a twin sharing basis for all days, including dinner on Friday, all meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. For more details, visit our website www.royalenfi eld.com. Royal Enfi eld organises various events for its enthusiasts throughout the year. These are adventure-fi lled, fun and leisure activities which also include riding out to interesting locations for the events often through spectacularly scenic, off the beaten path places and on challenging terrains. To know more about Royal Enfi eld REunion West, email Adarsh Saxena on adarsh@royalenfi eld.com

ROYAL ENFIELD

REUNION WEST2014


Day 1 : Ride in, Registrations and Events

Day 2 : Events

Day 3 : Prize Distribution, Events and

Ride out

To know more about Royal Enfield

REunion West, email Adarsh Saxena on

[email protected]

ITINERARY : 22nd – 24th August 2014

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REGISTER

NOW


With an average elevation of 4500 m, the

ride will ensure that one gets to experience a

very unique adventure and get to ride on

some of the highest roads in the Himalayas,

indeed in the world

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K eeping with the tradition of

organising rides to off -beat locations and unexplored territories, Royal Enfi eld now ventures into neighbouring Tibet. The second edition of the Royal Enfi eld Tour of Tibet shall be fl agged off from Lucknow on 6th September 2014. The Tour of Tibet, unlike other rides, is not a competitive one. Tibet brings to mind ‘The Roof of the World’, ’Where Eagles Dare’ and many other phrases. The RE ride to this mystical land will have riders from across India, who will set off on the epic journey to Lhasa and back, in September. With an average elevation of 4,500 m, the ride will ensure that one gets to experience a very unique adventure and get to ride on some of the highest roads in the Himalayas, indeed in the

world. The additional adventure that sets this ride apart is the journey to the famed Everest base camp and back. Riders on the Tour of Tibet will also get to spend two days at the historic city of Lhasa which has attracted the fancy of many an explorer, and also ride along the vast Yamdrok Lake, which has a winding 50 kms long road running all around.

Despite the fact that the Tibet plateau has a more or less similar landscape throughout, the versatility of this ride stems from the fact that on the fi rst day one rides at altitudes below 3,500 m for a good 35 kms and then the roads slowly and steadily climb up to the higher altitudes to 'Where Eagles Dare'. To know more about the RE Tour of Tibet, email Santhosh Vijay Kumar on svkumar@royalenfi eld.com


REGISTER

NOW

ROYAL ENFIELD

TOUR OF TIBET

U P C O M I N G R I D E S

For more information about the Royal Enfield

Tour of Tibet, please send a mail to Santhosh Vijay Kumar at [email protected]

Day 1 : Scrutiny and Briefing - Lucknow

Day 2 : Lucknow-Bhairawa | 360 kms

Day 3 : Bhairawa - Kathmandu | 290 kms

Day 4 : Kathmandu - Rest day for Visa

processing

Day 5 : Kathmandu - Last Resort |

110 kms

Day 6 : Last Resort - Nyalam | 40 kms

Day 7 : Nyalam - Tingri | 220 kms

Day 8 : Tingri - Shigatse | 240 kms

Day 9 : Shigatse- Rest day for documents

processing

Day 10 : Shigatse - Lhasa | 270 kms

Day 11 : Lhasa - Rest day

Day 12 : Lhasa - Gyantse | 260 kms

Day 13 : Gyantse - Shegar | 200 kms

Day 14 : Shegar - Everest Base Camp |

120 kms

Day 15 : Everest Base Camp - Zhangmu |

120 kms

Day 16 : Zhangmu - Kathmandu |

150 kms

ITINERARY : 5th – 20th September 2014

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5


N E W S

from May 2014 and spanning across the next several months to follow, Royal Enfi eld enthusiasts would get to see a new face of Royal Enfi eld across all the customer-touch points: on the motorcycles, the retail spaces, the communication collaterals and even the corporate stationery, amongst others. The thought behind this new visual identity has been to evolve the brand and make it more relevant to the present times and allow for more. fl exibility and expression. The new

6

As Royal Enfi eld continues to gear itself to achieve the desired goals set for the years to come, one of the

major initiatives launched was the new Brand Visual Identity. Starting

identity elements can be viewed on the website. •The new Brand logo is now fresher, vibrant and contemporary - while rigidly holding on to its British-motorcycling roots.•Our new monogram builds on the strength of the iconic RE wings, and leaves a proud stamp of the endurance we are recognized for.•Our unique origins & the legendary credo fi nd a new expression in our evolved crest refl ecting endurance and craftsmanship.

Royal Enfield’s first exclusive store in the UK

The English Summer this year saw the launch Royal Enfi eld’s fi rst exclusive store in the United Kingdom. The store,

based on Poyser Street, East London, houses the entire Royal Enfi eld range of motorcycles, including the all-new Continental GT, Classic and Bullet 500. The 850 sq ft retail unit will stock a complete range of apparel and accessories, including helmets,

jackets, riding trousers, t-shirts, pit shirts, boots, gloves, goggles and buff s. A fully automated workshop with highly trained technicians will also supply spare parts for all current and non-current models. This brand new retail format showcases the brand’s philosophy of ‘Pure Motorcycling’ in every aspect of the Royal Enfi eld ownership experience. The store draws its inspiration from from the brand philosophy to create

an ambience similar to what would be found in an avid motorcycle enthusiast’s drawing room. It features an interesting visual merchandising format and innovative product displays, which include the use of bits and bobs from RE motorcycles. A full blown wall display of a stripped down Continental GT showcasing the bike’s internals and frame adds to the panache of this exclusive Royal Enfi eld store.

RE gets its new Brand Visual Identity

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On the 20th May 2014, Royal Enfi eld organised an exclusive ride in California, USA. The event was aimed

to increase their brand presence in USA. Several journalists rode through spectacular valleys and the beautiful countryside on their Continental GTs, alongside the CEO of Eicher Motors Siddhartha Lal. The ride commenced from the Pala Hotel and Spa located near San Diego. The riders got an opportunity to experience the Continental GT on a 120 mile journey and explore scenic routes. The event generated great interest around the brand and its activities in USA.

N E W S

ROYAL ENFIELD

USA RIDE2014

8

N E W S

This year’s theme was the popular British subculture of the mid-60s-Mods vs Rockers. The event saw an array of vintage cars, and celebrated motorcycling’s rich music, clothing, art and lifestyle. In addition, the participants witnessed over 20 rock and roll acts, a fashion show and stunts by Chicago’s fi nest stuntmen. RE also showcased the Continental GT and its range of associated accessories.Chicago hosted

Motoblot, one of the most renowned motorcycle shows in the USA, on 13th and

14th June 2014.

Wheels and Waves – 2014

With its perfect blend of vintage motorcycling, art and music, and customised

motorcycles, Wheels and Waves (12-15 June) has become one of the most anticipated events associated with custom motorcycling. The event witnesses participation of top builders and

manufacturers from all over the world to share and bond over their common passion. On 14th July, riding enthusiasts came down to Biarritz and set out on an epic ride of 250 kms through the peaceful Basque country. The RE Continental GT was the prime attraction of this ride, and attracted signifi cant admirers on this ride.

Motoblot-2014


The 11th edition of the RE Himalayan Odyssey was

fl agged off from India Gate at New Delhi, on the 21st June 2014. It is recognised as the holy grail of motorcycle rides across the world. The event would take 72 riders through three mountain ranges and six passes as they ride through one of the world’s highest motorable road – Khardung La. These motorcyclists will ride for 17 days covering more than 2700 kilometres, riding through some scenic yet treacherous terrains in the Himalayas. A majestic procession of 72 thumping

RE bikes was fl agged off by Mr Abhijit Singh Brar, Head- Marketing, Royal Enfi eld, marking the commencement of the ride. Addressing the riders, Mr Brar said, “The RE Himalayan Odyssey is the ultimate motorcycling adventure that unites the rider with the bike and

the terrain to create an experience of a lifetime. It is this love of pure motorcycling that brings riders together from all over the world to bond over their common passion of riding a Royal Enfi eld to the Himalayas. Their successful completion of this journey has come to establish Royal Enfi eld as the defi nitive bike for riding to Ladakh.” The thumping cavalcade of riders belonged to metroplitan cities and smaller cities like Tripura, Calicut, Amravati and Erode. The seasoned motorcyclists passed through Parwanoo, Narkanda, Keylong, Sarchu via Kalpa and Kaza regions on their way to Leh, considered to be the toughest terrains for riding in the world. After relaxing on July 1st the riders set out to the sand dunes of Hunder and then commence their return journey covering Leh, Debring, Keylong, Manali and Chandigarh to fi nally reach Delhi.

ROYAL ENFIELD

HimalayanOdyssey2014Flag off

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The 11th edition of the RE Himalayan

Odyssey was flagged off from India Gate

at New Delhi, on the 21st June 2014. It is

recognised as the holy grail of motorcycle

rides across the world

APRIL| MAY | JUNE 2014 9

ROYAL ENFIELD

Tour of Bhutan2014

Day 1 : Scrutiny and Briefing

Day 2 : Siliguri-Darjeeling | 100 kms

Day 3 : Darjeeling - Phuentsholing | 212 kms

Day 4 : Phuentsholing -Paro | 176 kms

Day 5 : Paro-Thimpu | 176 kms

Day 6 : Rest Day-Thimpu

Day 7 : Thimpu-Bumathang| 270 kms

Day 8 : Bumathang-Tashigang | 300 kms

Day 9 : Tashigang-Guwahati | 290 kms

ITINERARY : 3rd –13th February, 2014

APRIL| MAY | JUNE 2014 11

Ride Story

M A R Q U E E R I D E

Riding through the spectacular scenery

in Bhutan is an unforgettable experience for

any rider

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hile my maiden attempt at The Tour of Bhutan

last year was an adventurous experience, my stint this year had its own share of thrills. Riding on the smooth tarmac in the ‘Land of the Dragon’ is always an unforgettable experience. The riders converged at Siliguri on 5 April 2014, a day ahead of the commencement of the ride for bike scrutiny and briefi ng. The bikers are informed of the rules and regulations before every ride. Day 1 saw the fl agging off of The Tour of Bhutan on 6 April 2014 from Siliguri, which also coincided with the celebration of ‘ONE RIDE’ across the world. As soon as we set out of Siliguri, we were awestruck by the scenic beauty. The route is

W lined with tea plantations and pine trees. Our next stop was Darjeeling, where we were welcomed by the crisp morning air. Later in the day, there were light showers and overcast skies, which enhanced the beauty of this hill station. On Day 2, we rode again on highways and covered a greater distance than the previous day. The riders entered the Kingdom of Bhutan through Phuentsholing and after checking-in at the hotel headed straight to the immigration offi ce for clearances. The border town of Phuentsholing is a thriving commercial centre, which bustles with hordes of traders and security personnel. After a break, we went to a Bhutanese restaurant and gorged on local delicacies.

Kyron Gomes | Aniruddha Das


we were certainly rewarded with magnificent views. After riding to the capital city of Thimpu, we decided to take a day’s break on Day 4. Thimpu, located about 65 kms from Paro, has a youthful exuberance and is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. There was a nip in the air when we entered Thimpu in the evening, and heavy showers were predicted too. A few riders took their motorcycles out for a spin around Thimpu and went to see the huge Buddha statue that towers over the city. Thimpu is also a hub for motorcyclists and mingling with RE riders along the way and catching up with them at the café’s meant a lot of bike banter. The next day, the riders started their journey towards the remote Bumathang valley and the climb up to Dochu La was a hair-raising experience. Riding through three mountain passes was not an easy task, but we managed it. After four days of smooth tarmac, we

hit some rough patches for a few kilometres, as construction on some stretches was underway. Later in the day, we rode through thick forests and small hamlets, and were thrilled to explore unknown territories. Crossing paths with a herd of yaks was inevitable, and we took it slow with these majestic beasts. The route to Bumathang was scenic and we did not want the journey to end. Bumathang is one of the coldest places in Bhutan and is covered in snow for a good 6-7 months. On our last and the seventh day, we were unhappy at the thought of leaving this magical country. We left the border town of Somdrup Jongkar in the morning and headed towards Guwahati. As we entered India, we could feel the difference in terrain and culture. We were now back to reality, far away from the dreamland of Bhutan.

There is another aspect that really left a lasting impression on me about Bhutan. Traffic rules are followed to the T here, especially the ‘No Honking’ policy, which was indeed a much-needed relief for us. In Bhutan, honking is considered offensive by locals.

On Day 3, we set out of Phuentsholing in the morning and headed towards Paro. We were not riding on highways, but what locals called ‘dragon paths’ (twisty roads). We had 4 Continental GTs on this ride, and this route was full of twisties which was a delight. After riding for a few kilometres, the bikes began gobbling up the tarmac, covering every corner with precision and control. Paro is synonymous with the Tiger’s Nest monastery. Intertwined in local legends, this monastery, perched on a cliff is said to be the one of the most breathtaking in the world. We trekked up the hill the next morning, travelling as high as 9,000 feet and 19,599 steps, and

Facing Page:

Top row from left: Bhutan has some of

the best road surfaces to ride on • The

Continental GT felt completely at home in the

twisties

Middle row from left: Riding around

the mystical land of Bhutan is a thrilling

experience for any rider • The Tiger's Nest

monastery •It is a delight to mingle with

locals in Bhutan

Bottom row from left: The Continental GT

has a tranquil moment • Bhutan has some of

the most picturesque relics

12 APRIL | MAY |JUNE 2014

JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 201414

16 APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2014

started with the 'Figure of 8' race, which included a series of riders trying to complete the fi gure of eight around the course in the shortest possible time. The event was won by the youngest rider on the Himalayan Odyssey 2014, 18 year old Amarnath Menon. The next event was the ‘Slow Race’, which had the riders going against their instincts to be the slowest to complete the race without losing control of their bikes. ‘Assembly Wars’ saw groups of four riders competing with each other to disassemble, reassemble and ride their bikes to the fi nish line. This meant taking off the rear and front tyres, clutch and accelerator cables before putting them back together. The fi nal and most hotly popular

event was the ‘Arm Wrestling’ contest, which saw four rounds of well spirited battles, some intensely long and others painlessly quick. Each contest ended in a hug and handshake which highlighted the friendly nature of the Himalayan REunion. After the intense competition, it was time to party! Everybody got their drinks and gathered around the stage for a performance by Delhi based folk-fusion band, Adi & Suhail, who played a melodious sundowner set that prepared everyone for the madness unleashed by Tapan Raj later, who kept the party going through the night.

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M A R Q U E E E V E N T

Himalayan REunion 2014

ROYAL ENFIELD

The Himalayan REunion kicked off at the Ladakh Retreat in Leh at 10 am on 29th June 2014 with 120 Royal Enfi eld riders

and enthusiasts converging at the venue for this motorcycling festival. The fi rst few hours saw riders introducing each other and checking out the merchandise at the venue. A music performance by a local group added to the lively atmosphere. The hour-long act included songs and dances that are performed by these locals to mark signifi cant events in their life, from weddings to birthdays to victories on the battlefi eld. This was followed by a short lunch break and then it was time for some action! The competition

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a) Figure of 81) Amarnath Menon (Calicut – 17.5 secs)2) Sanjay Agarwal (Bangalore – 19.01 secs)3) Shrinivas (Vizag – 19.70 secs)

b) Slow Race1) Anand (Erode)2) Meet Moj (Ahmedabad)3) Alap Mhatre (Panvel)

c) Assembly Wars1) Raghu, Karthik, Sunil, Amarnath.2) Sanjay, Jai, Srinivas, Vikas3) Amandeep Singh, Parminder Romana, Parveen Jaggi, Vikram Mann

d) Arm Wrestling1) Sharanjit Singh (Chandigarh)2) Geoff Hill (United Kingdom)3) Daljinder Saini (Chandigrah)

The winners


The fi rst Sunday of April every year is celebrated worldwide as the ‘ONE RIDE’ day, where RE riders from across the

world ride out on the streets and express their love for the legendary motorcycle. This celebration is in line with Royal Enfi eld’s philosophy of promoting adventure and leisure riding under its ‘Keep Riding’ initiative. Special ONE RIDE commemorative sticks were distributed among the riders, who proudly displayed the memorabilia on their bikes, helmets and jackets. Pune saw a special ride being organised by Brahma Motors in collaboration with Courtyard by Marriott. The event received an

overwhelming response from bikers of this region. It was a spectacular sight to witness 230 Royal Enfi eld bike riders sashay down the streets of Pune. The riders were given a warm welcome by the hotel staff and a special breakfast was organised for the event. Delhi saw numerous rides being organised, but the most popular was the Saket to Heritage Transport Museum (near Manesar) ride. The riders learnt of the evolution in transport over the years and saw several vehicles on display at the museum. ONE RIDE was also organised in Lucknow, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Kolkata, besides in smaller towns like Siliguri, Jalandhar and Malda.


Day 1 : Rides and Updates

ONE RIDE2014

ROYAL ENFIELD


B U R N U P

C L U B P R O F I L E

Rudra Riders

he Rudra Riders from Nashik is the brain child of Dr Vishal Krishna Waghchoure, a medical

practitioner and an enthusiastic Royal Enfi eld rider. After buying his Thunderbird, he spent quite some time at his neighborhood service station, learning about the intricacies of the engine and also a few DIY tricks from the specialists. It was here that he met like-minded riders and enthusiasts and exchanged ideas and biker stories. On 9 February 2014, Rudra Riders formally met for the fi rst time and the club was formed with the idea of getting together RE enthusiasts and riding out of the city to explore interesting places in and around Nashik. As time passed, more enthusiastic riders from Nashik joined them and the number gradually increased. The fi rst ride to neighbouring Kasara Ghats had a turnout of 12 riders, who had several anecdotes to share about their rides. Besides riding together, the members also help each other source the best available deals on riding gear and accessories. The members ride out regularly on weekends, though Saturdays are the

businessmen, trekkers and retired professionals. They are also quite popular on social media, which has contributed signifi cantly to a rise in their numbers. To know more about the Rudra Riders, email Dr Vishal on [email protected]

preferred option. Their most interesting rides have been to Kasara Ghats, Kelve beach on the west coast, Kachurli Dam, Sandhan Valley, and even a ride to Saputara in neighbouring Gujarat. The club members hail from diff erent walks of life and include students, teachers, doctors, government offi cials,

T


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copywriter by profession, a photographer by

passion and a rider for life — this is Mohit Ahuja in a nutshell. A die-hard RE fan, he owns a Royal Enfi eld Thunderbird Twinspark (2010) and a Classic 500 (2013). His aff air with Royal Enfi eld bikes began way back in 2004, when riding was not as popular as it is today. Mohit’s long-cherished dream was to own a Royal Enfi eld, and he fi nally fulfi lled his desire in 2010. He exhausted all his savings to book the Thumper. Mohit hesitantly showed the receipt to his father, and to Mohit’s surprise, his dad was the fi rst to ride the bike after it was delivered. Since that day, riding has become a way of life for Mohit. For him, there is nothing more peaceful

A than the freedom of being on the road and riding into the horizon. It is similar to meditation, when the mind and machine are in sync. Mohit’s longest ride was from Delhi to Kaza in Spiti in April 2013 on his Thunderbird Twinspark. He says he is yet to experience his most diffi cult ride. Mohit believes that the Royal Enfi eld makes a rider want to push boundaries and redefi ne limits. Based out of Delhi, Mohit runs a fi rst-of-its-kind biking community called ‘Bikers for Good’ that promotes social awareness through rides. It was on a Royal Enfi eld bike that he fi rst made a diff erence to the lives of those around him, which is why his community has been well-received by the riding fraternity. The community was established in October 2011 with the idea to

promote social causes through rides and getting like-minded riding enthusiasts together. The club has grown from a handful of riders to more than 5,000 members, and is still growing. Mohit advises youngsters on their choice of Royal Enfi eld bike. For him it is the Royal Enfi eld that separates the men from the boys. Buying a bike is no big deal, but one has to earn the Royal Enfi eld. Motorcycling has come of age in India, but Mohit says that there needs to be some consciousness among riders to make a diff erence to the world. As he puts it, “Ride! It changes the world!”.

APRIL | MAY |JUNE 2014

R I D E R P R O F I L E

Mohit Ahuja-Biker for Good


Indore to Leh Ride

The idea behind these rides is to introduce the Royal Enfi eld riders to the leisure and adventure motorcycling and clock miles under their wheels. Following are a few of these rides which were conducted by Royal Enfi eld. To join more such rides please get in touch with your closest dealer or check for the rides listed on our website.

As part of the Keep Riding initiative from Royal Enfi eld various rides are organised all over the world either though our Company Stores or through our dealerships under the aegis of Royal Enfi eld.

Facing Page:Top row from left: Chandigarh

to Dharampur and Jabli ride

conducted in May 2014 serving as an

introductory ride for the upcoming

ride to Leh in June • Ride conducted

from Nawanshahr to Khajjiar

Middle row: The Delhi Burn-Up •

Mumbai to Ganapatipule ride • Ride

conducted from Nawanshahr to

Khajjiar

Bottom row from left: Mumbai to

Ganapatipule ride • Chandigarh to

Dharampur and Jabli ride

A ride that put the Royal Enfi eld Continental GT literally on the top of the world was the ride organised from Indore to Leh. Conducted by the Indore dealership and led by the latest off ering from the Royal Enfi eld stable, this ride took a group on their Himalayan sojourn.

The Continental GT was certainly the biggest attraction not only of the ride but also caught the attention of almost every other rider and tourist on the road in the Ladakh region who were thrilled to see this bike ride all the way up to the highest motorable road in the world, Khardungla top. Led by Ramiz Khan from Indore this group of 15 adventurers covered a distance of 4700kms over their 15 day ride.

K E E P R I D I N G


POLICE STORY

abriel Zuzuarte’s (of Road Rage Customs fame) dream

project began three years ago, when he fi rst watched a popular TV show on custom bike building. The show had an international builder of high repute making a custom police patrolling motorcycle in USA. This idea inspired him to build India’s fi rst Hi-Tech Police Patrolling Bike. The process began in January 2014, and he took a good two months from conceptualising to the fi nal kickstart, but it was worth the eff ort. He started off with a systematic survey and discussed his plan with the Mumbai police personnel about what all they want to have on their bikes. After taking into consideration all the inputs, the actual construction started with the prototype running in its full functional form in the fi rst week of March 2014.

G After his fi rst meeting with DCP Atul Patil (Motor Transport, Maharashtra), Gabriel received some valuable feedback as well as appreciation for his work. He plans to work on the inputs, conduct some more rigorous testing and then show the bike again to the authorities. With the authorities showing keen interest in his customised bike, he certainly looks forward to seeing India’s police force proudly riding these machines across the country with effi ciency and comfort. With a lot of persistent eff ort, his creation has made it to the front page of leading Indian newspapers, automobile magazines and even the electronic media. Gabriel’s customising outfi t, Road Rage Custom Builds shall put forth this project to the Home Ministry in New Delhi and work on producing a minimum of 100 such Hi-tech Police bikes for forces across the nation.

S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

• Front and Rear HD CCTV Cameras with night vision• High power waterproof LED fl icker lights

• 2-in-1 siren cum public address

• Laptop and Printer Unit with Internet Connectivity and Router

• A DVR System with 1 TB of recording space on HDD

• An 18 A 12 V Dry Cell Battery with plug points for charging walkie talkies

• Alloy wheels shod with Pirelli tubeless tyres

• First Aid box

• Baton holder

• Portable Fire Extinguisher unit

• Custom Designed Seat for comfort and front fairing

THE ROYAL ENFIELD PATROL Features of the customised RE Electra 350

r

25

ROYAL ENFIELD50th Anniversary Top to Tip Ride 2014

grand day out for the Continental GT – what better way for Royal Enfi eld

to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Continental GT than recreating the famous ‘Top to Tip’ ride of 1964. This time around, the format was changed to fi ve bikes relayed between fi ve teams of riders. Journalists came along to cover the event and to review the Continental GT bike. The Royal Enfi eld Owners Club (REOC) consisted of motorcycle authors and the Riders for Health, known for mobilising medical workers in Africa into remote areas by motorcycle. Two legs of the ride were auctioned a week prior to the fl ag off , while the fi rst bike to reach Land’s End was set aside as the raffl e prize. Much has changed since the fi rst Royal Enfi eld ‘Top to Tip’ ride 50 years ago. While Britain is now criss-crossed with fast fl owing motorways, the organisers decided to follow the original route as far as possible. This meant navigating many single lane A and B roads with their heavily

A regulated roundabouts, traffi c lights and speed cameras. There’s so much more traffi c too; 2014 estimates from the Department of Transport revealed that there are over 34 million vehicles currently registered for road use, while in 1964 there were less than eight million! The road surfaces are much better now and we have 24- hour petrol stations, apart from mobile phones and bike-mounted satellite navigation. Everything fell into place and one of the legs was planned at UK’s famous Silverstone Grand Prix race track so that a GT could lap the circuit in the hands of the same racer as was done 50 years ago. The fi rst riders were fl agged off at 10 pm on 10 May 2014. The weather was cold and the air thick with misty rain. Undeterred, the way forward was scorched by two members of the Royal Enfi eld factory ride team, Sachin and Adarsh, who according to the three riders behind them, rode like scalded cats. Their route followed the blustery east coast of Scotland until reaching Inverness and the fi rst refuel stop. From there, the

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

riders cut inland, winding along the banks of Loch Ness, and onto the fi rst handover point at Fort William. The fi rst arrived at 1.40am, chilled and wet but bang on schedule. Heading south from Fort William, the

new team of fi ve riders was spread out,

each person alone with their thoughts,

bracing themselves for the weather, ever

vigilant for sheep sleeping on the barren

moorland roads. After another refuel,

the GTs turned south, through the Clyde

Tunnel and then began the long slog

south to the English border. Here one of

the riders took a wrong turn and was lost

for a while in Glasgow’s narrow streets.

He eventually teamed up with another GT

and completed the journey to Carlisle.

It was my turn now. I was waiting at

the petrol station since 3.45 am, I had

excitedly seen the fi rst three bikes arrive

and hurriedly refuelled them while the

tired, damp riders dismounted and their

replacements made ready for the off.

I panicked a little when I did not see my

APRIL| MAY | JUNE 2014


we exited 35 miles south. We then reached the Oulton Park race circuit, which we saluted in memory of the ’64 team, and then headed south through rural Cheshire and Shropshire. By now we were hit by torrential rain, and we bounced high off the road. Undeterred, we powered on at maximum speed, determined to make up enough time to give the next riders a chance of reaching Silverstone on target. It was now that two of the other features of the 2014 GT paid dividends; the Harris Performance designed frame and the powerful, progressive disc brakes. The chassis had handled faultlessly at speed on the twisting Lake District roads and now proved rock steady as we overtook every car and truck on the busy, slippery highway. Time and again, we fl icked the bikes over greasy white lines, accelerated hard, sometimes overtaking three of four vehicles at once, then squeezed on the brakes and dived back into the line of traffi c in the face of an approaching vehicle. Despite the deluge, oily surface and treacherous man-hole covers and cats’ eyes, the GTs held steady, delivering both Kevin and myself safely to our handover at Penkridge. We had covered 188 miles in 3 hours and 35 minutes. With laughing eyes and huge grins we wished the next riders the best of luck. “That was real motorcycling!” Kevin cried jubilantly. All fi ve bikes made it to Silverstone race circuit in time to see 74-year old John

‘Moon-Eyes’ Cooper climb aboard a GT and ride it at twice the speed round the track. It sent shivers down the spines of several visitors, most notably 86-year old Roger Boss, the instigator of the 1964 GT Top to Tip ride, who was at the circuit to wish all the riders luck. The route then went southwest through gentle Cotswold countryside and the pretty villages of Chipping Norton and Stow-on-the-Wold. Next came the Roman road, the Fosse Way, which still follows the same ancient straight route for many miles at a time. Ahead lay the most challenging navigation of the ride, through the city of Bath, a World Heritage site and a tourist hotspot. Once negotiated, the fi ve GTs battled through more rain and on to the fi nal rider, who changed a few miles south of Shepton Mallet. Each bike set off at a speed, roaring along the rural roads of Somerset and Devon, around the city ring road at Exeter, and on to the fast A32, a dual carriageway that skirts the northern fringes of Dartmoor National Park. With a rapid refuel at Launceston, and with the bit between their teeth, the GTs sped on to their fi nal destination where a crowd of well-wishers, Royal Enfi eld staff and photographers eagerly awaited their arrival. One of the riders for this last leg was Eicher CEO, Siddhartha Lal, who rode along with the other bikers

I panicked a little when I did not see my mount anywhere. It was, of course, the one that had gone astray in Glasgow. The bike arrived as one half of the last pair, more than an hour and a half behind the fi rst. My ride partner was Motorbike TV man, Kevin Lear. We jumped aboard our bikes, rustling in our waterproofs and overmitts, selected the next section of the trip on the bikes’ sat-navs, and then roared out of the forecourt and straight into England's Lake District.

With dawn came clear skies and we admired the stunning scenery of stark mountains, rolling hills, quaint villages and windswept lakes. Revving hard, we climbed the notorious hill known as Shap and then blasted our way through Kendal and Lancaster, both of which were eerily devoid of pedestrians on an early Sunday morning. On the open road, the GT’s 535cc engine showed its worth; lustily revving on the ascents with more than enough zip to fl y past the occasional car we met. In the towns, its comfortable riding position and ability to plod at sedate speeds were invaluable as we worked our way through a succession of speed cameras and red traffi c lights.

We refuelled north of Preston and then made for the M6 motorway, the fi rst stretch to be built in Britain and used by the team in 1964 not only for its high speed capabilities but also for its novelty factor. It began to rain as I powered down the slip road, and with Kevin fi rmly planted in my mirrors, rode with throttle wound right back until


Roger Boss, the Royal Enfi eld Sales Manager in 1964, was worried about launching the latest 250 cc Continental

GT Café Racer, on a limited budget. His idea was to assemble a team of fi ve riders, including three members of the motorcycling press and task them to ride 1,000 miles in under 24 hours. The ride began at Britain’s northeastern point, John O’ Groats in Scotland, and ended at the southeastern point, Land’s End, Cornwall. For good measure, two race riders, World Champion, Geoff Duke, and short circuit ace, John Cooper, were chosen to lap Oulton Park and Silverstone race tracks, as part of the challenge. The Top to Tip ride, Royal Enfi eld style, was created. As a former test rider, Roger longed to be a

member of the ride team but had to spend 24 hours at the company's Redditch HQ monitoring progress. There were many obstacles during the ride, minimum communication and no 24-hour petrol stations. Furthermore, to get the GT on show at the all-important Earls Court Motorcycle Show in November, the ride needed to take place in late October – which meant extremely bad weather in the north of Scotland. The three journalists plumped for daytime stints in England leaving the night-time riding to two factory stalwarts, test rider Brian Crow and works trials rider, Peter Gaunt. With his rear wheel dipped in the ink black waters of the North Sea, Brian set off at 7 pm on 23 October and drove straight into a blizzard, with snow falling heavily for the fi rst hour. Despite this, he

1964Royal Enfi eld


Top to Tip RideFlashback

Gordon May is a celebrated motorcycle

author, and is recognised as an undisputed

authority on classic motorcycles, especially

the Royal Enfield. His love affair with Royal

Enfield began in 1986 when he bought a

1963 250cc Crusader Sports. His books on

Royal Enfield include Made In India (2001),

Made In Redditch (2003), By Miles The Best

(2004), and The Legend Rides On (2005).

His books have given him a deeper insight

into the history and the achievements of the

brand. Gordon joins us as a regular columnist

for The Beat, and his articles will feature

important international events and products.

27APRIL| MAY | JUNE 2014


Penkridge, seeing a 100 mph reading on his speedometer several times (although it is estimated that the true speed was 92 mph). Next came Bruce Main Smith of Motor Cycling, who rode the bike to Silverstone. During this leg, he encountered the only mechanical problem of the ride, an occasional misfire caused by a broken ignition switch that had been taped to the frame but was short circuiting. This was fixed quickly.

John Cooper, wearing his famous red helmet with a pair of moon eyes on its crown, had been booked to ride the Silverstone grand prix circuit five times. To make up for lost miles at Oulton Park, he instead lapped it eight times at an average speed of 70.29 mph, which was quite remarkable for a road-going 250.

With Bruce back on board, the GT charged cross country and was then led through the city of Bath by a local Royal Enfield dealer who was also on a bike. However, they met another snag here. The attendant at the designated fuel stop had gone for lunch, resulting in the team’s healthy margin for error being reduced to just 16 minutes.

The final and shortest leg of the ride, 151 miles, was ridden by David Dixon of The Motor Cycle, who was handed the bike at Taunton. Feeling hugely responsible for reaching the finish line on time, he, like the rest of the team, rode flat out, only stopping briefly for a splash of fuel three quarters of the way there. He was greeted at Lands End by Royal Enfield Managing Director, Major Vic Mountford, at 5.40pm. The ride had taken just 22 hours, 20 minutes at an average speed, including fuel stops and rider’s handovers, of 45 mph. Stories about the ride appeared in Britain's three largest motorcycling publications over the next two weeks. When the Earls Court Show opened, the Continental GT café racer, with its raked-back exhaust, bright red fibre-glass racing fuel tank, clips-ons and rear-sets, among other sporty features, was the talk of the town. Apart from one minor electrical short circuit, its 1000 mile run was trouble free.

he arrived in Fort William 19 minutes ahead of schedule.

Next up was Peter Gaunt, whose wax cotton riding suit had seen better days and like all riders had resorted to stuffing sheets of newspaper down its front in an attempt to stay warm. Battling gusting winds across the barren expanse of Glen Coe, Peter lost some time, but made up so much on the leg to Carlisle that he arrived 31 minutes ahead of the plan. His early arrival caught the next rider, Pat Braithwaite of Motor Cycle News (MCN) unaware. While he relaxed in his hotel room, Peter circled round the petrol station - too cold to get off the bike. He suffered from frostbite in his fingers as a result of this tough night ride! Pat rode hard to Oulton Park where Geoff Duke, wearing race leather, waited for his turn. Unfortunately, the track was covered in a potentially deadly mixture of leaves and black ice. The decision was made to forgo lapping the circuit both for the safety of the rider and for the bike as a high speed spill would most certainly mean the end of the ‘Top to Tip’ ride. Pat used the time to get some warmth back into his body, and 15 minutes later left for


Royal Enfield the Beat June 2014

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