Thursday, February 4, 2010

Ride to Rider Mania - X

Rider Mania  is an event where bulleteers with same passion from different parts of the country spend time together for a couple to days. Exchange ideas, Share their ride experiences, have loads of Fun, participate in the events etc and lot more. Only a person who has riden to rider mania can experience this.

Rider Mania - X was organized by the Inddiethumpers (Bullet Club from Mumbai) on 23rd and 24th Jan 2010 in Vikramgad (150 kms North of Mumbai).

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Since I have been part of RTMC(Rolling Thunder Motorcycling Club - Bangalore), Had represtented RTMC along with 40 other clubmates to the event. Intial plan was to ride from Bangalore with fellow RTMC'rs. Due to leave constraints I had to ride to the event from Hyderabad along with fellow RTMC'r Mamidi who is in Hyderabad.

Route Plan.

Hyderabad - Zahirabad - Homnabad - Solapur - Pune - Lunavala - Navi Mumbai - Manor - Vikramgad (Venue) - Wada - Shahapur - Murbad - Ahmednagar - Tuljapur - Umarga - Zahirabad - Hyderabad approx 1600 kms.


View Larger Map

As per our pre-ride discussion it was decided that myself and Mamidi will start riding from BHEL maingate, Hyderabad at around 1530 hrs on Thursday 21st Jan 2010 accompanied by few riders from Wanderers(Bullet club of Hyderabad) and halt at Solapur for the Day.

As usual I left to office on 21st Jan 2010, along with packed pair of saddlebag. Once the clock clicked 1500 hrs I left office and reached BHEL maingate which was around 20 kms from my office. Reached the regroup point at around 1520hrs. Mamidi arrived at around 1527 hours. After discussing for couple of mins regarding JD & Gang(Wanderers) catching with us, came to know from Mamidi that those guys will be starting couple of hours late and will regroup with us in Solapur.

Myself and Mamidi left the 1st regroup point and had reached 5kms before Zairabad at arond a1700 hours. Stopped at that point for smoke, to make some calls to JD & Gang, heard from them that they would be leaving Hyderabad in an about 30mins. After taking 10 mins break we decided that we would ride till dusk.
We had rode for about 100kms in one of the busyest National Highways (NH9). It was around about 1830 hours it started to get dark and the number of insects on the road at that time started to increase as well. Then we took another break for Tea and smoke. It was a  30 mins break. We were about 110 kms away from Solapur. We started of  at around 1900 hrs the traffic had increased. It was really difficult to drive on a single lane with all the trucks on highbeam. We had taken an hour and half to cover about 70 kms on that road. We decided to take another break for tea and smoke obviously few phone calls. In the meantime JD & Gang has sms d us to also make arrangements for 4 of themselves in Solapur. We took 10 mins break and started of around 2040 hours. We reached Solapur around 2130 hours. Searched for accomadation in  the city for about 10 to 15 mins. Finally after a lot of enquiring found the Krishna Lodge for cheap. It was okay types. He charged us 350 bux for a doublebed room. We also confirmed the accomadation for JD & Gang. As usuall we had couple of drinks and dinner. It was at around 2330hours JD and Gang had arrived to the lodge. We had planned to hit the road at 0630 hrs,Timed the alarm at 0600 hrs for the next morning and  hit the bed at 2345 hrs.

Alarm woke us up at 0600 hours and we woke JD & Gang. Myself and Mamidi were ready by 0630 hours. JD & Gang were still saddling up, they would take another 10 mins. As instructed by the lodge owner we did not fuel up in the city we fueled up outsite the city due to some Tax issues. We informed JD & Gang we would wait for those guys just outside the city. By the time we fueled up those guys had already caught up.
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We rode together till Timburni which is 70kms after Solapur towards Pune. We stoped there for breakfast and decided that Myself & Mamidi will join the RTMC Gang at Lonavala, JD & Gang decided they would take the Ahmednagar scenic route. We split from there on, JD & Gang took a right turn from Timburni and we hit straight to Pune. Pune was about 170 kms from Timburni. We reached Pune by 1230 hrs. Enquiring the route towards Lonavala from Pune took us 10 mins. By the time we left Pune we had wasted around an 1 hour in the city traffic.  We reached Lonavala at around 1400 hrs where RTMC gang had halted for lunch. RTMC gang on 22nd Jan 2010 had rode from Kolapur to Lonavala. By the time we had done with our lunch it was around 1500 hours. On the way to Navi Mumbai we stopped for another break(for Re-grouping) by the time we re-grouped and made Mr.Clueless (Prem) the point it was 1630 hours. Most of them had to stop for fuel and ATM. Reached Navi Mumbai, Mr.Clueless showed us some good looking buildings and roads. After that sightsighing in Navi Mumbai Prem was named Mr.Clueless. I am still wonering what was the route which we took from Navi Mumbai to Fountain Plaza Hotel on the way to Manor. In one of the toll gates in Navi Mumbai we met the Mamda, Lloyd and Vijay. They were waiting for Adrain was bike broke down a few kms behind. Mamda with high concentration was guiding Adrain on rejovanating his bike. En-route to Fountain Plaza hotel from Navi Mumbai, we had lost a lot of fellow RTMC'rs in the Navi Mumbai Traffic. I along with few surviving RTMC'rs from the pack had fueled by in Navi Mumbai, Cant rember the exact place of fueling up. Traffic at around 1800 hours was horrible. Myself, Prasy, Mamidi, Dicso, Bumboo, Aditya, Prasad and Prateek were the only RTMC'rs surviving in the pack guided by Mr.Clueless to Fountain Plaza hotel. That was supposedly last regroup point before reaching Manor. This was the hotel Where Preeti was waiting for Heroin. Finally we all met at Fountain Plaza hotel. Took a break for riding in the traffic. Poo had some lighting issues in his bike. Seenu anna the bullet mech from Hyderabad happened to stop for break in the same hotel at the same time. He fixed the holder issue in the Poo's bike.

From then on again we rode in the pack. Most of them were riding in the 60s and 70s. Manor was about 50 odd kms from Fountain Plaza hotel. after around 30 kms Dicso ripped breaking from the pack. Followed by Myself, Poo and Prasy.  We 4 of us reached Manor and waited for the rest of the pack to join us. But the rest of the Pack had already halted for dinner just before Manor. We 4 then decided we would have our dinner in Manor and we would not go back. Poo was desperate to eat Non-veg, from past two days he was only having veg food. So we just crossed over to the other side of the road for dinner. The time by then was
around 2200 hrs. After dinner we gave a call to Bamboo was said, "Wait for us" then Poo suggested we will cruize slowly to the venue which was around 18kms from Manor, and then the pack would catch us up. So after Poo's suggestion we were cruizing slowly, we had already reached the venue around 2300 hrs.

The few Inddiethumpers who were awake welcomed and guided us to the parking lot. We then there met our Chumma Chamak who was the first from RTMC to reach the venue, who guided us to our accomadation in the venue. After 15 to 20 min the rest of the pack arrived. Since most of them were tired we had a relaxing chat, smoke and booze for about couple of hours and then hit the bed.

23rd Jan 2010, Day 1 at the RMX for me was exicting since it was first RM ride for me. Got up in the morning at around 0900 hours stepped out of the room saw resort staff boiling water just beside our accomadation. Prashy along with a Inddithumper had carried our registraition kit to our accomadation. Went back to the room saw some slots open in the bathroom finished my quota of freshening up. Mean time few other were still snooring on the bed and few other were already of their way to the dinning hall were breakfast was served.
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After breakfast every body were suppose to assemble at assembly area for introductions from the participating clubs. This happened till lunch. Since the beer counter was already open from morning and ready to serve. The day started to get hot. So without any choice had to opt for beer rather than drinking water. By the time I had finished three bottles of beer it was time for lunch. Had lunch came back to the accomadation area where we all had a relaxing meet going on. It was like decideing who will be particpating in which event. after the meet i joined the club in cheering our guys in the dismantling the bike and fixing it back event. this took place for an hour and half i guess.
RTMC team in the dismantling event
 After that went for strol around the venue and to the parking lot just to look at the different kinds of modifications people have done to their bullets.
Hulk Paint job
Decent paint job
Some kind of announcement and events had started in the assemble area. We went to assembly area with the drinks we had carried from outside. Just stayed away in one corner with fellow RTMC'rs and other club bulleters and enjoyed the drinks till they lasted.
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After that had dinner with eveyone at around 2230hours, After dinner went back to the accomadation area where all the RTMC'rs were just chilling, smoking, boozing, relaxing etc. All the RTMC'rs had some kickass time for the next three to four hours. KD and gang making some "Apte" Jokes. Ofcourse "SeeMeee" jokes. All of them sitting in the group had a wonerful time. People who had already gone to sleep also woke up and joined us for chatting. Still cant remember the time we hit the bed..

24th Jan 2010, Day 2. As usual got up and used the empty slots in the toilets. Still some fellow bulleteers snooring. Rushed for breakfast since it will be last served till 1030am after breakfast assembled back at the accomadation by that time
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Adk had made up his mind to take part in the dirt track event on his Classic 500. Only guy on the circuit with Classic 500.
One of MrMadbull full poseing with cigar
The rest of gang walked around the dirt track to find a less crowded place to relax and cheer the riders taking part in the event. The event was delayed in between because of few crashes on the circuit.
Myself at the Dirt Track
Our Beer stunt man
All of us relaxing during the break of Dirt event
After a while we can back to the dinning area where we had couple of beers with fellow bulleteers and then followed by lunch.
Myself, Charan and Aditya
Poo & Lloyd
Karna and Sam Cooling off

The time by then was around 1500 hrs.
Poo, Seemee and Nai-gun in the relaxing meet
The club had decided we will back for a meeting regarding tonight presentations from all the clubs. Even we as a club had to do presentation. Then It was decided intially Myself, Deepshit and Oily Nickerss will go on the stage and will start the presentation and then the rest of the RTMC'rs will come and join us.

After the meeting we decided we all will get our bikes from the parking area to the accomadation area and would go an RTMC parade to surprise everyone in the venue. The parade happened and most of them watching us had a lot of smilies on their faces.
RTMC RM-X Parade
RTMC RM-X Parade
Kind hearted ADK Crying
The crowd watching us definitely enjoyed that moment. In the night as the event started Our turn had arrived after 3 or 4 clubs had given their presentation and then the presentation happend in the way it was decided. Since I was the participant was not able to have a look at how the presentation came out. People from other clubs did say that It had come out real good. Thanks to all RTMC'rs. After that event had couple of beers during other presentations and headed straight to the dinning hall to have dinner. Since next day would be start of another journey. So had dinner most of them had already started packing and hit bed early. Myself also did some packing and hit the bed at around 2230 hours.

On 25th along with other RTMC folks Myself and Mamidi started the ride at around 0630 hours towards Wada.
Cup & Adk Starting from the RM-X Venue early in the morning
Where Myself and Mamidi will be heading East just to avoid the city traffic in Navi Mumbai and Pune and rest of the RTMC folks will be heading south.
Mamidi's Bull at Lonavla and Kandala ghats
My Bull at Lonavla and Kandala ghats
My Bull at Lonavla and Kandala ghats
After Wada we took the Shapur route which was scenic and the route was like passing through the forests inn Maharastra.  On the way to Ahmednagar from Shapur we stopped for breakfast at around 1100 hours.After having a bit heavy breakfast we left the breakfast point at around 1130 hours and headed towards Ahmednagar. We reached Ahmednagar at around 1300 hours. Myself and Mamadid had to fuel up and draw some money from the ATM. We drew money from the ATM and fueled up in Ahmednagar. After enquiring about the route to Tuljapur, we halted for a break just outside of Ahmednagar.
Pitstop at Ahmednagar
The breakfast which we had around 1100 hours was a bit heavy, So we did not feel like having lunch. After the Ahmednagar outshirts pitstop at around 1400 hours we started off towards Tuljapur, Tuljapur was about 60 kms away they we decided to take another break around 1600 hours. There we decided that we will halt for the day at Tuljapur.
Resting Bulls just before Tuljapur
Wanderers Gang Catching US at the Resting place
Resting Bulls just before Tuljapur
After the break we started off to Tuljapur and reached there by 1730 hrs. Till then we had compelted around 550 kms for the day and we had another 300kms to cover for Hyderabad. We took shelter at another lodge for the night. That evening we freshened up at around 1800 hours and left the Lodge for a strol around the city in search of drink and food. Just below the lodge we had a bit of snacks since we had skipped lunch and went for a strol around the town. After walking for about 20 to 25 mins Myself and Mamidi found the drinks, we parceled it to the Lodge and started pardying once we reached the Lodge. I was around 2230 hours we finished our pardy and again came down in search of dinner. Then we decided to have the dinner in the same place where we had our snacks. We had dinner and hit the bed at around 2300 hours.

On 26th Jan 2010, Again alarmed at 0600 we woke up and saddled up. Hit the roads at around 0630 and started towards hyderabad. We had reached Zahirabad which was 200kms after Tuljapur at around 0930. In search of breakfast we rode to the outskirts of Zahirabad and found a place to halt for breakfast and smoke. In the place where we had stopped for breakfast, a fellow bulleteer from 23one(Another Bullet club in Hyderabad) riding solo from RM-X had also stopped there for breakfast. Even that guy was travelling to Hyderabad. Once we were done with our breakfast and smoke we hit the  road at around 1015 hours. By 1200 hours we were about to reach the BHEL main gate which was our first re-group point, we decided to have a break for smoke and bid adieu. After that break I safely and soundly reached home by 1230 hours. After a satisfied ride to Rider Mania.

One of the should ride events in my list was completed.

For More RM-X pics
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/Akshayroyalenfield/RiderManiaXRideToMumbai?feat=email#