Royal Enfield is known for its bikes and rides around the world. They organize many rides throughout the year for encouraging bikers. Every year, the first sunday of April is celebrated as “One Ride”, in which bikers from different cities around the world go for a one day ride around their respective cities. This year One Ride was celebrated around the world on the 7th of April. As per Royal Enfield website around 5000 riders joined “One Ride 2013” around the world and 6,72,780 kms has been covered with 206 rides.
I also got a chance to take part in this event in Pune. It was a total 170 kms ride from Pune to Rajmachi (little village in Lonavala area) with a group of 250 Royal Enfield owners. The ride was divided in two parts with a smooth ride on Pune – Mumbai highway for around 70 kms from Pune to Lonavla city and then grueling off-road track for around a 15 kms from Lonavla city to Rajmachi village. The off-road track was a mix of different terrains. Steep climbs and narrow roads with no road literally. Track consists of gravels, stones (some were really big), fine dust and sand with a scenic view of the valley.
Being a Sunday and early morning didn’t stop the riders to put on their riding gears and go for the fun ride. Several senior thumpers were present and were helping the new riders throughout the ride. Around 250 riders were gathered for this particular ride which started at Shivaji Nagar, Pune, early in the morning, similar rides were held at different places also. Technicians were available for any sudden breakdowns.
The ride started at 7 AM with all the riders lined up in a pair of two. Ride was lead by the female members of the group. People around the road turned around, waved, clicked photographs of Bulleters when they heard and saw the thumpers on their Royal Enfield’s. At around 8 o clock we reached Lonavala, we had a small break there. After that the ride went off=road, there was sort of road but it was not even allowing SUV’s to go over it comfortably. When the ride reached to Rajmachi village, all riders and their Royal Enfields were cloaked in the same color of sand. After a small rest, the ride started back to Pune. It was an amazing experience.