Men, machines will scorch sunny beaches

MUMBAI: A Bandra-based bikers’ club is all set to conquer ‘the golden sands of Maharashtra and Goa’ from February 18.

Seventeen members of Indiethumpers will start from Vashi and cover eight beaches along the Konkan coast of the state and Goa, before returning — a total journey of 1,500 km. The ride will begin with the 17 members, but only four of them will do the entire stretch. The others will return to Vashi from Hedvi on February 19, as they don’t have leave from their jobs.

“This is just a chill-out ride. It is basically an adventure to discover the thrill of riding on sands of beaches and camping under the stars together,” said Dilip Sawant.
From Hedvi, the foursome will pass through Ganapatipule, Pawas, Shiroda, Kankavli, Tarkarli, Mapusa, Pedna, Panji and Calangut beach before reaching Vashi on February 25.

What are the members looking forward from this adventure trip? “Beaches are fun, especially night riding on a beach. We deliberately riding without lights in moonlight and indulge in a lot of bike talk,” say Sawant and Rajiv Shah.

Indiethumpers have done more than just the ‘chill-out’ rides. They have conquered the dusty and challenging terrain of 4,500 km to Ladakh thrice in a row and will do so again in June this year. They have camped in the wilderness of Junglee Jaigarh only to be told by locals the next day of their lucky escape from bisons.”

The Indiethumpers was started with just three members in 2000 by Damanvir Siddhu. Now the club has 75 active members — they will soon have a woman as an active member — spread across the country and a head count of about 300 members. The bikers’ den is the long and winding stretch of Bandra Reclamation.

The club is really serious while inducting new members. Shah says, “We have a strict code for choosing members. There is a membership form available on the Internet. To be a part of the club, one has to do three overnight rides with us so that we are sure as to how the person rides. He should be willing to learn. We reject more members than we select.”

“We are essentially a Bullet riders’ club  and our bikes are Enfield with 350cc to 500cc engines. Bullet is an attitude and it is a status symbol for us. Youngsters come here for the kick of racing, but then they realise that they are in the wrong place. We do not relate to celebrities racing on fancy bikes,” says Sawant.

Indiethumpers members are also very careful about safety rules. “We do not allow anybody without helmets. Proper riding attire are a must. No floaters and shorts are allowed. We also recommend crash guards,” says Shah.