This lead to me asking Royal Enfield India if they could lend me one of their bikes for my next adventure to Rider Mania bike festival in Goa. They were so kind, lent me the new Interceptor 650. Of British origin, Royal Enfield’s were ordered by the Indian army in 1956 and since then licenced and owned by a subsiduary Eicher Motors India, have become the most beautiful, trendiest and most indestructable modifyable bike on the Indian roads.
I can’t say I was totally prepared for quite what a challenge it would be and wondered after a few hours if I had the stamina to battle with a 200+kg bike in the seering heat, avoiding pot holes and holy cows. I can safely say I have never been so devastated after 10 hours on the non roads in the deepest depths of the jungles, the traffic out of Mumbai and Pune was nothing less then human cruelty. How can commuters do 4 hours of this traffic there and back from work ? The pollution ! Yes I cried once when I couldn’t feel my hands or arms anymore from gear change, I was hungry, thirsty and hadn’t peed for hours.
Would I do this again ? Oh My God yes and again and again. Who gets to see the real thing, the unseen parts of a country tourists can’t see, with locals, hurtling along past hidden treasures, having bizarre adventures? It’s the ONLY way to travel if you don’t mind keeping your packing light and getting pretty dusty. There is nothing better at the destination to take a shower, relax with delicious local food and watch the sunset. I’ve come to the conclusion I love this because it really is like meditation in motion. Like my other passion Yoga, you loose track of time and clear your mind and experience the best of travel. Next trip the ‘Stans’ Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan…however might give Afghanistan a miss for a mo.
Top spots South India
Munnar Hillstation and Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary
Stay : Rose Gardens Homestay Munnar – 5 rooms on a spice farm with a lovely family and delicious home cooked food
North Goa – Mandrem away from Goa’s party scene, yoga and ayuverdic paradise where you give up on shoes or make up
Stay : Ashiyana Mandrem, Mandala Mandrem, Elsewhere Mandrem
Eat : Nu or Dunes Mandrem, Thalassa Siolim, La Plage Morjim
Yoga : Ashiyana, Mandala, Himalaya Yoga Valley Mandrem
Massage : Little hut opposite Rivercat Mandrem, Masseur from St Petersburg Russia incredible
******If you would like to visit South India off the beaten track on motorbike as a rider or pillion or by car, drop a mail to