ENFIELD MANIA
Every year thousands of riders and machines congregate in Goa for the world’s largest celebration of everything Royal Enfield
The antics and shenanigans of Rider Mania – possibly the best bike gathering in the world
There’s nothing quite like it anywhere else. With massive ride-outs, tutorials, a custom show, dirt track competitions, live music, beach parties and even a race where you have to carry your bike, Ride Mania isn’t just the definitive celebration of everything and anything Royal Enfield. It could just be the greatest motorcycle festival on the planet. Held in the beach town of Vagator in Goa, India in November each year, the three-day gathering is the largest thing on the Royal Enfield calendar. The headline event in the brand’s home country, the build-up begins months in advance with pre-rider Mania parties and rides held across the country. Last year, riders across seven of India’s states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab) could gear themselves up for the festival with organised rides in the key motorcycling hubs of Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune. Suitably primed, hoards of faithful Enfield riders and enthusiasts then descend on Vagator – last year’s event attracted over 6000 people, the biggest-yet attendance. Though Rider Mania’s success stems from the dedication of Royal Enfield’s riders, it’s helped in no small part by the staggering quantity and variety of content squeezed into each of the three days. “For me, Rider Mania is where Royal Enfield comes alive,” said RE boss Siddhartha Lal at the record-breaking 2017 event. “It’s where the community of Royal Enfield merges with the company of Royal Enfield. It’s where we bring it all together and we are all one.” This is anything but a stuffy static show. The typical array of events and activities covers pretty much everything to do with motorcycling. For those who want to test their riding skill, competitions range from a slow-riding showdown and trials sections to all-action dirt track racing. A firm favourite and the most sought-after event for visitor participation, the dirt track features classes for up to 360cc (the 350 Bullet remains amazingly popular in India) and up to 550cc, plus a distinct class for the Himalayan adventure bike. The races are scheduled across all three days, and conclude with a head-to-head Race Of Champions where the event’s podium finishers take on the podium-placed riders from the previous year. Flying dirt, barging bikes and massive grins assured. With such interest in this particular part of Rider Mania, there are also off-road training sessions available to encourage anyone who rides any of the brand’s machinery
to get involved. The hour-long sessions cover basic off-road riding skills using experienced tutors, and are a great way of improving bike control and boosting the confidence of novice riders. And Royal Enfield are keen to encourage – the event features courses designed to entice non-riders, who have perhaps arrived as a pillion or met up with riding friends, to experience ‘pure motorcycling’ for themselves. At the other end of the experience scale are the Assembly Wars. Teams of four have to dismantle assigned parts on their bikes and reassemble them, against the clock. A clear test of motorcycle knowledge, the hands-on contest is also a fine test of accuracy, teamwork and, of course, spannering speed. These teams usually also flex their combined muscle in the brilliant Carry Your Bike event, where the machine has to reach the other end of a running lane without any part touching the ground. Imagine four people staggering down a 100m track, shouting and heaving and bumping into the team in the next lane, and you’re about there... Of course, it’s actually riding the bikes that matters most. Riding clubs and groups travel thousands of miles across India to reach Rider Mania, and the roads into the venue become choked with bikes. It’s a compelling spectacle. Those craving additional miles can also sign up for Early Risers, a special ride-out for those who wish to experience Goa in all its early-morning glory that takes in lessertravelled routes, gentle green-lane explorations and beautiful locations such as Mahadai Wildlife Sanctuary and Divar Island (and usually includes a ferry ride, too). Back within Rider Mania’s bustling acres there’s always
a chance to see the latest new bikes from the firm, and a plethora of motorcycling accessory and gear stalls offering serious temptation. On the more traditional show side, the festival features a Cleanest Bike shoot-out for those fond of Solvol, plus there’s an ever-expanding custom show, featuring the greatest hand-crafted machines from India’s finest builders. With outfits including Bombay Custom Works, Maratha Motorcycles and Bulleteer Customs all contributing, the variety of styles and approaches is breathtaking, ranging from bobber and chopper to enduro and sportsbike. There are always plenty of other activities and courses for creative types to engage with, too, such as filmmaking workshops. And, just for balance, you can expect drinking contests and women’s arm wrestling. Being a festival, each jam-packed motorcycle day ends with a massive stage show featuring a different line-up of India’s leading performers. It’s one hell of a party. With such a heady amount of content, geared to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and covering everything from learner riders to dirt track chaos, it’s no wonder Rider Mania stands clear as the world’s biggest Royal Enfield get-together. “A place where experienced and new riders find common ground to engage and participate in different facets of motorcycling,” reckons the ever-expanding motorcycle firm. “Three days of action-packed mornings, adrenalin-pumping afternoons and surreal evenings that celebrate the spirit of ‘pure motorcycling’.” This year’s event is happening on 16-18 November. Expect it to be the greatest Rider Mania yet.