Rider Mania 2018: Three Days of Biking & Fun in Goa
Here’s a look at the action from Rider Mania 2018, the annual gathering of Royal Enfield riders in Goa.
Rider Mania 2018 Begins
Rider Mania 2018 has begun in Goa. Get set for a weekend of bikes, beer and fun in Goa. If you haven’t been able to make it to Goa this weekend for the three-day biking festival, fret not, we’ve got you covered.
Royal Enfield riders from all across the country converge in Goa every year for this annual biking festival. This year the festival includes events with the new 650 cc twins from Royal Enfield as well. The event is taking place at Vagator beach and Arpora village in Goa.
Rider Mania 2018 Event List
This year’s Rider Mania 2018 will include quite a bit of activity such as a beer-drinking competition for men and women, arm-wrestling for men and women, a slow-motorcycle race (the one who comes last wins) and more. There will be a custom bike showcase as well, based on the new Royal Enfield 650 twins. Check the list below for the timings of these events (in case you happen to be in Goa).
What's Worth Checking Out
If you folks have never seen the “well-of-death” earlier, you have to check out the “Maut Ka Kuan” at Rider Mania 2018. Don’t know what it’s all about? Well, it’s a bunch of crazy riders going in circles inside a well, with extreme precision. Check it out.
And here are the highlights from Rider Mania 2017 races. Expect similar or better action this year.
Customised Royal Enfield Bikes Showcase
Rider Mania 2018 has a whole range of custom-built bikes being showcased. Most of these are based on the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Bullet 350 chassis. Some of them also have the 500 cc engine in them. That’s about the only common element. The bodywork and styling on each is unique - from muscular cruisers to scramblers and choppers, there are all kinds of bikes on display. Check out the photo gallery below (swipe right or left to see more).
Beer-drinking contest
You shouldn’t drink and ride. And hence you will probably find the largest ever parking lot of Royal Enfield riders at Vagator in Goa now. Many are heading for the beer-drinking contest. This is open for men today and there’s one for women tomorrow.
Dirt-Track Event
There is a custom dirt track that has been set up at the venue. The 350 class novices went out on the track today. Check out the action from the event.
On The Sidelines
On the sidelines of Rider Mania 2018, there were ramp walks and gear for sale. And while most of the custom bikes had been built on 350 and 500 engines, there are a few that are built on the new twins too. Check this out.
Meet the Bike Customisers
Here are some of the guys behind the custom bikes on show at Rider Mania 2018.
Day 2 Action: Clean Bikes, Slow Race, More Beer
Here’s a quick look at Day 1 from Royal Enfield’s Twitter page.
Day 2 of Rider Mania is going to see even more action unfold. Registrations are open for the men’s and women’s slow race. The biker who comes last (without putting his or her feet down) on a 200 metre track is the winner. It’s all about balance and clutch control.
There’s also a contest on who has got the cleanest bike. So all the waxes and polishes will come out.
Besides that, there’s arm-wrestling for women and more beer drinking contests - this time for women.
Day 2: Dirt Track Races
The dirt track races were a big draw at Rider Mania 2018. It is a three-lap race. Each race has about 10 participants and a total of around 36 took part. Today saw the women’s novice category going out to race.
The Cleanest Bikes
Bikers love to spend time spit-polishing their bikes. Rider Mania 2018 has an area for that as well, where one gets to show off their skills at making their machines gleam. Participants clean and spruce up their bikes and then wait for an inspection. Check out some of the squeaky clean bikes on display.
The 650 Vigilantē Custom
More custom bikes on display at Rider Mania 2018. Check out some of the creations on the new 650 cc, parallel-twin engine platform. There were two more custom creations that were unveiled. Bulleteer Customs has a creation called the Hooligan based on the Interceptor 650, while Rajputana Customs built one on the GT 650 platform called the Vigilantē.
Men's Slow Race
Just how slow can you ride your bike? The last one across the line is the winner. The rules are simple. You have to stay in your lane. You should not put your feet down. And you have to come last. It sounds simple, but it’s not. The key to a slow race is great balancing skills and clutch control. Check out some action from that event.
Besides the slow race, there was also a contest where one had to assemble their bikes and then race them. That goes to show how well you know your bike.
Women's Beer Drinking Contest
First you saw the men’s beer drinking contest (scroll for video), now take a look at the women’s beer drinking contest. Same rules. Drink the bottle entirely without a drop being left. Warning: Consumption of alcohol can be injurious to health.
Motoball Finals
Rider Mania 2018 has been witness to some of the craziest activities on a motorcycle and day 3 wasn’t devoid of craziness thanks to the Motoball final. Motoball is football on two wheels where a 5-a side game is played with two halves of 10 minutes each.
The Motoball final between bikers from Maharashtra and Chennai was decided by sudden death where the Chennians got the better of their opponents scoring the winning goal.
The rules of the game are very similar to football as you have to kick the ball into the goal and cannot run it past the goal line using your bike. The goalkeeper is the only one on the field who is not on a bike and can save the goal using his hands.
Women's Arm-Wrestling
It's a show of strength by the ladies. The women's arm-wrestling contest saw quite some excitement at Rider Mania 2018. These biker women are not to be messed with. They are as tough as nails. Nikita (couldn't get her surname) was the champ at this event.
Maut Ka Kuan
Perhaps the most entertaining and the most dangerous event at Rider Mania 2018, the ‘Maut Ka Kuan’ has been introduced for the first time at the 3-day event. The attraction has been very common in circuses and this time Royal Enfield thought of adding the same to its list of activities.
A total of 6 riders enter an enclosed chamber made primarily of wooden planks and steel. The rider are supposed to ride at great speeds in a circle. Something like you’d see when you put a ball in a bowl and move it so it circles around the interior of the glass.
This act is highly dangerous and takes years of practice to perfect. There are times when the rider take their hands off the handle and ride. I know, crazy!
It's A Wrap
So that’s a wrap folks. It’s been three days of fun in the sun for hundreds of bikers. Royal Enfield bikes of all shapes and sizes were at the event. Custom bikes, well-cared-for Classics, souped up Himalayans were all on show. The events like motoball, dirt-track races and even the slow race got a lot of attention. And of course, so did arm-wrestling and beer drinking.
The day ended with a concert by BLOT, followed by Indian Ocean. Come back for more next year. Ride safe.
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