Unforgettable Motorbike Adventure in Rajasthan by Sonya

Combination of Royal Enfields and charm of Rajasthan, this tour made memorable and highly recommended!

Let me introduce myself: my name is Sonya, I’m a new member of the Vintage Rides team and had the honor to go to “the Land of Maharajas” tour. Vintage Rides invited me to a an incentive tour in order to get a image of our product and get to know first-hand how our riders perceive our tour.

The tour in summary; 2 weeks drive on Royal Enfield Classic Bikes in Rajasthan, visiting 11 cities and staying at historical havelis. The itinerary was Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Thar Desert, Jodhpur, Ghanerao, Udaipur, Jojawar, Pushkar, Jaipur and finally Alwar. As a surprise, a grand finale: Celebrate the Holi festival in Pushkar. What more could you wish for?

But let’s start from the beginning!

Our Tour Group

I was part of a 10-member group, majority of French, living in Switzerland. Vintage Rides provided all participants their own Royal Enfield, 2 drivers had taken their wives as passengers with them. Besides our Royal Enfield rider, was a mechanic, van driver and tour leader with in the game.

Thanks to the van, we were able to store our luggage safely and comfortably and we could also move around in the cities by it. The travelers had the option to travel by van if they are sick or tired feeling. Reality was that this was never the case, the van was used for the most part for our luggage since the bikers didn’t want to miss any rides on the Royal Enfield.

Desert city – Jaisalmer

One of my favorite experiences of the trip was the night in the Thar Desert and the stay in the desert city, Jaisalmer. What was so special about Jaisalmer, you wonder?

The city had a magic for me which is not to describe in words. You must see with your own eyes what I mean with this magic of Jaisalmer to can imagine.

For example Jaisalmer Fort, I found it fascinating. It was built in BC 1156 and was one of the largest forts in the world. An interesting fact is that at Jaisalmer Fort there are still people living inside. It is therefore not just an ordinary sight. You can actually visit your friends and family there. The fact is that our Vintage Rides tour group visited a family who lives in the Fort. The hostess led us through her house and invited us to Masala Chai. After the visit to the fort, we went to a local carpet designer who makes carpets and sells them.

Finally we had free time to explore the desert city on our own feet. We split into small groups and walked through markets and bazaars in Jaisalmer and it was beautiful! We got to know the locals, happened to meet market traders and teenager who were playing on the street. We got a feeling for the city life which quite overwhelmed us with its richness of culture.

Night at the Thar Desert

The following day, Thar Desert was in the schedule. For many in the group, including me, it was a unique experience as we were for the first time in the desert. Arriving in the Thar Desert, I was amazed by the beautiful desert dunes. They were golden brown and not ending – you could see nothing but golden sand.

In light of the bonfire we had dinner and were telling stories of our past and teenage times. Following we watched the sun vanishing behind the dunes, which left an outstanding view of stars.

The hotel where we were staying had given us camping tents, countless quilts, pillows, etc. However, because we expected a relatively warm night, we slept on mattresses and had therefore a clear view of the enchanting sky of stars.

Holi Festival in Pushkar

Next day, we woke up early to not miss the sunrise. It was an experience to witness how the sun came crawling out from the dunes and its rays warmed the sand. After breakfast in the desert, we drove in a jeep back to our Royal Enfields and continued our journey to Jodhpur, the blue city. Other highlights, as already mentioned above, were the Holi festival in Pushkar.

We were lucky to be able to experience the unique Holi festival. The event is celebrated annually and especially Rajasthan is known for its outstanding Holi celebrations. While driving from Jojawar to Pushkar we were invited to celebrate countless times Holi with locals. Our Royal Enfields were completely drunk in bright colors. It was so much fun! Especially our view in the mirror when we arrived at the hotel, was a reason to smile.

An Unforgettable Adventure

For me personally, this trip was an unforgettable adventure.

I learned that traveling on Royal Enfield bikes is a unique experience and is not to be compared with similar ways of travelling. On motorcycles you see and feel cities, not just through a window. You develop a feel for each city in which you drive, taking the smell and ambiance of each of them. In addition to that you are flexible, you can spontaneously and individually stop at a sight, and take yourself time for example, taking pictures.

Moreover, to travel on Royal Enfields is a special experience. Royal Enfield’s is a top-seller and big brand in India. Therefore they get a lot of attention when one travels around with them in India. Motorcycle enthusiasts blindly differentiate between the sound of the engine a Royal Enfields and any other brand. They are unique in their production and follow a 120-year tradition!

The combination of the trip to Royal Enfields and the charm of Rajasthan, made this trip memorable and highly recommended!

And if you wanted to experience the wonders of Rajasthan by yourself, you can find more information about Land of Maharajas tour here!

Motorcycle legend Cup – Childhood dream

In the month of Feb 2012 I decided to participate in the Motorcycle Lengends Cup Race. Here I am propelling one of the largest gatherings of European classic bikes. The poster this year is very tempting with more than ten former world champions racing. And to top it off, i’ll be riding a bike that I love. A dream for me….. Pinch me!

PREPARATION

It’s a real marathon that awaits me with more than 1500 km to go on my BMW, with which I will fly, but unlike the magnificent Royal Enfield I don’t feel the ever loving Thump the way I used to feel them on my motorbike tour in India.
My journey begins towards Montpellier where the BMW is waiting for me at Meca Moto then I continue to Toulouse where I prepare myself for a feast. After a seared foie gras, duck breast and a bike ride to Lourdes (Thanks Philippe and Marise); I end up having a mechanical glitch (after getting the bike at the mechanic, I see a small oil leak on the head cylinder. Nothing too serious, but I must take it apart to start re-sealing. It’s a matter of an hour.

PADDOCK

I arrive at the opening of the circuit but the paddock is already boiling. Fans from all over Europe have made the trip and some have been there for several days. More than a thousand motorcycles and riders are present to make the demonstrations track. All sorts of Motorcycles are there before and after war and racing motorcycles. The show is simply amazing. Everyone is trying to pamper their gear. In fact it makes me think that I too I still have some work on the bike to make the control flow better. I have to remove some parts such as the carry luggage and cylinder guard. We must also protect all sharp angles of the bike and turn signals. I finish preparing the engine and add the bike racing no. with a lot of emotion & pride. Finally, it is ready ….

RACE

7:00am – The sun was just rising and it was a magnificent that day to start. I am on the first series, motorcycles between 77 and 85.

8:15am- After I got into my gear, I joined the pre-grid and there where all the riders who were anxiously awaiting the opening of the track. Over fifty motorcycles present. For a circuit of only 4 km, it makes a lot of traffic. Everyone is in place, the motors are running. Everyone’s going through the same excitement.

We were the first to inaugurate the track of this wonderful weekend and already there are crowds at the track edge.

8:00pm- The stewards opened the gate that separates us from the track and everyone rushes into the passage. The Motorcycle legend begins….

Track

With the long pit straight I start drawing. I confess that with the BMW R100 T and its 70 hp, I come painfully to reach 180 km / h.

Christian Sarron who is the first French motorbike champion, finished more than 280 end-of-right with his 500 YAM. It is 50 meters that I throw myself on the brakes to address the double-right. The BMW is relatively stable on the corner despite with his big flat engine and his small tyres. Once I pass the rope, I began to put the gas slightly and raise the bike. So far so good and I feel good. The “S of sabelières” will take full throttle with the BMW. With thirty horses power more, I would keep the net gas on the left. All that climbing, what you on the saddle plate. Then comes the turn of the most technical circuit, the left of the ramp. A large left on slopes with a turning point as I struggled to find being on the brakes. I keep the gas on the corner and the bike is close to vibrating. I have trouble seeing the vibrator and a trajectory expedites me a bit wide in the grass and could have been sure a nice slide. This is probably the most impressive turn of the circuit. I attack very early on and the brakes. I hardly recovered the apex of the second and the casing of the BMW rubs … OOPS … SORRY …. Alex But what a feeling ……

Finally recover and the straight line, a long dash. I k eep the rope in order to show off and start with a good straight line speed of passage. WAHOOOOOOOOO … This is sound coming out of my helmet as I scream my lungs out on the last lap…..

What a circuit!! So that was really the foot ……

END

This weekend will remain for me a memory burn in the same way my first trans-Himalayan tour was. A rendezvous of passionate, friendly atmosphere, unique motorcycles, flawless organization and a great circuit. DO NOT MISS.

I want to thank everyone who helped me realize this dream. Alex giving his bike in confidence, my father and brother for their help, my little nephew for his helmet Marise and Philippe for their hospitality and all who had come many miles to see me.

Thank you all
Until next year ….. Vintage Rides Rules!

Pushkar, the largest camel fair in the world!

Pushkar, the largest camel fair in the world!

In November, the festival is in full swing in Pushkar the sacred city of Rajasthan.

During the eight days preceding the full moon of November, thousands of camel drivers, pilgrims and visitors from all over the world gather for various events that take place that for a week in this small town located midway between Jaipur and Udaipur. In the vintage rides motorbike tours rajasthan, you get to experience royal enfield in the desert. From Shekawati – Bikaner – Jaisalmer- Jodhpur – Udaipur – Pushkar – Jaipur … it’s a journey of a lifetime which will make you rediscover history of a completely different culture.

Pushkar Fair – Moustache Contest 

The event is an excuse to support the most crazy: the most beautiful mustache, the largest Turban, the faster the camel, the best makeup, the most elegantly dressed …! Animals seeking a new owner were transformed into works of art.

Pushkar Fair 

Many other animals are present: horses, cows, buffalo … but they are often upstaged by the famous camel. (And not in spite of the camel misnomer that is given to the fair)

One of the most friendly to visitors that we are still yet to walk on the plain to contemplate the joy and excitement the kids play with the animals, taste the specialties offered by many vendors, attend the sale of livestock and virulent to negotiations. It is also an opportunity to discover the most beautiful traditional Rajasthani dress. Visitors often traveling from far off are awed by the beautiful colors of sarees, turbans and costumes.

Pushkar Fair – Women in traditional dress

Breeders are people of great kindness, and it is not uncommon to spend a few hours to drink tea with them in their tents.
Stop for a few minutes to assist in the preparation of animals for sale, they are pampered, spoiled, lovingly combed and clipped.

But the fame of Pushkar is also due to its famous temple, the only country to celebrate the Brahma, the god of creation. At the end of the fair, visitors and pilgrims take a ritual bath in the sacred lake at first light.

Discover Pushkar Fair riding the Royal Enfield! Great adventure of the Royal Enfield from October 21 to November 3, 2012. Up limited to 12 participants – Contact us here

Great wishful news for fans of Side and Bullet

The creators of Royal Enfield our aspiring to offer a range of side-cars to look decidedly “vintage”.

Battle of Tigers in Sariska reserve

Sariska National Park, located in the region of Rajasthan in Jaipur 100k, is an integrated Project Tiger Reserve, whose purpose is the protection of tigers. It covers 800 square kilometers. An excursion organized at dusk you will probably have a chance to cross one of these fat cats …

See you this fall for the journey on Earth Maharajas of October 23 to November 3!