IBW Chai Pakoda Pune-Mumbai Ride: Teaser For The Main Ride!

If you have been following us on Instagram, you would have seen us participate in the IBW chai pakoda ride on November 5. This was the last ride of its kind before the main IBW event scheduled for December 8 and 9 in Goa.

IBW Chai Pakoda Rides offer a platform for riders to connect with their local biking community. These breakfast rides take place on certain Sundays and provide opportunities to meet new riders. Here, much like the main event itself, the idea is that regardless of the type of motorcycle you ride, as long as you have a passion for motorcycles and respect for fellow enthusiasts, you're encouraged to participate. It's an inclusive environment for all bike enthusiasts.

This ride was planned so that riders from both Mumbai and Pune could meet at a common destination in Lonavala. We started from Centre One mall in Vashi at 7:30, which connects to Palm Beach Road, keeping the riders away from city traffic. Similarly, riders in Pune began at 8:30 from Crank It Cafe in Bavdhan.

For this ride, we were joined by many riders, ranging from smaller 125s to larger 1300 cc Hayabusas. There was also a group of Yamaha retro bikes, including a few RD350s and RX100s. In terms of attractions, there was a person on a Bajaj Chetak, which showcased the spirit of biking. India Bike Week ensured that all riders were in proper riding gear, and the safety of the ride was maintained. The Marshals acted as pack leaders, overseeing and guiding the stream of bikes while ensuring synchronised proximity between each riding group. Medical support was available, with the IBW team establishing a trailing ambulance service for the ride. Thankfully throughout the ride there had not been any incident that we are aware of and that just shows that with the right mindset accidents can be avoided.

For this ride, our companion was the Royal Enfield Bullet 350. The vibrations on the newer models are reduced, and the unstressed engine keeps you relaxed while travelling. On the highways, I barely shifted from 4th or 5th gear due to the ample torque and momentum that carries you over speed breakers. The updated suspension also works smoothly on the rough patches of road near the villages.

Our ride concluded at Sheetal Da Dhaba on Old Mumbai – Pune Hwy. Here, we were served breakfast, which consisted of a delicious plate of pakoras and chai, along with poha. There were fun and games for all the riders present, and a lot of goodies were sponsored by Gulf Syntax. To cap it all off, a friendly rev battle started up in the parking section between the bikes with loud exhausts.

In summary, this was a fun ride and offered a brief preview of what the fun at IBW would be like. IBW is the largest biking festival in India, and we recommend that if you are a biker, you should visit to meet and connect with like-minded bikers and people who share the same passion as you at this event. Book your tickets today on the IBW website.