Ted Simon rode around the world in 1973 on a Triumph Tiger 100. He then went around the world again in 2001 on a BMW R80GS. He was 72. Now, at over 80, he's riding a Royal Enfield on the Helmet Stories coastal ride to Goa alongside me.
He's not the only one. Jay Kannaiyan took three years to ride around the world on a Suzuki DR650. He cooked 53 chicken curries for his hosts on the journey, learnt two languages along the way, got a distance masters degree while living the adventure of a lifetime. He's on a Harley Davidson Super Low. I'm riding next to people I idolise and we're headed to the second edition of India Bike Week in Vagator, Goa.
There's Nick Sanders there. He's the fastest overland man around the world. He's ridden a Yamaha R1 around the world in 19 days! He's bicycled around the world in 79 days!
And Eliza Massey. 57 years old and currently on a solo ride around the world on a BMW 650GS. Man, the stories they have to tell!
They are some of the reasons I went to the 2014 India Bike Week. I also went because I couldn't fathom how Seventy EMG, the owners of IBW, could possibly top last year.
They did. Where else do you get track riding tips from Moto GP hot newcomer Scott Redding, see MRF FMX riders hanging upside down off a motocrosser 30ft in the air, hear the melee of a thousand Screamin' Beagled Harley Davidsons (yes, there were that many), see India's first concept electric bike, and get inspired to go on your own solo ride around the world, all in one place. Continued..
