Brotherhood of REO

Finally I was there with the Vroom gang, in the true spirit of Brotherhood!

Occasion: Republic Day, 26th January 2014.
Venue: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Royal Enfield Owners ride for safety on Republic day.

Royal Enfield Owners organised a ride for pride this Republic Day, 26^th January 2014 from Vashi to Panvel. The rally carried the message, “Ride for Safety”. The event was a first of its kind in Navi Mumbai more than 1000 Royal Enfield Owners  participated in this prestigious event. The rally was lead by women riders. Pravinaa Shetty, Gayatri Mattoo, AAshwini Marathe and ofcourse yours truly got to lead the ride. Pravinaa, made the experience absolutely wow for me. I wish to join her for more rides.

Women riders leading the Ride.

The beast, Royal Enfield Bullet, is not just to pump the adrenalin rush but it makes the rider responsible, disciplined, follow brotherhood and take up social causes in a big, organized way! Bullet is all about power and stability just like her rider. Nigel Rich, a member of the REO is the person who spearheads the rides. He is a big man if you go by his height, equally big is his heart and his spirit even bigger. Had been wanting to meet this group for the last couple of years, finally I was with them. They have organized many rallies in the past. Their ‘Republic Day Rally’ and the ‘One Ride’ in the first week of April are yearly events that carry social messages. The rides are received very well by the people, last year Republic day Ride carried the message to stop violence against women and had hundreds of supporters and people saluting them. Regret I missed that one but this year made it up for it by all means. The rides and the riders are cheered on with enthusiasm and have good fan following now.

With REO Bro -Nigel Rich

We see youngsters misusing the powerful bikes leading to accidents due to rash driving. Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai sees such accidents almost everyday. The Bikers, through these rallies carry the message that safety and responsible driving provide the thrill and excitement of biking making the experience enjoyable and fulfilling. Speed needs to be supported with a sense of safety and responsibility. It’s a habit that can be inculcated at an early age and make road safety a way of life!

REO has about 29 groups in the city of Mumbai alone, and they join such rides supporting  social causes from time to time. Its their passion for the ride and the want to highlight road safety and responsible riding and driving among the general people, especially youngsters. Ofcourse they are dutiful citizens of the country! 

The Rally was to start from Centre One Mall at Vashi, the REO groups started lining up from 8 am. Finally everyone reported by 9. Nigel Rich and Steven Miranda, briefed the riders of all the dos and don'ts. 

Bharadwaj Dayala 

Bhrajdwaj Dayala, the man who has gone around the world on his bike and this time wants to do it again on his Bullet came all the way from Vizag to be a part of the Ride. He was truly inspiring. He was given the bike of one of the REO brothers who left us, but always wished his bike to participate in the rides. Respecting that wish his bike was a part of this ride as well and that too given to one of the best bikers in the country Mr. Dayala. I am sure he was happy watching it from up there. Salute to him from everyone. The only non Bullet rider that was allowed on special request was  a person who had polio and found Bullet to be too heavy to handle. He was inducted into the brotherhood for his spirit! Way to go. There were many women and children also participating as pillion riders. All the lady riders were invited to lead the ride in the true spirit of brotherhood of REO. Sang the national anthem and flagged off the ride. The speed was maintained at 40 Km/ Hr sometimes even coming to 30. The headlights were kept on and the Tricolour unfurled in its true glory behind the bike and each one looked majestic. The sound that filled the air was that of all the Bullets roaring. Its amazing to hear all the bikes kick at the same time. 

The onlookers saluted the bikers, gave way at every traffic signal, its just amazing not to stop at any red light! the signal was always go for us. The route that we followed was Vashi-Palm Beach Road-Uran Phata- Palaspe- Panvel. From Centre One took the Palm Beach road, one of the best roads in Mumbai for a ride, went to the new developing hub of Uran all the way till Panvel and back. It was a pleasant morning and the ride was equally good. The sight was an absolute visual delight, never ending files of the bike and the roaring sound made Republic Day celebrations even more fun.The song of the horn filled the air from time to time. Cheering the bikers and spreading the message of road safety.We were back by 12.30 pm took about 3 hours to complete the ride. The atmosphere was all charged up, every biker cherished each moment.

I am so glad I could make it this time, yes had to leave my boys behind even though they wanted to come along, requesting my dad to attend to a more pressing requirement of the day, a desperate haircut for the boys and I choosing to join my REO brothers than visiting the neighbourhood barber! But some day I shall ride with my boys and the big boy!

PS: To note

Rules that the bikers follow for the ride :-

1. Be on time for the ride.

2. Helmet for the rider and the pillion is compulsory and carry riding gears (if any).

3. Shoes or boots compulsory for the rider.

4. No overtaking amongst each other. 

5. No rash riding during the ride/ rally.

6. No breaking file, ride in a file of 2.

7. No violence during the ride.

8. Always follow the bike which is ahead of you, all the way through the rally. 

9. Headlights will be full time on.

10. Every rider should carry valid driving license along with all necessary documents.

11. Ensure that the Royal Enfield is well serviced to avoid a break down during the ride.

Violation of any of the above rules will disqualify the rider and he can be asked to retire from the ride.

It was the teamwork of REO that made all this possible working day in an out, getting permissions to organise the ride on a very important and crucial day - The Republic Day of India. Appreciate the efforts of Nigel Rich, Atul Vig, Steven Miranda, Hozefa Gilitwala, Ashish Mattoo, Saniel Sonawane, Navin Nair, Christopher Nadar, Mohit, Carl Gawli, Bharat Choudhary, Viraj, Diezel, Karan Sharma, Mohit Khanna, Ali Asgar and all the participants. 

For more pictures, check the link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/190054287856930/?source=1
fbid=693682147318897&set=a.693680223985756.1073741842.100000313537109&type=1&theater