This was my first long ride on my recently purchased Benelli 600i and also my first experience at the IBW (India Bike Week). The ride was organized by the Hyderabad Benelli Dealer, who had provided us with a backup truck to carry our luggage and refreshments, and two mechanics with spare parts to handle any breakdowns.

At 4:30 AM, I, along with 15 other bikers, departed from Hyderabad. We halted in Belgaum at 5:00 PM for some refreshments and then we rode at sunset towards Goa via Chorla Ghats. We encountered horrible roads until Belgaum through the state highways with over 400-odd speed breakers. The Chorla Ghats was pitch dark, and we couldn’t see anything around us. We ensured all of us rode behind each other so that the road was well illuminated, and people approaching in the opposite direction could see us clearly. We reached Goa at 9:30 PM, completely exhausted but partied till the wee hours of the morning.

The next day, we went to the launch event of IBW, and there were more than 10,000 bikers and bikes. I witnessed all my dream bikes – Hayabusa, BMW S1000RR, MV Agusta, Yamaha R1, and the dream list goes on. Later, we visited Aguada, Curlies, beautiful beaches, and the shacks of Goa; and all the touristy things one would do on their trip to Goa. We stayed in Goa for two days before heading back to Hyderabad. It was an eye-opening trip for all of us and an experience that will stay with us forever.