Type Biking Festival Time 2 Days In February Location Arpora, North Goa Ask any biker and
The core of India Bike Week is about bikers gathering as a community regardless of what they ride. From Pulsars to Harleys, every kind of bike rider is welcome here. After a week-long journey, bikers from all over the country (and sometimes even the world) congregate at the festival venue in Goa; giving the festival the name India Bike Week, although the actual festival happens over the weekend that follows the bikers’ journey.
Since its inception in 2013, India Bike Week has seen a stupendous increase in attendance every year. Leisure motorcycling in India is at an all-time high now and people are opening up to adventures and exploring this beautiful country. In this scenario, India Bike Week gives them a reason to gather, share their stories and of course showcase their bikes.
The festival was held on 19 and 20 February in 2016, at Arpora in North Goa. It was attended by over 10,000 bikers.
AT THE FESTIVAL VENUE
There are numerous reasons for hardcore and casual bikers to cross national and international borders and gather in Goa to celebrate the event that has established itself as a cornerstone of India’s biking culture.
The Big Trip
Every year India Bike Week organises ‘The Big Trip’, at the festival venue. This is a platform dedicated to travel talks from the legends of the road. The best of the best from the biking community share their tales of grit, dirt and endurance from the road.
Motorcycle Expo
Some of the top motorcycle manufacturers mark their presence at this festival by putting up their stalls. Many of them even launch their upcoming motorcycles here. The Vintage Concurs event puts on display some of the most well-maintained vintage motorcycles in the country. Bike mods and custom motorcycles are also seen aplenty.
Brotherhood
The biking community in India is growing and the festival provides a fillip to that.
Competitions
India Bike Week becomes a stage for the National Stunt Championship in which stunt teams from across the country battle it out, every year. The loudest bike and burnouts are other activities bikers participate in.
Music and Party
Any festival is incomplete without good music. With three stages dedicated for various genres of music, the festival ensures there’s something for everybody. Some of the country’s biggest artists have performed here.
2016 highlights
Dirty 20 Enduro Challenge
Men and their machines were challenged to prove their moto-mettle on the festival’s homegrown enduro track sprawling an area of 50,000sq ft, which included 20 deadly obstacles.
IBW Film Festival
IBW 2016 saw its first ever Film Festival, in which films based on travel and adventure were screened. There were 150 entries across five categories, which were judged by an esteemed panel that included Imtiaz Ali, Arif Ali, Gaurav Jani, Pankaj Trivedi and Subodh Maskara.
The Big Trip
Famous bikers such as CS Santosh, Aspi Bhatena, Alankar Mishra, Rishad Bhumgara, Deepak Kamath and Dhruv Dholakia participated in the talks and panel discussions at IBW.
Moto Art Collective
Associating biking with creativity might seem a bit far-fetched, but that’s not the case at India Bike Week. The Moto Art Collective stall at the festival had some of the finest craftsmen display their motorcycle-based artwork. There were artworks by Ronnie Sequiera, Hammered, IRONiC, Suvo and Maria Jurkina, amongst others.
IBW Bike Build Off
The finest metal craftsmen came to India Bike Week with the beasts they had created with their own bare hands. The bike builders were given four months for the project. Their work was showcased and judged at the festival.
Vintage Icons of IBW
A walk through the annals of biking history became memorable as Aspi Bhatena, one of the most respected names in Indian and international motoring journalism, introduced the bikes one after the other as they rolled in at the Howling Dog Bar.
IBW Honor Roll
Keeping up with tradition, IBW felicitated legends of the community at the festival. This year’s honor roll featured CS Santosh – India’s most accomplished super-cross & rally-raid champion, BR Gurnandan from Bengaluru was chosen as India’s best mechanic. Dougie Lampkin, 12-time-FIM World Trials champion, stole the show displaying his skills around the arena on both the days. Fans interacted with the legend as he casually walked through the venue.
Music
With the sound of growling bikes and roaring artists, IBW 2016 got a whole lot louder. Some of the artists who performed in 2016 were Su Real, Girish & The Chronicles, Electrovertz, Sidd Coutto, Thalavattam, Soulmate, MIDIval Punditz, Joanne Fernandez, Mojojojo, Karl Hungus and Blackjack.
Around The Venue
Arpora is famous for its Saturday Night Market, which is open during tourist season. People from around the world sell their goods here; from mouth harps to yummy food the market has it all. Beaches such as Arambol, Calangute and Anjuna are also not very far away.
Where to Stay & Eat
Nick’s Place is a famous restaurant in Arpora. There are plenty others in North Goa.
FAST FACTS
Festival Organiser: indiabikeweek.in
Tourist Office: Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, Paryatan Bhavan, 3rd Floor, Patto Plaza, Panjim; Tel: 0832-2437132/ 728, 2438515/ 866; goa-tourism.com
STD code 0832
GETTING THERE
Air Nearest airport: Dabolim Airport (32km/ 45mins) from Panjim is linked to all metropolitan cities and major towns. Taxi costs ₹700–900 to Panjim
Rail Nearest railhead: Karmali station (12km/ 20mins) is the best option for Panjim. Taxi costs Rs.410. The Madgaon Station (33km/ 45mins) is a major hub for the Konkan Railway line
Road Goa is connected by good motorable roads with all major towns via NH4, NH17 and NH17A Bus State-run Kadamba Transport Corporation buses and many private operators offer connectivity across Goa from Panjim. To move around in Panjim, use motorbikes, buses and taxis, all of which are readily available
Biking Festival
festivals of India
Goa
