All posts by MCin

Crusty Demons – Freestyle Motocross stunt show

In this guest blog, author Keerthi Jayasimha writes about his experiences from the Crusty Demons, motocross stunt show held in Palace Grounds Bangalore. Event date: 2005, December 10

Palace Grounds Concert Area was chosen as the demonic site for all the evil stunts to be done by the Aussie team: Crusty Demons. Coupla streets away on the way to the venue I could already feel the high spirits of the approaching teenage motorcyclists savagely trying to overtake every possible vehicle in front. I smiled as rode in. Reached the place and found my friends and hung out at the parking lot admiring the huge turnout and the enthusiasm of the public. We were quite surprised to see a couple of old women as well. Not bad.

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6th round – 2005 National Championship – Sriperumbudur Chennai

Killer and myself on my bike reached Irungattukottai for the 6th round – 2005 National Championship, on Saturday by 10. A good 4 1/2 hr ride. Parked the bike loaded with the Cramsters close to the pits as we didn’t want to lug it around and went around the pits. We looked into the Tectrac Racing pits, but Vivek nowhere to be seen. Asked around and got the info that he’d been tied up with another bike or something. Sat on the view towers 3rd floor to avoid the sun and watched people practicing and qualifying etc. CHENNAI IS FRIGGIN HOT.

Didn’t go to take any timings/ speeds. Most people were putting in short stints; coming in – going out etc. Made no sense to be out in the HOT SUN. Infact we did see a hare sprinting along the lenght of the pit lane crossing the track and running away into the trees! Some guys tried to catch it with hopes of a rabbit meal , but it got away. We found that funny. Slept for a while right there on the floor, this was when Killer dreamed that he was riding a bullet.

Had lunch etc and later spoke to Sanath and the track manager and requested for permission to be out on the track after the day’s schedule was done. Went out on track on the Thunderbird (Luggage and all) with Killa behind with a video cam. You guys can see this video to get an idea of the short track (2.2kms) that is used for the races.
The Group C bikes are the only ones that run the full track at 3.7kms.

Got some pics of the qualifying results and left the track.
Some qualifying times that I can remember.

  • Group C 2 stroke: Full lap: 2:06 secs
  • Group D 2 stroke: Short lap: 1:18.444 secs
  • Group D 4 stroke(110-160cc) : Short lap: 1:19.191 secs

Headed straight to Chennai and took killer to the Madbulls meet to meet friends there. (Madbulls=Madras Bulls, the Madras Bullets club). Killer fidgety seeing about 30-35 bullets parked 😀 . Some people return a knowing not so appreciative cold stare to Killer as I introduced him. I’m sure they’ve read his bull bashing on RDD. Anyways, he survived and we went and partied with them for a while and dinner later.

Dosai from the Madbulls was kind enough to put us both up for the night and we crashed out at about 0030.

Next morning after great breakfast (courtesy Dosai’s mom), we left to the track. We roamed the pits and again looked for Vivek, but no luck. Poncho joined us by then on the 1000RR. So, we dumped our stuff in one of the empty pits and wandered around the track. Basically all that happend after that was a bit of a blur because we were moving around taking pics, videos and speeds on the speed gun.

We finally settled in under the big tyre arch at the end of the main straight as it was cooler to take speed readings. The speeds at the end of the shorter main straight were approximately the same as the speeds at Coimbatore for almost all the classes other than Group C 2 stroke, because they weren’t max-ed out. Something like:

  • Group D 2stroke : 110+
  • Fieros : 110
  • Victors : 90
  • TVS 50s : 90
  • Group C 2 stroke : 125+

Later after the first round of races got over, we decided to move out and I got to meet Poncho’s bike builder Ameen and many more people.

We then went out to a spot near the full circuit where we thought the Group C bikesTVS Group C bike through turn 1. would be maxed out and it would be best to take the videos. On the way to the longer loop where we wanted to take the videos and timings from , I was offered a drop till half the way in the Esteem pace car. Because the front two seats were occupied, Sharath told me squeeze in between the bars of the rollcage and get in behind. No seats and I had to sit on the metal floor and hang on using my hands to the cage. I think at this moment in time, Sharath forgot that I was there and started ripping around the track , throwing it into the corners and let me assure you, this is something I wouldnt want to do again. I got thrown around and battered. And the best part is that he forgot that I was there and started heading towards the start again. Thats when I had to ask him to stop and jumped off and walked the rest of the way. That was some crazy driving, good fun.While Killer handled the Speedgun, I managed the digital camera so that we could get a few decent videos. The only thing was that the tower that I climbed to take the video had no flooring and I had to balance on crossbeams about 15 ft above the ground. The whole ordeal was worth it and I managed to film them in the longer track all the way around. We did get a crash video too. Rajani of Team TVS high sided the bike coming out of turn 3 and the bike went cartwheeling off the track. The rider was luckily fine. Killer took the speeds on the gun which were doing 140+ kmph. On the way back, I again got picked up by the same car, but this time I was more prepared!

Back in the pits, thanks to Ameen and co. we had great Biryani waiting for us. Hogged royally and later decided to ride back to Bangalore. Poncho decided to ride at our pace back to Bangalore. (Which he did at a 100kmph all the way back.)

Just after hitting the highway, I was falling asleep on the bike. But then this time I asked Killer who was pillion to ride the Thunderbird. (For those who know, I can see the expression on your faces, :lol:) He rode it but then it was of no use as I couldn’t sit too. Must have been the beer and the Chennai heat. Oops, did I mention beer! So, I had to stop and I got a good half hour of sleep at a temple yard on the highway. That really helped and after that it was only a couple of stops and we rode through Chittoor-Mulbagal-Kolar and to Roadtrip in Indranagar. Had an excellent dinner and after dropping Unni off, was home by about 0100.

Couple of videos from the track:

You would need DivX codec to watch the videos. If you do not have it download it from www.DivX.com
To save the videos onto your machines, right click on the link and choose “Save target as” or “Save link as” on your browser.

  • Rajani of TVS racing highsiding the Group C 2 stroke
  • A lap around the track on the Thunderbird, with Killer sitting pillion and holding the camera.

Himalayan Odyssey 2006

A massive18,350 feet high
An exciting 2500km trip
A lifetime of memories
And friends for life

The Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey this year will be flagged off from Delhi on the 24th and  25th of June. This adventure trip will cover approximately 2500km over 14 days in some of the roughest terrains, breathtaking corners, and highest mountain passes in the world.

The Odyssey will leave from delhi and then halt over night at the garden city of Chandigarh before proceeding into the lap of the hills for an overnight halt at Manali at a scenic camp next to the beas river instead of the congestin of the honeymoon paradise. The 300 odd kilometers between Chandigarh and Manali are a bikers paradise with scenic views of the hills and fantastic riding roads. But Manali is where the picnic ends and the expedition begins. From here on the he riders will cross over the snow filled Rothang pass leaving behind the soothing Himachal greenery to embrace the stark desert landscape of the Keylong region. Again there will be the scenic landscape of the Tupchiling camp  near Tandi, but the air will be a lot more colder and riders will already have started feeling the effects of the rarefied air at this altitude.

Day four will see the riders cross the notorious Baralach La. To glimps a view of  the magnificent Suraj tal and rest in the breath taking Sarchu Valley. There will be ample time to discuss the origins of life, as well as the the journey just completed, and the road ahead. Here the winds adds its own sting to the cold.

For those who get seasoned by now, day – 5 from Sarchu to Debring should be quite an easy ride except for the stretch near Pang which can be quite dusty at times. This is the time when the mettle of the riders is really tested as Debring is the highest halt in this entire trip. Located on the extremely windy more plains, the camp at debring is located about 7km from the main road. The setting is scenic and the spectacular Tso Kar is just a stone’s throw away.

By the morning of day six the worst is nearly over, if the rider is fit and standing he only has to contend with the mighty height of Tanglang La – the second highest motorable road in the world, after which it is a gentle cruise to Leh, the capital city of Ladakh. There is a lot to see in Leh and the four nights might not be enough but the highlight of the event is the ride to Khardung La – the worlds Highest Motorable road. This gives the royal Enfield riders a sense of achievement which nobody can take away from them. To a Royal Enfield rider Ladakh is like a pilgrimage that a rider should do at least once in a lifetime.

The return route is the same just that the stop over at Tupchiling is eliminated and riders will proceed straight to Manali covering two days distance in one day.
The upward journey is split into smaller sections to enable riders to acclimatise better to the lofty heights of Ladakh.

We have expert and experienced pilots to guide the group in various areas of bike riding and coping with the weather and terrain. We also have qualified doctors traveling with the group. And to take care of the bike health we also have a team of mechanics traveling with the group. If you are an experienced rider you will find enough excitement to thrill you and if you are hesitating because of your inexperience or discomfort with various aspects of this epic journey this is the trip to be on. The pilots will guide you through the course and their knowledge and your experience will help you be more at comfort with your Royal Enfield.

The journey is extreme in nature and lot of preparation is required for both bike and rider. Health and stamina is always an advantage both for the bike and the rider. At high altitudes both bike and riders are faced with a drop in power output due to the lack of oxygen. Hence an unfit bike or poor preparation in terms of equipment and clothing only worsens the situation. The Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey is organised by Royal Enfield every year and although the organisors take every precaution to ensure safety, a journey over such epic proportions is not without its risk factor. Perhaps that is what makes it so exciting.

Helmets (preferably full face with clear visor) are compulsory and adequate winter clothing and riding gear are essential.

For any further details or clarifications please log on to www.royalenfield.com or write to schavan@royalenfield.com

Date Itinerary Distance(km) Passes on route & height (m) Height at destination (m) Route description
24th June Delhi – Chandigarh 250 0 Smooth fast 4/6 lane highway with fast (and natorious) trafic till Ambala and then dual carriageway with similar traffic.
25th June Chandigarh – Manali 290 2,050 50-70 km of plains and then fantastic hill roads with great view but sometimes chaotic traffic
26th June Manali – Tupchiling 107 Rohtang La 3,978 3,100 Steep narrow hill roads over Rothang La to Kokhsar then  a gradual stretch to Tandi/ Tupchiling
27th June Tupchiling – Sarchu 122 Baralacha La 4,897 4,250 Can expect, water  crossings, rough and broken roads over Baralacha La
28th June Sarchu – Debring 128 Nakeela 4,500
Lachlung La 5,060
4,600 Can expect, water  crossings, rough and broken roads near Pang
29th June Debring – Leh 148 Tanglang La 5,360 3,500 Arduous climb over Tanglang La then a gradual cruise to leh
30th June Leh
1st July Leh-Khardung La-Leh 42+42 Khardung La 5,602 Vertical climb of over 2km over 42km makes it the biggest climb of the trip but past experience could make it seem easy
2nd July Leh
3rd July Leh – Debring 148 Tanglang La 5,360 4,600
4th July Debring – Sarchu 128 Nakeela 4,500
Lachlung La 5,060
4,250
5th July Sarchu – Manali 229 Baralacha La 4,897
Rohtang La 3,978
2,050
6th July Manali – Chandigarh 290 0
7th July Chandigarh – Delhi 250 0

Royal Enfield enthusiasts can join in the trip by completing the registration formalities and paying a demand draft of Rs.10,000/-

includes

  • accommodation – on a bed and breakfast plan on a triple sharing basis.
  • Service support – cost of spares will be charged
  • medical support – experienced doctor throughout the trip
  • meals are provided at all camps but not in cities and during travel
  • accident insurance policy for participant for Rs. 1,00,000
  • infrastructure – exclusive camping facilities, support vehicles – two LMV and one truck to carry spares, oxygen, medical supplies, riders luggage etc.

does not include

  • fuel (bike should have a range of at least 400km on one tankful)
  • snacks, and other personal expenses like laundry, entertainment etc.

registration process

  • registration form – available at regional offices, dealerships, and download able from www.royalenfield.com
  • copies of vehicle registration papers, tax, valid insurance
  • copy  of driving licence
  • medical certificate stating that you are fit to indulge in a motorcycle expedition at a height of 5600m, height, weight, whether you are prone to diabetes’s or high blood pressure (pl include blood pressure reading), asthmatic, or any other heart condition, Please mention if you are on any sort of medication or are allergic to any substances
  • indemnity bond
  • copy of passport and valid visa in case of foreign nationals
  • demand draft of Rs. 10,000

HELMETS AND ANKLE BOOTS ARE COMPULSARY

safety and infrastructure

  • for the himalayan odyssey safety is always an underlying thought in each and every aspect of the trip.
  • For the most obvious reasons we will have a qualified and experienced doctor traveling with the group
  • the other important aspect while traveling is hygiene both in food and living conditions and we tr and ensure that the participants get the best.
  • Support vehicles – we carry 2-3 LMV and one truck so the participants do not have to load their bike with luggage and compromise the handling of their machines. The LMVs enable the service and medical staff to get to the situation quicker. All our drivers are experienced in that kind of terrain.
  • Expert pilots – the HO pilots will be on bikes and are expert riders with experience in handling large motorcycling groups as well as the terrain (without killing the fun). They are on hand to help with any aspect of the bike or riding either for an individual or a group. Every morning there is a briefing on what to expect and how to react. Discussing vital riding techniques as the terrain demands.
  • High Altitude – our crew is experienced in high altitude areas and know how to react to the situations and weather and the affect it has on people.