Month: June 2025

Passion Reignited

From the time I could remember, I was always obsessed with two wheels and the wind on my face. My first love? The iconic Yamaha RX 135, a machine that symbolized freedom and fuelled years of unforgettable memories, and the last in the legacy of two-stroke engines in India.

My first love: The Yamaha RX 135

Fast forward to 2012, I moved to the UAE, and though life got busy, the itch to ride never quite left me. After years of hesitation, I finally gave in and brought home the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650. It wasn’t just a bike for me, it was a return to myself, and what better way to return to the arena than on a Royal Enfield, the emotion of all Indians. Even though at that time it was an impulsive decision without a clue on what I was gonna do with it, it all changed when I discovered the amazing biker culture in UAE. Pretty quickly I was integrated into the incredible biking brotherhood, and it completely changed the way I experienced life.

Royal Enfield: Where engine meets emotion

Enter King of the Road Challenge

Vivek Mehta of Biker Buddies Brotherhood had set up a Whatsapp group with over 750 bikers. This is a resource for bikers to exchange news, motivate each other and share stories of their endurance rides. I first learnt about certified endurance challenges from that group.

When Vivek Mehta and Chirag Rami, well known riders in the Biker Brotherhood, announced on the Whatsapp group about the revival of the King of the Road Challenge after years of hiatus, I knew I had to enrol into this endurance test that’s unlike any other.

At the initial pre-ride briefing, Vivek Mehta explained that the challenge had three stages:

Phase 1: 805 km in 12 hours

Phase 2: 1610 km in 24 hours

Phase 3: 2415 km in 36 hours

To be honest, I didn’t think I had it in me to complete all three stages. By this time I was regularly riding around 300 to 400 km on all weekends, and I assumed the first 805 km will be something I can realistically manage without breaking my back and butt.

We flagged off with a solid crew of 23 people, which included a mix of experienced and first-time endurance riders. Chirag Rami led the way with clarity and consistency, keeping the group focused and the ride well-paced. His foresight and timely course corrections helped us stay on track throughout. We were also fortunate to have Vivek Mehta as our mentor. His guidance, planning, and oversight ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish.

Ready, set, go: The start of something unforgettable

Unlocking New Limits

What I didn’t expect was how much the ride would awaken something inside me.The conditions weren’t always ideal; we had to ride throughtwo heavy sandstorms, a prolonged traffic jam, fuel shortages in between gas stations, several mechanical faults and a minor accident, but nothing was going to stop us. The camaraderie, the road, the rhythm, it was contagious. After finishing the 805 km stretch, something in me said, “Why stop now?” I pushed on to Phase 2. And then… Phase 3. What began with hesitation ended in triumph. I became one of the 8 riders to complete the entire 2415 km in 36 hours. As a cherry on the cake, I realized later on that my bike was the First Super Meteor 650 in the world to complete the King of the Road challenge, who would have thought!

At the finishing line: The 8 Kings of the Roadwith the mentor (from left to right, Victor King, Mentor Vivek Mehta, Sanjith Soman, Captain Chirag Rami, Gregory Fuller, Sunil Kulkarni, Avinash Surve,Kunal Bhatia and Umar Akbar)

My Key Takeaway

This challenge wasn’t just about distance or endurance. It was about self-discovery. Somewhere between gas stops, fatigue, and sandstorms, I found the strength I didn’t know I had. I learnt that our limits are often self-imposed, and that you need to step out of your comfort zone to grow. If you have ever doubted yourself and your capacity to go further, to do more, just get on that saddle, and the road has a way of showing you what you are truly made of.

A Word of Thanks

To Mentor Vivek Mehta: Your experience, guidance, encouragement, and discipline made all the difference.

To Captain Chirag Rami: Thank you for bringing this unbelievable achievement to life and leading us with vision.

To my fellow riders: Thank you for inspiring me and reminding that this journey is never meant to be a solo one.

Ride far. Ride true. Until the next one, peace out.

Sanjith Soman

Member of Eagles Tribe MC, UAE

Completed BIKER BUDDIES Endurance ride – United Through Storm – King of the Road Challenge, 8^th– 9^thFeb 2025

After finding out about the Long distance endurance rides, I was planning it within our group to embark on this adventure.

However when I saw a post on Vivek Mehta’s Biker Buddies Brotherhood Whatsapp group regarding a long distance challenge, I was presented with the opportunity of doing it with a large number of bikers from different MC. It was a no brainer for me to be a part of this memorable journey.

Motorcycling has always been my escape. The roar of the engine, the wind rushing past, and the sense of complete freedom, there’s nothing quite like it. But it wasn’t until I embarked on my first long-distance Ride that I truly understood what it meant to connect with the road, with the world, and with fellow riders in a way that I never imagined possible.

It wasn’t just a ride; it was an adventure. A journey that stretched across landscapes, and down highways that seemed to go on forever. And what made this experience unforgettable weren’t just the miles I covered, or the destinations I reached, but the people who I was riding with. Fellow motorcyclists who, like me, were chasing freedom on two wheels, making the entire ride something much more profound.

What was great about this journey was to be able to witness the true bikers brotherhood spirit where everyone was constantly motivating, helping fellow bikers throughout the journey. On long journeys, things don’t always go as planned. Flat tires, mechanical issues, or a sudden change in weather can all throw a wrench into your ride. Having fellow motorcyclists to lean on, even if just for advice or moral support, can be invaluable. The memories made and stories shared at the break stops made it exciting and enjoyable.

I found that the spirit of motorcycling wasn’t just something I could feel in the moment, it was something that stayed with me long after the ride was over. The friendships, the camaraderie, and the shared experiences became a part of my story, and in some ways, they became the highlight of the trip.

There’s a kind of brotherhood among riders that’s hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced it. But those of us who ride know it’s real. The bond between riders, whether formed at a gas station or in the middle of nowhere, is something special. It’s about trust, respect, and a shared love for the road and I was blessed to share it with friends who were a part of this journey.

As I sit back and think about the miles I’ve covered and the people I’ve met, I realize that this long-distance Ride wasn’t just a physical journey, it was a journey of connection. The road brought me closer to others, to myself, and to the very essence of what it means to be free.

This was my first time attempting such a challenge and honestly I was nervous in the beginning, but the encouragement, advice and tips shared on the pre-ride briefing by Mr. Vivek Mehta and brother Chirag Rami who have completed this ride multiple times before, made everyone well aware of the challenges both mental and physical during the journey and the planning required to complete the journey in the set time. So I thank both of you for your support and guidance and making it possible for us.

One thing that I would like to advise to anyone considering such rides is that these journeys are about understanding your potential and limits so always make informed decisions considering your safety.

“United We Ride”

Umar Akbar
Founder of United Riderz , UAE MC