In the road mode

He likes to live life in the fast lane. And he'll never hit the brake on his dreams. Riyaaz Amlani, the founder of a chain of cafes around town, is also a biking enthusiast.
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The proud owner of a Kawasaki Vulcan and a Royal Enfield, Riyaaz simply loves the idea of taking off for a ride with only his bike for company.

He has recently formed a group for fellow bike lovers called the Mocha Bike Association. CS spoke to him about this new venture:



A bike bond
When I started out with my coffee shops, the idea was to create a community space where people could share ideas. The new initiative is a sort of platform for all biking enthusiasts to come together and ride along. The idea is also to promote safe and responsible biking amongst the young and old alike. People can come here, plan trips, assist each other and share their passion for bikes.

Rain, rain come again
Monsoons are a very treacherous time for biking. The roads are slippery, full of potholes and traffic jams. Your brakes and tyres need to be in top shape during this season. And the helmet has to be on at all times. This is also a time for defensive riding, where you don't get too close to other riders. You need to understand your space. Basically, there's a lot of risk involved. On the other hand, nature is at its spectacular best, and nothing beats the thrill of riding in the rains, through the clouds, it's almost like flying.u00a0

One for the road
Being a biking enthusiast, I carry a lot of memories that are still very fresh in my mind. There is a long flat stretch between Neemrana and Jaipur in Rajasthan. I remember riding there on a full moon night. With the moon straight on the horizon, it seemed like I was riding straight into the moon. It was breathtaking.

Then last September, I rode 1,400 kms in Spain on the Mediterranean Coast with friends. We passed silvery beaches, quaint fishing villages with stone houses, grottoes and fields. I recollect halting at a point where there were only fruit orchards. The nearest village was 200 kms away on either side.
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We plucked fruits from the trees, ate them and survived the night. It is one of my best trips so far. In Mumbai, I love to ride in areas like Peddar Road, Walkeshwar and Altamount Road, where the roads are somewhat meandering. You see, bikers love their curves (laughs). I can't wait to hit the road again this season.