Did we work hard enough to ensure a flawless experience for our riders?
And so, the moment arrived, and we embarked on our much-anticipated opening tour “The Roads to Chirakkal.”
Three Riders from Austria joined us for this test tour, marking a significant milestone.
After months of meticulous planning and preparations, this was our opportunity to fine-tune our offering based on their valuable feedback.
Prior to the actual start, our participants had the chance to acclimate themselves to the bikes and experience Indian traffic firsthand.
With our Riders by our side, we navigated Kochi on a sweltering afternoon. One of them had previous motorbike experience in Southeast Asia, while the other two were venturing into Asia for the first time. None of our Riders had ever ridden a motorbike in India, but they were braving the unique challenges of Indian traffic courageously.
At the start location, a beautiful beachside resort, our Enfield mechanic made final adjustments to the bikes, even customizing some settings to our Riders preferences. In the evening, we gathered for getting to know each other, discussing the routes and Indian road etiquette, and addressing any concerns our Riders had. Excitement filled the air as we looked forward to the start of the ride the following day, and everyone retired early to ensure a good night’s rest.
On a pleasant morning, we set off, with Jo leading the group and myself at the rear, accompanied by the service truck carrying our luggage, essential supplies and of course our mechanic.
Riding like this for the first time was something very special and you could feel everyone’s joy and excitement. We cruised hundreds of curves, climbed jungle mountains over countless hairpin bends, conquered the plains, and after the first five-day leg through this stunning scenery we arrived at Kannur, where we enjoyed a well-deserved rest day by the sea. The views of the Arabian Sea and enchanting sunsets were truly mesmerizing.
As we slowly made our way back down to Kochi after this break, we were even fortunate to spot elephants along the way. Although we encountered two minor defects on the bikes, our skilled mechanic handled them with ease and we were able to continue our ride without significant delays. Each evening, we engaged in dinner discussions, reflecting on the day’s ride and seeking ways to improve.
Writing this, I want to say a big thank you to our best ever “test customers” who not only constantly gave us their feedback but were fantastic companions on and off the road!
Overall, it was a very enriching experience and, above all, great fun. We witnessed our meticulous planning come to fruition while also identifying areas for improvement. Our riders left with cherished memories of their Indian adventure, instilling confidence in our Crew and our future endeavours.
Even before I could finish the question to our Riders and our Crew “If they would do it ag…?”, came the emphatic reply “YES!!!”
And personally, I can hardly wait until we hit the road again.
Pratish
