Meet the Punekars of the Harley Owners Group

Swooping down the huge mountains, taking on the highways and winding pathways, in harsh weather conditions and risking their lives, they were all determined to fulfil the goal- bike ride through Bhutan. Harley Owners Group (HOG) members across six chapters in India successfully completed the group’s first international bike ride.

In this 15-day journey, covering some 11 states in the country and then Nepal and Bhutan, the riders covered more than 4000km. This ride marked the collaboration between HOG India and Bhutan. There were more than 60 riders, including seven from Pune. 15 riders took the longest route in the journey, starting from south India. The Bengal chapter of the group arranged this entire tour. A member of the Bhutan royal family joined the group and guided them on their journey through the various cities in the country. 
Maral Yazarloo, a member of HOG Pune and the only woman rider from India, who has been on an international bike ride, said, “The journey was excellent. The body immunity becomes poor when we ride for so long. We experienced many other risks too- our bikes broke down, there were bad roads, muddy paths where we had to push our bikes, and some horrible accidents. But in spite of all this, true to our motto of riding for freedom, this journey turned out to be exactly that.” 
Right from riding in 48 degree Celsius in India to as low as 5 degree Celsius in Bhutan, they adapted to every situation. Their route in Bhutan started from Phuentsholing, later going through Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. Samarth Kadam, this was his first long bike journey. He said, “In our group, there is strong brotherhood, everyone is always ready to help the other on the journey. Roads in Bhutan are very good, and riding amidst its wonderful nature was the best part.” 

The Bikerni It is India’s first and the largest all-women motorcycle riders association. This group was founded three years ago and today they have spread across seven other cities in the country. In the Pune chapter, there are 25 members, who take a day’s ride every month. They go to places around the city such as Lonavala, Tamhini ghat and Mahabaleshwar, covering some 250km. They have also been to other places such as Goa, Dandeli and Shriwardhan. The women riders in this group are not restricted to one motorcycle brand

Wolfe Pack India, Pune chapter This 40-member group includes only Royal Enfield owners, who go on a ride, covering no less than 700 km every month. The group has been to Konkan, Bordi and Sandhan valley, among other places in Maharashtra. Harshad Sane, a member of the group, said, “On our monthly rides, we normally leave on Saturday and are back by Sunday night. We have been on other long rides too, to Chennai and Karnataka. When we went to Chennai, we covered some 5000km in 15 days”