MBA: Mocha Bike Association rides again

Mumbai's Mocha Bike Association (MBA), a motley group of city-based bikers, are reuniting after two years to make a road trip to Nashik, India's wine country four hours outside Mumbai, on July 10-11. (Read CNNGo Mumbai editor Sita Wadhwani's Nashik Wine Tasting Weekend diary.) The club has opened registration for new members and to become a "comrade" all you need is "a cool bike over 350CC".

Co-founded by restaurateur and Mocha coffee chain shop owner Riyaaz Amlani the association's objective, he says, "is to create a highway for bike enthusiasts from all walks of life to interact with each other and plan trips to destinations that any biker would love to go to."

Like Bordi's unspoilt beaches and chickoo orchards tentatively planned for August 14, Panchgani hill station on September 11, Alibaug and Murud Janjira in October, Goa in November, Tarkali in December and Matheran in January.

Co-founder Amit Jambotkar adds, "The idea is to bring like-minded bike enthusiasts, be it men or women, together on one platform. The members of MBA are a loose knit group of city-based motorcycle fanatics who get together on the second weekend of every month."

The difference with MBA, the founders explain, is that the club is more about cultivating and sharing experiences than joining a cult of adrenaline junkies. "Riding together is what matters most," could be their unofficial motto.

To see if MBA crew members are really as chill as they say they are, pop by their re-launch party on July 7 at Mocha Mojo, Classic Corner Building, Next to Holy Family Hospital, Hill Road, Bandra (W); tel. +91 (0) 22 2642 1484.

The July 10-11 Nashik weekend ride includes a visit to Sula Vineyards. Rs 2,000 per head you get accommodation at Ginger hotel on a twin sharing basis, Saturday morning buffet lunch, Saturday night cocktail dinner and Sunday morning breakfast. Cut-off date for confirmations is July 7.Click here for membership form, check the MBA Facebook group for up-to-date details, or email mba@mocha.co.in.